Coco Talanoa — Humans of the Islands / Page 6

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?  

Faiesea Ah Chee is a 18-year-old Savaii girl at heart now living in the heart of Auckland city. She is a long way from her island home, so how has her journey led her here?

In 2003 Faiesea was born in Tuasivi and grew up all her life in the village of Fa’a’ala Palauli, Savaii. She was raised by a family of fishermen. Her grandfather and uncles would go out into the Moana every day. While she and her grandma would sit by their village selling the fish they had caught. There were six in her family and they would all rely on the ocean as a way of life. Faiesea went to school at Vaiola College to which she describes as “the best school”. She lived the picturesque island life; took from the ocean, gave back to the land, served her family, went to school in a neighboring village and her best friend was a turtle. 

In 2016 Faiesea’s world changed. Her family sadly lost her grandma.…more

International Women's Day 2021 - I AM WOMAN Magazine celebrates by "CHOOSING TO CHALLENGE"........

STEVE TAPA 

OWNER & CO-DIRECTOR ON2 SPORTS MANAGEMENT 

TONGAN 

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Shaneel Lal

(They/Them)

Activist/ Student/ Co-Founder of “End Conversion Therapy NZ”

Fiji

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Shaneel Lal is a multifaceted and intersectional activist. They have been vocal and influential in bringing to light various issues around racism, transphobia, indigenous land issues, systemic injustice and much more. Shaneel is a co-founder of the organisation “End Conversion Therapy NZ” and has been an avid voice around the need for a ban on Conversion Therapy. They’re currently a student at The University of Auckland, and on top of all that is actively educating people on social media on how to be more conscious citizens of humanity.

If you could have the world's attention, how would you introduce yourself?

I am many things, but deep down, I am a young person who wants to change the world. I do not wish to be protected. I want to be free. And I want the same for my people. A young person who has seen, felt, and experienced too many things that I shouldn’t have.…more

Teneva Ropati

(She/Her)

Student/Basketball Player

Samoa

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Teneva Ropati is a young Samoan woman from the villages of Taufusi and Vaivase. She was born in New Zealand and raised in West Auckland. Teneva is a passionate basketball player and on top of all this is proud to call herself “gay af”.

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If you could have the world's full attention, how would you introduce yourself?

My name is Teneva Ropati, I’m 20 years old, Samoan and gay af lol.

Is Pride month something that you personally celebrate?

Absolutely! I  love the feeling I get seeing everyone be 100% themselves and not caring. Especially at Big Gay Out. I always feel so at home being around complete strangers. It’s odd but I understand it. I feel the most proud of our community during Pride month — and I’m pretty damn proud every other time of the year.

What has been your relationship with the phrase "coming out"?  Was “coming out” a process you had to go through with your family?

Bittersweet is probably the best word to describe my experiences.…more