Coco Talanoa — Pacific Blog / Page 16

A mass clean up begins today in Samoa as the country gets back on its feet after extensive flooding just before Christmas. 

The severe flooding on Friday forced families to be moved into evacuation shelters as the country begins to count the cost of one of the worst floods in recent memory.  A gym in Tuanaimato set up by MNRE was also set up as an evacuation shelter. 

“This was the worst flooding we have ever seen in the history of Samoa” local resident Cecelia Keil says. “And so close to Christmas too. A lot of people have lost everything and nowhere to stay.  There's a family of 10 now living next door to us flooded out of their home at Faatoia. It’s the worst thing to happen to people already suffering from no income this year”

This morning a massive clean continues to be underway with off duty police and low risk prisoners working hard to clear damage.…more

“My fellow Fijians .. the storm is passing, the sun has risen and we are still here…” Fijian PM Frank Bainimarama 

Three fatalities have been confirmed in Fiji as a result of yesterday’s Cyclone - a 45yr old man near Labasa, a 67yr old man near Yadua and a three-month-old baby from Narua Settlement. Fatalities are sadly expected to rise. 

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama says Fiji will recover, rebuild and once again prevail following the ‘assault’ caused by Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Yasa that tore through the island nation in the past 48 hours.

“Due to climate change these storms may be getting stronger but they will never be stronger than we are..”, encouraged Banimarama who was seen visiting rural communities in most affected areas of the storm immediately after it had passed.

Super-cyclone Yasa’s assault on Fiji began in the Yasawas yesterday afternoon. The storm made landfall as a category five system last night in the Bua Province of Vanua Levu with wind speeds up to 345 kilometres per hour.…more

By Lefaoali'i Dion Enari 

As Samoans residing outside of the (Mother) land, one of the ways we connect to her is through Siva. Our beautiful Siva Samoa can be found anywhere our people are. It can be seen as far as Germany and as close as the Mangere town centre. Siva can be competitively performed on the Samoan stage at Polyfest or danced during impromptu family gatherings. As a people, we have used this art form in times of celebration, meditation and mourning. The international status of Siva Samoa means not only has it been kept alive among our people, but is also showcased to many non-Samoans globally.  The box office hit Hobbs and Shaw, staring Seiuli Dwayne the Rock Johnson is one of many examples of Siva Samoa on display for mainstream society.

What is Siva Samoa?

For me, it is an extension of Samoan lyrics, using body movement to further enhance and tell the story of the song being sung.…more

By Lefaoali’i Dion Enari

Drill rap artists such as One Four and HP Boyz are Australian hip hop icons. But what does this mean for Pasifika?

There is no question of the talent, innovation and influence they possess. For many of their fans, they are amazing musicians. However, for Pasifika youth, particularly in Australia, they see more than just rap artists, more importantly, they see their brothers, cousins and themselves.

As a Pasifika person growing up in Australia; our realities were never reflected in the hip hop industry.

I can remember clearly, much of the hip hop we consumed in Australia was either by white Australians or imported from America or the United Kingdom.

Even the hip hop we heard from other Pasifika people either came direct from the Islands, New Zealand or America. Although I was proud to hear hip hop from people that looked like me and were connected through ethnic ties, I still felt disconnected.…more

By Liz Ah-Hi 

The inaugural Palolo Festival was well underway at the Vaimoana Seaside Lodge in Asau, Savaii and my friend Lufi and I were lounging in front our beach fale with a few G&Ts celebrating some ‘firsts’ of our own by toasting to the beginning of our Palolo hunting adventure.

Earlier in the day we completed our first essential tasks in the process of Palolo hunting by making our own a’a (handmade scoop nets), ato (coconut leaf basket) and a range of flower necklaces which proved to me that our ancestors valued the art of accessorizing for any event not excluding hunting.

