Vaiʻava Strait
# Vaiʻava Strait

Vaiʻava Strait (Samoan: Vāinuʻu o Vaiʻava) is a narrow strait in Vatia, American Samoa which separates the 420-foot-high (130 m) Pola Island (Cock's Comb) from Polauta Ridge on adjacent Tutuila Island. The strait is a good example of cliffs formed by the erosional forces of waves on volcanic rock. The lands surrounding the strait are held communally. A 250-acre (100 ha) area surrounding the strait was designated a U.S. National Natural Landmark in 1972. Pola-Uta is connected to the village of Vatia on Tutuila Island. Pola Tai is a 400-foot (120 m) cliff that is an important nesting area for the fua'ō (brown booby) and tava'e (white tailored tropic bird). Hunting of brown boobies, known as the A'ega o le Pola, was a tradition carried out by Vatians in the past. Pola Tai includes Matalia Point, Cockscomb Point and Polauta Ridge.

It is located on the north coast of Tutuila Island, on the northwestern side of the village of Vatia. It is a designated 250 acres (100 ha) National Natural Landmark, but also a part of the National Park of American Samoa. Erosion by the sea has sculpted deep cliffs and sea arches in the rocks of a huge volcanic plug (Pola Island). The 420 feet (130 m) cliffs and rock top are important nesting and resting areas for several seabird species.

## Gallery

* Vai'ava Strait, 1907
* Pola Island
* Eastern point of Vatia Bay
* Polauta Ridge and Pola Island
