Documentary Script
by Kathleen Weiler
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
For years, Pacific Islanders have ventured from the islands, navigating
through foreign waters and lands to claim for themselves and their families
opportunities for growth in the United States.
Although Utah's harsh, dry climate and urban sprawl are far cries from
the lush vegetation of the South Seas, thousands of Polynesians have chosen
to make Utah their home.
TAU PUPU'A:
(MY FAMILY CAME TO UTAH, MY FATHER HAD A DREAM, NINE KIDS. WHAT ARE WE
GOING TO DO IN THE ISLANDS. HE KNEW AMERICA WAS LAND OF OPPORTUNITY, REACH
FOR THE STARS. WE MOVED TO AMERICA FOR US TO HAVE A FUTURE.)
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
While many left the islands in search of educational and economic opportunity,
the vast majority are here for family and religious ties.
STEVE KAUFUSSI:
(MY PARENTS BROUGHT US HERE FOR A BETTER EDUCATION AND TO GIVE US OPPORTUNITY
THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE. ALSO BEING MORMON.)
MARIA WEINGARTEN:
(I CAME TO UTAH ON ROUTE TO CANADA BUT BEING LDS WE RAN INTO FRIENDS AND
CHANGED OUR PLANS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.)
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
Utah's diverse cultural landscape grows more colorful every day. With
over 25,000 Polynesians now living in Utah, many Islanders have a strong
desire to share the love of their culture throughout the state.
ALDEN WADE:
(WHAT THE POLY PEOPLE BRING IS INDUSTRY IN THEIR OWN WAY BUT ALSO A WAY
OF LIFE. THEY KNOW HOW TO WORK AND PLAY. IN WHITE ENVIRONMENT WE ARE SO
FOCUSED ON GETTING TO WHERE WE ARE GOING SO FAST THAT WE DON'T ENJOY LIFE.
I HAVE LEARNED FAITH, LOVE, TENDERNESS AND HOW TO ENJOY LIFE WHILE GETTING
TO THE DESTINATION.)
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
While paradise was often threatened, it was never lost. Eons ago, the
great Pacific Ocean erupted in flames - and Polynesia was born.
In this vast stretch of ocean, three ethnic regions define the area -
Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia - which means many islands.
Covering the major portion of the Pacific Ocean, Polynesia is defined
by an imaginary triangle drawn from Hawaii southward to New Zealand, then
eastward to Easter Island and back to Hawaii.
While many similarities exist from one culture and island to another,
what binds them together is the Pacific Ocean. What brought them to Utah
begins our story.
FADE TO WORDS SUPERED ON SCREEN: IOSEPA - THE BEGINNING
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
In the beginning, memories of rolling surf, sparkling beaches, lush vegetation,
beautiful flowers and fish for the taking became distant memories of another
life - the one left behind.
This harsh, dry, cracked, hardened land, 20 miles south of the Great Salt
Lake became the gathering place in 1889 for Utah's early Hawaiian settlers.
The colony was called Iosepa.
LENI BRITSH:
(I BELIEVE THE WHOLE EFFORT TO ESTABLISH A PLACE FOR THEM WAS FOUNDED
ON CONCERN AND LOVE. MANY HAVE CRITICIZED THE CHRUCH FOR PUTTING THEM
IN SKULL VALLEY. THERE WERE HAWAIIANS ON THER COMMITTEE TO SELECT THE
PROPERTY OF IOSEPA. THEY WERE NOT STUPID. THEIR OPINIONS WERE RESPECTED.
THEY SAW IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO PIONEERING.)
RICHARD POULSEN:
(WHEN THEY FIRST MOVED HERE, THERE WAS WATER, FIRE HYDRANTS, TREES. LIKE
ANY OTHER SETTLEMENT IN UTAH. IT WAS VOTED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN
1911.)
ALTON WADE :
(THE PEOPLE HAD THE DESIRE TO BE CLOSER TO CENTER OF THE CHURCH AND TO
THE PROPHET. IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THEY LEFT THE LUSH ISLANDS FOR THE
DESERT, BUT THEY WERE LIKE THE SAINTS THAT CAME ACROSS THE PLAINS. THEY
WERE STRONG, COMMITTED AND THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE SOMETHING NOT SO BEAUTIFUL
AND MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL.)
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
The era of Iosepa's 28 years ended in 1915 when Church officials announced
plans to build a temple in Hawaii.
LENI BRITCH:
(WAS IOSEPA A SUCCESS? ACTUALLY IT WAS. IT WAS DOING JUST FINE AND PRSPEROUS.
WHY CLOSE? JOSEPH F. SMITH DECIDED TO BUILD A TEMPLE IN HAWAII. ANNOUNCED
IT AND THE HAWAIIANS IN IOSEPA WANTED THEIR OWN TEMPLE IN THEIR HOMELAND.
AND SO THEY MOVED BACK.
:
(TO HAWAIIANS THE IOSEPA EXPERIMENT IS VERY MEANINGFUL TO US. WE MAY NOT
HAVE DIRECT ANCESTORS, BUT TO KNOW THEY WERE HAWAIIANS THAT CAME HERE
TO A VERY STRANGE LAND AND SETTLED IN SKULL VALLEY GIVES ME A FEELING
OF PRIDE AND PAVED THE WAY FOR OTHERS COMING TO UTAH ALSO WHEN THEY WENT
BACK TO THE ISLANDS TO ESTABLISH LEIA AND BUILD THE TEMPLE. BECAUSE OF
PIONEER EFFORT HERE AND GOING BACK TO THE ISLANDS, THE LEGACY GOES ON.
