O le Pupu Pu'e National Parks

Description: The park extends from the highest point on Upolu, Mt. Fito (1,100m) and Mt. Pu'e (800m) down to the rugged Le Pupu lava coastal cliffs. It is the first National Park in the South pacific and is visited by locals and visitors from abroad. The Park is also a beautiful and good location for hiking, camping and pinicing. About 3 million years ago Samoa emerged from the sea as a chain of volcanic cones. These first volcanoes are known as the Fagaloa volcanics. As time progressed the Fagaloa volcanics eroded and weathered, cutting gorges, reducing the size of the original cones, and forming soil. Several million years later, around 100,000 years ago, a new period of volcanic activity began, the Salani volcanics. Three thousand years ago the Pu'apu'a volcanics, the youngest of Upolu, erupted from Mt. Fito sending a river of lava reaching the lowland area and spreading a massive sheet covering older lava and filling in lagoons and coral reefs. The Le Pupu coast was once well beyond the present coast line but the pounding sea has cut the rocks back. This recent lava flow gives the area its rough look and poor soils. Uses: The camp is open under strict conditions to researchers, nature ventures and campers, and those interested to enjoy its natural sceneries and physical amenities. Management: The park is directly managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment as a state owned park. Status: A management plan is under consideration for further improvements of its services and physical facilities. Land Tenure: Customary/State Threats: Boundary issues; indiscriminate firewood collection, shooting birds and bats and rapid growth of weed species. Extra Information: First National Park declared in Samoa and whole of the South Pacific. See SPREP 1985,ollier,Whistler 1972 Total Size (Hectares): 2857