RETURN MIGRATION TO AMERICAN SAMOA

Authors

Fepulea‘i Micah Van der Ryn, American Samoa Community CollegeFollow

Abstract

This article examines the rising phenomenon of return migration to American Samoa, driven by economic, social, and familial factors. With a growing percentage of residents consisting of "returnees" from the U.S.-based Samoan diaspora, this migration reflects deep connections to land, kinship, and cultural identity. Using case studies and interviews, the study analyzes how returnees reintegrate into traditional Samoan structures, navigating values such as tautua (service), alofa (compassion), and fa‘aāloalo (respect). Differences in governance between American Samoa and independent Samoa shape migration patterns, influencing land tenure and chiefly authority. Socioeconomic and environmental factors also impact migration decisions, revealing a complex interplay between mobility, belonging, and transnational networks. By exploring return migration as a cultural act within the Samoan diaspora, this work contributes to broader discussions on identity reconstruction, community reintegration, and Pacific diasporic experiences.

Recommended Citation

Van der Ryn, Fepulea‘i Micah (2012) "RETURN MIGRATION TO AMERICAN SAMOA," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 35: No. 1, Article 10.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol35/iss1/10