Jaunted

American Samoa

Secret National Parks: The National Park of American Samoa

June 10, 2008 at 1:01 PM | 3 Comments

Nothing screams summer fun like a national park, but who wants to visit Yellowstone again? This week, we're bringing you some secret spots to enjoy.

If you're feeling a little homesick on your next journey to the South Pacific, then just swing by the US Territory of American Samoa--it's on the way! Here you'll find the second of our secret national parks, the National Park of American Samoa.

You'll likely reach the park by taking a flight into Pagu Pagu International Airport, which is served by two flights a week from Honolulu. If that doesn't jive with your schedule, you can fly into Upolo, Samoa. Either way, you'll still have to take some sort of plane to get to island of Tutulia--that's where the action is.

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Airlines

Airline Report: Hawaiian Caught in Football Scuffle

December 1, 2006 at 11:50 AM | 0 Comments

Hawaiian Airlines finds itself in a bit of a bind this week, amid charges that it unfairly plays favorites. The accuser is the governor of American Samoa, and the supposedly favored? That would be the Oakland Raiders. It sounds like a strange rivalry, but both compete for service from Hawaiian's planes. Hawaiian's 5 1/2-hour flight is the only scheduled commercial link between the U.S. and American Samoa, and the governor is trying to replace them.

He alleges that the airline casually pushes its Samoan passengers aside whenever the Oakland Raiders beckon. Several flights between Honolulu and Pago Pago, American Samoa, have been rescheduled recently, and Governor Togiola Tulafono thinks the plane was yanked to meet the charter needs of the football team, making American Samoa the sacrificial lamb to the Raiders' holy endeavors. He complained of the inconvenience on his weekly radio program, lamenting the fact that travelers heading for the States already have no choice but to pay for Hawaiian's expensive tickets.

Hawaiian denies any intentional wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the governor is searching for a new carrier--possibly United--to service his market.

[Photo: 808Talk]

Related Stories:
· Hawaiian Airlines denies Raider charters affect Pago Pago service [SF Chron]