THEY WERE THE PIONEERS AND WE ARE IN SOME WAYS LIVING WHAT THEY WENT THRU.
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
Today, little is left of the Polynesian colony. Foundations of a few homes
rise out of the sagebrush and dry grass like gray skeletons. A monument
in the cemetery stands over graves covered by pebbles decorated with leis
and shell necklaces.
The legacy lives on, however, as each year on Memorial Day weekend hundreds
of Polynesians come back to Iosepa to remember the past.
AL HARRINGTON:
(ALOHA SPIRIT IS LOVE AND NOW WE KNOW HOW TO GIVE IT. REMEMBER WHILE YOU
ARE HERE. BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER, BE KIND. ALOHA SPIRIT. HAVE THE SPIRIT
OF GOD WITH US. AS WE PRACTICE IT HERE. WE CAN PRACTICE IT WHEN WE LEAVE.
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
The history of humanity is a history of migrations. Whether in search
of new land or new resources for survival, the Polynesian sense of adventure
is boundless - their navigational skills unsurpassed.
BILL AFEAKI:
(POLY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ADVENTURERS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO SAIL THE HIGH SEAS.
IF YOU LOOK AT PACIFIC OCEAN, YOU CAN'T HELP BUT RECOGNIZE THE SKILLS
THESE PEOPLE HAD. THE MILEAGE THEY COVERED IS PHENONENAL.
IT'S ALSO INTERESTING TO SEE HOW POLY WOULD GO FROM ONE ISLAND TO THE
NEXT. PERHAPS NEVER HAPPY WITH THEIR PLACE AND THEY WOULD GO IN SEARCH
OF ANOTHER HOME. OUR COMING TO UTAH IS A CONTINUATION OF CENTURIES OF
ADVENTURE. PEOPLE WILL SAIL ON BEYOND THE HORIZON TO FIND A BETTER HOME.
WE'VE FOUND HOME HERE IN UTAH.
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
Whether for economic and educational opportunity or simply to be closer
to family members, few would disagree that the driving force behind the
Polynesian migration to Utah is the LDS church. In fact, a recent study
indicated that nearly 85 percent of Polynesians moved to Utah to rear
their children in Zion.
EDWIN NAPIA:
THAT THING THAT HAS ATTRACTED PI TO THE LDS CHURCH HAS IN PART BEEN THE
CORRELATION BETWEEN LDS BELIEFS AND PI BELIEFS. PERHAPS THE MOST SINGIFICANT
IS THE ARRIVAL OF THE LDS CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND.
WHEN THE MORMON MISS. ARRIVED IN NZ IT WAS BY ACCIDENT THAT THEY FOUND
THE MAORI PEOPLE WERE ACCEPTING OF THE LDS CHURCH. IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE
PROPHESIES AND STORIES THAT CONNECTED VERY WELL.
LENI BRITCH:
WHAT DRAWS POLY TO UTAH, CALIF, ETC? I BELIEVE ECON. ACTIVITY HAS BEEN
A PART OF IT. EVER SINCE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED IN ISLANDS,
A FEW HAVE WANTED TO TAKE FAMILIES TO THE HEART OF ZION AND RAISE KIDS.
FEEL THE STRENGTH OF THE CENTER OF THE CHURCH.
MILLI PETERS:
THE LDS CHURCH DOCTRINE TALKS ABOUT ZION AS BEING A PERFECT SOCIETY WHERE
EVERYONE IS EQUAL, NO POOR, NO RICH. SPIRITUAL MECCA ARE EQUAL. SO WE
COME HERE.
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
While the majority of Polynesians in Utah are Latter Day Saints, there
is also a large Methodist population, as well as Protestant, Catholic,
Seventh-Day Adventist and Congregational Christian church members.
While primarily a twentieth-century phenomenon, Utah's Pacific Islanders
comprise one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in Utah.
EDWIN NAPIA:
(IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT DESCRIBES US AS A GROUP IS WE ARE A GROUP OF
MANY VOICES. NO MONOLITHICAL PI. WE'RE PEOPLE WITH MANY DIFFERENT CULTURES
AND CULTURES WITHIN CULTURES AND IMAGES. WE HAVE MANY DIFF. PEOPLE WITH
DIFF. STORIES TO DESCRIBE LIFE'S EXPERIENCES AND HOW THEY FIND THEMSELVES
IN THE ENVIRONMENT. SO WE ARE MANY.)
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
As a group of many voices, Utah's Polynesian people maintain strong, traditional
family values through a sharing, caring connectedness with each other.
Their culture is based on love, generousity, and support through their
extended families. For Pacific Islanders, family means anyone who is physically
present in the family unit - brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins,
grandparents. It is based on both biological heredity and psychosocial
interaction.
FINAU AFEAKI :
(MY FAMILY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME IN THE WORLD. I THINK THAT
A BIG THING THEY TEACH US IN OUR TRADITION IS THAT FAMILY IS FIRST. AND
BECAUSE OF THAT, OUR PARENTS ARE STATUES ON A PEDESTAL. WE ARE SO CLOSE.
