Faleniu, American Samoa

Faleniu
Village
Faleniu
Coordinates: 14°19′57″S 170°44′40″W / 14.33250°S 170.74444°W / -14.33250; -170.74444
Country United States
Territory American Samoa
CountyTuālāuta
Area
  Total
0.27 sq mi (0.69 km2)
Elevation
167 ft (51 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
1,953
  Density7,741.2/sq mi (2,988.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−11 (Samoa Time Zone)
ZIP code
96799
Area code+1 684

Faleniu is a village in the west of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located inland from the village of Tafuna, in Tuālāuta County. Its name translates to "the home in the palm grove." Another translation is "House of coconuts".

In the 1920s, Faleniu was a center for the Mau movement. The U.S. Navy deployed armed Fita Fita guards to suppress chiefs, arresting the “Faleniu 17” (“The Faleniu conspirators”). The 17 matai were tried in Pago Pago, resulting in prison sentences and stripped titles, violating cession treaties protecting Faʻa Sāmoa.

As of 2010, Faleniu had a 61.7 percent high school graduation rate, which was the lowest of any village in American Samoa. Also in 2010, Faleniu was the most densely populated village in American Samoa at 7,741.2 people per square mile (20,050 people/km2).