Alega, American Samoa

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox settlement    |name =Alega |official_name = |other_name = |native_name =  |nickname = |settlement_type =Village  |total_type =  |motto =  |image_skyline = Beach_near_Tisa%27s_Barefoot_Bar_-_panoramio.jpg |imagesize = 250px |image_caption = Alega Beach |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = |mapsize = |map_caption = |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map =American Samoa  |pushpin_label_position =left  |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize =300  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}} |subdivision_type1 = Territory |subdivision_name1 = {{flag|American Samoa}} |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Sua  |seat_type = |seat = |parts_type = |parts_style =  |parts =  |p1 = |p2 =   |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name =  |leader_title1 = |leader_name1 = |established_title =  |established_date =  |area_magnitude = |unit_pref =Imperial |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 0.79  |area_land_km2 =  |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent =  |elevation_footnotes =  |elevation_m = 8 |elevation_ft = |elevation_max_m = |elevation_max_ft = |elevation_min_m = |elevation_min_ft =  |population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = 29 |population_density_km2 = auto  |population_density_sq_mi =  |timezone = |utc_offset = |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |coor_type =  |coordinates = {{coord|14|17|7|S|170|38|15|W|region:US-AS|display=inline,title}}  |postal_code_type =  |postal_code = |area_code = |website = |footnotes = }}

'''Alega''' ({{langx|sm|Ālega}}) is a village on the southeast coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. One of the island's least populous villages, it is located to the east of Pago Pago Harbor and to the west of Faga'itua Bay. Alega, with a population of 29 according to the 2020 U.S. census, is one of the smallest villages in American Samoa, surpassing only Maloata and Sili in population.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.samoanews.com/local-news/tualauta-only-county-increased-population-2020-census | title=Tualauta is only county that increased population in 2020 Census | date=2 November 2021 }}</ref>

Alega lies between Lauli'i and Avaio villages, and is home to Alega Village Marine Protected Area. Bus services are frequent between Alega and Fagatogo.<ref>Stanley, David (2004). ''South Pacific''. Moon Handbooks. Page 483. {{ISBN|9781566914116}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/american-samoa/tutuila/activities/alega-beach/a/poi-act/1456123/362248|title=Alega Beach | American Samoa Activities}}</ref> The village offers ecotour activities such as food tastings, umu displays, cultural demonstrations, visits to the caves, hikes to Alega Waterfall and recreational water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming. Tours are also offered to sites in the National Park area and transportation to 'Au'asi where ferries are offered to Aunu'u Island.<ref>International Business Publications IBP, Inc. (2007). ''Samoa (American): Doing Business, Investing in Samoa (American) Guide - Strategic Information, Regulations, Contacts''. Lulu Press, Inc. Page 132. {{ISBN|9781433011863}}.</ref>

Another scenic beach, Two Dollar Beach, is located next to Alega Beach.<ref>Schyma, Rosemarie (2013). ''Südsee''. DuMont Reiseverlag. Page 268. {{ISBN|9783770176946}}.</ref>

On the coast near Avaio lies the islet Faalogologotala Rock (Lions Head), where there is a small beach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.frommers.com/destinations/american-samoa/attractions/overview|title = Things to See in American Samoa | Frommer's}}</ref><ref>Goodwin, Bill (2006). ''Frommer’s South Pacific''. Wiley. Page 401. {{ISBN|9780471769804}}.</ref>

==History== During World War II, the U.S. Marines established a military camp in Alega, comprising approximately 25 buildings.<ref name="NPSH">{{cite web |title=Tiineline |url=https://npshistory.com/publications/npsa/brochures/naval-ww2-history.pdf |website=npshistory.com |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>==Geography== thumb|left|Tisa's Barefoot Bar Alega is a small valley and embayment, situated along the south coast of Tutuila Island, in-between Pago Pago Bay in the west and Fagaitua Bay in the east. Only a few houses are located in Alega, all related to the Fa’amuli family. There are also foundation remains of houses occupied in the previous century. Alega's shoreline has a thin sandy beach, first and foremost on the east side. There is a developed reef in the Alega Bay with a channel which has a powerful current. The village is bounded by steep ridge slopes, and geologically, Alega sits in the midst of the Pago Volcanics, which were formed over a million years ago. The surrounding ridges are steep, falling between 30 and 40 degrees. Most of the Alega Valley was cleared and planted at one point, however, little cultivation remains, mostly coconuts and bananas. Most of the surrounding area is covered with trees and scrub.

Alega Beach has been named one of the best beaches in American Samoa by ''Lonely Planet''. The fale at Tisa's Barefoot Bar has also been named “one of the best places to stay in American Samoa” by ''Lonely Planet''.

==Demographics== {| class="wikitable" ! style="background:#AF9999;" colspan="2"|Population growth<ref>{{cite web|url=http://doc.as.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/American-Samoa-Statistical-Yearbook-2016.pdf|title=American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2016|website=American Samoa Department of Commerce|access-date=2019-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214131436/http://doc.as.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/American-Samoa-Statistical-Yearbook-2016.pdf|archive-date=2019-02-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | 2020 || 29 |- | 2010 || 54 |- | 2000 || 54 |- | 1990 || 49 |- | 1980 || 30 |- |}

==References== <references/>

Category:Villages in American Samoa