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Samoan Americans are
Americans
Americans are the Citizenship of the United States, citizens and United States nationality law, nationals of the United States, United States of America.; ; Although direct citizens and nationals make up the majority of Americans, many Multi ...
of
Samoan origin, including those who emigrated from the
Independent State of Samoa
Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands ( Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands ( Manono and Apolima); a ...
or
American Samoa
American Samoa ( sm, Amerika Sāmoa, ; also ' or ') is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island country of Samoa. Its location is centered on . It is east of the International ...
to the United States. Samoan Americans are
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe the original p ...
s in the
United States Census, and are the second largest
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe the original p ...
group in the U.S., after
Native Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians (also known as Indigenous Hawaiians, Kānaka Maoli, Aboriginal Hawaiians, First Hawaiians, or simply Hawaiians) ( haw, kānaka, , , and ), are the indigenous ethnic group of Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaii ...
.
American Samoa
American Samoa ( sm, Amerika Sāmoa, ; also ' or ') is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island country of Samoa. Its location is centered on . It is east of the International ...
has been an
unincorporated territory
Territories of the United States are sub-national administrative divisions overseen by the federal government of the United States. The various American territories differ from the U.S. states and tribal reservations as they are not sover ...
of the United States since 1900, and Samoa, formally known as the Independent State of Samoa and known as Western Samoa until 1997, is an independent nation that gained its independence from
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
in 1962. American Samoa (which is under the jurisdiction of the United States of America) and Samoa together make up the
Samoan Islands
The Samoan Islands ( sm, Motu o Sāmoa) are an archipelago covering in the central South Pacific, forming part of Polynesia and of the wider region of Oceania. Administratively, the archipelago comprises all of the Independent State of Samoa a ...
, an
archipelago
An archipelago ( ), sometimes called an island group or island chain, is a chain, cluster, or collection of islands, or sometimes a sea containing a small number of scattered islands.
Examples of archipelagos include: the Indonesian Archi ...
that covers 1,170 sq mi (3,030 km2). Like Hawaiian Americans, the Samoans arrived in the mainland in the 19th century as fishermen and later worked as agricultural laborers and factory workers.
As per 2019
U.S. Census estimates, there are over 200,000 people of Samoan descent living in the United States, including those of partial ancestry,
which is roughly the population of the Independent State of Samoa, as of 2019.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, has the largest Samoan population of 8,500 making up over 2% of the city's population, while
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It is the 42nd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 466,742 as of 2020. A charter city, Long Beach is the seventh-most populous city in California.
Incorporate ...
, has the largest population in the mainland United States: one percent of the city's population, or 4,513 people, as of 2010. There are also Samoan communities throughout the state of
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
. Other states with cities and towns with significant communities are
Alaska
Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., ...
,
Nevada
Nevada ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, Western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. N ...
,
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
,
Utah
Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to it ...
, and
Washington
Washington commonly refers to:
* Washington (state), United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A metonym for the federal government of the United States
** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered on ...
.
History
![Polynesian Cultural Center entrance](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Polynesian_Cultural_Center_entrance.jpg)
Migration from Samoan Islands to the United States began in the 19th century. A small group of Samoans were part of the first Mormon
Polynesian colony in the U.S., which was founded in Utah in 1889 and consisted of Samoans,
Hawaiian natives,
Tahitians
The Tahitians ( ty, Māohi; french: Tahitiens) are the Polynesian ethnic group indigenous to Tahiti and thirteen other Society Islands in French Polynesia. The numbers may also include the modern population in these islands of mixed Polynesian ...
, and
Maori people.
[ Page 116.]
American Samoa
American Samoa ( sm, Amerika Sāmoa, ; also ' or ') is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island country of Samoa. Its location is centered on . It is east of the International ...
officially became a U.S. territory in 1900 with the
Treaty of Cession of Tutuila
The Treaty of Cession of Tutuila, also known as the Deed of Cession of Tutuila, was a treaty between several chiefs of the island of Tutuila and the United States signed on April 17, 1900, whereby the chiefs swore allegiance to, and ceded the isla ...
and in 1904 with the
Treaty of Cession of Manu'a
The Treaty of Cession of Manuʻa, also known as the Deed of Cession of Manuʻa, was a treaty between Tui Manuʻa Elisala and the United States signed on 16 July 1904 that ceded the islands of Manuʻa to the United States, which now forms part of A ...
.
In the 1920s a small group of Mormons from American Samoa emigrated to the modern United States. They were brought by American Mormons to
Laie
Laie ( haw, Lāie, ) is a census-designated place (CDP) located in the Koolauloa District on the island of Oahu () in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States. In Hawaiian, means " leaf" ( is a climbing screwpine: ''Freycinetia arborea''). The p ...
,
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...
to assist in building the
Mormon Temple of this place.
[. Page 22.][ Chapter: ''Pacific Islander and Pacific Islander Americans, 1940-present'', written by Matthew Kester. Page 1177.] The community grew over the decade and in 1929 there were already 125 American Samoans living in Laie, but the Samoan migration to Hawaii fell in the following years. It was probably due to the
crash of 29, the loss of an important rice field for the community, and the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
. In the second half of the 1940s about 300 mostly military families of American Samoans emigrated to the United States specifically to Hawaii.
[ From work ''Samoan Saints: the Samoans in the mormon village of Laie, Hawaii''.]
In 1951, nearly 1,000 American Samoans linked with the army (i.e. military personnel and their relatives
[. Chapter 7. ''From Village to City: Samoan migration to California'', written by Graig R. James. Pages 120-121.]) migrated to the Honolulu's American bases by accepting an invitation from the US Navy (which had left its bases in the
Pago Pago
Pago Pago ( ; Samoan: )Harris, Ann G. and Esther Tuttle (2004). ''Geology of National Parks''. Kendall Hunt. Page 604. . is the territorial capital of American Samoa. It is in Maoputasi County on Tutuila, which is American Samoa's main island. ...
city, as American Samoa began to be administered by the
U.S. Department of the Interior
The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is one of the executive departments of the U.S. federal government headquartered at the Main Interior Building, located at 1849 C Street NW in Washington, D.C. It is responsible for the mana ...
) so that the Marines could continue working for the Navy. However, many of them later migrated to California (in 1952).
In 1952 the natives of American Samoa become U.S. nationals, although not American citizens, through the
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (), also known as the McCarran–Walter Act, codified under Title 8 of the United States Code (), governs immigration to and citizenship in the United States. It came into effect on June 27, 1952. Before ...
.
, 12,354 people from Independent Samoa lived in the U.S. in 2013.
California
63,000 people of Samoan origin reside in
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
, meaning almost one-third of the Samoan population in the U.S. lives in California. 0.2% of California's population is of Samoan descent. The number of those who identify as Samoan alone is 36,443.
The percentages and numbers of Samoan people residing in cities listed below vary from 2015 to 2018, according to the "5-Year Estimates Detailed Tables" from the
U.S. Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
.
Southern California
Carson
Carson may refer to:
People
*Carson (surname), people with the surname
*Carson (given name), people with the given name
Places
;In the United States
* Carson, California, a city
* Carson Township, Fayette County, Illinois
*Carson, Iowa, a city
* ...
(1.8-2.2%),
Compton
Compton may refer to:
Places
Canada
* Compton (electoral district), a former Quebec federal electoral district
* Compton (provincial electoral district), a former Quebec provincial electoral district now part of Mégantic-Compton
* Compton, Que ...
(0.3-0.5%), and
Long Beach
Long Beach is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It is the 42nd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 466,742 as of 2020. A charter city, Long Beach is the seventh-most populous city in California.
Incorporate ...
(0.7-0.8%), and
Paramount
Paramount (from the word ''paramount'' meaning "above all others") may refer to:
Entertainment and music companies
* Paramount Global, also known simply as Paramount, an American mass media company formerly known as ViacomCBS. The following busin ...
