Rain Forest Canopy Aerial Walkway Dedicated in Samoa
On May 6, 1997, the Honorable Tofilau Eti Alasaga, Prime Minister of Western Samoa and his cabinet, members of parliament, and international journalists gathered in Falealupo to dedicate the Falealupo Rain Forest Canopy Aerial Walkway. Honored guest, Steve Lund, Executive Vice President of Nu Skin International Inc., represented the major donors for the walkway.
The walkway was constructed by Arbornaut Access of Victoria, BC in such a manner that not a single rain forest tree was damaged. The walkway ascends three stories of platforms up a Garuga floribunda tree to a suspension bridge that spans a 30 meter gap to a large banyan tree. The walkway then climbs another five stories to a large platform high above the rain forest canopy.
Seacology presented the walkway to Falealupo village to help the village generate revenues from eco-tourism. "We hope by this project to demonstrate that villages can generate income by keeping their rain forest standing, rather than cutting it down," said Seacology President, Ken Murdock.
At the walkway ceremony, local clergy representing three different denominations blessed the walkway. Speeches were given by Seacology Chairman Paul Cox and Prime Minister Tofilau Eti. Speaking in both Samoan and English, Cox compared the Samoan rain forest to the long tail feather of the tropic bird. "Just as the tropic bird cherishes its beautiful tail feather, so must Samoa cherish and protect its precious rain forest," Cox said in his speech, which was broadcast on radio throughout Samoa.
After the dedication, a formal presentation of fine mats was made by the village to the assembled dignitaries. Steve Lund of Nu Skin was presented with a large fine mat and baked pig, as was Seacology President Ken Murdock. Representing Falealupo village, orator Fuiono Mase'ese'e announced that the village would extend the previous 50 year covenant: the village promised that the rain forest would now be protected forever.
"What I found most remarkable," explains Seacology Executive Associate Director, Lorraine Clark, "was the tremendous love and gratitude that was shown by the villagers for the gift of the walkway. These indigenous people who love their rain forest so deeply now realize that no outside force can ever again threaten their forest and their way of life."
