Saʻole County

Saole County is a county in the Eastern District in American Samoa. The county consists of Aunu'u Island together with its foothold upon Tutuila Island, Ālōfau and Āmouli.

History

Saole County had traditionally been referred to in Samoan as "O lea Fagola". The historical high chief of the county is referred to as Faumuina. In 2000, there was a dispute between High Chief Faumuina and the Tautolo of Aunu`u regarding land ownership in Saole County. Tautolo leased water and waste disposal facilities on his land on Aunu`u Island to the American Samoa Power Authority. Faumuina objected to this, claiming he had pule over the land. The High Court of American Samoa adjudged that Faumina did not have pule over Tautolo's land. Whilst the High Chief was owed respect for his title, it was held that outside of the Faumuina family's communal lands he did not have the ability to assert pule over another family's land. High Chief Faumuina still represents Saole County in representations to the American Samoan local government as well as to the government of the United States, including addressing petitions to the United States Congress and President of the United States.

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

Saole County's main settlements include Āmouli, Utumea and Ālōfau. It also administers Aunu'u Island. Until 2020, the village of Sagai was considered as a part of Sa'ole County when it was moved to Sua County for census purposes.