American Samoa Fact Sheet

Airlines
Hawaiian Air has a direct service from Pago Pago to Honolulu. Polynesian Airlines flies to New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, New Caledonia, Tahiti and the Cook Islands. Samoa Air flies to Tonga and other destinations.

Airport
Pago Pago International Airport is on Tutuila. There are also local airports on Ofu, Ta’u and Olosega Islands.

Area
Approximately 3700km south-southwest of Honolulu 

Banking
Full international banking services with correspondent banks in the US and Pacific region are provided by The Bank of Hawaii and ANZ-Amerika Samoa Bank.

Business Hours
Banks are open 9am to 3pm weekdays. The Tafuna branch of the Amerika Samoa Bank is open from 9am to noon on Saturday.

Capital City
Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango) 

Communication
American Samoa has a modern telecommunications system with international and local telephone, fax, telex and telegraph services. The communications office is open 24hrs a day for calls - the international code is 684. The country is part of the American postal system. The main post office is on the ground floor of Lumana'i Building. It is open 8am to 4pm weekdays and 8.30am to noon Saturdays. There are two papers - the Samoa News is published weekdays and the Samoa Journal comes out every Friday. Radio WVUV broadcasts at AM 1640kHz and the government-run TV station, KVZK, broadcasts on Channel 2 (local) and Channel 4 (US).

Consulates
All diplomatic affairs are handled by the USA. There are no consulates or embassies.

Currency
The United States dollar.

Culture
The cultural foundation of American Samoa is Fa’asamoa, meaning the Samoan way. The Samoan people are very protective of their traditional social structure, which places great emphasis on the extended family. Each family group comes under the authority of their chief (matai). The strength of Fa’asamoa has enabled the people to absorb the benefits of western culture while firmly retaining their own values and customs.

Departure Tax
$3 – usually included in the ticket price. There is a 2% tax on all consumer goods, which is not included in the marked price.

Dress
Light and casual. Brief clothing such as a bikini is considered offensive and should only be worn by the pool or at the beach. Women are asked not to wear shorts in rural areas and men should wear shirts. The traditional lava lava is an ideal cover-up.

Driving/Roads
Driving is on the right hand side of the road. Drivers must be at least 18 years old to rent a car.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz. US-style plugs are used.

Entry Requirements
Visas are not required for stays of less than 30 days if you have an onward ticket.

Food
For a taste of traditional Samoan dining, attend a Samoan fiafia feast, where suckling pig, chicken and fish are served on banana leaf plates. Kava is the ceremonial drink. A variety of international cuisine is available in American Samoa’s restaurants.

Health Regulations
Visitors are advised to have typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations. They must also be vaccinated against yellow fever if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting an infected area.

Language
Samoan and English.

Major Attractions
Jean P Haydon Museum of American Samoa, Mt Alava, Afono Pass, National Park of American Samoa, Ta'u Island, Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Whalewatching, Snorkelling, Diving, Fishing, Tula Village 

Medical Services
Health care is available at the LBJ Tropical Medical Centre on Tutuila.

Politics
American Samoa’s government consists of a Fono (Legislative Assembly) with a Governor, an 18-seat Senate and 21-seat House of Representatives. The elected Governor and House of Representatives sit for a two-year term, while the Senate - made up of chiefs selected under the aiga tradition - sits for four years. One congressman is elected to the United States House of Representatives for a two-year term.

Population
Approximately 64,000 

Religion
Christianity. Religion is very important to the American Samoan people.

Shopping
The Old Age Office at the south end of Pago Pago Park has a wonderful selection of local handicrafts including carved wooden objects and hand-blocked tapa prints.

Sport and Recreation
Fishing, swimming, snorkelling, diving, sailing, golf, tennis, rugby, cricket, nature walks and visits to historic sites are among the leisure activities available in American Samoa.

Time Zone
GMT minus 11 hours. Six hours behind New York. 

Tipping
Tipping is discouraged.

Transport (Domestic)
American Samoa has its own quaint family owned ‘aiga’ bus service on Tutuila. From almost anywhere on the island, a ride into Pago Pago on one of these colourfully painted vehicles is a memorable experience. Many of the buses are equipped with stereo systems and some show videos during the journey. Taxis and rental cars are also available. Samoa Air flies to Ofu, Olosega and Ta’u Islands and also to Western Samoa.

American Samoa Office of Tourism
Department of Commerce
PO Box 1147
Pago Pago
American Samoa 96799.
Email the American Samoa Office of Tourism