American Samoa real estate investment information for Pago Pago and the islands of Tutuila and Aunu'u. Scroll down for more information about American Samoa.

Respect The Samoan Way

Always ask villagers for permission before taking photographs, using the beach, or engaging in other activities, however unobtrusive your actions may seem.  Permission will almost certainly be granted.

In a traditional home, called a fale (fah-LAY), sit down on the floor before talking, eating, or drinking.  Cross your legs or pull a mat over them; it is impolite to stretch out your legs uncovered.

Sunday is the day for church, for rest, and especially for quiet around the villages. Activities that are acceptable on other days, such as swimming, may not be permitted on Sunday.

Each evening around dusk, villagers observe a time for prayers called Sa.  If you are entering a village during Sa, stop and wait quietly until Sa ends. You may even be invited to join in a family prayer.  It is not necessary to stop for Sa on the main roads.

It is considered an honor to be asked to share kava (a local drink made from the root of the pepper plant).  To show respect, spill a few drops on the ground or mat in front of you, then raise your cup and say "manuia" (mahn-WE-ah) before drinking.

Do not eat or drink while walking through a village.

More About Samoa

American Samoa Population: 57,902 (July 2004 est.)
Languages: Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English note: most people are bilingual
Capital: Pago Pago
Government Type: Unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US
Independence Day: none (territory of the US)
Legal System: NA
Currency: US dollar (USD)

Executive Branch:

Chief of State: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001).

Head of Government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003) following the death of Governor Tauese P. SUNIA on 26 March 2003; TULAFONO had been the Lieutenant Governor.

American Embassy: NA
Mailing Address: NA
Telephone: NA

General Overview: Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.

Economic Overview: This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts most of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector. Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean. American Samoa has limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines

International Disputes: None