American Samoa National Park Activity and Calendar Page
Below you will find information about visitor centers, ranger led programs, activities for children, and special events that occur on certain dates or throughout the year.
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Activity and Calendar Information
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General Information
The National Park of American Samoa, America's 50th National Park, is the only one south of the equator. This Park in the South Pacific is dedicated to preserving the Samoan/Polynesian culture and landscape. The islands neotropical forests, indopacific reefs, and 3,000 year old culture are unique in the National Park Service.
Two rain forest preserves and a coral reef are home to unique tropical animals including the Flying Fox, Pacific Boa,sea turtles, and an array of birds and fish. The park contains paleotropical rain forests, pristine coral reefs, and magnificent white sand beaches. The park was authorized on October 31, 1988. Park lands are on three separate islands; Tutuila, Ofu and Tau, and total 9,000 acres. All of the lands are leased from the respective villages.
Weather and Wildlife
American Samoa is in the South Pacific Ocean, between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn. A tropical climate prevails. Temperatures are warm or hot year-round (high 70's to low 90's F) with high humidity. Rain showers are frequent. Rain showers may last only for a few minutes, or last all day. The average annual rainfall in the drier portions of the island is 125 inches and 200 inches elsewhere. Tropical storms are more prevalent during the rainy season (November to May)
September and October are the peak months when humpback whales (tafola) visit our balmy waters.
April/May is the time of year when some familiar visitors leave American Samoa and begin an incredible and perilous journey home. These visitors are the shorebirds, or tuli. Three different kinds of tuli are common visitors here between the months of September and April: the Pacific Golden Plover, the Wandering Tattler, and the Ruddy Turnstone.
| Date Open | Days Closed | Hours | Location |
| All year | New Years Day Thanksgiving Christmas |
8:00 - 4:30 Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 12:30 pm Sat |
Located in Pago Plaza office building located on the island of Tutuila. |
Fa'asamoa
The Samoan culture is Polynesia's oldest. It is believed that, the first people on the Samoan Islands came by sea from southwest Asia some 3,000 years ago. Over the centuries, distinct cultural traits emerged that we now call fa'asamoa (fah-ah-SAH-mo-ah). From Samoa, seafaring explorers and settlers journeyed to other Polynesian island groups hundreds of miles away.
The concept of a National Park, particularly a park encompassing both natural and cultural aspects, fits well with the traditional Samoan way of life, the fa'asamoa. Samoans consider this island world to be sacred. Lands, waters, and food sources are managed in order to sustain them for the future. Samoan culture, customs, and traditions emphasize the importance of the extended family, the aiga (ah-ING-ah). Each aiga's lands are managed by its chief, or matai (mah-TIE), for the common good. The Samoan people welcome visitors; in fact, a stay with a family can be an important part of your island experience.
Whether you are a guest or simply passing through a village, please observe these customs as a sign of respect.
To help facilitate your cultural adaptation the National Park Service staff has developed a list of do's and don'ts regarding local customs. The ability to follow these customs, and others that may be particular to your host village, will help ensure an enjoyable cultural experience. When in doubt about an activity ask your host family the extent to which a custom is observed and a practice followed. They will tell you.
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Home Stay Program
The Home Stay program provides an opportunity for visitors to become acquainted with Samoan people and culture in a village setting. Residents of villages associated with the National Park offer accommodations and the opportunity to learn local customs, crafts and the south Pacific lifestyle. Imagine staying in a village with the sights and sounds of the rainforest around you. Sleep in a Samoan house (fale), live with a Samoan family and start the day participating with village activities. Some may be familiar. Others, like cutting the Pandanus (laufala) tree leaves and drying them to weave mats, may not. Add to your weaving knowledge by learning simple methods, like weaving fans from palm leaves.
The Hosts
Each host has set the fee for accommodations and cultural activities for your Home Stay visit. The cost per accommodation varies with the type of accommodation, activities, and the village you will be staying in.
Do not expect it, but don't be surprised if the family gives you a gift while you are at their home as a gesture of Samoan hospitality and generosity towards visitors. It is customary to accept the gift. You too may want to participate in this age-old Samoan tradition of gift giving. Consider giving a personal belonging or unopened store-bought food.
Daily Activities
Some artisans may dry and paint the bark of the Mulberry tree. While tending plantations and gardens, Samoans clean brush, plant taro and bananas, tend mango, and papaya trees. Some villagers may climb coconut and breadfruit trees to gather food. You may have a chance to fish, Samoan style.
Samoans use poles and nets to fish, or walk along the reef to collect giant clams and spear octopus. At certain times of the year, villagers catch fish with palm leaves. These and other cultural experiences will be a memorable part of your visit in American Samoa.
Problems
There is the chance that you may experience disappointments. These may be due to living arrangements, unmet expectations, language difficulties or cultural differences. They may also be due to unpredictable changes in the weather. The National Park Service is not responsible for conflicts, accidents, sickness, or the weather, and cannot be associated with any payments for accommodations and services. The NPS does request suggestions from visitors that participate in this program so that they can continue to improve the program.
If this brief description of their program sounds interesting to you, you may email them for any additional information you may need at: npsa_administration@nps.gov (please write HOMESTAY in the subject). They will do their best to answer all your questions about this new and exciting association between Samoan villages and the National Park and park visitors. They will do everything they can to match visitors with the cultural opportunities that they most want.
American Samoa National Parks Page
Back to National Parks
by John William Uhler