02:40:33
CINI MAILEI:
(IT'S NOT HOW MUCH YOU HAVE, BUT HOW MUCH YOU GIVE. AND YOU MIGHT FIND
WITHIN NEIGHBORS WHEN AN OCCASION ARISE, WHEN FAMILY COMES TOGETHER IT
IS BEAUTIFUL THING.) 00:55:00
STEVE KAUFUSI:
04:51:51 (ONE THING I REMEMBER GROWING UP IN TONGA. THE MEALS, YOU WOULD
SEE KIDS WALKING ACROSS TO THE NEIGHBORS TAKING THEM A PLATE OF FOOD.
PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO SHARE WHATEVER THEY HAVE WITH PEOPLE. (04:52:11
ALEMA HARRINGTON :
(THAT'S THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT THE CULTURE. EVERYONE GENUINELY CARES
ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON. AND YOU FIND IT HERE. AS SOON AS I SEE ANOTHER
POLY, MY HEART GETS WARM. I DON'T HAVE TO BE IN SAMOA TO FEEL IT. THERE
IS ALREADY A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO OF US. BECAUSE I KNOW THAT PERSON
HAS THE SAME CARE AND CONCERN AS THE PEOPLE IN SAMOA AND IT COMES THRU.
01:49:23
FAHINA PASI:
SOMETIMES I WALK INTO A ROOM AND PEOPLE WILL BE EATING AND IN OUR CULTURE
IT WOULD BE RUDE IF YOU ATE IN FRONT OF OTHERS. OUR NORM WOULD BE TO SHARE
THE SANDWICH. . . SPLIT IT IN FOUR.) 05:13:42
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
Yet even with a strong sense of family, basic values and a love of God,
many Islanders find that preserving their culture while trying to adapt
into Utah's more westernized society is a challenge of unexpected proportion.
RICH KAUFUSI:
(THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF FAMILIES COMING HERE IS COLD WEATHER, SNOW.
ANOTHER ROADBLOCK, CULTURAL DIFFERENCE. IF THE PARENTS HAVE GRASP OF SOCIETY,
IT IS FUNNELED DOWN TO KIDS. HOW TO DEAL WITH CULTURAL DIFF. IF THE PARENTS
DON'T HAVE A GRASP ON DATING OR CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS AT SCHOOL THE KIDS
WILL STRUGGLE. 03:05:01
- RANGI MOLLENI - TAPE 5
01:04:29 (ONE OF GREATEST PROBLEMS SOME OF PARENTS ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT
KIDS ARE FACING. WHAT THEY SEE AT HOME IS DIFF. FROM HOW THEY ARE IN SCHOOL.)
01:04:45
- CINI MAILEI - TAPE 4
01:29:44 (THE CHALLENGES I SEE THE FAMILIES GO THROUGH. COMING TO A COUNTRY
THAT IS SO BIG WE FEEL LOST AND ALONE - JOB SKILLS AND PARENTING SKILLS.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT IN COUNTRY.
00:30:23
- VERNON HEPARIE - TAPE 19
03:27:42 (THE MAIN CHALLENGE FOR STUDENTS EXIST IN THE FAMILY. THEIR PREPARATION
FOR COLLEGE BEGINS IN THE FAMILY AND IT IS DIFF FOR A GENERATION WHO HAVE
NOT BEEN TO UNIV. TO UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS OF HAVING OUR STUDENTS FOCUSED
ON ACADEMICS. 03:28:11
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
Young Polynesians today have two value systems - one from the islands
where extended families rear the children and youngsters obey without
question and an American way of life where children are supposedly free
to speak out and negotiate their space.
- DR. WESTLEY - TAPE 3
00:09:44 FROM A CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE, KIDS ARE SEEN BUT NOT HEARD. THEY
DON'T ASK QUESTION. THOSE KIDS NEED TO LEARN SKILLS OF ASKING QUESTIONS,
HOW TO TAKE TESTS, HOW TO STUDY. 00:10:35
9. - CINI MAILEI - TAPE 4
00:32:46 IN OUR CULTURE LOOKING EYE TO EYE WAS NOT RESPECTFUL. A CHILD
WAS RAISED TO NOT LOOK AT ADULTS EYES. HERE YOU HAVE TO LOOK INTO EYES.
IT IS MISCOMMUNICATION. IT SEEMS LIKE THE CHILD IS NOT BEING RESPECTFUL
BECAUSE THEY WON'T MAKE EYE CONTACT. IT IS CONFUSING. 00:33:40
- MARIE ETEAKI - TAPE 17
02:25:18 IT'S HARD FOR ME TO BE SEEN AND NOT HEARD. THE POLY CULTURE IS
STRONG. KIDS LISTEN TO THEIR PARENTS AND NOT SAY A WORD. IN AMER. AND
IN SCHOOL WE LEARN TO SPEAK OUT AND HAVE BETTER COMM. BUT THERE IS STILL
THAT TRAD. WHERE THEY WANT US TO ABIDE.
- NADIA TAVOIL - TAPE 17
02:30:04 IT'S HARD BECAUSE MY PARENTS TRY TO KEEP ME AS IF I AM IN SAMOA.
EVERYTHING MUST BE THEIR WAY. IN SCHOOL I HAVE LEARNED TO BE OPINATED
SO WHEN THEY SAY THINGS I CAN'T HELP BUT ANSWER BACK AND THAT IS BAD IN
OUR CULTURE.
- AMELIA NEUTOMANU - TAPE 29
00:51:53 THE STUDENTS I HAVE HERE. I WATCH THEM DAILY. I WATCH THEIR CHOICES.
