Utulei, American Samoa
History
History
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[thumb\|right\|Remains of a World War II encampment above Utulei.](/wiki/File:World_War_II_encampments_on_American_Samoa.jpg "World War II encampments on American Samoa.jpg")

| Year | Population |
| --- | --- |
| [2020](/wiki/2020_United_States_Census "2020 United States Census") | 479 |
| [2010](/wiki/2010_United_States_Census "2010 United States Census") | 684 |
| [2000](/wiki/2000_United_States_Census "2000 United States Census") | 807 |
| [1990](/wiki/1990_United_States_Census "1990 United States Census") | 930 |
| [1980](/wiki/1980_United_States_Census "1980 United States Census") | 980 |
| [1970](/wiki/1970_United_States_Census "1970 United States Census") | 1,074 |
| [1960](/wiki/1960_United_States_Census "1960 United States Census") | 719 |
| [1950](/wiki/1950_United_States_Census "1950 United States Census") | 744 |
| [1940](/wiki/1940_United_States_Census "1940 United States Census") | 488 |
| [1930](/wiki/1930_United_States_Census "1930 United States Census") | 375 |
|

[thumb\|right\|The historic tramway on the World War II Heritage Trail.](/wiki/File:American_Samoa_tramway_remains.jpg "American Samoa tramway remains.jpg")
Utulei is by tradition considered distinct from Fagatogo because it is the site of Maota o Tanumaleu, the residence of the High Chief Afoafouvale (also known as the Le Aloalii). The current holder of that title is [Afoa Moega Lutu](/wiki/Afoa_Moega_Lutu "Afoa Moega Lutu"), who has held it since 1990\.

Of historical interest, more than a century ago, on November 3, 1920, [Warren Terhune](/wiki/Warren_Terhune "Warren Terhune"), who was the Samoan governor at the time, committed suicide in Utulei.

During World War II, the population of the village of Utulei, around 700 inhabitants, was almost entirely displaced to make room for US military installations. One Naval officer was said to have describe Utulei as consisting of "a few native houses". The inhabitants were told to move out of the village and into the hills, and bachelor officers’ quarters and other military support facilities were built there.Kennedy, Joseph (2009\). *The Tropical Frontier: America’s South Sea Colony*. University of Hawaii Press. Page 201 and 213\. .

After the war, in 1946, the now\-vacant two\-story marine barracks at Utulei were renovated and repurposed as the new [Samoan Hospital](/wiki/Samoan_Hospital "Samoan Hospital"), with 224 beds, 27 bassinets, a pharmacy, and a dentistry. During the year 1950, the hospital admitted 2,771 patients, and delivered about 40 percent of all babies born in American Samoa that year. Nursing needs were filled by graduates from the local nursing school. Medical needs were filled by students were selected for the [Central Medical School](/wiki/Central_Medical_School "Central Medical School").Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009\). *A History of American Samoa*. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. . After the Navy's departure in 1951, however, there was a severe shortage of physicians and other health care professionals. In 1954, for example, there were only four doctors (one stateside and three European), and only one dentist. The hospital therefore depended heavily on nurses to provide its patient care.

In 1964, the [Michael J. Kirwan Educational Television Center](/wiki/Michael_J._Kirwan_Educational_Television_Center "Michael J. Kirwan Educational Television Center") was completed. It is named for Representative [Michael J. Kirwan](/wiki/Michael_J._Kirwan "Michael J. Kirwan"), who was chairman of the [House Appropriations Committee](/wiki/House_Appropriations_Committee "House Appropriations Committee").Sunia, Fofō Iosefa Fiti (2001\). *Puputoa: Host of Heroes \- A record of the history makers in the First Century of American Samoa, 1900\-2000*. Suva, Fiji: Oceania Printers. Page 61\. ISBN 9829036022\.

In 1980, during celebratory [Flag Day](/wiki/Flag_Day_%28American_Samoa%29 "Flag Day (American Samoa)") military demonstrations, a U.S. Navy airplane accidentally hit the cables of the Mount ‘Alava Cable Car and crashed into the [Rainmaker Hotel](/wiki/Rainmaker_Hotel "Rainmaker Hotel"). All six naval personnel on board the aircraft died, as did two hotel guests.Swaney, Deanna (1994\). *Samoa: Western \& American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit*. Lonely Planet Publications. .


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