Pavaʻiaʻi | |
|---|---|
Village | |
| Country |  United States |
| Territory |  American Samoa |
| County | Tuālāuta |
| Area | |
| • Land | 0.73 sq mi (1.89 km2) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,112 |
| • Density | 2,890/sq mi (1,120/km2) |
| ZIP code | 96799 |
Pavaʻiaʻi is a village in theWestern District ofTutuila Island inAmerican Samoa. It bordersMapasagafou andFaleniu to the north,ʻIliʻili to the east,Futiga to the south, andMalaeloa to the west.[1] It is located inTuālāuta County.
Pavaʻiaʻi is home to severalfales that are used by villagers for dance practice, meetings, faʻalavelaves, and other events. It is also home to Pavaʻiaʻi Elementary School, the largest elementary school in American Samoa.[2]
In early 1942, the main body of the U.S. Marines arrived in American Samoa. The construction of quarters atUtulei was incomplete, as was Camp Samuel Nicholas inFagaʻalu. Some of the Marines of the 2nd Division were therefore moved into the village of Pavaʻiaʻi. A soldier later wrote about his experience in the village: "We found the Samoan people to be exceptionally clean people... The residents... were gracious and attempted to do everything possible to make the presence of the Marines pleasant."[3]
In July 1974, a village fire destroyed the Haleck's West Building, which included Haleck's Island Motors, Video Samoa, Intercontinental Trading Company, and J & J World Travel. There was a quick replacement of the compound with new facilities in the early 1980s.[4]
In 2005, government employees digging an area in Pavaiai village uncovered the remains of an ancient village 6.4 feet (2 m) below the surface. The senior archeologist for theAmerican Samoa Power Authority, David Addison, told reporters that the artifacts are estimated to be between 1500 and 2000 year-old.[5]
| Year | Population[6] |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2,112 |
| 2010 | 2,450 |
| 2000 | 2,200 |
| 1990 | 1,692 |
| 1980 | 1,031 |
| 1970 | 638 |
| 1960 | 492 |
| 1950 | 342 |
| 1940 | 203 |
| 1930 | 140 |
14°20′10″S170°45′07″W / 14.336°S 170.752°W /-14.336; -170.752
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