The Malae o le Taiu
Attached is an "exploratory essay" that I wrote to describe a sacred landscape, cultural and heritage feature in American Samoa that is at risk of being neglected, destroyed, or ignored. This "exploratory essay" has stimulated some forward thinking individuals to regard the ideas as viable options for the future of the island. That is very exciting news. The "urban" design opportunities are incredible. The plan options provide the opportunity to present an opposing perspective and image from the current negative statements of travel writers like Paul Theroux or Lonely Planet publishers. Needless to say there are many political hurdles to be jumped and stakeholders to consult.
With the Pacific Arts Festival scheduled for August 2008, many will visit American Samoa for the first time. Positive first impressions are important to the vitality of tourism on American Samoa. Although many of my suggestions will take years to execute, the options offered for the sacred malae may be supported by the Pacific Art Festival's use of the open space in August 2008.
My initiative to conduct an "exploratory essay" has been a wonderful and unexpected way of contributing my professional knowledge and expertise to the community, even though we are merely errant voyagers passing through the island. It is a reminder that cruisers have the capacity, if not the responsibility, to give back to the communities they visit, even if their visit is merely for six months on an island paradise.