Manuʻa Islands

The Manuʻa Islands are a group of three islands in the Samoan Islands. These islands are Taʻū, Ofu and Olosega. Ofu and Olosega are very close to each other, separated by a narrow waterway called the Āsaga Strait. Today, a bridge connects them. The Manuʻa Islands are found about 110 kilometers (68 miles) east of Tutuila and are part of American Samoa, which is an unincorporated territory of the United States.

Together, the three islands cover an area of 56 square kilometers (22 square miles) and are home to around 1,400 people. Taʻū is the largest island, covering 44 km² (17 sq mi). It also has the highest point in the Manuʻa Islands, rising to 931 meters (3,054 feet). The islands are part of the Manuʻa District, one of the three main administrative divisions of American Samoa.

Long ago, the Manuʻa Islands were an important center of power. They were the heart of the Tui Manu’a Empire for many years. Later, as the Tu'i Tonga maritime empire grew, power shifted from the eastern islands of Samoa to the western islands.

Geography

The Manuʻa Islands are three volcanic islands rising from the sea, located 14° south of the equator. They are tall and mountainous, but over the past decades, fewer people have lived there. Many moved away looking for better jobs and a more modern life on Tutuila. All the land is shared among Samoan families.

Nearby smaller islands include Nuutele, Nuusilaelae, and Nuupule Rock. The southern coast of Taʻū Island has very tall sea cliffs, the highest in the world. Alei Ridge on Taʻū is home to special plants, and the nearby Alei Plateau was used by Samoans long ago. Today, this area is part of the National Park of American Samoa.

District divisions

Manuʻa District is divided into five counties:

• Faleasao County
• Fitiuta County
• Ofu County
• Olosega County
• Taʻū County

History

The Manuʻa Islands have a rich history. According to Samoan traditions, they were once the center of a large Polynesian empire that included the Samoan archipelago and nearby islands such as Tonga and parts of Fiji. The main village and traditional capital is Taʻū, located on the island of Taʻū.

The leader of Manuʻa was known as the Tui Manuʻa. This title was very important and influenced many other titles in the Samoan Islands. Manuʻa was unique because it was never ruled by Tonga, as both Tonga and Samoa saw Manuʻa as a sacred place. The last Tui Manuʻa was Tuimanuʻa Elisara, who lived at the start of the 20th century. He wished for the title to end with him.

In 1899, an agreement called the Tripartite Convention split the Samoan Islands. The U.S. got control of the eastern islands, including Tutuila and the Manuʻa Group, while European powers controlled the western islands like ʻUpolu and Savaiʻi. In 1904, leaders of Manuʻa formally agreed to become part of the U.S. territory of American Samoa.

In 1915, a big hurricane hit Manuʻa, causing a lot of damage. The storm knocked out communication, and it took 22 days to reconnect with Tutuila. Help finally arrived from the U.S. Congress and the American Red Cross. The hurricane destroyed many trees, washed away a village, and caused several deaths across the islands.

Demographics

The Manuʻa District was first counted in the year 1900 during a U.S. Census. There was no census in 1910, but a special one happened in 1912. Regular censuses happened every ten years starting in 1920. The most people lived there in 1950. By the years 2000 to 2010, the population was smaller than it was back in 1900.

Society and culture

The Manuʻa Islands hold an important place in Samoan stories and traditions. Many Samoan and Polynesian cultures trace their roots back to these islands. In old beliefs, the sun is thought to rise at a special spot called Saua on Taʻū Island, where the coral reef glows yellow. It then sets at Falealupo, the farthest village on Savaiʻi Island in Samoa. This idea of the sun’s path helps connect the culture and traditions of both Samoas. The term Fa'asamoa means "The Samoan Way," describing the traditional way of life for Samoans.

Economy

Many families on the Manuʻa Islands depend on money sent by relatives living on Tutuila or in the United States. Although the local food used to be healthier with less imported food, fewer people are fishing and farming now. This makes the islands rely even more on food from outside.

The biggest employer on the islands is the American Samoa Government, which has many offices there, including American Samoa Power Authority and American Samoa Telecommunications Authority. In 2010, the income for each person in the Manuʻa District was $5,441, which was the lowest among all areas in the United States.

Language

Main article: Samoan language

The people of Manuʻa traditionally spoke the Samoan language with a special "t" sound. This sound was a mix between a soft "t" and a gentle "d." In the 1830s, missionaries wrote the Holy Bible in this language, adding new letters like h, k, and r to include sounds from the scriptures. Today, the language often uses a strong "k" sound in everyday talking and special ceremonies.

Education

There are three elementary schools in Manuʻa: Faleasao Elementary, Fitiuta Elementary, and 'Olosega Elementary. The high school is on Taʻū Island, called Manuʻa High School, which started serving all of Manuʻa in 1966. Students who want to study more can go to the American Samoa Community College on Tutuila Island. There, they can join classes from the University of Hawaiʻi or attend special school programs at places like Kanana Fou Seminary and Wayland Baptist University. Some students choose to study at the National University of Samoa on ʻUpolu Island or travel to the United States for school.

Wildlife

The animals on the Manuʻa Islands are a mix of species that were there naturally and ones that humans brought over many years ago. Birds are very common, with land birds like the Pacific pigeon and Crimson-crowned fruit dove living in the forests, and seabirds such as the White-tailed tropicbird nesting on cliffs. Other birds you might see include the Polynesian starling and the Banded rail.

The oceans around the islands are full of life. The reefs near Ofu are home to many different shellfish, small animals with shells, and fish. Some of these fish and shellfish are eaten by local people. Sea turtles used to nest on these shores long ago, as found in old archaeological sites. The only wild mammal that lives on land is the Samoa flying fox, a type of bat often seen at dusk. Early islanders also brought animals like pigs, dogs, and rats with them. The islands also have many interesting land snails, which help scientists understand how the environment has changed over time.