Va'a-o-Fonoti is a

district A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisions o ...

on the north east coast of

Upolu Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long and in area, making it the second largest of the Samoan Islands by area. With approximatel ...

Island in

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 Island, Manono an ...

, with a population (2016 Census) of 1,621, making it the least populated district in the country. The district is 38 km² and consists of a main area around

Fagaloa Bay Fagaloa is located on the north eastern coast of Upolu island in Samoa. The area is a significant region of conservation and culture. The bay is situated within the political district of Va'a-o-Fonoti and is ruled by the Ulualofaiga Talamaivao, d ...

with nine villages and a small coastal

exclave An enclave is a territory (or a small territory apart of a larger one) that is entirely surrounded by the territory of one other state or entity. Enclaves may also exist within territorial waters. ''Enclave'' is sometimes used improperly to deno ...

about 10 km further northwest, with the village of Faleāpuna (pop. 582). The district includes areas with significant conservation and cultural values. Va'a-o-Fonoti geographical boundaries are surrounded by the larger district of

Atua Atua are the gods and spirits of the Polynesian peoples such as the Māori mythology, Māori or the Hawaiian religion, Hawaiians (see also ); the Polynesian languages, Polynesian word literally means "power" or "strength" and so the concept is s ...

. The capital of Va'a-o-Fonoti is

Samamea Samamea is a village on the north east coast of Upolu island in Samoa. It is the main village or 'capital' of the political district Va'a-o-Fonoti Va'a-o-Fonoti is a district on the north east coast of Upolu Island in Samoa, with a population (20 ...

. The small settlement of

Uafato Uafato is a village on the north east coast of Upolu island in Samoa within the political district of Va'a-o-Fonoti. It has a population of 254. The village is part of a conservation zone called the Uafato Conservation Area with national and globa ...

is part of the Uafato Conservation Area, a project started by the villagers in the early 1990s, to protect their environment from logging. The area has gained a reputation in the last decade for woodcarving and traditional arts and crafts in Samoa.

Historical

Va'a-o-Fonoti was established within the district of Atua in the 16th century when Fonoti Tupu Tafa'ifa ('King') when he was victorious in the preceding war with his siblings Va'afusuaga Tole'afoa and Samala'ulu. King Fonoti rewarded the people of this part of Atua for the role they played in securing his victory. '''Vaa-o-Fonoti ("The longboat or war canoe of Fonoti") is the honour bestowed upon the region for the bravery of the naval canoes who defeated Manono, Sapapali'i and Saleaumua in the fighting that took part on the sea.
The making of modern Samoa by Malama Meleisea, p.132 The paramount titles of the district is Ulualofaiga Talamaivao. There is no current occupant of the title.

References

Districts of Samoa {{Samoa-geo-stub

Historical

See also

References