(0.7-1%) in
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County, officially the County of Los Angeles, and sometimes abbreviated as L.A. County, is the most populous county in the United States and in the U.S. state of California, with 9,861,224 residents estimated as of 2022. It is the ...
,
Oceanside (0.5-0.6%) in
San Diego County
San Diego County (), officially the County of San Diego, is a county in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,298,634, making it California's second-most populous county and the fi ...
, and
Twentynine Palms
Twentynine Palms (also known as 29 Palms) is a city in San Bernardino County, California. Twentynine Palms serves as one of the entry points to Joshua Tree National Park.
History
Twentynine Palms was named for the palm trees found there in ...
(0.9-1.1%) in
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County (), officially the County of San Bernardino, is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California, and is located within the Inland Empire area. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the population was 2,181, ...
have among the highest concentration of Samoans in Southern California, which include those of partial ancestry.
Also in
San Diego
San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the List of United States cities by population, eigh ...
, the very first Samoan church in the entire United States, was founded in 1955 by
Rev. Suitonu Galea'i. From there, multiple Samoan churches throughout California branched from the First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of San Diego.
Garden Grove in
Orange County
Orange County most commonly refers to:
*Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Orange County may also refer to:
U.S. counties
*Orange County, Florida, containing Orlando
*Orange County, Indiana
*Orange County, New ...
has a Samoan community, as well as a church located off Century Boulevard. There are Samoan communities enumerating several hundred in
Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and is part of the Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario metropolitan area. It is the second-largest city in Riverside County by population and one of the Inland Empire's po ...
(300 to 500) and
San Bernardino
San Bernardino (; Spanish language, Spanish for Bernardino of Siena, "Saint Bernardino") is a city and county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States. Located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, the city had a ...
(400), at least 0.2% of the city’s populations.
Northern California
The
public housing
Public housing is a form of housing tenure in which the property is usually owned by a government authority, either central or local. Although the common goal of public housing is to provide affordable housing, the details, terminology, def ...
communities in the
Bayview-Hunters Point,
Potrero Hill
Potrero Hill is a residential neighborhood in San Francisco, California. It is known for its views of the San Francisco Bay and city skyline, its proximity to many destination spots, its sunny weather, and having two freeways and a Caltrain stat ...
, and
Visitacion Valley
Visitacion Valley (; Spanish: ''Valle de la Visitación''), colloquially referred to as Viz Valley, is a neighborhood located in the southeastern quadrant of San Francisco, California.
Visitacion Valley is roughly defined by McLaren Park and Glen ...
neighborhoods in
San Francisco
San Francisco (; Spanish language, Spanish for "Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the List of Ca ...
are home to much of the city’s Samoan community. As per the 2015-18 estimates, San Francisco is 0.2-0.3% Samoan (1,807-2,262 residents).
The 2018 estimate of the number of Samoans in San Francisco is a decrease from the 2000 reported number of Samoans, which was 2,311 (which did not account for people who reported to be part Samoan). In the
East Bay Area
The East Bay is the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area and includes cities along the eastern shores of the San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay. The region has grown to include inland communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties ...
,
San Leandro
San Leandro (Spanish for " St. Leander") is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is located in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area; between Oakland to the northwest, and Ashland, Castro Valley, and Hayward to the sout ...
is home to a sizable Samoan community (0.4%-0.6%), as well as in
Daly City
Daly City () is the second most populous city in San Mateo County, California, United States, with population of 104,901 according to the 2020 census. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and immediately south of San Francisco (sharing its ...
(0.4-0.9%),
East Palo Alto
East Palo Alto (abbreviated E.P.A.) is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of East Palo Alto was 30,034. It is situated on the San Francisco Peninsula, roughly halfway between the cities of ...
(1.2-1.3%), and
Hayward (0.6%-0.9%).
In Daly City, Samoan restaurants and businesses are located off Geneva Avenue. In 1972, the First Samoan Congregational Church of
San Jose was founded by Rev. Felix T. and Molly T. Ava Molifua, affiliated with Northern California UCC.
San Jose has over 3,000 Samoans in residence (0.3%).
In the
Central Valley and inland California, where compared to the Bay Area has a slightly smaller percentage of Samoans, higher populations are commonly found in the areas of
Modesto
Modesto () is the county seat and largest city of Stanislaus County, California, United States. With a population of 218,464 at the 2020 census, it is the 19th largest city in the state of California and forms part of the Sacramento-Stockton- ...
(0.2%),
Sacramento
)
, image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg
, mapsize = 250x200px
, map_caption = Location within Sacramento ...
, and
Stockton. The city of Sacramento has over 1,800 to 2,200 Samoans, about 0.4% of its population.
In
Central California
Central California is generally thought of as the middle third of the state, north of Southern California, which includes Los Angeles, and south of Northern California, which includes San Francisco. It includes the northern portion of the San J ...
, Samoan Americans are concentrated in
Monterey County
Monterey County ( ), officially the County of Monterey, is a county located on the Pacific coast in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, its population was 439,035. The county's largest city and county seat is Salinas.
Montere ...
, which was home to a
U.S. Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...
base,
Fort Ord
Fort Ord is a former United States Army post on Monterey Bay of the Pacific Ocean coast in California, which closed in 1994 due to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) action. Most of the fort's land now makes up the Fort Ord National Monument, m ...
, which closed in 1994. The populations are concentrated in
Marina
A marina (from Spanish , Portuguese and Italian : ''marina'', "coast" or "shore") is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.
A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships o ...
(0.8-1%) and
Seaside (0.4%-0.9%).
Other Western U.S.
Oregon and Washington
The
Seattle
Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...
−
Tacoma,
Washington
Washington commonly refers to:
* Washington (state), United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A metonym for the federal government of the United States
** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered on ...
area is also home to a sizable Samoan community, especially in the cities of
Kent
Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...
(1.5%),
Renton (1%),
Federal Way
Federal Way is a city in King County, Washington, United States. One of the most recently incorporated cities in the county, its population was 101,030 at the 2020 census. Federal Way is the tenth-largest city in Washington and the fifth-larges ...
(1.6%),
SeaTac (2.9%), and
White Center
White Center is a census-designated place (CDP) in King County, Washington, United States. It lies between West Seattle and Burien. The population was 16,631 at the 2020 census.
White Center is sometimes referred to by the nickname "Rat City" ...
(3.2%).
Seattle has 1,500 Samoans, 0.2% of the city's population.
The First Samoan Christian Congregational Church in the
Washington state
Washington (), officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. Named for George Washington—the first U.S. president—the state was formed from the western part of the Washington ...
was established in 1964 in southeast Seattle, where Samoans settled in the Pacific Northwest.
The south Seattle neighborhoods of
Columbia City and
Rainier Valley have had sizeable Samoan communities since the 1960s and 1970s. Nearly 6,000 people of their descendants reside in
Pierce County, Washington
Pierce County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 921,130, up from 795,225 in 2010, making it the second-most populous county in Washington, behind King County, and the 60th-most populous ...
, making up 0.7% of the county's population.
Tacoma is home to 1,800 Samoans, making up nearly one percent of the city's population.
The Dalles, Oregon
The Dalles is the largest city of Wasco County, Oregon, United States. The population was 16,010 at the 2020 census, and it is the largest city on the Oregon side of the Columbia River between the Portland Metropolitan Area, and Hermiston ...
has a Samoan community of nearly 200 Samoan people, making up 1.3% of the city's population.
Utah and other western U.S.
Utah
Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to it ...
statewide is 0.6% Samoan including those with some non-Samoan ancestry, and 0.3% are those who identify as Samoan alone.
