Itūʻau County


Itūau County is a county in the Eastern [District, American Samoa|Eastern District] in American Samoa. The official name is Itūau ma Nofo, however, it is commonly known as just Itūau. It is divided into northern and southern parts by the highest part of the Tutuila's central mountain range. It is peculiar in that it had no county chief. In Nuʻuuli in the south, power was divided between village high chief Savusa and the Four Chiefly Houses of the Soliai, Tago, Levu, and Alega. In Fagasā in the north, leadership was shared by Alo, Tuinei and Tupuola. The physical division of the county by mountains combined with the lack of a high chief made the county a battleground in ancient times.
It is a small county which only consisted of two villages: Nuʻuuli and Fagasā. These villages lie across from each other, Nuʻuuli on the south shoreline of Tutuila Island and Fagasā on the north side. They are connected by an inland road which runs west of Pago Pago Bay across the mountain ridge.

Etymology

The name of the county, Itūʻau, is derived from the Samoan language and translates into English as “Army" or “side of the warriors”.
Three of the villages are in a section known as Nofoa, which translates to "Abiding Place".

History

In 1974, Alo W. Steffany entered the American [Samoa Senate] to fill a vacancy representing Itūʻau County. He was subsequently reelected every four years until his death in 1992. Steffany also held the chiefly title Su’esu‘emanogi of Fagasā and was bestowed the High Ali‘i title Alo.

Demographics

Itu'au County was first recorded beginning with the 1912 special census. Regular decennial censuses were taken beginning in 1920.

Villages

The county is officially known as Itu'au ma Nofoa, where Itu'au includes Nuʻuuli, Faganeanea, and Matu'u. Nofoa is made up of Fagasā, Fagatele, and Fagale'a.