Daniel J. Basta, program director and Togiola T.A. Tulafono, Governor of American Samoa, take a moment to admire the new trail. They are holding traditional salutus used to sweep the trail's entrance.

A new nature trail connecting Fagatele Bay with Larsens Bay in American Samoa opened in March. “It will make Fagatele Bay accessible to the public and to island visitors, and be a tool for conveying better understanding of American Samoa’s natural and cultural heritage,” according to Bill Kiene, sanctuary manager. The trail is a new collaboration between Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the people of Taputimu, Futiga and Vaitogi villages, and serves as a link between the villages, all of which have an important stake in the future of the sanctuary and its surrounding coastal environments and watersheds.

Eventually, the hiking trail will include signage highlighting the geology, ecology, and cultural heritage of the area’s unique coastal and marine environment. The new trail will also help create a better understanding of the value of the sanctuary to American Samoa’s future.

American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono, Sanctuary Program Pacific Regional Director Allen Tom, Sanctuary Program Director Dan Basta and Gerhard Kusaka from the White House's Center for Environmental Quality examine one of the newly installed sign along the Fagatele Bay Trail during their hike to the sanctuary. All were in American Samoa for the meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task force. View more photos of the trail and visitor center below.