Vaa-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 county, counties, several municipality, municip ...

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 approximate ...

Island in

Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa and known until 1997 as Western Samoa, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu), two smaller, inhabited ...

, with a population (2016 Census) of 1,621, making it the least populated district in the country and the Second smallest one by area after Aiga-i-le-Tai. 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 Alii Sili Title of the Mata' ...

with nine villages and a small coastal

exclave An enclave is a territory that is entirely surrounded by the territory of only one other state or entity. An enclave can be an independent territory or part of a larger one. Enclaves may also exist within territorial waters. ''Enclave'' is s ...

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

Atua Atua are the gods and spirits of the Polynesian people such as the Māori or the Hawaiians (see also ). The literal meaning of the Polynesian word is "power" or "strength" and so the concept is similar to that of '' mana''. Many of the atua ...

. The capital of Vaa-o-Fonoti is

Samamea Samamea is a village on the north east coast of Upolu island in Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa and known until 1997 as Western Samoa, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It ...

. 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 glo ...

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

Vaa-o-Fonoti was established within the district of Atua in the 16th century when Fonoti Tupu Tafaifa ('King') when he was victorious in the preceding war with his siblings Vaafusuaga Toleafoa and Samalaulu. 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, Sapapalii 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.

Electoral results

References

Districts of Samoa {{Samoa-geo-stub

Historical

Electoral results

See also

References