Utah has a history of Samoan immigration dating back to the late 1800s, due to them taking up
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religious tradition and theology of the Latter Day Saint movement of Restorationist Christianity started by Joseph Smith in Western New York in the 1820s and 1830s. As a label, Mormonism has been applied to various aspects of t ...
which was preached and influenced to them by missionairies who had come to
Polynesia
Polynesia () "many" and νῆσος () "island"), to, Polinisia; mi, Porinihia; haw, Polenekia; fj, Polinisia; sm, Polenisia; rar, Porinetia; ty, Pōrīnetia; tvl, Polenisia; tkl, Polenihia (, ) is a subregion of Oceania, made up of ...
n islands. Utah's Mormon community had housing and services for some Polynesian immigrants, which also included
Tongans
Tongans, a Polynesian group, represent more than 98% of the inhabitants of Tonga. The rest are European (the majority are British), mixed European, and other Pacific Islanders. There also are several hundred Chinese. Almost two-thirds of the pop ...
and
Maori.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City (often shortened to Salt Lake and abbreviated as SLC) is the Capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of Utah, United States. It is the county seat, seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Sal ...
is home to 1,500 Samoan-origin people, 0.7% of the city's population.
Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County is located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 1,185,238, making it the most populous county in Utah. Its county seat and largest city is Salt Lake City, the state capital. The coun ...
cities such as
Kearns (2%),
Taylorsville (1.5%), and
West Valley City
West Valley City is a city in Salt Lake County and a suburb of Salt Lake City in the U.S. state of Utah. The population was 140,230 at the 2020 census,
making it the second-largest city in Utah. The city incorporated in 1980 from a large, quic ...
(1.8%) having above average proportions of Samoan people for Utah. There is a sizable Samoan community in
Utah County
Utah County is the second-most populous county in the U.S. state of Utah. The county seat and largest city is Provo, which is the state's third-largest city, and the largest outside of Salt Lake County. As of the 2020 United States Census, the ...
, specifically
Provo, which is at least 0.3% Samoan.
There is a Samoan community in
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a home rule municipality in, and the county seat of, El Paso County, Colorado, United States. It is the largest city in El Paso County, with a population of 478,961 at the 2020 United States Census, a 15.02% increase since ...
of 430 people (0.1%), and
Lawton, Oklahoma
Lawton is a city in and the county seat of Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Ce ...
(0.3%), in which
Comanche County, Oklahoma
Comanche County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2010 census, the population was 124,098, making it the fourth-most populous county in Oklahoma. Its county seat is Lawton. The county was created in 1901 as part of ...
is at least 0.6% Pacific Islander (2010), mainly Samoan.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
is home to over 1,500 Samoans, 0.2% of the city's population.
Alaska and Hawaii
Outside the mainland U.S., many Samoan Americans have settled in
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...
and
Alaska
Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., ...
. About 2.8% of Hawaiian residents are of Samoan descent, with 1.3% having full Samoan ancestry. Many live on the island of
Oahu
Oahu () (Hawaiian language, Hawaiian: ''Oʻahu'' ()), also known as "The Gathering place#Island of Oʻahu as The Gathering Place, Gathering Place", is the third-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is home to roughly one million people—over t ...
. Linapuni Street, especially the Kuhio Park Terrace apartments in
Honolulu
Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island ...
, has the highest concentration of Samoans of any residential area in Hawaii, at 37% of residents. Central
Palolo has the highest percentage of any Hawaiian tract, with 4% having a Samoan background. The Oahu town of
Laie
Laie ( haw, Lāie, ) is a census-designated place (CDP) located in the Koolauloa District on the island of Oahu () in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States. In Hawaiian, means " leaf" ( is a climbing screwpine: ''Freycinetia arborea''). The p ...
has 1,380 Samoan Americans, about 21% of the town, one of the highest concentration of Samoan Americas of any town or city in the U.S.
Two percent of people in the city of
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage () is the largest city in the U.S. state of Alaska by population. With a population of 291,247 in 2020, it contains nearly 40% of the state's population. The Anchorage metropolitan area, which includes Anchorage and the neighboring Ma ...
are of Samoan descent, with nearly 6,000 living in the city. Alaska has a relatively high proportion of them, comprising about 0.8% of the state's population.
Midwest and South
In the Midwest
The Midwestern United States, also referred to as the Midwest or the American Midwest, is one of four Census Bureau Region, census regions of the United States Census Bureau (also known as "Region 2"). It occupies the northern central part of ...
, a significant Samoan community is in Independence
Independence is a condition of a person, nation, country, or state in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the statu ...
, Missouri
Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...
, where around 1,000 Samoan people reside (0.9% of the city). In nearby Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the 36th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central ...
there lives 340 Samoans, which is 0.1% of the city's population.
In the Eastern United States
The Eastern United States, commonly referred to as the American East, Eastern America, or simply the East, is the region of the United States to the east of the Mississippi River. In some cases the term may refer to a smaller area or the East C ...
and Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, also referred to as the American Southeast or simply the Southeast, is a geographical region of the United States. It is located broadly on the eastern portion of the southern United States and the southern por ...
, Samoan communities exist in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville () is a city in and the county seat of Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a major U.S. Army installation northwest of the city.
Fayetteville has received the All-America C ...
and Clarksville, Tennessee
Clarksville is the county seat of Montgomery County, Tennessee, United States. It is the fifth-largest city in the state behind Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. The city had a population of 166,722 as of the 2020 United States ce ...
. There are 365 Samoan-origin people in Prince William County, Virginia
Prince William County is located on the Potomac River in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population sits at 482,204, making it Virginia's second-most populous county. Its county seat is the independent city of Manassas ...
, and a Samoan church in Alexandria
Alexandria ( or ; ar, ٱلْإِسْكَنْدَرِيَّةُ ; grc-gre, Αλεξάνδρεια, Alexándria) is the second largest city in Egypt, and the largest city on the Mediterranean coast. Founded in by Alexander the Great, Alexandria ...
.
There is a community of Samoans in Liberty County, Georgia
Liberty County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population is 65,256. The county seat is Hinesville.
Liberty County is part of the Hinesville, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included i ...
.
In Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
, there is a Samoan community prominent in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Euless
Euless ( ) is a city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Dallas and Fort Worth. Euless is part of the Mid-Cities region between Dallas and Fort Worth. In 2020 Census, the population of Euless was 61,032. The population of the ...
(0.5%), and a Samoan church in the city of Killeen (0.3%).
Military
Significant numbers of Samoan Americans serve in the U.S. Military
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. The armed forces consists of six service branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The president of the United States is the ...
. American Samoa
American Samoa ( sm, Amerika Sāmoa, ; also ' or ') is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island country of Samoa. Its location is centered on . It is east of the International ...
has the highest rate of military enlistment of any state or territory.
Sports
American football
American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team with ...
is the most popular sport in American Samoa. Per capita, the Samoan Islands
The Samoan Islands ( sm, Motu o Sāmoa) are an archipelago covering in the central South Pacific, forming part of Polynesia and of the wider region of Oceania. Administratively, the archipelago comprises all of the Independent State of Samoa a ...
have produced the highest number of National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...
players. In 2010, it was estimated that a boy born to Samoan parents is 56 times more likely to get into the NFL than any other boy in America.
Notable people
Entertainment
* Queen Muhammad Ali
Queen Muhammad Ali (Queen Melé Le'iato Tuiasosopo Muhammad Ali) is an American Samoan award-winning film director, photographer, graphic design artist, multimedia activist, lecturer, television producer, humanitarian, writer, visual anthropolog ...
, film director
* Cooper Andrews
Andrew Lawrence Cooper (born March 10, 1985), known professionally as Cooper Andrews, is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Jerry in '' The Walking Dead''.
Early life
Andrews was born in Smithtown, New York on Long Island. His ...
, actor
* Nephi Hannemann
Nephi Hannemann (February 6, 1945 – March 31, 2018) was an actor and singer of Samoan, German and English descent who appeared numerous times on ''Hawaii Five-O'' and ''One West Waikiki''.
Biography
Nephi Hannemann was born in American Samoa ...
, actor
* Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, 1972), also known by his ring name The Rock, is an American actor and former professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, he was integral to the developm ...
