Leone lawmaker, Puletu Dick Koko has proposed a 5% tax on imported bottles of water and he proposes that the revenue be earmarked for the renovation of the Leone waterfall, the Punaloa freshwater spring, paving the road leading to the Leone waterfall, and then for refurbishing other tourist attractions in American Samoa. According to the bill that was submitted prior to the recess, historically, the Leone waterfall was the source of fresh water for the villages of Leone and Vailoa.

The measure says that reviving tours to the Leone waterfall with the addition of visiting the “Punaloa” natural spring water site will promote tourism and boost the local economy.

Additional economic benefits could include the opportunity for the TAOA members of the west side to sell their Samoan handicrafts and conduct Samoa cultural demonstrations at both locations as well.

According to the measure, although the Leone waterfall continues to cascade, the surrounding site is rundown and in dire need of restoration. The Punaloa locale too needs to be refurbished. In order to reach the waterfall and access Punaloa, the road leading back there must be safe and accessible. The current road is dilapidated and dangerous for residents and vehicles. School buses for the hundreds of school children are unable to drive back there for pick up and drop offs as the road is too narrow and is full of deep potholes. There are also no sidewalks on either side of the road.

This measure moves to amend the law for taxation of beer, malt extract, alcoholic beverage, tobacco products and smoking accessories, adding a five cents tax per 500 fluid milliliters or fraction thereof on all bottled water.

The legislation says that the Governor’s desire and the American Samoa Visitor’s Bureau’s purpose is the same — “to heighten the tourist trade in American Samoa so as to increase the economy. Renovating the local tourist attractions and transforming potential sites into a profitable industry is the solution.”

BACKGROUND

The Navy built a reservoir at the Leone waterfall which was used daily to supply water for their airstrip, which today is the long grassy area where Leone Midkiff Elementary School, Leone High School and a number of residences are built. 

On the way to the Leone waterfall is the village’s natural spring water site, “Punaloa”, which has the legend of Sina and the Eel connected to it; Punaloa was another tourist attraction in the early 1970s.

After the Navy departed the territory in the 1900s, a local travel company conducted tours for cruise ships to the waterfall. The isolated location, natural state, and beauty of the waterfall impressed tourists from all over the world.