Journalist

Vailoatai is a village in southwestern Tutuila, the main island of American Samoa. It is located on the eastern end of Leone Bay. The village is known for its beautiful malae (ceremonial village-green) located along the island’s rugged southern coast, lined by the fale talimalo (guest houses) of its village chiefs. The original name of the village was Tuaulu. In 1926, Tuaulu and Vailoa combined to form Vailoatai village. Although the whole of the village is named Vailoatai, residents further divide the it into Vailoauta and Falīlī areas. Vailoatai along with Taputimu, Fūtiga and Malaeloa (Itū'au) combine to form the Tūalātai district. The village serves as the district's principality as the titular head of the district resides here. Vailoatai is a historical marker of the Atua (a political district of Independent Samoa) migration to Tutuila with many Vailoa family names originating from the Atua sub-district of Falealili . The village honors this legacy in its fa’alupega (constitution) by giving Falealili special honors and recognition. The migration of Atua families to Tutuila occurred after the defeat of Malietoa by Tui Atua. The political effect of this migration was the addition of more counties to the original four counties of Tutuila : Fofō ma A'itulagi (an honorific that is still used to refer to the entire western district) became Falelima i Sisifo, which includes Alataua, Fofō, Leasina (A’itulagi), Tūalātai and Tūalāuta (Ma’opu) counties. Sua ma Vaifanua (an honorific that is still used to refer to the entire eastern district) became Falelima i Sasa’e, which includes Itū'au Malosi (ma Nofoa), Ma’oputasi (Launiusaelua), Sa’ole, Sua and Vaifanua counties. The HTC Tuā'olo, of the Ma'oputasi district, counts as the island's tenth county vote; this was a gift Tui Manu’a bestowed upon the chief upon his return from Salamasina’s installation as Samoa's first Tafa'ifa. The raising of the U.S. flag over Tutuila saw the end of Atua’s influence over the island, much to the relief of local chiefs who were tried of the endless wars in Upolu. They did not want to remain under the control of Upolu paramount chiefs, Germany or Great Britain. Sātele and Fuimaono of Vailoa were two of the signatories to the Tutuila Deed of Cession in 1900. In 1907, the village opened its first church with the London Missionary Society (LMS). The LMS missionaries noted that an elaborate feast marked the special occasion with attendance by dignitaries and family members from throughout the island . In 1915, the Manu'a islands suffered severe damage from a hurricane, and the village hosted (among other villages in Tutuila) many residents from Manu'a while relief efforts took place there. In 1934, the Marist Le'alā School for boys opened up in the area between Vailoatai and Taputimu. The school, however, is no longer in existence. During World War II, U.S. Marines built an airstrip that spanned Leone, Vailoatai and Taputimu. Unfortunately, the airstrip could not be used due to prevailing winds, which made take-offs difficult . Only two planes were able to make use of the airstrip before it was abandoned. Government facilities (to include Leone Midkiff Elementary and Leone High School) and residential units have been built over the old airstrip.