, actor, professional wrestler
* Mark Kanemura, dancer
* Tony Meredith
Tony Meredith is an American professional ballroom dancer, choreographer and United States Professional Latin Champion.
Biography
Tony Meredith, who is of Mexican and Samoan descent, was born in San Diego, California, US, discovered ballroom danc ...
, dancer, choreographer
* Josefa Moe
John "Josefa" Moe (May 1, 1933 – November 3, 2006) was an entertainer and artist.
Biography
Early life
Moe was born "on the road" in Jubbulpore, India to Samoan father Pulu and Filipino/ Hawaiian mother Louisa, then musical stars touring w ...
, entertainer, celebrity
* Tanoai Reed
Tanoai Reed (born February 10, 1974) is an American stuntman and actor. He is the cousin and stunt double of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Reed was born in Honolulu, Hawaii of Samoan and Norwegian, Swedish, Irish descent. After the separation of h ...
, stunt performer, actor
Music
* Alex Aiono
Martin Alexander Aiono (; born February 16, 1996) is an American singer, record producer, and actor from Phoenix, Arizona. Aiono is known for his videos on YouTube, which have amassed over 1 billion views, and his social media presence with upwa ...
, singer, YouTuber
* Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E.
Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. is an American hip hop band from Carson, California, consisting of the American Samoa Devoux brothers Paul (died 2020), Ted (died 2018), Donald, Roscoe, Danny (died 2022), David and Vincent. It is noted for its use of a live ...
, hip hop group
* Drew Deezy
Drew Deezy is a Samoan American rapper from San Jose, California. He has become a prominent rapper on the West Coast, as well as the New Zealand markets with hit singles such as "I Don't See Nothing Wrong". In 2010, Drew signed with 454 Life E ...
, rapper
* Cheryl Deserée
Cheryl Deserée Vaimoso is an American singer-songwriter and model of Samoan, English, and Irish descent. She is based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Early life
Deserée was raised in San Jacinto and Hemet, California
Hemet is a city in the San ...
, singer-songwriter
* Dinah Jane
Dinah Jane Milika Ilaisaane Hansen (; born June 22, 1997) is an American singer and a member of girl group Fifth Harmony. In October 2017, she featured in RedOne's single " Boom Boom" with Daddy Yankee and French Montana. After the group's hia ...
, singer; member of Fifth Harmony
Fifth Harmony, often shortened to 5H, was an American girl group based in Miami, composed of Ally Brooke, Normani, Dinah Jane, Lauren Jauregui, and previously Camila Cabello until her departure from the group in December 2016. The group signe ...
* Taimane Gardner
Taimane Tauiliili Bobby Gardner, (born February 13, 1989) who often performs under the mononym Taimane, is an American ukulele virtuoso and composer. In 2019, she won a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award, for Favorite Entertainer of the Year. In 2019, ...
, ukulele player, composer
* Maryanne Ito, soul singer
* Bunny Michael
Melisa Rincón (born ) known professionally as Bunny Michael, is an American interdisciplinary visual artist, musician, and rapper.
Early life and education
Bunny Michael was raised in Dallas, Texas. They are the middle of three children born ...
, musician, rapper
* Mavis Rivers
Mavis Chloe Rivers (19 May 1929 – 29 May 1992) was a Samoan and New Zealand jazz singer. She was born in Apia, Samoa, as one of thirteen children to a musical family. In 1954, she moved to the United States. She married Glicerio Reyes "David" ...
, jazz singer
* Tedashii
Tedashii Lavoy Anderson (born March 8, 1977), known simply as Tedashii, is an American Christian hip hop artist and member of the hip-hop troupe, 116 Clique. He also hosted the NGEN Radio show "Serium". Tedashii has released five solo albums, ...
, Christian hip hop artist
* Tenelle
Tenelle Christine Luafalemana (born July 21, 1988) is an American Samoan singer-songwriter from Carson, California. She represented American Samoa in the American Song Contest where she placed 6th in the Grand Final.
Early life
Tenelle grew u ...
, singer-songwriter
Politics, law and government
* Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard (; born April 12, 1981) is an American politician, United States Army Reserve officer and political commentator who served as the U.S. representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021. Gabbard was the firs ...
, politician; U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district
Hawaii's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is currently represented by Kai Kahele, who succeeded Tulsi Gabbard following the 2020 election. The district encompasses all rural and most suburba ...
(2013–2021)
* Mike Gabbard
Gerald Michael Gabbard (born January 15, 1948) is a Samoan Americans, Samoan American politician, serving as the Hawaii State Senate, Hawaii State Senator for District 21 from the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic party, since 2006. Ga ...
, politician, member of the Hawaii State Senate
The Hawaii Senate is the upper house of the Hawaii State Legislature. It consists of twenty-five members elected from an equal number of constituent districts across the islands and is led by the President of the Senate, elected from the member ...
* Mufi Hannemann
Muliufi Francis Hannemann (born July 16, 1954) is an American politician, businessman, and non-profit executive. He was elected twice as Mayor of Honolulu in 2004 and 2008. Hannemann has served as a special assistant in Washington, D.C., with t ...
, politician; 12th Mayor of Honolulu
The mayor of Honolulu is the chief executive officer of the City and County of Honolulu. An office established in 1900 and modified in 1907, the mayor of Honolulu is elected by universal suffrage of residents of Honolulu to no more than two four ...
(2005–2010)
* Bode Uale
Bode Uale was the first family court judge appointed in the United States who was of Samoan descent. Uale currently serves as the lead judge of the Honolulu Family Court's Domestic Division.
He was raised in Laie, Hawaii and graduated in 1979 fr ...
, Hawaii state court judge
Sports
; American football
* Al Afalava
Al Mitchell Afalava (born January 20, 1987) is a former American football safety. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. He played in college f ...
* C. J. Ah You
Charles "C. J." Ah You, Jr. (born July 7, 1982) is an American football coach and former defensive end. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft and spent most of his career with the St. Louis Rams. He pl ...
* Harland Ah You
Harland Ah You (born February 26, 1972) is a former gridiron football defensive lineman who played 10 games with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League in 1998. He played college football at Brigham Young University and attended K ...
* Tui Alailefaleula
Tuiaualuma "Tui" Alailefaleula (born November 5, 1982) is a former American football defensive tackle in the NFL. He played college football for the Washington Huskies, where he played on the offensive line, and was signed as an undrafted free ag ...
* Clifton Alapa
* Tyson Alualu
Tyson Asi Alualu ( ; born May 12, 1987) is an American football nose tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college ...
* Brad Anae
Brad Anae (born October 3, 1957) is a former American football defensive end who played three seasons in the United States Football League (USFL) with the Philadelphia Stars, Houston Gamblers and San Antonio Gunslingers. He first enrolled at the ...
* Robert Anae
Robert Anae (born December 21, 1958) is an American football coach and former player who is current serving as the offensive coordinator (OC) for NC State since December 2022. Prior to NC State, he was the OC at the University of Virginia and Bri ...
* Charley Ane
Charles Teetai Ane Jr. (January 25, 1931 – May 9, 2007) was an American football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions. He played college football at the University of Southern California.
...
* Charlie Ane
Charles "Kale" Teetai Ane III (born August 12, 1952) is a former professional American football player who played center for seven seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League (NFL), and three sea ...
* Donovan Arp
* Devin Asiasi
Devin Timothy Soane Asiasi (born August 14, 1997) is an American football tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UCLA. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third roun ...
* Isaac Asiata
* Matt Asiata
Matthew Retinai Asiata (born July 24, 1987) is a former American football running back. He attended Hunter High School and played college football at Utah. Asiata was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. Asiata is tied wit ...
* Sal Aunese
Siasau "Sal" Aunese (May 8, 1968 – September 23, 1989) was a college football player who played for the University of Colorado. Aunese was from Oceanside, California in San Diego County and was of Samoan He died at age 21 from stomach can ...
