Who are your Pacific heroes?

Who are your Pacific heroes?

I was well out of high school before I fully understood that the history we learned there is not really mine. I mean, I loved the stories of Socrates, Da Vinci, Magellan and Napoleon, Martin Luther and Abraham Lincoln, and I still think it’s important to know these historical figures, especially as we navigate the Western world they helped to shape. But years later when I discovered the story of Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III, I couldn’t believe that I, a now grown ass Samoan woman, had never heard of him before. And then when I was telling all my Samoan friends about this Head of State who lost his life defending the freedom of our ancestors, no one in my generation or younger had heard of him either.

Well that just made me sad.

I understand that Samoan history is not too relevant in many parts of the world, but I went to school in Hawaii, Saipan and New Zealand. You’d think that education in New Zealand, especially, might want to include a few stories from the history of a people they once colonized, who still make up such a huge part of their migrant population. Why aren’t all of us in the Pacific learning more about our own history? (Aannndd breathe.)

Anyway, thank goodness for books – and for the growing number of passionate writers documenting the history of Pacific people. I hope these stories become required reading for more of our schools.

A few months ago I helped a friend organize a workshop for the school holidays program at a local library. We decided to make it a leadership workshop focusing on 3 heroes from Pacific history – yayy! – and off I went to look for these heroes in books.

I found our first Pacific hero in a series of readers by David Riley called Pasifika Heroes. One of his Cook Island Heroes is Ru… Now let me tell you about Ru.

Ru the Explorer

Ru was one of Polynesia’s ancient, seafaring heroes. A lot of stories about Ru are fantastical legend now, but all legends are based on truth, right?

Ru was a master navigator who loved to explore the oceans. He invited his friends and family along on yet another high seas adventure, but most of them were afraid to leave home.

So in a rousing speech, Ru told them to be fearless, to embrace the excitement of discovery. He taught them that they should always be moving forward, that the mysteries of the ocean were waiting out there for them.

Ru got his people so inspired that his whole family – all his wives, all his brothers and their wives, etc. – joined him on his expedition. Aaannndd you can read the rest of this story in Cook Island Heroes. (Go find out why Ru included 20 princesses as part of the crew on his voyage.)

Spoiler Alert: Ru lead the expedition that eventually discovered, populated and governed – quite cleverly – the island now known as Aitutaki.
I found my next Pacific Island hero in another David Riley book.

Haloti Ngata

Tongan American football star Haloti Ngata is a modern day Pacific hero.
Haloti’s success was inspired by heroes in his own life. He was named after his uncle, who played college football, and decided to follow in his footsteps. It was his father, though, who taught him the value and power of hard work. Haloti remembers one day when he was a teenager tempted to nap on the floor instead of doing his chores. He heard his father come in and quickly jumped into a plank position, as if he had been doing push ups instead of sleeping. His father expressed his approval, encouraging him to keep up the good work. In honour of his father and uncle, Haloti worked hard enough to eventually play football for Oregon University.

He was devastated when his father was killed in a tragic accident. And then a year later, Haloti suffered a knee injury which ended his football season. Imagine how discouraging that was for him. He just about gave up.. but thanks to the support of great friends and teammates, he fought through the challenging times – kept the faith – made it to the NFL in 2006 and went to the Superbowl in 2013.

You can read more about Haloti Ngata in David Riley’s Tongan Heroes.

Lauli’i Willis

I have been gushing about Lauli’i the Daughter of Samoa – and our last chosen hero – for several years now. Hers is another story I can’t believe I didn’t know growing up.

So Lauli’i was born in Samoa in the mid 1800s – back when the only people documenting our stories were foreign explorers. Her American husband took her to an editor in California who recorded her life story, as dictated to him, in her own words… and her incredible description of Samoa back then? I can hardly imagine that world today.

I’m still in awe of Lauli’i because hers is the only indigenous Samoan ‘voice’ I’ve ever read from before the 20th century. She’s a Pacific hero not only for leaving behind a written record of her life, but also because as a very young child, she survived an extraordinarily dangerous time in Samoan history.

I’d be here all week if I started telling you Lauli’i’s thrilling true story. You really should read it yourself it’s FREE online, even, at Google Books.

You’re welcome.

More Pacific Heroes

Who are your heroes from Pacific history? Whose stories do you think our schools – especially in the Pacific – should be teaching? Tell us in the comments below.

In 2019, Manaui: The People of Oceania will begin highlighting our contemporary heroes – the men and women in our own communities who have inspired success amongst our people through their own achievements. We’re calling these heroes our Manaui Wayfinders.

We’re accepting nominations now.

In the comments, please also tell us who you think we should interview as our next Manaui Wayfinder.

5 experiences every Tongan should have on their first trip to Tonga

5 experiences every Tongan should have on their first trip to Tonga

Tonga, a pacific island country made up of 169 islands, 36 of those uninhabited, most well known for their continuity of having a monarchy and given the title of “The Friendly Islands” by Captain Cook on his first arrival many centuries ago.

With a title, and a monarchy still in their reign, why else wouldn’t you want to visit Tonga? What else does it have to offer… well, I can tell you now that Tonga gave me majestic sights, crystal clear waters, tropical breezes, churches that are so pristine and finally the people who show true pride in Tonga, and truly live by the title of “Friendly Islands”. Even for someone who cannot speak the language as well as I should, I found it easy to communicate with everyone as English is something that is taught at school, so, it’s great knowing that a friendly Tongan will be nearby to help.

