American Samoa
Americans used Pago Pago Harbor as a naval base starting in the late 1800s to oppose the German empire at nearby Upolu Island in Samoa. The naval base closed in 1951, and was converted into what are now the largest tuna canneries in the world. American Samoa remains a U.S. Territory, though it is not bound to the U.S. Constitution. American Samoans are U.S. Nationals, though a majority of them actually live in the United States itself. It receives a large amount of U.S. aid money. Most people are employed by the government and many receive aid. Very few work in the canneries, which employ workers from Samoa, at very low wages. The relatively new and very beautiful national park promises to increase tourism and employ additional people.
I was surprised by American Samoa in that I expected an island with American style hotels and restaurants and a high standard of living, considering all the American money that goes there. But it appeared much more run-down and impoverished than I had expected, despite high prices. Due to weather and other situations beyond our control, we were unable to visit the national park.
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©Bill Yeaton