* Kahlil Bell
Kahlil Edward Bell (born December 10, 1986) is a former American football running back. He played college football at UCLA Bruins football, UCLA. Bell was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He was also played for t ...
* Kendrick Bourne
Kendrick L. Bourne (born August 4, 1995) is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Eastern Washington Eagles football, Eastern Washington. He also play ...
* Inoke Breckterfield
Inoke Breckterfield e-NO-kay(born April 25, 1977) is an American football coach who is currently the defensive line coach at the University of Washington. He played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Toronto Argonauts (1999–2000) an ...
* Algie Brown
Algernon "Algie" Brown (born November 29, 1991) is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Brigham Young.
Professional career
Seattle Seahawks
Brown signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undra ...
* DeForest Buckner
DeForest George Buckner (born March 17, 1994) is an American football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the ...
* Colby Cameron
Colby Cameron (born April 5, 1990) is an American football quarterback who played for the Fujitsu Frontiers of the X-League. He played college football at Louisiana Tech University.
Early years
Cameron was born in Newbury Park, California, to St ...
* Jordan Cameron
Jordan Cravens Cameron (born August 7, 1988) is a former American football tight end. He played college football at USC and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Cameron also played for the Miami Dol ...
* Suʻa Cravens
* Scott Crichton
* Hershel Dennis
Hershel Henry Dennis IV (born July 12, 1984) is a former American football running back. He played college football as a student athlete at the University of Southern California. During his six-year career, the Trojans went 70–8 making Dennis ...
* Luther Elliss
Luther John Elliss (born March 22, 1973) is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He played college football for the University of Utah, and w ...
* Justin Ena
Justin Peato Ena (born November 20, 1977) is an American football coach and former linebacker who is currently the linebackers coach at Brigham Young University football. He played college football at BYU and in the National Football League for ...
* DeQuin Evans
* Nuʻu Faʻaola
* Jonathan Fanene
Jonathan David Fanene (born March 19, 1982) is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Co ...
* Eletise Fiatoa
* Malcom Floyd
Malcom Maiuu Floyd (born September 8, 1981) is a former American professional football player who was a wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League (NFL). He played his entire NFL career with San Diego after sign ...
* Fou Fonoti
Fouimalo "Fou" Fonoti (born November 15, 1991) is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. Fonoti first enrolled at Cerritos College before transferring to Michigan State University. He has also been a member of the S ...
* Toniu Fonoti
Toniuolevaiavea Satele Fonoti (born November 26, 1981) is a Samoan-born former player of American college and professional football who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons during the early 2000s. He played college ...
* Chris Fuamatu-Maʻafala
Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (; born March 4, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the U ...
* Setema Gali
* Randall Goforth
Randall Jordan Goforth (born January 27, 1994) is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at UCLA.
College career
As a freshman in 2012, Goforth played in all 14 games and started in five. He finished the year with 39 t ...
* Micah Hannemann
Micah Hannemann (born August 15, 1994) is a former American football safety. He played college football at Brigham Young. He is the brother of professional baseball player Jacob Hannemann.
Professional career Cleveland Browns
Hannemann was sign ...
* Wayne Hunter
Wayne Hunter (born July 2, 1981) is a former American football offensive tackle. Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft, he played college football at Hawaii after transferring from Cal.
Hunter has also play ...
* Nate Ilaoa
Nathan Filipo Ilaoa (born April 4, 1983) is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii.
Ilaoa has also been a member of th ...
* Junior Ioane
Junior Burton Ioane (born July 21, 1977) is a former American football defensive tackle. He attended Arizona State University, and played with the Oakland Raiders during his rookie year in 2000-2003. Ioane also played for the Houston Texans from ...
* Sale Isaia
* Senio Kelemete
Senio Kelemete (born May 10, 1990) is an American football offensive guard who is currently a free agent. He attended the University of Washington from 2008 to 2011. Kelemete has also played with the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, and Ho ...
* Pat Kesi
Pat Kesi (born September 10, 1973) is a former American football offensive linemen. He played college ball at Washington. His hometown is Las Vegas, Nevada.
College career
While attending Washington, Kesi received the nickname "Calves" due to ...
* Hauʻoli Kikaha
* Glen Kozlowski
Glen Kozlowski (born December 31, 1962) is a former professional American football wide receiver. He played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears.
College
Kozlowski, who wore number 7, was a standout wide rece ...
* Mike Kozlowski
Michael John Kozlowski (born February 24, 1956) is a former American professional football player. He was a safety for the Miami Dolphins (1979–86). Kozlowski was a tailback at Colorado (1977–78) before switching to defense with the Dolphins ...
* Jake Kuresa
Jacob Kuresa (born October 2, 1983) is a former American football offensive lineman. Out of college Jake was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Orleans Saints on May 2, 2007 but was waived on August 22, 2007. Kuresa was a 4-year starte ...
* Shawn Lauvao
Shawn Sisifo Lauvao (born October 26, 1987) is a former American football guard. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State.
College career
Lauvao started his l ...
* Kili Lefotu
* Sefo Liufau
Iosefo Sua Liufau (born October 29, 1994) is a former American football quarterback . He played college football at Colorado.
Early years
Liufau attended Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma, Washington. During his career he led the team to ...
* Joe Lobendahn
Joseph Lobendahn (born February 15, 1983) is a Canadian football linebacker of Samoans, Samoan descent who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was signed by the club after being released by the C ...
* Al Lolotai
Albert Lolotai (June 22, 1920 – September 30, 1990) was a Samoa-born American football offensive lineman. He played college football at Weber Junior College. Lolotai was the first Samoan American and Polynesian to play professional American ...
* Malaefou MacKenzie
Matthew Mark Maleafou Anesi MacKenzie (born July 24, 1979) is a Samoan former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) in 2003.
Career
MacKenzie played football at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Vie ...
* Kaluka Maiava
Kaluka Maiava (born December 27, 1986) is a former American football linebacker who played for the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2009 ...
* Damien Mama
Damien Mama (born June 27, 1995) is an American football guard. He played college football at USC.
Early years
Mama attended St. John Bosco High School, where he was a two-way player at offensive tackle and defensive tackle.
As a senior, he co ...
* Frank Manumaleuga
Frank Toto'a Manumaleuna (May 9, 1956 – June 1, 2022) was an American football linebacker who played three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Chiefs in the fourth round of the 1979 ...
* Brandon Manumaleuna
Brandon Michael Manumaleuna (; born January 4, 1980) is a former American football tight end. He played college football at Arizona and was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
Manumaleuna has also been a mem ...
* Vince Manuwai
Vincent Keoni Manuwai (July 12, 1980 – November 4, 2018) was an American football guard. He was drafted in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football for the University of Hawaii Warriors.
E ...
* Marcus Mariota
Marcus Ardel Taulauniu Mariota (born October 30, 1993) is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted second overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mariota play ...
* Jeremiah Masoli
Jeremiah Taeatafa Masoli (born August 24, 1988) is an American professional Canadian football quarterback for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL as an undrafted free ag ...
* Hercules Mataʻafa
* Fred Matua
Fred Matua (January 14, 1984 – August 5, 2012) was an American football guard. After playing college football for Southern California, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He was a member of the Lions ...
* Rey Maualuga
Reynold Tala Maualuga (born January 20, 1987) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at USC, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2009 N ...
* Josh Mauga
Joshua Mauga (born June 20, 1987) is a former American football linebacker. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Nevada. His surname Mauga translates to mean Mountain from Polyn ...
* Itula Mili
Itula Mili (born April 20, 1973) is a former American football tight end. Mili played college football for Brigham Young University (BYU). He played with the Seattle Seahawks for 10 seasons.
High school
Mili attended Kahuku High School and live ...
* Roy Miller
Roy is a masculine given name and a family surname with varied origin.
