Vailoatai, American Samoa
Vailoatai | |
|---|---|
Village | |
| Etymology: Samoan: "le vai na le iloa" | |
| Nickname: Tuālā | |
| Motto(s): Sā Le Fo’i
Village Colors: Green and Yellow/Gold | |
| Coordinates: 14°21′05″S 170°46′55″W / 14.35139°S 170.78194°W | |
| Country | United States |
| Territory | American Samoa |
| Island | Tutuila Island |
| Named after | Samoan Mythology |
| Area | |
| • Land | .41 sq mi (1.1 km2) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,195 |
| Time zone | UTC−11 (Samoa Time Zone) |
| ZIP Code | 96799 |
| Area code | +1 684 |
Vailoatai is a village in southwestern Tutuila, the main island of American Samoa. It is located on the eastern end of Leone Bay. The village is known for its beautiful malae (ceremonial village-green), nested along the island's rugged southern coast and lined by the fale tali mālō (guest houses) of its village chiefs.
The original name of the village was Tuāulu. In 1926, Tuāulu and another village called Vailoa, combined to form the Vailoa-tai village. Although the village is officially named Vailoatai according to the American Samoa Constitution, "Vailoa-tai" really only refers to the area of village towards the sea ["tai" - the side towards the sea or seaside]. Other areas of the village include Vailoa-uta ["uta"- the side towards the land or inland] and Falīlī. Together, the village as a whole is commonly referred to as Vailoa.
Vailoatai along with Taputimu, Itū'au (Malaeloa) and Fūtiga form the itūmālō (county/district) of Tuālātai. The village serves as the county's principality as the titular head of the district (fa'asuaga) is located here.