October 17, Pago Pago

October 17, Pago Pago

Pago Pago is the capital town of American Samoa and is actually a village. Located on the island of Tutuila, it is a territory of the United States. Tuna caning has a huge place in the economic picture and provides employment for about a third of the population. The harbor is surrounded by cliffs, which plunge almost straight into the sea. The summit of Mt. Alava in the National Park provides a fantastic view of the harbor and town.

Unfortunately, the island was hit by a tsunami a couple of weeks ago, and the local people are still recovering from the devastation. While great strides have been made, it’s quite obvious that there are many months to go before a semblance of normalcy returns.

About 34 lives were lost, four of which were children. There were 39 of us who had booked a tour with Tisa’s Barefoot Bar and Restaurant. As we left the dock area and circled around the bay the devastation was obvious. We saw many houses and buildings totally destroyed, and numerous vehicles crushed like bugs.

But cleanup was ongoing, and great strides have been made. Holland America and the Amsterdam donated over $15,000 worth of clothing, bedding, linens, etc., that were dropped off today.

While taking our pictures today, we purposely did not take any of the destruction, but concentrated on the beauty that still existed. With flowers blooming and fantastic views from the mountain tops, there are still great and wonderful things to see. The people are very friendly and wave to you as you pass by.

As we sail away from the island this evening, we do so with a much better understanding of the people of Pago Pago and know that they will rebuild as soon as possible with the assistance of the United States.

Next up is Suva Fiji, another island hit by this terrible tsunami.