Episode Guest
PK Lathrop, Superintendent
National Park of American Samoa
Park Stats
- Where park is located – Pago Pago, American Samoa
- 2,600 miles southwest of Hawai’i
- Park # – 50th
- Date Created – October 31, 1988
- President when park was created – Ronald Reagan
- Size of the park – 13,500 acres
- 9500 acres of land
- 4000 of coral reef and marine area
- Number of visitors last year 22,567 in 2024
- Field Notes
- Highest elevation is Lata Mountain at 3,170 feet.
- Spans sections of 3 islands – Tutuila, Ta’u, and Ofu
- Tropical rainforest
- Preserves and protects the coral reefs, tropical rainforests, Flying Foxes (fruit bats), and the Samoan Culture
Speed Round
What is your earliest park memory?
Seeing baby elk, no. Seeing and hearing a baby elk nurse on a hike. I was in college and I was hiking Rocky Mountain National Park. I’d been to parks earlier, but this is what came to mind and I could hear the suckling of this newborn elk, and it was amazing.
What made you love the parks?
Humility. The national parks to me are a place where we are reminded that humans are not the only important thing on this earth. That sometimes it is a elk calf. Sometimes it’s a humpback whale or a flying fox, or a coral or hollowed ground where people made sacrifices for this country.
But there are things that are more, that are as and sometimes more important than us.
What is your favorite thing about National Park of American Samoa?
The team, my, my coworkers, hands.
What is your favorite thing to do in National Park of American Samoa?
Hike lower Selma, and if it’s 100% safe, get in the tide pools.
What park have you yet to visit but is on your bucket list and why?
My list is long. I’m almost there. But Kobuk Valley. Kobuk Valley in Alaska, desert landscapes. A lot of folks don’t always equate coal in desert, but they often go together. Desert landscapes, some really cool archeology and river rafter. I’m a big river rafter, did all of the Grand Canyon earlier this year, and I’m headed to the the Zambezi River in Africa later this year.
What are three must-haves you pack for a park visit?
This will disappoint some people. My headphones, water. That’s it. If I dunno if I have three must haves, the only two must haves, i’m looking at my backpack right now. The only two things I’m not going anywhere without is water and headphones.
What is your favorite campfire activity?
Oh, watching it. It’s the original TV.
Tent, camper, or cabin?
Tent or preferably tarp just under the stars.
Hiking with or without trekking poles?
Without.
And what is your favorite trail snack?
Smoked oysters, although they can be messy.
What is the favorite animal sighting that you’ve had?
A jaguarundi in Ecuador.
What is your favorite sound in the parks?
The ocean.
What is the greatest gift the parks give to us?
Humility.