Landlocked Voyagers: Samoans in Utah at the Turn of the Twentieth Century.

This article examines the history and development of Utah’s Samoan community, tracing its origins from early Polynesian voyagers and Native Hawaiian settlers in the 19th century to the establishment of the Iosepa township as a hub for Samoan and Native Hawaiian Latter-day Saint converts. It details the impact of imperialism in the Pacific, the role of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in facilitating Samoan immigration and education in Utah, and the social dynamics—including experiences of discrimination and community formation—faced by early Samoan settlers. Although Iosepa was disbanded in 1916, many Samoan families remained in Utah, contributing to the state’s current status as home to one of the largest Samoan populations in the continental United States. The article highlights the ongoing legacy of Polynesian voyaging and cultural resilience within Utah’s diverse Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. [Extracted from the article]