Matuʻu, American Samoa
Matuʻu | |
|---|---|
Village | |
| Etymology: Samoan: matuʻu ("heron" or "reef heron") | |
| Nickname: Yellow Town | |
Matuʻu Matuʻu | |
| Coordinates: 14°17′56″S 170°41′02″W / 14.299°S 170.684°W | |
| Country | United States |
| Territory | American Samoa |
| Island | Tutuila |
| District | Eastern |
| County | Itūʻau |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.23 km2 (0.47 sq mi) |
| Population (2020)[1] | |
• Total | 317 |
| • Density | 258/km2 (668/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−11 (Samoa Time Zone) |
| ZIP code | 96799[2] |
| Area code | +1 684 |
| Climate | Af |
| GNIS feature ID | 2414236 |
Matuʻu, meaning heron or reef heron in Samoan, is a village located in the Eastern District of American Samoa, approximately 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) northeast of the capital, Pago Pago. Nicknamed "Yellow Town," Matuʻu is renowned for its unique tradition of adorning the entire village with soft yellow lights during the Christmas season.
Etymology
The etymology for the name of the village, Matuʻu, is derived from the Samoan language and translates into English as "heron"[3] or "reef heron" (Egretta sacra).[4]
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, the village of Matuʻu had a population of 317, reflecting a decrease from the 399 residents recorded in the 2010 census.[1] The village spans an area of 1.23 square kilometers, giving it a population density of approximately 257.7 people per square kilometer in 2020. Over the course of a decade (2010–2020), Matuʻu experienced a population decline of 2.27% annually.[1]
Looking at historical population trends, the village's population fluctuated over several decades. In the 1980 census, the village had 239 residents, which increased significantly by the 1990 census to 364 people. The population continued to rise in the early 2000s, reaching 385 by the 2000 census. However, since then, the population has seen a gradual decline, with the 2020 census reporting a notable drop compared to previous decades.[1]
Culture
Matuʻu is well known for its tradition of adorning the entire village with soft yellow lights during the Christmas season, giving it the nickname "Yellow Town".[5] The village also contains the Matu’u & Faganeanea Marine Sanctuary, a haven for marine biodiversity and a site for the palolo worm harvest, an annual Samoan tradition.[5]
Notable people
- Uinifareti Rapi Sotoa, designer of the Flag of American Samoa.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e "American Samoa Sāmoa Amelika". citypopulation.de. October 31, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ "Map and Data for Matu'u American Samoa". 2025. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
- ^ Churchill, William (1913). "Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa". Bulletin of the American Geographical Society. Vol. 45(3). p. 192. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
- ^ Amerson, A. Binion; Whistler, W. Arthur; Schwaner, Terry D. (1982). "Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat of American Samoa II: Accounts of Flora and Fauna". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. p. 63.
- ^ a b "Matu'u". American Samoa Visitors Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ Sunia, Fofō Iosefa Fiti (2001). "Puputoa: Host of Heroes - A record of the history makers in the First Century of American Samoa, 1900-2000". Suva, Fiji: Oceania Printers. p. 137-138. ISBN 9829036022.