In Anglo-Norman England, the name derived from the Norman ''roy'', meaning "king", while its Old French cognate, ''rey'' or ''roy'' (modern ''roi''), likewise gave rise to ...
* Edwin Mulitalo
Edwin Moliki Mulitalo (; born September 1, 1974) is an American football coach and former player. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona. Mulitalo earned a Super Bo ...
* Louis Murphy
Louis Morris Murphy Jr. (born May 11, 1987) is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football for the University of Florida, where he was a member of two BCS National Championship teams. The Oakland Raiders drafted him in ...
* Kai Nacua
Kaimana Nacua (born March 3, 1995) is an American football free safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at BYU
Professional career
Cleveland Browns
Nacua was signed by the Cleveland Brow ...
* Jim Nicholson
* Ken Niumatalolo
Kenneth Va'a Niumatalolo (born May 8, 1965) is an American football coach and former player. He is the former head coach of the Naval Academy from 2007 to 2022, accumulating the most wins in program history. Niumatalolo played college football at ...
* Al Noga
AL, Al, Ål or al may stand for:
Arts and entertainment Fictional characters
* Al (''Aladdin'') or Aladdin, the main character in Disney's ''Aladdin'' media
* Al (''EastEnders''), a minor character in the British soap opera
* Al (''Fullmetal ...
* Niko Noga
Falaniko "Niko" Noga (born March 1, 1962) is a former football linebacker who played eight seasons in the National Football League.
Brothers Pete and Al played at the University of Hawai'i and later in the NFL.
In popular culture
Niko and his ...
* Pete Noga
Petelo "Pete" Noga (born June 24, 1964) is a former American football linebacker who played 3 games as a "replacement player" during the 1987 NFLPA strike for the St. Louis Cardinals of the National Football League.
He is brothers with Al Noga a ...
* Chris Owusu
Christopher Lloyd Owusu (born January 6, 1990) is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Stanford. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers after going undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft.
He has also played for ...
* Tenny Palepoi
* Joe Paopao
Joe Paopao (born June 30, 1955) is a former professional Canadian football quarterback and coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Paopao played 11 seasons in the CFL and was a member of the BC Lions, Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Ottaw ...
* David Parry
* Saul Patu
* Domata Peko
Domata Uluaifaasau Peko Sr (born November 27, 1984) is an American football nose tackle who is a free agent. Peko was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Pago Pago, American Samoa. He played college football at Michigan State and was drafted by th ...
* Kyle Peko
Kyle Peko (born July 23, 1993) is an American football defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Cerritos College and Oregon State.
Professional career
Denver Broncos
On Ma ...
* Tupe Peko
Siitupe Marcus "Tupe" Peko, (born September 19, 1978) is a former American Football offensive guard. Peko attended La Serna High School and first played at the collegiate level at Cerritos College before transferring to Michigan State Universit ...
* Ropati Pitoitua
* Kennedy Polamalu
Kennedy Polamalu (born November 22, 1963) is an American football coach and former player who currently is the running backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He most recently served as the running backs coach ...
* Troy Polamalu
Troy Aumua Polamalu (; born Troy Benjamin Aumua; April 19, 1981) is an American former football strong safety who played his entire 12-year career for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL).
He played college football ...
* Pulu Poumele
Pulu Talo Poumele (January 31, 1972 – June 4, 2016) was an American football coach and offensive tackle who played in both the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Early and personal life
Born in Oceanside, ...
* Jeremiah Poutasi
Cedrick Jeremiah Poutasi (born August 7, 1994) is an American football guard for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Utah.
Early years
Poutasi attended Desert Pines High School in L ...
* Tavita Pritchard
Tavita Pritchard (born February 20, 1987) is an American football coach who is the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders. He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal, where he was also an assistant coach from 2010 to 2022.
H ...
* Mike Purcell
Michael Purcell (born April 20, 1991) is an American football nose tackle for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wyoming, and was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent i ...
* Keilani Ricketts
Keilani Johanna Ricketts Tumanuvao (born September 1, 1991) is an American softball pitcher for the Oklahoma City Spark of the Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF). She played college softball at Oklahoma from 2010 to 2013, where she was the s ...
* Jason Rivers
* Blaine Saipaia
Blaine Saipaia (born August 25, 1978) is a former American football offensive lineman. He was originally signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He played college football at Colorado State.
After retiring from ...
* Dan Saleaumua
Raymond Daniel Saleaumua (born November 25, 1964) is a Samoan American former American football player in the National Football League. He played professionally for the Detroit Lions, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks.
Early life ...
* Dru Samia
Dru Samia III (born August 22, 1997) is an American football offensive guard for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma.
College career
A four-star offensive tackle recruit, Samia chose O ...
* Brashton Satele
Brashton Satele (born November 8, 1987) is a former American football linebacker. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets in 2010. He played college football at Hawaii.
College career
Upon completing his high school career, ...
* Samson Satele
Samson H. Satele (born November 29, 1984) is a former American football center. He played college football at Hawaii and was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.
Satele also played for the Oakland Raiders an ...
* Brian Schwenke
Brian Max Schwenke Jr. ( ; born March 22, 1991) is a former American football player. He played college football at California and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Early years
Schwenke was born in ...
* Kona Schwenke
Kona McKay Schwenke (May 11, 1992 – April 22, 2018) was an American football defensive tackle who played college football at Notre Dame.
Early years
Kona Schwenke was born to McKay and Angela Schwenke. Schwenke attended Kahuku High School in ...
* Ian Seau
Ian Seau (; ; born December 4, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end. He played college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack.
Early years
Seau was born to Mary Seau in Oceanside, California. He atten ...
* Junior Seau
Tiaina Baul "Junior" Seau Jr. (; ; January 19, 1969May 2, 2012) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL), mostly with the San Diego Chargers. Known for his passionate play, he was a ...
* Mike Sellers
Michael Sellers (born July 21, 1975) is a former American football fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He was the youngest import player to sign a Canadian Football League (CFL) deal in the history of the football league when he pla ...
* Isaac Seumalo
Isaac Seumalo (born October 29, 1993) is an American football guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon State.
High school career
A native of Corvallis, Oregon, Seumalo atte ...
* Danny Shelton
Daniel Saileupumoni Shelton (born August 20, 1993) is an American football defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He pl ...
* Sealver Siliga
Tupaimoefitpo "Sealver" Siliga (born April 26, 1990) is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at Utah.
College career
Siliga grew up in a Samoan American family of 13 in West Jordan, Utah and graduated from C ...
* Mana Silva
Keanemana "Mana" Silva (born August 17, 1988) is a former American football Free Safety in the National Football League for the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent i ...
* JuJu Smith-Schuster
John Sherman "JuJu" Smith-Schuster ( Smith; born November 22, 1996) is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC, and was drafted by the Pittsburgh St ...
* Brian Soi
Brian Soi (born May 3, 1985) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Utah State.
Soi has also been a member of the New York Giants a ...
* Paul Soliai
Paul Fuapapa Soliai (born December 30, 1983) is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at University of Utah. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He has also played ...
* Vic Soʻoto
* Xavier Suʻa-Filo
* Nicky Sualua
* Frank Summers
* Alameda Taʻamu
Alameda Eperu Ta'amu (born August 23, 1990) is a former American football nose tackle. He played college football at Washington. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
High school career
Born in Al ...
* Ed Taʻamu
* Tua Tagovailoa
Tuanigamanuolepola Tagovailoa ( ; born March 2, 1998) is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he was the Offensive MVP of the 2018 College Fo ...
* Nuʻu Tafisi
* Kelly Talavou
Kelly Simone Talavou (born October 4, 1984) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was originally signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2007, and has also been a member of the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Raven ...
* Lofa Tatupu
Mosiula Mea'alofa "Lofa" Tatupu (born November 15, 1982) is a former American football linebacker who played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was an assistant linebackers coach with the Seattle Seahawks. He played college ...
