May is Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month! The National Marine Sanctuary System has a long history of working closely with communities in American Samoa and Hawai‘i, and all month we'll be featuring information and stories about these collaborations.
Today, say talofa–hello–to National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa! The phrase Fa‘a Samoa is often heard in American Samoa and refers to the traditional Samoan way of life. It is the foundation of Polynesia’s oldest culture, dating back about 3,000 years. Just like Fa‘a Samoa places great importance on the collective rather than the individual, the sanctuary is a hub of collaboration, striving together to preserve and protect our special underwater treasures.
(Photo: Wendy Cover/NOAA. Image description: A vibrant coral reef, with a diver swimming in the distance.)
