Vaisala is a small village on the northwest coast of
Savai'i 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 and Apolima); ...
. The village lies within the political district of
Vaisigano
Vaisigano is a political district at the western tip of Savai'i island in Samoa. The capital of the district is Asau.
This area is also referred to as 'Itu Asau' (Asau district) in the Samoan language.
The population of Vaisigano is 6,543 ( ...
. The village's population is 465.
It is located close to the coast in the northwestern corner of the island. To the west are the neighbouring villages of
Auala and
Asau.
A significant family from Vaisala is the Va'ai family.
Va'ai Kolone, a
''matai'', was a Member of Parliament of the Vaisala area who became a
Prime Minister of Samoa twice in the 1980s. A progressive leader, he was also the founder the
Human Rights Protection Party which has since been the dominant party in Samoan politics and currently in power. Va'ai Kolone's father, a government clerk in the
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
** Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
administration of Samoa during
colonialism
Colonialism is a practice or policy of control by one people or power over other people or areas, often by establishing colony, colonies and generally with the aim of economic dominance. In the process of colonisation, colonisers may impose the ...
, foresaw the importance of education and sent his own sons to boarding schools in the capital
Apia
Apia () is the capital and largest city of Samoa, as well as the nation's only city. It is located on the central north coast of Upolu, Samoa's second-largest island. Apia falls within the political district (''itūmālō'') of Tuamasaga.
...
.
The Vaisala Hotel situated at a white sandy beach is one of the largest hotels at the west end of Savai'i.
In 2009, the village council of chiefs banished their Member of Parliament for the Vaisigano No. 1 district, Va’ai Solia Papu Va’ai, over a domestic dispute. He was allowed to return a few months later following a presentation of gifts and reconciliation with the chiefs.
In 2007, the same Member of Parliament had survived being shot by a gunman while attending a meeting in the village of
Falealupo
Falealupo is a village in Samoa situated at the west end of Savai'i island from the International Date Line used until 29 December 2011. The village has two main settlements, Falealupo-Uta, situated inland by the main island highway and Falealu ...
.
References
Populated places in Vaisigano
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