THEY DOWNPLAY THEMSELVES. THEY HAVE TO STRADDLE TWO CULURES. ONE AT HOME,
ONE AT SCHOOL. SOMETIMES IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN CLASS THEY SAY YOU ARE
TRYING TO BE WHITE. SELLING OUT. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T FIND A BALANCE.
- BILL AFEAKI - TAPE 12
00:07:30 A LOT OF POLY ARE USED TO AUTHORITARIUM SOCIETY WHERE DIRECTIONS
ARE GIVEN AND OUR PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU NEED TO SPEAK OUT
IN THE SOCIETY. THE KIDS ARE BORN AND RAISED HERE. WE NEED TO GET ALL
KIDS INTO THE MAINSTREAM.
10. NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
For Polynesians, having one foot in the island culture and one foot in
American culture is a common way of navigating through life.
First there is what is called the bridge generation - those born in the
islands but living in Utah today. Although their identity is constantly
evolving, their foundation is firmly rooted from the cultural experience
of their homeland.
Then there are the Polynesian children born in Utah, who no matter how
traditionally they are raised, face a new environment. They see the world
differently from their parents.
- EDWIN NAPIA TAPE 9
04:08:20 IT'S DIFF. FOR KIDS TODAY AS THEY NEED TO NEGOITE WHAT GOES ON
AT HOME AND IN SCHOOL. FAM VALUES MAY BE IN CONFLICT WITH SCHOOL. IF SIBBLING
IS ILL, OLDER ONE MISSES SCHOOL TO TAKE CARE OF HIM. FROM FAM POV MORE
IMPORTANT TO STAY AT HOME . . . SO THERE IS CONFLICT WITH THE FAMILY.
04:09:32
- RICH KAUFUSI - TAPE 6
02:57:41 (YOU HAVE A POLY HOME, PARENTS WORKING TWO JOBS AND THE KIDS
ARE LEFT AT HOME ALONE AND THEN THEY GO OFF WITH FRIENDS AND GET IN TROUBLE.
- FINAU AAFEAKI - TAPE 18
02:36:56 (CHALLENGES ARE SO DIFF IF YOU COME FROM THE ISLANDS. IT'S A
REAL STRUGGLE FOR US. GOING TO SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IN TONGA IS STRICT
AND YOU DON'T SLUFF. HERE THERE IS A LOT OF FREEDOM. KIDS SLUFF AND GET
INTO TROUBLE.
- PHIL UIPI - TAPE 9
04:23:56 (BECAUSE OF THE STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE PARENTS WORKING TWO JOBS,
THERE IS NO TIME TO SPEND WITH KIDS, PLAY WITH THEM. THE BOND IS NOT STRENGTHENED.
THAT'S THE BIG REASON WHY KIDS GET IN TROUBLE.
11. - ISSY TAUSINGA - TAPE 18
03:11:38 (THREE REASONS THE POLY CAME TO AMERICA - EDUCATION, ECON. RELIGIOUS
BELIEF. THAT IS WHY WE CAME TO UTAH. AND UNFORTUANTELY, I SEE THAT SOME
PARRENTS HAVE LOST SIGHT OF THIS. POLY MUST LOOK BEYOND THE HIGH SCHOOL
EDUC AND NOT LOSE SIGHT. VERY EASY FOR GRADUATES TO LOSE SIGHT OF EDUC
AND GET JOBS TO HELP MOM AND DAD. EDUC WILL TEACH THEM HOW TO MANAGE THEIR
FREEDOM OF TIME.
- WILTON LALOFIA - TAPE 29
00:32:14 (?) PARENTS WORK 2-3 JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET. THE KIDS ARE LEFT
TO GO TO SCHOOL WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT.
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
Another problem faced by many of the younger Polynesians is a strong desire
to fit in - to belong. In Utah we usually think of families as our place
of belonging, but all too often it also becomes the streets. Pacific Islanders
in Utah comprise over 10 percent of gang membership.
- MILI PETERS - TAPE 14
00:55:18 (ONE OF THE THINGS IDENTIFIED AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR FOR WHY
KIDS ARE ATTRACTED TO GANG FAMILIES, IS THAT THEY HAVE LOST THE SECURITY
OF HAVING THEIR PARENTS AT THE TOP OF THE HEIRACY OF THE FAMILY. THEY
ARE NOW THE PARENTS AND THE PARENTS ARE DEPENDING ON THEM. GANG FAMILIES
ARE ATTRACTIVE FOR SECURITY.
- ISSY TAUSINGA - TAPE 18
03:01:33 (I BELIEVE MANY OF THE POLY PARENTS WHEN THEY CAME TO AMER. NEVER
THOT THEIR CHILDREN WOULD HAVE TROUBLE. I'VE SEEN MANY HUMAN LOSS IN MY
JOB. IT'S DEVISTATING. LOST TO THE NEW CULTURE OF DRUGS, CRIME. IT'S A
SAD THING TO WITNESS. THEY HAVE LOST SIGHT OF WHAT THEY CAME HER FOR IN
THE BEGINNING. 03:02:18
12. - DAVID KA'ILI TAPE 16
THE MAJOR PROB IS THE PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE THE PARENTS HAVE BECAUSE THE
KIDS IN GANGS. THE PARENTS ARE DISAPOINTTED BECAUSE THE KIDS AREN'T EXCELLING
AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THEY CAME HERE. THE PARENTS WANT TO CHANGE
THEIR BEHAVIOR. FOR PI PARENTS. PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE
WAY, SO THER IS A CONFLICT BETWEEN PARENT AND KIDS.
