Aunuu is a small volcanic island off the southeastern shore of Tutuila in Saole County, American Samoa. It has a land area of 374.83 acre, and a 2010 census population of 436 persons. Politically, it is a part of the Eastern District, one of the two primary political divisions of American Samoa. Aunuu Crater contains the freshwater Faamulivai Marsh, the largest such wetland in American Samoa. It was formed from the drainage of the low-lying crater. It is part of a protected National Natural Landmark on Aunuu that was designated in 1972. The Pacific black duck was seen in the marsh in 1976, but it may now be extinct in the region; another significant local bird is the purple swamphen. This marsh is the only place in American Samoa where the Chinese water chestnut grows. Since the 1960s, the Aunuu people's main economic activity has been growing taro and producing faausi.

Demographics

Aunuu has two historical sub-divisions: Salevatia, and Alofasau.

Geography

Aunuu is the only place in American Samoa where taro is cultivated in paddy fields, which occupies about 5 percent of the land. The remaining land is mostly wet and unsuitable for cultivation and is primarily covered by non-edible trees, bushes, shrubs and weeds. Agricultural runoff and erosion do not appear to threaten nearshore water quality, as these flow into Pala Lake and the wetlands areas (Pedersen 2000; Tuionoula 2010). Aunuu is said to produce the best taro in American Samoa (Best 1992).

Geology

The island is less than 1 sqmi in area, and around half of that area is a cultivated plain on which Aunuu's villages are located. There are several beaches consisting of coral rubble and sand, and sea cliffs. The eastern half of Aunuu is rimmed by a geologically recent volcanic cone. The highest point on the crater rim is 310 ft above sea level. Within the crater is the Faimulivai Marsh, which contains a freshwater pond. The crater is one of the few places in American Samoa where evidence of the more recent episodes of volcanism can be observed. The eruptions at Aunuu occurred at approximately the same time as the volcanism at Leʻala Shoreline in Taputimu, while the eruptions that formed Rainmaker Mountain, Matafao Peak, and the ridges of Vaiava Strait are much older. Aunuu Island has the only quicksand area in American Samoa, and also the territory's only lakes: Pala Lake is just north of the village, and Red Lake is inside the crater. Maamaa Cove is on the far eastern edge of the crater. The volcanic island was formed by submarine volcanic activity, with a prominent tuff cone shaping its eastern half. This tuff cone is breached on the eastern margin, creating Maamaa Cove. The weathering of the tuff deposits has resulted in an impermeable layer at the base of the Aunuʻu Cone, allowing for the formation of a marsh and a lake within the cone. The Taufusitele Marsh occupies a portion of the coastal flat to the west of the cone. Beyond the marsh, the coastal flat is covered by significant deposits of calcareous sand and gravel, contributing to the island's unique geological and ecological landscape. Unlike Tutuila Island, Aunuʻu Island is home to a crater lake: Red Lake.

History

Transportation

Aunuu has a few government cars, and a number of family owned/operated motorboats to shuttle people to and from its small boat harbor in Auasi. A lake, called "Vaisuakoko", or Blood Lake, is nestled in the island's sprawling crater. Hiking the island is difficult, as it is densely forested and full of thick bushes, with steep cliffs along the south coast. The island has a stretch of red quicksand at Pala Lake, fairly close to the village, and taro swamps behind the village. There is a cove, called "Maamaa Cove," on the east side of the island. Boats providing ferry service to and from Aunuu may be hired at the boat dock at Auasi on Tutuila. The American Samoa Department of Port Administration maintains facilities at Auasi and Aunuu but does not track vessel arrival or departure data in either location (C. King 2010b). Aunuu is popular for hiking and school tours. The coral reef surrounding Aunuu is considered low use for recreational snorkeling (Spurgeon et al. 2004).

Wildlife

Aunu'u Island is home to a large diversity of wildlife, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. It is recognized as the premier location in American Samoa for observing the Brown booby. The Brown booby, though uncommon, nests between Agaoleatu Point and Ma’ama’a Cove. The White-tailed tropicbird is abundant, as are the Crimson-crowned fruit dove and the Wattled honeyeater. Other notable species include the Polynesian starling and the Pacific pigeon. Wetland birds include the very common Banded rail and the less frequent Purple swamphen. The Australian gray duck is observed at Pala Lake and Faimulivai Marsh Lake. At Pala Mud Lake, the Golden plover, Ruddy turnstone, and Bar-tailed godwit are present, though the latter two are relatively rare. Seabirds are well-represented, with Gray-backed terns on the northeast cliffs, Blue-gray noddies near Pofala Hill and Fogatia Hill, and Brown noddies from Agaoleata Point to Fogatia Hill. White terns nest on rock cliffs along the coast. The Reef heron is found on the island’s reefs. Occasional sightings include the Long-tailed cuckoo and Barn owl near Aunu'u Village. The Collared kingfisher is another resident species. The Flying fox roosts in large colonies on Fogatia Hill and forages island-wide. The Sheath-tailed bat utilizes caves for shelter. Introduced mammals include the Roof rat and Polynesian rat, with historical reports of Wild boar. Reptiles are abundant, with the Azure-tailed skink, Black skink, and Moth skink being especially common. Amphibians include the Marine toad, which is concentrated near Taufusitete Marsh. The Black turtle is a rare visitor, occasionally laying eggs on the sandy beaches around Agaoleatu Point. Aunuu has a population of around fifty gray ducks (anas superciliosa), locally known as toloa. Pairs of these birds have also been sighted in Futiga, Nuuuli, Alao, and Leone, however, they may not be based on those islands; they may belong to the population that lives on Aunuu.

Notable people

Sources