This event took place during the larger Lapérouse expedition, commissioned by King Louis XVI to explore the region and advance French interests in influence and commerce.

In addition to abundant fruit and a variety of livestock, the expedition secured more than 500 pigs, chickens, and even a few dogs, all considered valuable provisions for their journey.

Lapérouse, though impressed by the overall exchange at Fagasā, recorded some unease about the unpredictability of the islanders’ behavior, noting the challenges that might arise if a small shore party had to rely solely on shipboard artillery for protection.

On December 11, seeking to obtain additional water and supplies, Fleuriot De Langle’s party ventured to Aʻasu onboard L’Astrolabe, about five miles west of Fagasā.

He returned on foot to Fagasā with Pomare, the chief's son, and rejoined his colleagues before setting sails for Upolu Island.

[14]: 37–38 On October 17, 1839, Commander Charles Wilkes — leader of the United States Exploring Expedition — visited Fagasā aboard the USS Vincennes, having been invited by Chief Toa (Tua).

According to the chief, in earlier “heathen” times, Toa’s aitu had been a freshwater eel, which he regularly fed at a nearby stream — until, eventually, he made a meal of it.

Heavy rains prevented any surveying the following day, so Reynolds and Underwood spent the morning and afternoon in the village’s “big house,” conversing with Henry and the local residents.

When they returned the next day, they found that Commodore Wilkes, accompanied by Robert Waldron and nine other sailors, had crossed the island on foot to visit Henry.

The village of Fagasā, being the closest to the crash site, responded by deploying its own fautasi (longboat) to assist in the search efforts.

[18] In the early hours of January 11, 1942, a Japanese submarine surfaced near Fagasā and then sent more than a dozen shells over the mountain and onto the vicinity of the Naval Station Tutuila.

[14]: 241 [19] In March 1991, a prehistoric adze quarry was discovered at Fagasā and was recognized as a possible major stone tool production site for the region and islands as far away as the Marquesas.

[5] Numerous monuments of historical sites have been put up by the American Samoa National Park here, and a walking trail to the Mount ʻAlava Towers takes off from the Mafa.

The trail goes through dense rainforest in the National Park, home to a variety of tropical bird species and fruit bats.

[28] The Tutuila unit of the National Park of American Samoa is situated between the villages on Fagasā on the west and Āfono on the east.

From the Fagasā Pass National Park entrance, there is an unpaved road leaving hikers to the top of Mount ʻAlava.

[30] Boat tours arranged by the government regularly sail around the north coast villages of Fagasā, Āfono, and Vatia.

On the shorelines of Fagafue and Sika, one can still find the pillbox forts or gun turrets the Marines utilized as coastal lookouts during World War II.

Tourists often hike from Mafa Pass to the Mount ʻAlava Towers, which is the main transmitting antennas of the American Samoa Government's TV station.