What's going on in the Park?
An Update for the National Park of American Samoa
Editor's Note: The Secology Foundation was deeply involved in the creation of the National Park of American Samoa. We are pleased to present an update on the park from Park Superintendent Chris Stein.
Plenty! Is the short answer. But first, let me introduce you to "America's newest and least known National Park" - the National Park of American Samoa. Located on three tropical volcanic islands in the south Pacific, the National Park was established by the U.S. Congress to help protect the rain forest, coral reefs, and 3,000-year old Samoan culture. This October 31st (Halloween) marks the eighth anniversary of the Park. Coincidentally, one of the main reasons why the National Park was created was to protect the habitat of the two species of Flying Fox that inhabit these beautiful tropical islands.
Staff have been working at the park for the past five years. The first park superintendent, Doug Cuillard, spent three years negotiating a very complicated lease arrangement between the American Samoan people and the U.S. Government. In American Samoa, because of communal ownership of land, the U.S. Governmentdoes not own a single Samoan acre of the National Park. We have a 50-year least, but have the same management responsibilities as any other park in the U.S. National Park System. Doug has since moved on to another jungle - Manhattan Sites in New York City.
Today, three professional staff members, Chief Ranger Leota Leuluaialii Alapapa Vaea Ainu'u, Wildlife Biologist Dr. Robert Cook, and myself, Superintendent Christopher Stein (also known as Kilisi, my Samoan name), are helping develop the park for the future. The three of us are assisted by two AmeriCorps volunteers, Claudia Te'o and Mika Senio, and one National Park volunteer, Mino Fialua. We couldn't do the job without their assistance. A major part of this job is putting the park on the "tourism destination map of the world." Please check out the National Park guides and the travel guides in your local bookstore to let me know if we're doing a good job - I'd really enjoy hearing from you.
To make a long story short, here are some of the things we've been working on over the past six months. In April, we opened up a new National Park Visitor Center (containing spectacular photographs of the islands) in the Pago Plaza. So far, more than 3,000 people have stopped in to visit with us to learn about their National Park. Most of these people are Samoan (who are our first and foremost audience), but we're also seeing a lot of international travelers as well (from all over the globe!). This past summer, park staff and volunteers hiked to the summit of American Samoa's tallest mountain, Mount Lata (3,170 feet) on the remote island of Ta'u, to observe the plant and animal communities of the mountain. The hike was a grueling all-day affair, but we all successfully made it and spent two days camping on the mountain. This September, we improved the Mount Alava 4-wheel drive road on the island of Tutuila to make it a decent hiking trail. To do so, we had to bring in trail experts from the states who worked with 10 strong young men from the village of Pago Pago and Fagasa. On October 31st, we will open a "Bat Exhibit" in the new visitor center. This exhibit is being produced by art students from the American Samoa Community College. It will contain paintings, pen and ink drawings, and sculpture. Lastly, in December or January, we will unveil the Park's draft Master Plan, called a General Management Plan, and the park's draft regulations. In February, we will attend Village Council meetings to talk about the draft plan and regulations. These meetings are always interesting for a mainlander like myself because we conduct them Samoan style - sitting cross-legged on mats on the floor with my Samoan High Talking Chief, Leota, doing most of the talking for us. This is the way it is done in Samoa!
By the way, if you'd like to have us help you plan a trip of a lifetime, give us a call at 011 (684) 633-7082 or contact us on e-mail (Chris_Stein@nps.gov). We promise you magnificent rain forests, spectacular coral reefs, and a 3,000-year old culture whose hospitality is renowned worldwide.
Tofa soifua (good-bye and good health),
Kilisi Stein, Superintendent
National Park of American Samoa