- AMELIA NEUTOMANU - TAPE 29
00:53:28 (THERE AREN'T GANGS IN THE ISLANDS. I WOULD SAY THE MEDIA HAS
BLOWN IT OUT OF PROPORTION. THERE IS GANG ACTIVITY, BUT TO SAY MOST STUDENTS
I WORK WITH ARE IN GANGS, IS AN EXAGGERATION. 00:53:55
- ISSY TAUSINGA - TAPE 18
03:04:12 THE INFLUX OF POLY TO UTAH IS VIEWED AS NERVOUS RESERVATION.
SO MANY ARRIVING. AGGRESSIVE, LOUD PEOPLE AND IT IS INTIMIDATING TO UTAHANS.
UNFORTUNATELY WHAT THEY HEAR ON TV IS THE FEW BAD APPLES. THE GENRERAL
POLY IS LAW ABIDING.
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
While living in Utah has its challenges with many honored customs of love
and sacred family life newly renegoiated, keeping the Polynesian heritage
alive is vital to maintaining their valued cultural identity.
As a people, most of us have come to know Polynesians as exceptionally
expressive, gifted and talented. Performing is a way of sharing their
culture.
- DIANA BEVAN TAPE 15
01:21:59 I WAS A POLY DANCER FOR 20 YEARS. LEARNED THE DANCES. (VARIATIONS
OF DANCES.) . . BECAUSE OF SITTING IN CANOES.
13. - DAVE ATKINSON - TAPE 27
02:08:55 THE DANCES OF THE MAORI ARE DIFF FROM THE REST OF ISLANDS. WE
DON'T USE DRUMS, WE USE GUITARS TO KEEP BEAT. IN MAORI DANCE WE DANCE
THE BEAT FOR TIMING. THE FEET KEEP THE BEAT.
02:10:00 THE WAR DANCES WITH 2-300 MEN DOING RHYMIC STAMPOING OF THE FEET
- THE EARTH MOVES A LITTLE. LIKE ARMIES CROSSING THE BRIDGE. THE WAR DANCES
MOVE THE EARTH. 02:10:25
- DIANA BEVAN TAPE 15
01:32:16 THE IMPLEMENTS WITHIN DANCES. . 01:33:16 END
- DAVE ATKINSON - TAPE 27
02:06:10 THE REASON WHY WE DO THESE THINGS IS NOT FOR ENTERTAINMENT, BUT
TO KEEP THE CULTURE ALIVE AND ACTIVE IN THE MINDS AND HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE
WHEREVER THEY MAY BE IN THE WORLD. 02:06:26
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
One living tradition, the hula dance, is a potent symbol of Hawaii integrating
poetry, movement and rhythm. It is said every song portrays a window to
the soul and wings to the imagination. The essence of ancient hula was
in the words. It was the chant, without which there would be no dance.
- BILL KELLY - TAPE 20
03:41:06 (IN HAWAII THERE ARE SCHOOLS OF DANCE CALLED HALLOW. . . . A
MEANS PATIENCE. 03:43:56
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
The spirit of Aloha is love, it is giving, it is peace. It is the foundation
of the Polynesian culture. Music is also deeply woven into the cultural
fabric.
Whether singing while preparing a community meal, participating with each
other in choreographed performances, or performing on stage, Polynesians
have a natural ability to blend in perfect harmony.
14. - CINI MAILEI TAPE 4
00:50:55 SPEAKING THRU THE HEART THRU THE ART, MUSIC, DANCE, BECAUSE THE
VERBAL EXCHANGE WAS RARELY USED AND NOT USED LIGHTLY. YOU COULD FEEL.
FEEL THE LOVE WE HAVE AND THE HELP WE NEED. THRU OUR MUSIC. WE DO EXPRESS
THAT. IF YOU HEAR A TONGAN GROUP OF SINGERS, YOU HEAR HOW THEY SPEAK FROM
THE HEART. 00:52:17
- SIONI IKA TAPE 5
02:27:49 SINGING AND DANCING IN TONGA WAS ONE AND THE SAME THERE WAS A
SONG FOR EVERY TYPE OF WORK. THE RHYTHM FOR ALL WORK. WORK WAS ALWAYS
FUN. 02:;28:15
02:25:55 WE LOVE TO SWAY ALL OVER THE PLACE AND SOMETIMES WE COMPARE IT
TO AMERICAN MUSIC WHERE YOU CAN'T SWAY TO THE NOTES SO THER IS AN OUTLET
FOR OUR MUSIC 02:26:26
- TAU PUPU'A - TAPE B-1
01:25:04 HERE WITH THE UTAH OPERA, I AM NOT A SOLOIST. I BLEND IN WITH
THE CHORUS. SINGING IN CHURCH GIVES ME THE POWER TO BE A SOLOIST AND STAND
ON STAGE AND SING. 01:25:19
- EDWIN NAPIA TAPE 9
04:05:07 I AM INVOLVED IN ART AS A MAORI ARTIST. I DEAL WITH MODERM MEDIUM
AND NOT TRADITIONAL. I MAKE POTS, NOT A MAORI ART FORM.. I DEAL WITH MODERN
STUFF. WHAT IS DIFF NOW IS OUR ART IS INDIVIDUAL EXPERSSION. THE TRAD.
