American Samoa Manua Islands

Ta? u is a part of American Samoa. Exploitation and distribution of marine resources on the island of Ofu, Manu'a, USA.

Ta'u

Though there are three Manu'a groups of isles, we will be discussing them together, as they are rarely mentioned as such. There are three islands: Ta'u, Ofu and Olosega. Manu'a is about 70 leagues eastwards from Tutuila. Adresses are Pago Pago, American Samoa. Ta'u is the biggest of the Manu'a group and the most eastern volcano of the Samoan isles.

It is the top of a gigantic underwater hill. The Lata Mount on Ta'u at 931 metres is the highest in American Samoa. Tau is 44.31 km2 and had a total of 873 inhabitants at the time of the 2000 survey.

Ta'u was once the capital of Samoa and Tonga. The" king" of Ta'u and Manu'a was Tuimanu'a. He was the last holder of this position, Tuimanu'a Elisara, and he was attributed the signature of the 1904 assignment document that gave the United States the reigning power to Manu'a.

Manu'a Group's biggest international airfield is located on Ta'u in Fiti'uta. Almost half of Ta'u belongs to the American Samoa National Park. "In Ta'u, accessible via Fitiuta International Station, the path from Saua around Si'u Point takes you to the spectacular south shore overlooking a cliffy shore and seaside steps to the 3,000 feet high peak of the Lata Mountains."

We' ve found this lovely diary that will help you get the feeling of Ta'u: Ta'u Iceland Tour from Wesley Queen. It is a small isle, with wonderful sandy areas, hills, reefs and fish. The Ofu may be the most scenic part of Samoa and is certainly the most secluded. The Ofu is linked to Olosega by a small crossroad.

For information about the American Samoa National Park in Ofu, see "The To' aga Aitu". It is one of the great things about Ofu and Olosega that it is very hard to get there. This is great because not many crowds come there and therefore the island is largely untouched and the beach is never overcrowded - unless three are a group.

Ofu International is either shut down or at least not in use. The only way to get to Ofu is to fly from Pago Pago to Ta'u, take a fairly long drive from Fitiuta International to the other side of Ta'u, find a fishermen' vessel to take you to a place off the coast of Ofu and eventually be taken on land by a small traditional rowing vessel - or maybe you can just do a wad.

That' all we have to tell you about Manu'a.