AMERICAN SAMOA - July 2001
Operation of the National Park of American Samoa in keeping with fa'asamoa (Samoan tradition)
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Seacology played an important role in the formation of the National Park of American Samoa. This National Park leases land from eight villages. In order to effectively carry on with park operations, it is imperative that park staff meets with village leaders on a regular basis. And because it is part of the park's mandate to help preserve fa'asamoa, it is equally crucial that the meetings are conducted with the traditional Kava ceremonies that are a significant and important part of Samoan culture. With funding from Seacology, the National Park of American Samoa is working more effectively with the villages to maintain fa'asamoa and to help increase NPS credibility.
UPDATE January 2005 - The kava funds helped to facilitate several important meetings between park staff and village chiefs in 2002 and 2003. Remaining funds will be used for ceremonies taking place in future years for the addition of new land to the park.