ARTISTS CREATED ART AS EXPRESSION OF ENTIRE COMMUNITY. MY TRAD. POTS REPRESENT
SONGS I GREW UP WITH. IT'S AN INDIV. EXPRESSION, THE DESIGNS I USE ARE
GROUP DESIGNS.
- LOA TAPE 30
01:07:22 ART AND CREATIVITY HAS A SIGN. TO ME AS TONGAN WOMAN. ART IS
WAY OF EXPRESSION AND IMPORTANT FOR US IN AMER. TO CONTINUE ARTS. AS TONGAN
COMM WE NEED TO MOBILIZE THE ARTS AND HELP EACH OTHER WITH CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS.
15. NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
As we move forward into the 21th century the renaissance of cultural awareness
is one mechanism with which we will smoothly make the transition to unite
as the people of Utah.
- KELLY FITZIMANU - TAPE 22
04:40:27 THE WORLD IS LIKE AN ORNAMENTAL RUG TAPESTRY OF DIFF. COLORS
AND WEALTH OF DIFFERENT CULTURAL WEALTH. EACH CHILD BRINGS A DIFFERENT
FIBER TO THAT RUG THAT DEFINES THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. IF ANYTHING THERE
IS SO MUCH GOOD YOU CAN GET FROM ALL CULTURES. YOU BETTER YOUR OWN LIFE.
CULTURES WILL SAVE THE WORLD IN THE END. 04:41:02
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
Indeed, cultural awareness is perpetuating the Polynesian culture. In
Utah, the importance of understanding cultures begins at an early age
- often in the schools.
- NAOMI KAUHONI TAPE 25
01:13:;28 LAST YEAR WE WENT TO EASTWOOD ELEM. AND THE POLY DANCERS PERFORMED
AND CELEBRATED WITH EASTWOOD THEIR CULTURAL AWARENESS WEEK. THEY DANCED
AND WE WALKED THE HALLWAYS TO SEE THE DECORATIONS ON THE WALLS OUTFITS,
DECORATIONS, FISHES, ETC.
ACTUALITIES FROM EASTWOOD EVENT
- KELLY FITZIMANU TAPE 22
04:34:39 I WAS ALWAYS CONCERNED GOING INTO EDUCATION THAT THERE WAS A
LACK OF LITERATURE DEALING WITH CULTURAL AWARENESS. IT DIDN'T TALK ABOUT
THE TRANSITION ONE GOES THROUGH WHEN COMING INTO A STATE LIKE UTAH. IT
DOESN'T DEAL WITH THE SHOCK. SO I WROTE A BOOK CALLED LITTLE SAMOAN BOYS
DON'T WEAT MINI SHIRTS TO HELP KIDS UNDERSTAND THINGS LIKE WHY A KID SMELLS
DIFF, TALKS FUNNY ETC.
16. - LOA TAPE 30
01:11:05 IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU EXPRESS YUOUR CULTURAL IDENTITY OUTWARDLY,
IT'S GOING TO BE THERE. NO MATTER WHERE I GO IF I WANT TO TAKE ON THE
DOMINANT CULTURES IDEA OF WHAT A FEMALE IS IT WOULDN'T MATTER BECAUSE
NO MATTER WHERE I GO IN UTAH, THEY WILL ALWAYS SAY I AM DIFF. AND OBVIOUSLY
TONGAN. 01:11:23
- DAVE ATKINSON TAPE 27
02:10:50 PERSERVING MY CULURE BY PERFORMING THESE CEREMONIES AND DANCES
IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE IT IS A PART OF ME. IT IS WHAT I GREW UP WITH
AND IT IS WHAT I WANT MY CHILDREN TO REMEMBER. THE KNOWLEDGE IS NOT LOST.
WE SPEAK OF OUR ANCESTERS. WE SING OF THEM BECAUSE THEY PLAY AN IMPORTANT
PART IN WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE HAVE BECOME. WE HAVE INTEGRATED INTO THE
MODERN SOCIETY BUT OUR FEELINGS STILL GO BACK TO OUR ANCESTORS. 02:11:48
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
In today's climate of expanding cultural awareness, Pacific Islanders
know that the sense of Polynesia begins inside the heart. It is not the
color of their skin or the clothes they wear. They are proud to be the
Islanders in Utah yet disappointed when they encounter unfair stereotyping
and discrimination.
- ELLEN SELU - TAPE 13
00:33:30 AT THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CULTURE IN A NEW COUNTRY, YOU THINK
YOU ARE BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BUT OUR PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO
EXPECT SO THEY FELT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST. IT'S A 2-WAY STREET AND WE
NEED TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER TO LIVE HERE.
17. - ALEMA HARRINGTON - TAPE 26
01:22:46 I THINK THE THING ABOUT MY POSITION, THEY ERASE THE COLOR LINE.
THEY SEE ALEMA, NOT A POLY AND I TELL THE STORY ABOUT BEING ON THE SIDELINES
AT A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME. REF SAID YOU LOOK GOOD, DRESS WELL , WATCH
OUT THAT THE TONGANS DON'T STEEL YOUR CLOTHES. HE DIDN'T SE ME AS A POLY
AND I SAID NO THEY WON'T THEY ARE MY COUSINGS AND THEY DON'T DO THAT.
IT MADE HIM THINK TWICE AND HE KNOWS I AM A POLY JUST LIKE THEM. MAYBE
NEXT TIME HE WEE THAT GROUP OF KIDS HE WILL TREAT THEM AS HE TREATED ME.