* Vai Taua
Vai or VAI has several possible meanings:
* Vai people
** Vai language
** Vai syllabary
** Vai (Unicode block)
* Vai (Crete)
* Văi, a village in Lupșa Commune, Alba County, Romania
Abbreviation
* VAI, Video Artists International, a classical ...
* Will Taʻufoʻou
Will Taʻufoʻou (; born June 19, 1986) is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at California.
College career
Taʻufoʻou p ...
* Junior Tautalatasi
Taivale "Junior" Tautalatasi Jr. (born March 24, 1962) is a former American football running back. He played college football at Washington State and in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
Early yea ...
* Terry Tautolo
* Sae Tautu
* J. R. Tavai
John Robert Tavai (born September 23, 1993) is a former professional gridiron football defensive lineman and linebacker. He played college football at USC Trojans football, Southern California. He was signed by Tennessee Titans as an undrafted fr ...
* Daniel Teʻo-Nesheim
Daniel Te'o-Nesheim (né Nesheim; June 12, 1987 – October 29, 2017) was a Samoans, Samoan American football outside linebacker. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at W ...
* Manti Teʻo
Manti Malietau Louis Te'o ( ; born January 26, 1991) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent.
Te'o played college football at Notre Dame, where he was a consensus All-American and received eight national awards. He was drafted ...
* Martin Tevaseu
Martin Tauamanu Tevaseu ( ; born October 7, 1987) is a former American football nose tackle. He signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2010 as an undrafted free agent. He played college football at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Martin now works ...
* Jack Thompson Jack Thompson may refer to:
Sports
*Jack Thompson (footballer, born 1892) (1892–1969), English footballer who played for Sheffield United and Bristol City
*Jack Thompson (1920s footballer), English footballer who played for Aston Villa and Bright ...
* D. J. Tialavea
Donald Tialavea Jr. (born July 27, 1991) is a former American football tight end who is currently a tight ends coach for Utah State. He played college football at Utah State University. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014 as an undra ...
* John Timu
* Pisa Tinoisamoa
Apisaloma Donald "Pisa" Tinoisamoa (; born July 15, 1981) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii Warriors football, Hawaii.
E ...
* Albert Toeaina
Albert Jesse Toeaina (born June 26, 1984) is a former professional Gridiron football, American and Canadian football offensive tackle for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League (2009), United Football League (UFL). He was signed ...
* Pago Togafau
* Levine Toilolo
Levine Joseph Toilolo (born July 30, 1991) is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Stanford, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Early years
Toilolo was ...
* Mao Tosi
Falemao "Mao" Tosi (born December 12, 1976) is a former American football player, a defensive tackle for two seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He is the only Samoan to date to be named Alaska's high school basketball player of the ...
* Charles Tuaau
Charles Tuaau ( , born January 4, 1992) is a former American football defensive tackle. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL) after he went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft. He also played ...
* Esera Tuaolo
Esera Tavai Tuaolo (born July 11, 1968), nicknamed "Mr. Aloha", is a former American professional football player. He was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 9 years.
Football career
He played college football at Oreg ...
* Natu Tuatagaloa
Gerardus Mauritius "Natu" Tuatagaloa (born May 25, 1966) is a former American football defensive end in the NFL. He played for the 1995 Houston Oilers, Seattle Seahawks in 1992 and 1993, and for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1989 to 1991 . His par ...
* Marques Tuiasosopo
Marques Tavita Tuiasosopo (born March 22, 1979) is an American football coach and former player. He played professionally as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons with the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets. Tu ...
* Peter Tuiasosopo
Peter "Navy" Tuiasosopo (born May 24, 1965) is an American actor known for his roles as E. Honda in Universal Pictures ''Street Fighter'' and Manumana in the Paramount Pictures film '' Necessary Roughness''. He also played custodian Yoshi Nakamur ...
* Lavasier Tuinei
* Mark Tuinei
Mark Pulemau Tuinei (March 31, 1960 – May 6, 1999) was an American football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. Known as a "gentle giant", his career lasted for 15 years (1983–1997) and his ability ...
* Van Tuinei
Vaega Van Tuinei (born February 16, 1971 in Garden Grove, California is a former professional American football player who played defensive end for four seasons for the San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago Bears.
He is of Samoan Am ...
* Joe Tuipala
* Willie Tuitama
Willie Coonley Savea Tuitama (born January 13, 1987) is a former American football quarterback.
Early life
Tuitama was born in Stockton, California. His father was originally from American Samoa; Tuitama and his sister were raised in the Churc ...
* Maugaula Tuitele
* Andria Tupola
Andria (; Barese: ) is a city and ''comune'' in Apulia (southern Italy). It is an agricultural and service center, producing wine, olives and almonds. It is the fourth-largest municipality in the Apulia region (behind Bari, Taranto, and Foggia) a ...
* Mike Ulufale
Michael Fuimaono Ulufale (born February 1, 1972) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Brigham Young University and was NFL Draft, drafted in th ...
* Morris Unutoa
Morris Taua Unutoa (born March 1, 1971) is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at Brigham Yo ...
* Jeremiah Valoaga
Jeremiah Isaiah Valoaga (born November 15, 1994) is an American football defensive end for the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football at UNLV, and was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted ...
* Lenny Vandermade
Lenny Vandermade (born January 3, 1981) is an American football coach and former player. He currently serves as an Offensive Analyst at the University of Southern California.
High school career
Vandermade prepped at Mater Dei High School in San ...
* Larry Warford
Lawrence Daniel Warford III (born June 18, 1991) is a former American football guard. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He made the Pro Bowl in all three of his seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He ...
* Albert Wilson
; Athletics
* Jeremy Dodson
Jeremy Raponi Dodson (born August 30, 1987) is an American-Samoan sprinter, competing primarily in the sprint events of track & field. He represented the United States of America professionally at several Athletic World Championships. He then r ...
, sprints
* Gary Fanelli, long-distance
* Anthony Leiato, shot put
; Baseball
* Benny Agbayani
Benny Peter Agbayani, Jr. (; born December 28, 1971) is an Americans, American retired professional baseball player. He attended Saint Louis School, Hawaii Pacific University and the Oregon Institute of Technology. He played in Major League Baseb ...
* Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Isiah Kiner-Falefa (born March 23, 1995), often abbreviated as IKF, is an American professional baseball shortstop for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Ranger ...
* Sean Manaea
Sean Anthony Manaea ( ; born February 1, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres. He played co ...
; Basketball
* Rashaun Broadus
Rashaun Eneal Broadus (born August 5, 1984) is an American-born naturalized Albanian former professional basketball player. Born in Seattle, Washington, he attended Mililani High School in Mililani, Hawaii. A tall point guard, Broadus then compet ...
* James Johnson James Johnson may refer to:
Artists, actors, authors, and musicians
*James Austin Johnson (born 1989), American comedian & actor, ''Saturday Night Live'' cast member
*James B. Johnson (born 1944), author of science nonfiction novels
*James P. John ...
* Dion Prewster
Dion Anthony Prewster (born 10 January 1990) is an American-born New Zealand professional basketball player for the Sandringham Sabres of the NBL1 South. He played college basketball for San Jacinto College and Stephen F. Austin State University ...
* Wally Rank
Wallace Aliifua Rank (born March 1, 1958) is an American former professional basketball player.
A 6'6" guard-forward, Rank played college basketball for San Jose State University from 1977 to 1980. He scored 1,432 points in his college career and ...
* Peyton Siva
Peyton Robert Siva Jr. (born October 24, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for Louisville, leading the school to two Final Fours in ...
* Mekeli Wesley
Mekeli Tiu Wesley (born 2 February 1979) is a Fijian-Samoan former basketball player who starred in the United States before embarking on an international professional career. In college, he was the 2001 Mountain West Conference Player of the ...
