Aunuʻu, American Samoa

About

Aunuʻu is a small volcanic island off the southeastern shore of Tutuila in Saʻole County, American Samoa. It has a land area of 374.83 acres (0.59 sq mi; 1.52 km2), and a 2010 census population of 436 persons. Politically, it is a part of the Eastern District, one of the two primary political divisions of American Samoa. The island of Aunu’u is home to three villages: Le’auuliuli, Saluavatia, and Alofasau. Politically, the island is divided into two sections, Saole and Saleaaumua. The entirety of Saluavatia and half of Le’auuliuli are part of Saole, while the remaining half of Le’auuliuli, along with Alofasau, constitute Saleaaumua. The names of the villages are derived from the Samoan language. Le’auuliuli translates to "the black stalk," whereas Saluavatia means "a second Vatia." Since the 1960s, the Aunuʻu people's main economic activity has been growing taro and producing faausi.

Aunuʻu is the only place in American Samoa where taro is cultivated in paddy fields, which occupies about 5 percent of the land. The remaining land is mostly wet and unsuitable for cultivation and is primarily covered by non-edible trees, bushes, shrubs and weeds. Agricultural runoff and erosion do not appear to threaten nearshore water quality, as these flow into Pala Lake and the wetlands areas (Pedersen 2000; Tuionoula 2010). Aunuʻu is said to produce the best taro in American Samoa (Best 1992).

Geologically, Aunuʻu Island is a volcanic cone (tuff cone). The island is less than 1 square mile (2.6 km2) in area, and around half of that area is a cultivated plain on which Aunuʻu's villages are located. There are several beaches consisting of coral rubble and sand, and sea cliffs. The eastern half of Aunuʻu is rimmed by a geologically recent volcanic cone. The highest point on the crater rim is 310 feet (94 m) above sea level. Within the crater is the Faʻimulivai Marsh, which contains a freshwater pond. The crater is one of the few places in American Samoa where evidence of the more recent episodes of volcanism can be observed. The eruptions at Aunuʻu occurred at approximately the same time as the volcanism at Leʻala Shoreline in Taputimu, while the eruptions that formed Rainmaker Mountain, Matafao Peak, and the ridges of Vaiʻava Strait are much older. Aunuʻu Island has the only quicksand area in American Samoa, and also the territory's only lakes: Pala Lake is just north of the village, and Red Lake is inside the crater. Maʻamaʻa Cove is on the far eastern edge of the crater. The volcanic island was formed by submarine volcanic activity, with a prominent tuff cone shaping its eastern half. This tuff cone is breached on the eastern margin, creating Maamaa Cove. The weathering of the tuff deposits has resulted in an impermeable layer at the base of the Aunuʻu Cone, allowing for the formation of a marsh and a lake within the cone. The Taufusitele Marsh occupies a portion of the coastal flat to the west of the cone. Beyond the marsh, the coastal flat is covered by significant deposits of calcareous sand and gravel, contributing to the island's unique geological and ecological landscape. Unlike Tutuila Island, Aunuʻu Island is home to a crater lake: Red Lake.

Aunuʻu Island is home to the only freshwater lakes found in American Samoa. Aunu’u Crater Lake is among the most picturesque locations in American Samoa. Except for the outlet culvert, the area remains entirely untouched, supporting a vibrant marsh community and offering a unique habitat for fish and birds, including the rare Australian gray duck. Faimulivai Marsh is the largest herbaceous freshwater marsh in American Samoa. This area provides essential habitat for the Australian gray duck and is recognized as one of the most picturesque locations in American Samoa. Except for the outlet culvert, the marsh remains entirely undisturbed. Aunuʻu Crater contains the freshwater Faʻamulivai Marsh, the largest such wetland in American Samoa. It was formed from the drainage of the low-lying crater. It is part of a protected National Natural Landmark on Aunuʻu that was designated in 1972. The Pacific black duck was seen in the marsh in 1976, but it may now be extinct in the region; another significant local bird is the purple swamphen. This marsh is the only place in American Samoa where the Chinese water chestnut grows.[1]

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.