Through a Novelist's Eyes Novelist John Enright set all of the books in his popular Jungle Beat Mystery series in Samoa. The reader sees the islands through the eyes of his protagonist, Det. Sgt. Apelu Soifua of the American Samoa Dept. of Public Safety. Enright lived on Tutuila for 26 years and knew all the islands well. Although the books are set a quarter of a century ago, their locations have little changed.All the Jungle Beat Mystery books are available at www.johnenright.us or through Amazon.com.  Your Guide - John Enright John Enright was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1945. After serving stints in semi-pro baseball and the Lackawanna steel mills, he earned his degree from City College of New York while working ...

Near Town Tours Today, we will be on a learning tour. Don't worry; it's not boring or nerdy. We'll visit the Jean P. Hayden Museum, the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center, the Feleti Barstow Public Library (after driving by the Executive Office Building) and then we'll drive up to Solo Hill and see where the cable car once was and a monument. At some point we will have lunch at Sadie's by the Sea or Sadie's Restaurant at Sadie Thompson Inn. You'll find all these items on the Sightseeing Map. If you're staying at Sadie's by the Sea, you won't have to find it. If you're staying on the west side, you just take the Main Road toward Pago Pago ...

National Marine Sanctuary Touring the SanctuaryThe best way to plan a tour of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is to visit the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center, in Utulei. They will help you plan your visit and provide you with seasonal information.About Your SanctuaryThe National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is one of 14 federally designated underwater areas protected by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Of all the areas in the National Marine Sanctuary System, the American Samoa sanctuary is the most remote, is the only true tropical reef, and is thought to support the greatest diversity of marine life.The sanctuary is comprised of six protected areas, covering 13,581 square miles of nearshore coral reef and offshore ...

Government House We can't take you on this tour but we do recommend it. Tours can be arranged by contacting the Governor's Office at 684-633-4116 or by local tour operators.
Government House, Navy Building No. 1, was built in 1903 in the Tropical Victorian Military style on Togotogo Ridge in Utulei, on the island of Tutuila. It was constructed under the direction of Commander Benjamin F. Tilley, USN who was the first Officer in charge of the U.S. Naval Station Tutuila. It was built by Samoan workers under the supervision of Naval architects and two skilled mainland carpenters for $15,000. It is a two story structure with 10,400 square feet of floor space. Since 1903 it has served as ...

Jean P. Haydon Museum First we'll go to the museum. Leaving Sadie's parking area, turn right onto the main road and drive maybe a mile. The museum will be on your right, across from a large two story building where the US Post Office and other things are. You might have to look for parking but there is plenty. Just be sure you don't park where you might interfere with activities at the loading docks - you'll see what I mean. We're now at the Jean P. Haydon Museum. The entrance is at the front and you are always welcome, although there might not be someone at the entrance to greet you. The front portion of the building was originally ...

Next, we will go to the Tauese P. F. Sunia Ocean Center. Leaving the museum, turn left on the main road and head back toward Sadie's by the Sea. The Tauese P .F. Sunia Ocean Center is located near the Port Authority Wharf and right next to Sadie's, in Utulei. The Ocean Center provides visitors and residents with opportunity to learn about the natural and cultural resources of American Samoa. The state-of-the-art facility features educational exhibits and interactive learning tools to promote ocean awareness and encourage good marine stewardship. The exhibits are amazing. If you have any thoughts of doing a little snorkeling or scuba diving, you will want to see this first. You will want to ask questions about ...

Next, we will go to the Library and see some interesting things along the way. Turn left leaving the Ocean Center. Sadie's will be on your left. On your right will be the Lt. Governor's residence, then the DOE offices with the television studios just behind. Learn more here. Next, on your right will be Lee Auditorium, built in 1965, by and named for Governor H. Rex Lee. The building was extended and substantially upgraded in 2008 for the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts. On you left, will be Utulei Beach Park and the Samoan style houses (Fale). Back on your right will be Samoana High School gym and playing field. Next, on your right will be the Centennial Building, ...

The Feleti Barstow Public Library is a center for lifelong learning dedicated to meeting the informational, technological, and cultural needs of all age groups by providing both current and historical reading and instructional materials in a variety of formats. Learn more here. The FBPL opened on April 17, 2000. Frederic Barstow visited American Samoa during the 1920's and established a foundation to help with the educational needs of American Samoans. He was known locally as Feleti Barstow. Read more about the Barstow Foundation here. We'll just make a quick stop here to familiarize you with the resources, in case you want to come back and spend more time. Feleti Barstow Library ...

Solo Hill Now we're going up Solo Hill to have a look at the monument and the old cable car landing. We'll have a little walk around the area and you might want to venture up to the Samoan style house above the cable car landing area. This is a delightful spot and there is some interesting history to take in.Turn right as you leave the library and follow the road that curves right behind the library and the school. In about 200 yards, you will see a narrow, steep paved road on your left. Turn up that road and follow it, always keeping to your right at forks, until you see the monument straight in front of you.The monument ...