Coco Talanoa — Humans of the Islands / Page 4

Pōhaikealoha P

Media Producer / Indigenous Story teller 

Hawaiian

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Tell us about yourself. What places do you call home and how do you like to be introduced to the world?

Aloha! My name is Pōhai and I am Kanaka Maoli. My ohana hails from Hawaiʻi on the island of Oʻahu. Kaʻala is our mountain range and Mākaha is our home, where I currently live and create out of.

First and foremost, I consider myself a storyteller or haʻi moʻolelo. Fittingly, the story of my name is linked to my sense of self so I love when it’s the first one I get to tell. The mo’olelo, or story of my name, is derived from both definition and introspection as pō is the night sky and Pōhaikealoha is the circular nature of love, how it surrounds and gathers, how it comes back around to the start. The stories I find myself drawn to tell often have themes of space, the stars, and of course, love.…more

TAITU’UGA KITCH WESCHE

CREATIVE ARTIST

SAMOAN

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We lived in Wellington, New Zealand before moving to Australia when I was around 10 years old in 1996 - where we lived in Logan on the south side of Brisbane. We were brought up in the church as are lots of Pacific Islander families!  We were part of the Samoan speaking ward of Beenleigh LDS church.

Both my parents spoke Samoan at home and instilled in us siblings different cultural protocols as in our fa’a Samoa and also fofō. As most Polynesian families, our parents were strict, trying to keep us grounded in our culture amongst the modern Western world. We were so lucky to be immersed in our culture at home, church and our Samoan community that resided on the south side of Brisbane.

How did you get your start in the creative space?

My passion was ignited from a young age. Family get-togethers, my uncles playing the guitar and singing.…more

JUNIOR AUMAVAE

CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER

SAMOAN

Junior Aumavae is a former American football nose tackle. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Today he is serving as the Chief Equity Officer for the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska. 

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What are your home villages in both Alaska and Samoa?

I was born in American Samoa from the village of ili ili. I currently live in Anchorage, Alaska. 

You started your career in football during your earlier years.…more

Shar Tuiasoa

Illustrator 

Tongan

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Tell us about yourself - where you live and what inspires you in life? What do you love about being a Pacific woman in this space?

I live in Kailua, Hawai'i on the island of O'ahu.  My dad comes from the village of Ha'akame, Tonga on Tongatapu. He came to Hawai'i when he was 14.  I grew up in Hawai'i surrounded by Hawaiian and local culture, but I was really lucky to also be close to my Tongan family. My biggest inspiration in my art comes from Hawai'i. Of course I am inspired by the stories of all our Pasifika people, by our origins, by our ancestors, and by our nature, but Hawai'i is what I am most familiar with.  I am inspired by the shapes and patterns in our Tapa/Kapa and our Tatatau/Kakau. And I am also inspired by animation and pop culture. I love watching current illustration trends and seeing how they might relate to my perspective.…more

KOULA TUITUPOU KUTU 

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA & MARKETING FOR THE MINISTRY FOR PACIFIC PEOPLES 

TONGAN  

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On Monday the 8th of November, the New Zealand Public Service Medals were awarded to ten people in a special presentation at the Governor General of New Zealands house.  The New Zealand Public Service Medal is awarded to public servants who have given meritorious service.  The medal recipients are people who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to New Zealand and New Zealanders, are exemplary, or a model for other public service employees, bring significant benefit to New Zealand or the public service and are exceptional and otherwise worthy of recognition.…more

ERIC SOAKAI

POET

SAMOAN/TONGAN

Eric Soakai is a Samoan Tongan activist, artist and academic based out of South Auckland. In his artform Eric explores indigenous storytelling through his lense as a Polynesian man. 

The young and talented creative was featured in The Panthers Documentary where he shared a powerful spoken word piece.

We got to catch up with Eric and chat about his art, purpose and passion for telling indigenous stories through poetry.

