Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 60
American Samoans Denied Citizenship
A federal appeals court ruled last Friday that those born in American Samoa do not have a right to U.S. citizenship because they were born in the U.S. territory.
The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit preserves federal laws that make those born in American Samoa U.S. nationals, but not citizens like people born in Puerto Rico and other territories.
Leneuoti Tuaua, the Samoan Federation of America, and others born in American Samoa believe that as long as American Samoa is a part of the United States, people born in American Samoa have a constitutional right to U.S. citizenship. Under current federal statute, they are labeled as “nationals, but not citizens, of the United States.” Tuaua challenges the constitutionality of these federal laws.
With the American flag having been now flown over American Samoa for 113 years, American Samoans proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and suffer casualty rates in Iraq and Afghanistan that are seven times the national average - yet still aren't considered citizens.…more
#WeAreMaunaKea - Protests continue as TMT construction starts on the Controversial Telescope project
Many Native Hawaiians believe Mauna Kea is the origination point of the Hawaiian islands, according to Mana magazine. There is a confirmed burial site on Mauna Kea, and Native Hawaiians have also been known to bury their umbilical cords on the mountain as a way of connecting themselves back to the sacred land.
WithTMT construction set to begin this morning on the controversial 30 metre telescope project, hundreds of protesters have arrived at Mauna Kea — several are lying on the ground to block potential vehicles from accessing the summit.…more
Heilala helps Tonga rebuild
Check out the awesome work still going on to help rebuild Tonga's Tongatapu and Ha'apai islands!
Founded in 2014, Heilala is non-profit organisation that helps disadvantaged communities around the world. Over the years, they have witnessed millions of dollars' worth of furniture, equipment and IT simply sent to landfill, and decided to established a not-for-profit organisation that does something worthwhile with all of that invaluable merchandise.
Heilala worked with the Government of Tonga to rebuild Ha'apai's infrastructure with retired and donated products from Australia.
To donate or contact Heilala, check out their website!
Australian Government moves to ban Kava imports
In a move that has shocked the Pacific Island community in Australia, the current allowance of 2 kilograms of kava per person will end in a bid to stop it's abuse.
Kava is already illegal in Northern Territory and Western Australian Aboriginal communities like Arnhem Land because of the health, social and financial impacts.
What do you think? Do you think that it's fair for a Pacific legacy to be banned? Read more on the story here!
"Represent and Perpetuate!"
Check out this recent Hawaiian University graduate rockin' his malo at Graduation!
When Kalā Kaawa graduated with his 2 bachelors degrees from the School of Hawaiian Studies, he was unsure of how people would react to him wearing the malo (traditional Hawaiian loincloth). But when he stepped out of his grad gown, he recieved a standing ovation, and they kept cheering as he made his way back to his seat.
Kaawa said he wanted to use the garment to remind people "not to be ashamed of your culture, whether you are Hawaiian, Maori, Samoan, Tongan, etc." and to "know your roots, represent and perpetuate! Not just for yourself, but for your family, your ancestors and the future generations of your culture."
Check out the full story here
Niuean Reverend Tom Etuata receives New Year's Honour
Reverend Tom Etuata, who has been involved with Pacific communities in Wellington since 1968, has received the Queen's Service Medal in the 2015 New Year's honours list.
"If we are not doing anything about our culture and our language the language can be extinct if we are not careful. You know, my generation will pass on and the new generation will here in New Zealand would have difficulty in speaking their mother tongue."
SUGGESTED LINKS:
Learn more about the 'Rock' island - Niue
#TeuilaTalks - Poly Tattoos
#TeuilaTalks is an ONLINE talk show featuring Teuila Blakely and some of your favorite Poly stars talking about topics that are considered 'too much' for conversation in our community... This week is all about 'Polynesian Tattoos'
Teuila and her panel ask the public and discuss their views on the hot topic for the week!
This weeks panel includes Writer/Actor Oscar Kightley, Actor Shimpal Lelisi, Singer-Songwriter Bella Kalolo and Mai FM Radio Host Nate Nauer.
Have your say online and join in on the conversation using #TeuilaTalks!
SUGGESTED LINKS
See more on the history of the Samoan Tatau Part 1 and Part 2
Check out some tatau from Tahiti!
Congrats to the newest female Pacific MP's!
Huge congrats to our latest Poly-Suga's who are now Members of Parliament!
Tongan ta'ahine's Carmel Sepuloni (Labour MP for Kelston) and Jenny Salesa (Labour MP for Manukau-East) along with Cook-Island Princess Poto Williams (re-elected as Labour MP for Christchurch-East) are the latest in the long line of Pasifika women to be Members of the New Zealand government!
Well done ladies!!
KEEPIN’ IT COCO
Talofa Lava, Malo E Lelei, Kia Orana, Fakalofalahi Atu, Bula Vinaka and WASSUP YO! Welcome to The Coconet TV, the new online hub featuring all things Cocolicious, Coco-Fresh & Coco-Nasty!
For the past 4 months, we have been filming our epic ‘How to’ webisodes across the pacific. As a kiwi-born Hamo livin’ it up in New Zealand, you sometimes lose a bit of your heritage. You go to Island occasions looking a bit durrr and not appreciating the importance of the customary activities being practiced.
This web/online/poly portal (ups to you how you call it) gives us the opportunity to learn hips and hips like how to make Takihi, do a Siva, lay an umu, drink kava and so much more. It’s cool cause we’re not only putting the stories we gather out there, but we want you to put up your top Island tips as well.…more
What is The Coconet TV?
The Coconet TV on Tagata Pasifika