KH8T – American Samoa

The KH8T team will be at IOTA OC-045 in American Samoa from September 2-16, 2024.
Team – N5DD, W5MJ, K5PI, VE7KW.
Nearest DX Point KH8T
KH8T Log Searchsearch They will operate on 80 – 10m and even 160 and 6m, CW, SSB, digital modes.
QSL by M0URX.

American Samoa – A vivid experience of a tropical paradise unspoiled by civilization

This beautiful corner, consisting of seven small islands, is located between New Zealand and Hawaii, hidden in the vast Pacific Ocean and has remained virtually untouched by civilization to date. Lovers of sea leisure, beaches and sports have recently begun to actively explore it. Volcanic landscapes, dense tropical forests, a coastline with magnificent beaches and the very friendly attitude of the locals await them. Here you can practice a variety of water and underwater sports (diving, yachting, surfing, snorkeling), hiking and cycling.

American Samoa. Author – williewonker.

When is the best time to come?

It is warm here all year round, about 26-27 degrees. But if you don’t want to deal with unpredictable weather, plan your trip to American Samoa between April and November, and even better, May to September. The risk of tsunamis and earthquakes is small at this time, but you should always be prepared when visiting the islands.

what to do?

Beach lovers can stop as much as they want on the coast. Many vacationers believe that the best beaches are located on the island of Tutuila, near the village of Aleja. Maliuma Beach, Ofu Beach and Two Dollar Beach are also popular.

There are no special architectural structures in American Samoa. Almost all the local attractions worth noting are masterpieces of nature – the amazing underwater world, magnificent atolls, beautiful waterfalls, spacious lagoons, and pristine rocks, all of which are picturesque and untouched scenery.

Cities and ports

The total area of ​​the seven islands is only 200 square kilometers: five volcanic islands – Olosega, Ofu, Utuila, Tau, Aonu and two coral islands – Swains and Ross. The capital of Paco Paco has 45,000 inhabitants and is considered one of the most colorful cities in the world. It is home to one of the most beautiful, widest and deepest harbors in the South Pacific, which almost divides the island in two and can easily accommodate the Port of Samoa. The works of Somerset Maugham, a world-famous British BroadCast Unitedligence officer, made this port famous. Sometimes cruise ships anchor here with more passengers than the number of residents of the capital. Antique lovers will undoubtedly be attracted by the marvelous collection of ancient Polynesian art and artefacts in the Hayden Museum.

American Samoa National Park

This major attraction occupies almost 20% of the country’s territory – the islands of Tutuila, Ofu, Olosega and Tau. Almost the entire park is covered by remnants of rainforest, which have been almost completely wiped out on the remaining islands – home to rare birds and animals. It also includes marvelous coral reefs protected by law. The center of the national park is considered to be the 491-meter-high Mount Arawa. At the foot of the 650-meter-high Matafao Peak, the highest point in American Samoa, is the amazing Nuri Falls.

The area has a network of paths and trails, ideal for hiking or cycling. Tutuila has several tennis courts and a good golf club.

American Samoa. Author – Mary Beschen.

That’s not all

There are other unique natural monuments in American Samoa that are worth noting – the unusual Vaoto Marine Park, the amazing turtle sanctuary, the delightful Nuuili Pala Lagoon.

Ao Nui village has a population of just over 400 and is an interesting place to explore. There are beautiful beaches, clear lakes, mangroves, hiking trails on rocks and cliffs, volcanoes and freshwater swamps to keep you entertained. At low tide, a wall of coral reefs appears in the water!

water sports

American Samoa attracts diving enthusiasts from all over the world. Many areas along the coast are suitable for diving, especially the coral reefs near Ta’u Island. The underwater world has about 1,000 species of fish, 200 types of corals and several mammals. Diving here is popular with both experienced divers and first-time divers.

Any island is a paradise for anglers. Here you can catch yellowtail or striped tuna, bonito, mahi mahi, marlin. You can rent a fishing boat from a local tour operator or even a hotel, or rent a yacht from a club near the town of Utulei.

The best way to explore the islands is by canoe or boat. This is often the only option to reach the uninhabited and picturesque atolls.

Surfing is as popular as diving. People of all ages enjoy surfing. The most famous beaches are Leon Bay, Alofa Bay and of course the world-famous Carter Beach.

American Samoa. Author – Bryan Chernick.

Safety is everything

American Samoa is a safe country if you take the necessary precautions. You should bring mosquito repellent and get vaccinated against yellow fever and a variety of other diseases (polio, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B) before visiting.

Features and differences

You should be prepared because life in American Samoa is very different from what you are used to. There are problems with electricity here – fans fail and power outages are frequent. And only expensive hotels have generators.

It’s always warm here, so almost all hotels are “open-air” buildings. This means that the beds are laid out on the open-air balconies, covered only by mosquito nets, and all amenities are in the courtyard.

Generally, everything is the same as in the US: pay phones, post offices, food stamps (half the population lives on them), even a few McDonalds. Almost all of the natives do very little exercise and eat rolls from morning till night, so it’s understandable that 90% of the natives are overweight.

The quality of medical care is good enough

When interacting with locals, it’s best to follow certain etiquette rules. For example, when interacting with elders, you’re only allowed to sit (no standing!). But you can prepare in advance and learn about local traditions.

American Samoan cuisine is seafood-based, with fewer animal and plant ingredients, and is very similar to the traditional cuisine of other peoples of Oceania.

KH8T. Where is American Samoa located. Map.