TO TREAT OTHER POLY BETTER AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR. 01:24:03
- TAU PUPU'A TAPE B-1
I WORKED AT BACCI AND A GUY CAME AND SAT DOWN, ASKED NAME WHERE I WAS
FROM. I SAID TONGA AND HE ASKED IF I WAS IN A GANG. NO. WE ARE ALL DIFF.
I AM JUST LIKE YOU. BECAUSE SOME OF MY PEOPLE ARE IN GANGS, DOESN'T MEAN
WE ALL ARE. I DO SHOCK A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY LEARN I SING OPERA BECAUSE
THAT IS ONLY FOR THE EDUCATED PEOPLE AND IT IS SAD, VERY SAD. 02:03:03
- LUPE - TAPE 24
00:50:23 HOW WE HAVE INTERNALIZED THE STEREOTYPES THAT COLONIZATION HAS
PLACED UPON US IS THAT WE THINK THAT AS PI THAT FEMINISM IS A BAD WORD
AND ONLY A WESTERN WORD. WHAT IT DOES IS MAKE US FORGET OUR HISTORY. WHEN
IN FACT THAT AS WOMEN WE HAVE ALWAYS PLAYED A POWERFUL ROLE.
- BILL AFEAKI TAPE 12
00:11:58 I THINK THERE NEED TO BE A CLEAN UP OF THE PERCEPTIONS THAT ARE
ALREADY THERE.. I RECALL WHEN I WAS HERE IN 60'S WE WALKED PROUD IN UTAH.
I COME BACK 20 YEARS LATER AND IT'S NOT THE SAME THING. IT'S BECAUSE THERE
IS A PERCEPTION THAT WE ARE RUDE, PHYSICAL, TEMPERMENTAL. I THINK THERE
NEEDS TO BE A CLOSER INTERACTION BETWEEN POLY AND MAINSTREAM PEOPLE AND
WE AS A PEOPLE NEED TO REACH OUT TO WHITE. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE ETHNIC
PROBS IT IS TWO CAMPS OF PEOPLE. IT WILL TAKE REACHING OUT FORM BOTH ENDS.
WE ARE DIFFERENT, NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING DIFF. IF IS THE ACCEPTANCE
OF BEIGN DIFF IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR.
18. NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
With many programs currently in place designed to help Pacific Islands
better understand and adapt to Utah's western culture, the future looks
very promising - especially on Utah's college campuses.
- KAULI KAJO - TAPE 16
01:45:48 WHEN I CAME ON BOARD THERE WERE 49 PI STUDENTS. I TRIED TO FIND
OUT WHY NOT MORE. THEY OFTEN DON'T CONTINUE ON AFTER HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE
OF FINANCIAL AND THEY DON'T UNDEERSTAND WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM. . .
. WITH MY BEING HERE, WE HELP THEM WITH THE FORMS AND IT MAKES THEM FEEL
CONFIDENT. AS A RESULT, WE NOW HAVE ABOUT 237 STUDENTS AT SLCC BECAUSE
OF THE IMPACT OF WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH THE COMM.
- FAHINA PASI TAPE 11
05:24:24 SOME OF THE PROBS AT U OF U IS FINDING MONEY TO PAY FOR EDUC.
AND GETTING ADMITTED. THE PAPERWORK. MANY ARE FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE
STUDENTS AND PARENTS CAN'T HELP. I HELP THEM FILL OUT PAPERS. BEING THEIR
PARENT AND EXPLAIN TO THEM HOW TAXES FACTOR IN. EXPLAIN LOANS TO THEM.
SCHEDULING CLASSES, HEALTH REQURIEMENTS. DEAL WITH IMMIGRATION ISSUES.
I'M A HOOK UP PERSON ON CAMPUS.
- VERNAN HEPARIE - TAPE 19
03:22:53 MULITCULTURAL STUD OFFICE IS FIRST STOP FOR STUDS. DESIGNED TO
ASSIST IN FINDING THEIR WAY AROUND CAMPUS. OUR ROLE IS TO HELP THEM GAIN
ACCESS TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND SERVICES.
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
In all cultures the gathering and sharing of information is vital to the
survival and focus of its people. It is also what helps to perpetuate
the culture while lending a helping hand.
19. - MARIE WEINGARTEN TAPE 21
04:23:46 FACES OF THE PACIFIC IS A NON PROFIT ORGAN TO HELP POLY MAKE
ADJUSTMENT INTO UTAH LIFESTYLE AND WE HELP WITH INFO, LANGUAGE, FILL OUT
PAPERS. THE SL COMM ACTION PROGRAM WORKS WITH FACES AND ENROLLS THESE
PEOPLE HELPING WITH HEATING AND HOUSING. ECON DEV FOR THE PEOPLE AND JOB
SEARCHES. FACES HELPS PEOPLE MAINSTREAM BY TAKING CLASSES IN COMM. 04:24:55
- ELLEN SELU TAPE 13
00;28:56 WHEN I WAS A MEMBER OF THE POLY COUNCIL, AN INTERMEDIARY BETWEEN
GOV OFFICE AND POLY COMMUNITY. WE WOULD DO ADVOCACY, LEARN ABOUT WHAT
IS AVAIL TO POLY PEOPLE, LIKE HEALTH AND THINGS,
- GOV. LEAVITT TAPE 23
00:;03:14 THE ADVISORY COUNCIL IS EYES AND EARS OF POLY OFFICE. GROUP
WE COUNT ON TO BE IN TOUCH WITH THE CITIZENS. TENTACLES WITH NERVE ENDINGS
TO ACCESS THE PROBS IN COMM. LIKE IF A STUD. ISN'T GETTING A GOOD EDUC.