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You did a powerful spoken word piece as part of the Panthers Rapp doco series - what was the essence of this piece and what drove you to write it? 

For me the essence of the piece is ‘ka mua, ka muri’. It is an expression of walking backwards into the future, of recognising we bring all that was of our gafa/whakapapa into a space of potentiality/ what will be. The way I was able to understand better the weight of what this carried was to learn the history behind the different names I carry.…more

PATRICIA LOGA 

STUDENT - DOCTORATE IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES 

FIJIAN 

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My name is Patricia Loga and I am from the village of Tubou in Lakeba, Lau with maternal links to Yaroi in Matuku, Lau. I am a proud 'mum' to my 9 year old daughter Noelani and am currently in New Zealand to pursue a Doctorate in Management studies at Massey University. I was born and raised in Suva and come from a loving Fijian family and I am what they call in Fijian the 'buina' - I am the youngest of my siblings. 

You're currently studying towards a PhD in Management history and public history, why is this particular topic important to you and something you wanted to pursue/research?

My PhD research is in the area of management history and public policy. It is titled: "Public Service Motivation in a Post-Conflict State: the case of FIji."

To be honest, I am a complete nerd at heart. I enjoy research and picked up the interest whilst completing my post-graduate studies at the University of the South Pacific.…more

'OFA-KI-LEVUKA GUTTENBEIL-LIKILIKI 

WOMENS RIGHTS ACTIVIST & FILM MAKER 

TONGAN

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Women’s rights activist, community organiser and filmmaker ‘Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki is a courageous Tongan woman who has dedicated her life to telling stories that most people sweep under the fala. She dares to tell harrowing truths of the real life struggles of women in Tonga - survivors who she crosses paths with through her grassroots work to end violence against women and girls.

'Ofa is the Director of the Women & Children Crisis Center (WCCC) in Tonga.  A space where women can turn to in a time of need.  'Ofa and her team of 25 don’t just wait for survivors to show up to doors, they work tirelessly on outreach and prevention.

The WCCC team carry out their prevention work through their concept of FOFOLA E FALA KAE FAI HA TALANGA.  This means rolling out the mat and holding conversation with communities so that they can carefully unpack lives realities female survivors of violence in Tonga. Ofa and her team also use what they call a ULOA approach.…more

SIONE MOLI aka NONEH.

HIP HOP ARTIST 

TONGAN 

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First off, my real name is Sione Kesome Isileli Moli. I was born on March 29th, 1999 at Stanford Hospital. My parents are Amato and Ala Moli, I have a younger brother named Jeremiah and an older sister named Loisi. My father is from Nuku Nuku, Tongatapu and my mother is from Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu. In terms of my heritage, I’m full Tongan with a bit of Samoan from my great great Grandmother, and I come from a line of hard working individuals who bred greatness.

Growing up, I pretty much lived everywhere, but my life began in East Palo Alto, California. When I was born, my family stayed in a run down apartment complex on a street called Scofield Ave, where there were no playgrounds and sidewalks. That was what East Palo Alto looked like at the time. With roaches on the floor, crime roaming the streets, and my brother on the way, my parents chose to move us out the hood.…more

COLLEEN FURGESON

OLYMPIC SWIMMER

MARSHALLESE 

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Colleen Furgeson is a two time Olympian that competed in the women's 50 metre freestyle event at the 2016 Summer Olympics, and is now competing once again at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the women's 100 metre freestyle. Colleen was also the flag bearer for the Marshall Islands in Tokyo last week.

Furgeson trained at Lincoln College under Coach Johnathan Jordan together with fellow Marshallese olympian Phillip Kinono. Together  the pair make up the only two Olympians representing Marshall Islands this year at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

We spoke with Colleen in Tokyo about her pride for Marshall Islands, the atmosphere at the games and more. Heres what she had to say:

How does it feel to be representing Marshall Islands at the Olympics?             

Representing the Marshall Islands is an amazing feeling and an extreme honor.…more