Being a first time international traveller, it was hard to choose a specific place that would create memories. My family and I chose to travel to Tonga. Being the motherland of both my parents it meant a lot of unknowns for me, however, upon walking off the plane in Tonga, and seeing the land as it was, I didn’t feel like I was a tourist. I felt like I belonged and was welcomed home. It’s a hard emotion or feeling to describe and I reckon when you visit for the first time, you will know exactly what I mean.

So, you’re probably wondering where I stayed, what I did, what I saw, what kind of nightlife they have. Hopefully the experience I’ve had will act as a gateway for you to have your first “Tonga” experience.

Where should I stay when I visit Tonga?

As we were heading over to Tonga with my Mum, we knew we were in safe hands. My Mum and her siblings have continued to maintain and upkeep their home that they grew in. For myself, partner and siblings, we weren’t quite sure where we were staying, but, we ended up staying in a westernised house. It had running water, showers, gas ovens and many rooms. Staying at Mum’s family home meant that my siblings, partner and cousins connected and built relationships that will last forever. We also got to see photos of Mum’s past and photos of our grandparents, the stories shared by Uncles and Aunties meant that we found a connection or a bridge to the past that we had never had before. It was heartwarming and gave us sense of Mum’s upbringing. Another great advantage that we had was not having to pay for expensive foods. Mum had arranged for meals to be prepped by her younger brother in an Umu, which meant that we got to have real Tongan food such as Lusipi, Ota Ika (Raw fish), Ufi (Yam) and Kalo (Taro). So, if you can stay with family, take it with open arms over a hotel.

What should I see and do?

Church

We went during Holy week (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday) so what that meant for us is that on Thursday and Friday we attended a Catholic church. Take a moment to view the style or architecture of the churches and see people who take their religion seriously. It’s a really spiritual experience, even for those that do not go to church often.

Go to the Basilica on Sunday. When you hear Tongans sing hymns it is a hair-raising experience that will give you chills – that’s what you call a spiritual moment.

Visit Ignatius Cathederal – The monument of Saint Ignatius on demons is one that fills you with the strength knowing that God’s power will help you defeat even the darkest demons in your life.

holiday in Tonga

On Saturday, Mum arranged for us to travel on the back of a truck and visit tourist attractions.

Tonga’s past

Captain Cook’s Landing

Where Captain Cook first landed in Tonga is a stone with a plaque on it to show the importance of this area as this is where Tonga was able to be marked on the world map. The view that you get of the other islands and the vast sights of the of coconut trees really gives you an idea of what our people saw the day that Captain Cook Landed.

Ha’amonga ‘a Maui

A Stonehenge-esque monument which was built for the 11th Tu’i Tonga acts as a gateway to the ʻesi maka faakinanga (stone to lean against), which was the King’s throne at the time. Some legends even suggest that Tongans were giants many centuries ago, and that they carried these stones to make the monument what it is today.

Three-Headed Coconut Tree

It is said and believed that this is the only coconut tree with three separate crowns in all of Tonga, or even the whole of the Pacific. Something as unnatural as this is worth being able to say “Have you ever seen a three-headed coconut tree before? No…? Well, I have.”

Blowholes

The blowholes are majestic if you go at high tide. We made the mistake of going at low tide, however, seeing water shoot out of the blowholes and the way that reefs have formed is a sight to behold. Locals also sell handmade jewellery, tapa cloths and carvings that represent Tonga strongly here.

Laulea Beach

This had to be one of the highlights of our trip. If you ever want to see real life HD images of sapphire oceans, colourful fishes, cliff tops that stream the horizon, white sand beaches with crystal clear waters, then this is definitely the place you want to be. It’s a sight to behold and something that a camera lens will never capture. Definitely a “live through your eyes” moment.

holiday in Tonga

If you’re a water baby, this is also the perfect location. With a huge rock that has been shaped out by crashing waters and reefs where you can swim with fish, it makes you feel as though you are one with the ocean.

Jetty in the City

Keeping with the theme of swimming, if you live near town in Nuku’alofa, there is a jetty that you can walk to that the locals use daily. Just be really care if you’re super tall like I am and jump in feet first and break your toe! Make sure you go at high tide too.

Glimpses of the Present

Driving around Nuku’alofa

Just travelling on the back of a truck also meant that we got to see Tonga as it is today, real and raw. After seeing the destruction of Cyclone Gita, we got to really feel and see what the people of Tonga had to withstand and still need to repair, however, we really felt grounded and humbled by just how much Tonga has continued to thrive and ensure that the plantations and life continues as normal. It was a humbling moment.

Need a Coffee fix, try Tupu’anga Café?

A café run by Alipate and Emeline who source their own beans from local crops in Tonga and have their own factory where they roast their own coffee beans and make homemade Manioke and Kumala chips. Pate and Eme used to live in Auckland, and now run the café sourcing the local dairies, bakeries and convenience stores with their chips.
Their coffee is sooooo good that they even supply you with raw coconut sugar too. Coffee with extra benefits.
Where can I put my boogie shoes on?

If you’re someone who seeks the nightlife, then there are a number of bars that you can go to and enjoy some island beats, more recent music or mixes by DJ Noiz than I recommend that you go to RELOAD!!! It’s almost like a central hub for the locals and even tourists. The friendly staff are always willing to help and give a calming vibe that will keep your mind at ease

Tonga has enriched my life, deepened family bonds and given me reasons to go back more often and continue to learn and grow a side of my heritage which we had lost. Tonga also gave me an opportunity to understand conversations that were spoken in Tongan and be able to respond back. Thankfully, we were allowed to respond in English.
Every moment I hold is one that you wouldn’t be able to capture through a lens, only through your eyes. The whole experience of Tonga has helped myself and my family remember to never take anything we have here in New Zealand for granted.

Take the chance and let the islands speak to your soul and spirit.

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