National Park of American Samoa

Ofu, Olosega Island

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Ofu and Olosega are parts of a volcanic doublet in the Manu?a Group of the Samoa Archipelago?part of American Samoa. Although geographically separate volcanic remnants, only a narrow strait (Asaga) naturally bridged by a shallow coral reef separates them. Before 1970, one had to wade between the two islands at low tide; now a road bridge over the straight connects villages on Ofu with those on Olosega.

Ofu is the western part of the volcanic outcrop of Ofu-Olosega Island. The main village of Ofu is located on the western shore, protected behind an offshore islet (eroded tuff cone) known as Nu?utele. Ofu has a small airport and a boat harbor that serve the population on Ofu and Olosega.

Most of the southern shore and associated coral reef are part of the National Park of American Samoa. The U.S. National Park Service is presently (2005) negotiating with village councils on Olosega to expand the park around that island.

The island forms the Ofu County subdivision of the Manua District. It has a land area of 7.215 km² (2.786 sq mi), and had an official population of 289 persons as of the 2000 census.

Olosega
Olosega Island is a remnant of the Sili shield volcano, the caldera of which may lie submerged off the north shore. The undersea eruption of 1866 was actually 3 km east of Olosega, on a submarine ridge that extends eastsoutheast to nearby Ta?u.

The island forms the Olosega County subdivision of the Manua District. It has a land area of 5.163 km² (1.993 sq mi), and had an official population of 216 persons as of the 2000 census.

There are two villages on Olosega: Olosega and Sili. Sili now consists of but one standing residence after much of the village was destroyed by hurricanes (and subsequently abandoned). Nearly all of the population of Olosega now resides in Olosega village along the southwestern-facing shore.

National Park of American Samoa
Pago Pago, AS 96799 USA

tel: 011-684-633-7082
fax: 011-684-633-7085

Directions

By plane
There is one international airport, Pago Pago International (IATA: PPG) located at Tafuna.

Hawaiian Airlines operate 2 return flights per week from Honolulu with Boeing 767 aircraft.

There are 3 airlines operating regular daily flights between Pago Pago and Apia, Samoa.

Inter Island Airways with 19-seater Dornier 228 aircraft
Polynesian Airlines with a 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft
South Pacific Express with a 36-seater Shorts 360 aircraft.

Inter Island Airways is the only airline providing daily domestic air service between Pago Pago and the Manu'a Islands of Ofu/Olosega and Tau, utilizing a 10-seater Britten-Norman BN2B-26 Islander and 19-seater Dornier 228-212 aircraft. Flight time between Pago Pago and the Manu'a Islands is approximately 30-40 minutes. Due to the short 2,000 ft runway, flights to Ofu/Olosega islands can be sporadic depending on wind and weather conditions as northernly winds pickup during from October to March each year. It is not uncommon for a flight to Ofu to be diverted to Tau or back to Pago Pago due to wind conditions at Ofu airport. The airport at Tau (located in the village of Fitiuta) is able to handle any flight conditions with its 3,500 ft lighted runway. There are generally 3 flights a week to Ofu plus daily flights to Tau. Inter Island Airways will generally add additional flights, sometimes reaching 4-5 per day during the summer and winter holiday season demands. Inter Island Vacations (www.interislandvacations.com) provides reservations and bookings on Inter Island Airways flights.

Several car rental facilities are available at or near the Tutuila airport. On Tutuila taxis are available at the airport, and near the market in Fagatogo. The island of Tutuila has good public transportation (frequent, but unscheduled) via ?aiga? or ?family? buses. For 50 cents to a dollar you can be taken around Pago Pago Harbor, and to the more remote parts of the island. Buses originate and terminate at the market in Fagatogo, the village next to Pago Pago. The roads are generally too narrow and the traffic too busy for bicycles.

Little buses run along the roads that follow along the waters edge of the island. Many Samoans carry a quarter or two in their ears for bus fare as the wraparound skirts don't have pockets. You just wave the bus down, climb over the speakers in the walkway and toss the quarter onto the dashboard where it slides around with all the other quarters. When you want off, tap the window a few times and the bus will stop. Be prepared to squeeze in.