Surprisingly, making your own palolo catching utensils requires a fair amount of strength and hand to eye coordination. While the nimble hands of the experienced Vaimoana staff breezed through the shaping, weaving and sewing of natural materials -  Lufi and I abandoned hopes of making pinterest worthy palolo paraphernalia in an effort to complete our kit before sundown.…more

This Saturday, New Zealand will decide on its Prime Minister. People in our communities have questioned whether it’s worth voting. 

As I look at our history, struggles and victories as Pasifika people in New Zealand, I believe we owe it to past and future generations, to have our say at the ballot box. 

Our people have a long standing connection with New Zealand, from large numbers of us migrating in the 1950’s to the illegal dawn raids that saw many of our parents and grandparents unfairly targeted and racially vilified. 

Sadly, many Pasifika in generations before were unable to vote, due to their citizenship status.…more

By Lefaoali’i Dion Enari

Watching Asuelu, his wife, mum and sisters argue over money on 90 day fiance has sparked much debate. Some believe he did not give enough, while others found the request for one thousand extreme.  

The more I watched the show, the less I judged, and realised how complex the situation was for Asuelu. 

As a Christian husband and father, under the bible, it is his responsibility to protect and provide for his wife and kids. Simultaneously, as a Samoan son and brother, he is also bound by the feagaiga (sacred covenant) between his mother and sisters, with a duty to love, care and protect them. As a Samoan Christian he must consult with his wife and listen to the fautuaga (advice) of his mother and sisters. 

Irrespective of if the show is scripted or not, this is a lived experience for many of us. We face challenges that come with balancing roles as a married partner, parent, son/daughter and sibling, whilst also providing tautua (service) to our extended family.…more

New Zealand Registered Nurse and Pacific Health Advocator Ange Lina shares some helpful advice & info, after seeing misinformation being shared across social media with news of Covid19 positive cases in the community again.

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1. South Auckland wasn’t targeted with a fake community case. South Auckland is the epicentre where all the positive cases from travellers set foot in. The New Zealand international airport is in South Auckland.  You have people who are quarantined in South Auckland.  

2. This isn’t a political strategy.  This is a public health strategy.  If no one does this then who is responsible?  Jacinda did not make these decisions on her own. There’s a team of experts, just like there’s a team that helps decide what the best medical intervention is for your loved one when they’re in hospital.

3. There have been talks about 2nd waves etc.…more

By Elizabeth Ah-Hi 

Three years ago, a provocative story line captivated international audiences when Samoan rugby star, Manu Tuilagi sought the services of a Samoan “witch doctor” to help him recover from a knee injury.

Curious readers gobbled up the bizarre headlines wanting to find out why the England rugby sensation, who has access to state of the art medical facilities and services in the world, would resort to such a “backward practice” and travel half way across the world to the remote Pacific.

The remarkable story raised as many eyebrows as it did questions but more importantly gave mainstream audiences a glimpse into what Samoans (who have been beneficiaries of traditional medicine) have always known - that centuries old knowledge and practices by the Taulasea (traditional Samoan healers) passed on from generation to generation, still play a vital role in Samoan society.…more

By Lefaoali’i Dion Enari

The killing of another Pasifika son Solomone Taufeulungaki in Melbourne was heartbreaking. Although we are confronted with murders on TV every day, this one hit close to home.  In this murder we could actually see our cousin, nephew and brother in the victim. Sadder yet, we could also see our own aunties, uncles, mother and father in the scenes of his family mourning at the site. 

As Solomone was laid to rest last week, I was made to see the landscape of Pasifika youth in Australia. Looking back at my lived experiences and previous work in the community, I believe most of our youth problems stem from disconnect. 

“I am a Samoan – but not a Samoan
To my aiga [family] in Samoa, I am a palagi [foreigner]
I am a New Zealander – but not a New Zealander
To New Zealanders, I am a bloody coconut, at worst,
A Pacific Islander, at best” (Anae, 1998)

Although this poem was written for NZ born Samoans in New Zealand, it also speaks to the Pasifika youth experience in Australia.…more