* Wendell White
; Mixed martial arts
* Andre Fili
Andre Riley Givens (born June 25, 1990) better known by the name Andre Fili is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division. Fili is of Samoan and Native Hawaiian descent and is currently signed with the Ultimate F ...
* Kendall Grove
Kendall Grove (born November 12, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2003, he has also competed for the Bellator MMA, UFC, KSW, ProElite, King o ...
* Max Holloway
Jerome Max Keli'i Holloway (born December 4, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Featherweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2010, Holloway became the ...
* Raquel Paʻaluhi
; Professional wrestling
* Afa Anoaʻi
Afa Amituana'i "Arthur" Anoa'i (born November 21, 1942) is a Samoan-American retired professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager. Since retiring, he has operated the World Xtreme Wrestling promotion and trained wrestlers at the Wild ...
* Afa Anoaʻi Jr.
Afa Anoa'i Jr. (born October 6, 1984) is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the professional wrestling promotion WWE in the late 2000s under the ring name Manu.
Early life and education
Anoa'i attende ...
* Lloyd Anoaʻi
Lloyd Anoa'i (born May 7, 1971) is an American professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the ring names Tahitian Savage, Fred Williams, and Lloyd ...
* Vanessa Borne
Danielle Sierra Kamela (born March 18, 1988) is an American professional wrestler and actress. She previously worked for WWE under the name Vanessa Borne.
Early life
Kamela was born to parents of Samoan, Polish, Chinese, German, and Irish descen ...
* Deuce
Deuce, Deuces, or The Deuce may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Fictional characters
* Deuce, in the ''Danger Girl'' comic book series
* Deuce, a character in ''Shake It Up''
* Deuce, in the ''Wild Cards'' science fiction universe
* Deuce Biga ...
* Emily Dole
Emily Dole (September 28, 1957 – January 2, 2018) was an American athlete, actress and professional wrestler. She is best known for her appearances with Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling under the ring name Mountain Fiji (abbreviated in publicatio ...
* Sam Fatu
Samuel Larry Anoa'i Fatu (born October 11, 1965) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation under the ring names The Tonga Kid and Tama and with World Championship Wrest ...
* Nia Jax
Savelina Fanene (born May 29, 1984) is an Australian-born American professional wrestler. She is best known for her time in WWE, where she performed under the ring name Nia Jax from 2014 to 2021 and became a one-time Raw Women's Champion and two- ...
* Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, 1972), also known by his ring name The Rock, is an American actor and former professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, he was integral to the developm ...
* Sean Maluta
Sean Maluta (born September 30, 1988) is an American professional wrestler currently competing on the independent circuit. He made a number of appearances with WWE and took part in the first Cruiserweight Classic.
Professional wrestling career
M ...
* Roman Reigns
Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoa'i (born May 25, 1985) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and former American football, football player. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown (WWE brand), SmackDown WW ...
* Rikishi
A , or, more colloquially, , is a professional sumo wrestler. follow and live by the centuries-old rules of the sumo profession, with most coming from Japan, the only country where sumo is practiced professionally. Participation in official t ...
* Rosey
* Samoa Joe
Nuufolau Joel Seanoa (born March 17, 1979), is an American professional wrestler better known by the ring name Samoa Joe who is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Joe is currently a double champion - in his first reign both as AEW ...
* Samu
* Tamina Snuka
Sarona Moana Marie Reiher Snuka-Polamalu (born January 10, 1978) is an American professional wrestler. She is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Tamina. She is a one-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champ ...
* Umaga
* The Usos
The Usos (born August 22, 1985) are an American professional wrestling tag team composed of twin brothers Joshua Samuel Fatu and Jonathan Solofa Fatu, who are known professionally by their respective ring names Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso. They are ...
* Yokozuna
, or , is the top division of the six divisions of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers (''rikishi''), ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments.
This is the on ...
; Rugby
* Thretton Palamo
Thretton Palamo (born September 22, 1988) is an American rugby union player who plays centre for Old Glory DC of Major League Rugby (MLR).
When he appeared in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, he became the youngest ever player to have played in the Rugb ...
, union
* Psalm Wooching
Psalm Fa'afoisia Pulemagafa Wooching (born January 16, 1994) is an American rugby union player who plays for the United States men's national team. He formerly played for the San Diego Legion in the Major League Rugby (MLR).
He has previously ...
, union
; Swimming
* Virginia Farmer
Virginia Farmer (born October 19, 1975, in San Luis Obispo, California, United States) is an American Samoan swimmer, who specialized in sprint freestyle events. At age thirty-two, Farmer made her official debut for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Be ...
* Stewart Glenister Stewart Michael Glenister (born October 12, 1988) is a class of 2011 United States Military Academy, West Point cadet who competed in the 2008 Olympic Games in the 50 m freestyle swimming event, where he won his first heat event. Glenister's parents ...
* Robin Leamy
; Other
* Robyn Ah Mow-Santos
Robyn Mokihana Ah Mow (born September 15, 1975) is the head coach of the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine volleyball team and a former American indoor volleyball player. She was a setter on the USA national team and played at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, th ...
, volleyball
* Mariah Bullock
Mariah Meaalii Bullock (; born 22 February 1991) is an American-born Samoan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Samoa women's national team.
A former United States youth international, Bullock has played in the professiona ...
, soccer
* Tony Finau
Milton Pouha "Tony" Finau (born September 14, 1989) is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.
Early life and amateur career
Milton Pouha Finau was born on September 14, 1989 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He won the Utah ...
, golf
* Konishiki Yasokichi
Saleva'a Fuauli Atisano'e (born December 31, 1963), professionally known as is an American former sumo wrestler.Franz LidzMeat Bomb, 05.18.92 - ''Sports Illustrated'' He was the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach '' ōzeki'', the second- ...
, sumo
* Greg Louganis
Gregory Efthimios Louganis (; born January 29, 1960) is an American Olympic diver, LGBT activist, and author who won gold medals at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics on the springboard and platform. He is the only man and the second diver in Ol ...
, diving
* Garrett Muagututia
Garrett Muagututia (born February 26, 1988) is an American professional volleyball player. He played and studied for 4 years at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is a member of the US national team. Muagututia participated at the ...
, volleyball
* Fua Logo Tavui
Fua Logo Tavui (born 23 July 1952 in Santa Clara, California) is a sailor who represented American Samoa.
Tavui competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, also known as Atlanta ...
, sailing
Other
* Matt Keikoan, poker player
* Alema Leota
Alema Leota (March 10, 1928 – May 11, 2008) was an alleged Hawaiian organized crime boss of Samoan descent during the 1960s and 1970s who led an unsuccessful nonpartisan campaign for the Governor of Hawaii during the 1978 election. He was defe ...
, Robin Hood
* Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard
Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard (born 1946) is an American Samoan academic, writer, poet, and environmentalist. She was the first Samoan to become a full professor in the United States. She is the sister of American politician Mike Gabbard and the aunt ...
, writer, literature professor
See also
* Samoan Australians
Samoan Australians refers to Australian citizens or residents who are of ethnic Samoan descent or people born in Samoa but grew up in Australia. However, there are many New Zealand-born Samoans living in Australia, known as Samoan New Zealand Au ...
* Samoan New Zealanders
Samoan New Zealanders are Samoan immigrants in New Zealand, their descendants, and New Zealanders of Samoan ethnic descent. They constitute one of New Zealand's most sizeable ethnic minorities. In the 2018 census, 182,721 New Zealanders identifie ...
* Samoa - United States relations
* Native Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians (also known as Indigenous Hawaiians, Kānaka Maoli, Aboriginal Hawaiians, First Hawaiians, or simply Hawaiians) ( haw, kānaka, , , and ), are the indigenous ethnic group of Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaii ...
References
External links
{{Authority control
American people of Samoan descent
Oceanian American
Pacific Islands American
Polynesian American