Coco Talanoa — Humans of the Islands / Page 5

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

SERAFINA MAULUPE 

HOST OF FLOW'N WITH FINA & INSIDE THE GRIND 

SAMOAN / FILIPINO 

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My name is Serafina Maulupe – I was born in a small town in the Midwest called Wayne, Nebraska. I grew up in Sioux City, Iowa. I am a midwestern girl at heart. I currently reside in Murrieta, California. I am half Samoan & Filipino. My dad is Samoan, my family comes from the village of Aua and Fagaalu. My mom is Filipino, and my family comes from Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan. I am currently looking to get back into the basketball scene. I’d love to work for a team at the college level – either coaching or the operations side. While looking for my next opportunity – I created a platform called, “Inside the Grind” and my show highlights our Pasifika athletes.…more

Elizabeth Kite

Community Organiser / Founder of Tonga Youth Leaders / Pacific Youth Representative to the Commonwealth

Tonga

Elizabeth V Kite is the Founding CEO of Take The Lead (TTL), formerly known as Tonga Youth Leaders, a Non-Government Organization that focuses on empowering underrepresented groups in Tonga to lead in places of national decision making. TTL run’s various leadership programmes including the only annual mock parliament for young women and girls, She Leads Fale Alea ‘O Tonga.…more

LUCY MATA'UTIA JARRARD

Competitive Surfer 

Samoan / French 

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My name is Lucy Mata’utia Jarrard. I’m a 19 year old competitive surfer from Carlsbad, California, but currently live in Oahu, Hawaii. In addition to my passion for surfing, I also enjoy activities such as hiking, skating, and sewing.  My pacific heritage is Samoan and French. My mother is Samoan while my father is French. 

You're the first Samoan female surfer to represent American Samoa Surfing Association - tell us how you got into surfing and how long you've been competing for.

I originally come from a water family, so all of our weekends and days off were spent together at the beach surfing and hanging out. It’s funny though because I actually didn’t even really like the beach. I think I was about three when I first started surfing, but I didn’t start enjoying it until I was about eight. My first contest was a Volcom series at about nine.…more

JORDYN MORGAN 

Teacher / Maori Student Learning Advisor / Singer 

Samoan / Maori 

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What were the pathways that led you to doing music/singing?