THEY COME TOGETHER TO FIX THE PROB. THEY BECOME THE PLACE WHERE ORGANIZED
EFFORTS COME TOGETHER.
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
Another place where organized efforts come together to help the Polynesian
community is through sporting events like the annual Big John basketball
tournament.
- DON TAILAVEA - TAPE 27
01:49:55 THE PURPOSE OF THE BJ TOURN IS TO HAVE A POSITIVE EVENT FOR OUR
YOUTH AND TO DRAW POLY CULTURE TOGETHER AND SEE THEM ENJOY THEMSELVES.
SEE THEM PARTICIPATE IN A POSITIVE B-BALL TOURN. IT'S SO NICE TO SEE ALL
CULTURES IN POLY COMM COME TOGETHER AND LOVE EACH OTHER AND COMPETE.
20. - STEVE KAUFUSI TAPE 10
04:52:52 THE ROLE SPORTS HAVE PLAYED IN LIVES OF POLY KIDS HERE HAS BEEN
A BIG ROLE BECAUSE THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT SPORTS TO ESCAPE TO. KIDS
ARE COMPETITIVE. PLAYS A BIG ROLE, WITHOUT SPORTS WHERE WOULD KIDS BE.
ON THE STREETS? IT FILLS A BIG ROLE. YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF POLY KIDS IN
THE FUTURE PLAYING SPORTS. SPORTS KEEPS THEM AT HOME AND FOCUSED. THEY
FEEL A PART OF SOMETHING.
- MATT ANDERSON TAPE 17
02:07:31 RUBGY IS A POPULAR AMONG POLYS BECAUSE USUALLY POLYS ARE BIG.
IT TEACHES YOU HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. HOW TO LET GO AND BE AGGRESSIVE.
A GOOD THING. IT IS AGGRESSIVE BUT UNDER CONTROL.
- BILL AFEAKI - TAPE 12
00:04:32 WE HAVE FROM THE OFFICES, THE YOUNG ACHIEVERS PROGRAM. WE NEED
TO MOTIVATE THE YOUNG POLY KIDS. WHAT I DO IS ALL STATE SPORTS AWARDS
AND ACADEMIC AND LEADERSHIP AWARDS.
NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
As the Polynesian community continues to grow, so too should its political,
professional, educational and legal voice. This collective voice of the
community in uniting together can have a dramatic impact to overcome many
of the obstacles found in Utah's land of opportunity.
MILI PETERS TAPE 15
01:07:07 WE HAVE A LOW REPRESENTATION IN POLITICS, EDUC AND LAW BECAUSE
WE ARE STILL YOUNG AND NEW TO UTAH. WE NEED TO BUILD THAT UP. W/O REP.
OUR NEEDS WILL NOT BE HEARD. WE'RE CONCENTRATING ON KEEPING OUR KIDS IN
SCHOOL, NETWORK TO USE PROF. TO SUPPLY OJT.
TRANSITION
21. NARRATOR VOICE OVER:
The Gift Polynesians bring to Utah comes in many forms. But one thing
is certain, it is a culture based on strong family values, love of God,
sharing, and genuine concern for others.
S
MARIA WEINGARTEN - TAPE21
04:20:59 POLY GIFT TO UTAH IS WARMTH AND FRIENDLINESS. THEY WOULD GIVE
YOU THE LAST SHIRT OFF THEIR BACK. AND THEY BRING THAT FEELING OF LOVE
TO ANY ENVIRONMENT.
LUPE - TAPE 25
01:06:55 I THINK THE FUTURE AS PI LIES IN THE AMER. DREAM LIKE MLK. WE
DO SEE OURSELVES GETTING PIECES OF THE AMER DREAM WITH OUR EXTENDED FAMILIES.
OUR DREAMS ARE LIKE EVERY OTHER IMMIGRANT IN US. WE WANT TO BE TREATED
LIKE HUMANS, SPACES FOR US.
SOULEE STROUD - TAPE 17
02:22:14 AS POLY PEOPLE WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR FAVORS. WE WANT TO BE A
PART OF THIS SOCIETY. PART OF FAABRIC OF UTAH. OUR GIFT IS MANY THINGS
AND AS WE ARE INVOLVED IN YOUR CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS WE WANT TO BE ACCEPTED.
WE GIVE OF OUR HEARTS AND WE HOPE TO RECEIVE IT BACK IN RETURN. 02:22:48
MATT ANDERSON TAPE 17
02:09:00 POLY HAVE A UNIQUE GIFT TO UTAH BECAUSE THEY MAKE EVERYONE KNOW
LIFE IS GOOD. POLYS HAVE NICE TEETH AND THEY SMILE A LOT. IT'S RECIPRECATED.
WHEN YOU GIVE A SMILE, YOU GET A SMILE. WHEN YOU FEEL THAT IT MAKES YOU
FEEL GOOD AND YOU JUST WANT TO HUG THEM AND LOVE THEM. 02:09:24
The Polynesian Gift to Utah is made possible by a generous grant from the R. Harold Burton Foundation.
