Aʻoloau, American Samoa
Aʻoloau | |
|---|---|
Village | |
Panorama from Aʻoloau, facing south | |
| Etymology: Samoan: "to row with the sea current" | |
| Nickname(s): "Nuu Saumalu" (fog village), "Puaolele" (flying cloud) | |
| Coordinates: 14°19′11″S 170°46′12″W / 14.31972°S 170.77000°W | |
| Country | United States |
| Territory | American Samoa |
| County | Leasina |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Sape Taugola |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.5 sq mi (6.5 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,339 ft (408 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 650 |
| • Density | 260/sq mi (100/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−11 (Samoa Time Zone) |
| ZIP code | 96799 |
| Area code | +1 684 |
Aʻoloau is a village in the west of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located inland, 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Pago Pago. It is also known as Aʻoloaufou, which means "New Aʻolou". An abandoned area in town by Aʻoloau Bay is known as Aʻoloautuai, which means "Old Aʻoloau". Aʻoloau's nickname is Nuu Puaolele which means the Fog Village.
The village is reached from a road near Shins Mart in the village of Pavaʻiaʻi. It sits inland, high on the central plain of Tutuila. It has an elevation of 1,340 ft (410 m). A hiking trail from Aʻoloaufou leads down to Old Aʻasu on Massacre Bay. Aʻasu was the site where Frenchman Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse visited in 1787. Lapérouse explored and mapped the various Samoan Islands when he arrived in Aʻasu on December 11, 1787. A battle broke out between the French and the native Samoans, and several French and Samoans were killed.