8 Pacific Earth Guardians You Should Know
Pacific people have been resilient ocean and land guardians for centuries. Woven throughout all the different cultures of Oceania, there is one common strand and that is the strong relationship Pacific communities have with creation. The following 8 Guardians are all names you should know as they've dedicated their lives to conserving and preserving the planet.
1. Yolanda Joab-Mori, Federated States of Micronesia
Yolanda is a climate activist, environmental leader, and most importantly a mother. In 2011 Yolanda co-created the first climate change focused education program in schools and communities across Micronesia. The program, CADRE worked with over 10,000 students and 3,000 community members across the Micronesian islands to raise awareness on the impacts of climate change. Yolanda also founded Island PRIDE (Promoting Resilience through Involvement, Development & Education) to continue this work to empower her islands in the face of climate change by engaging youth to be proactive stewards of their island environment.
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#OPINION WHAT WE KNOW NOW: DEALING WITH ELECTION UNCERTAINTIES
By Vaai Nah Folasa
More than a week after the general election and Samoa is no closer to knowing who will govern us for the next 5 years. Last night it was announced that an additional seat would be added to Parliament to meet Samoa's minimum quota for female candidates. An HRPP candidate had been appointed to make up the apparent shortfall. This morning Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio (pictured above - photo credit Samoa Observer) announced his decision to join the FAST party which means there's still a 26/26 tie.
The OEC has done an amazing job in accommodating special voters, counting and re-checking every individual vote and has done so with thoroughness and efficiency. But still there is no outright winner.
So at this point, what do we know?
1. The electoral process remains faulty. In the lead up to the election there were numerous changes to the electoral system, to constituency boundaries and even to eligibility criteria.…more
Samoan Penrith Panthers boys take on a Boyz II Men classic | NRL on Nine
Samoan Panthers Panthers boys Brian To'o, Jarome Luai & Stephen Crichton have a go at performing one of Boyz II Men's hit classics in this hilarious lipsync video.
They then have a go at singing the song live on NRL Live after they took on the Broncos on Saturday night.
#OPINION FAST - Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi CARVES ITS WAY TOWARDS HISTORY and VICTORY
By Va'ai Nah Folasa
Samoa's 2021 will go down in history as a true game changer.
The official results have the two major parties each with 25 seats and an Independent candidate may yet hold the balance of power.
It is expected that there will be a flurry of legal challenges. Leaders of both parties have indicated this. Ultimately it will be the Court who is the final arbiter.
Regardless of the final tally, Samoa's political landscape has changed forever.
It is clear that after some 40 years in power the HRPP no longer have ultimate and unfettered control in parliament. Whether voters were expressing outright dissatisfaction or whether they just believed it was time for a change remains to be seen.
It is also evident that Samoa is more than happy to be led by a woman. Fiame Naomi Mataafa held her seat at Lotofaga uncontested and went on to become leader of the new FAST party.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - LUCY MATA'UTIA JARRARD
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
Toa Fraser's private battle and public triumphs
Toa Fraser - on a battle with disease and knowing what’s important.
Fijian / Samoan Toa Fraser is one of Aotearoa’s most prolific film directors, with a huge raft of incredibly varied feature film works, documentaries and tv drama series. He’s also one of the most undercover, in his professional and personal life - until an extraordinarily brave message on social media this week told the world of this struggle of the early onset of Parkinson’s.
“People used to say I look cool. These days, people ask me why I look so serious. Mine is one of the many of faces of Young Onset Parkinson’s, an (as yet) incurable brain disease. I was diagnosed five years ago. I've kept it quiet until today..
It hasn’t been easy. It’s hard on relationships, it’s hard on my kids. Those closest to me have been unfaltering, discrete and kind. I’ve also learned not everybody can come on this journey with me. For the last five years I’ve kept it quiet. Buried it as much as I could.
But now I’m sick of hiding.…more
"Our Classmate Clarah" | Student with Cerebral Palsy steals the show at Polyfest
On the morning of the last day of Polyfest 2020 was a performance that touched the crowd. It came from the Marcellin College Samoan group that had a star among them.
During Marcellin’s performance, there was an extremely special part that stood out. The students parted their dance formation down the middle and made way for their classmate Clarah Tuimavave-Gerrard. Her classmates made their version of a runway on stage, and down walked Clarah. She bowed to the crowd and began to Siva (dance). The audience went wild in cheer and her fellow classmates began singing even louder for their peer.
Clarah, also known to some of her friends as “Lala”, has cerebral palsy. A congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, and posture. Although this condition can hold many challenges, there are tenacious people in the world who live loudly and proudly whilst navigating all the difficulties that come along with it. This special group of the community chooses to flaunt their abilities and what they are able to do instead of focusing on what they can't.…more
New Zealand Rugby announces Pacific teams to join Super Rugby Competition
Via RNZ Pacific
Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua have been granted conditional licences to join a planned new professional competition next year, New Zealand Rugby has announced.
NZR Pasifika Engagement Manager Saveatama Eroni Clarke, NZR board member Sir Michael Jones, Moana Pasifika Steering Committee co-chair Pelenato Sakalia and Former All Black Sir Bryan George 'BeeGee' Williams announced the move at 2pm this afternoon.
Moana Pasifika is a combined Samoa and Tonga side and is likely to be based in South Auckland, while the Fiji side is set to be based in Suva.
In November, Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika were announced as New Zealand Rugby's preferred partners to join an expanded 12-team competition subject to a range of conditions, mostly financial, to show that they were capable of funding each franchise to the tune of $10 million a year.
World Rugby last month committed $7 million in funding over the next three years to help fund the two Pacific Islands teams.…more
Mr. Panikeke; The mind behind your favourite "seki hoops"
Who is Mr Panikeke? and what does he have to do with the new Pasifika statement hoop earrings trend going around social media?
You might take a scroll through Instagram nowadays to see girls pridefully wearing hoop earrings with the words “TokoUso” in the centre or a chain necklace with the word “Taro”. The trend of modern Pacific fusion jewelry has taken the market by storm as more and more people look for ways to express their heritage in the way they dress and accessorize. This form of fashion expression has often contained solely seis and elei but with this new generation of urban Pasifika youth, there has been a rise in the popularity of Pacific hoops and chains. If you ask many people where they've gotten these eye-catching statement accessories the answer is often the same… “Panikeke”.
In the heart of South Auckland, you’ll find the colourful Panikeke store containing gems of the Pacific, from “Teti” hoops to woven handbags. You might have a browse of the store and think it belonged to a big brand chain.…more
#OPINION LOOK HOW FAR WE HAVE COME: 10 LESSONS WE MIGHT HAVE LEARNED FROM PALOTA SAMOA 2021
By Va'ai Nah Folasa
Cover photo credit: Office of the Electoral Commission Samoa
While Samoa awaits the final counting of votes and the inevitable legal challenges and appeals, what lessons have we learned from Friday's election?
In no particular order...
1. Never underestimate the power of social media. While Government media outlets (2AP and the Savali) touted the HRPP line, the mainstream press played a cautious approach often several days late with breaking issues. Meanwhile social media was active, timely and while not always correct managed to create debate and focus issues at a mass level. FAST embraced various platforms skillfully and effectively. The belated creation of Facebook page by HRPP was too late, too little and missed the mark completely.
2. Understand that youth have a voice and are confident that their vote can make a difference. Previous elections have witnessed several generations of a family voting the same traditional way. Today's youth are informed (refer above), interested and have priorities which differ to older generations. Clearly they are not afraid to express that and seek change.
3.…more