THE REAL OWNERS OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
There is no doubt when you ask any Pacific Islander as to owns the land - you know what the answer will be.
However, we know about the stranger and how Sacred Land and its resources was taken away by folks that wanted it for purposes far remote then what the land and the environment really served. Intrigues created by the strangers divided the Elders, divided the land, and what we have today - is a mess.
The leaders today be they anyone - do not want the people to participate and find out the TRUTH. However, the window of opportunity is narrow and the time to play ball with justice and fairness is now.
When the invasions happen territorially and by those who came from far off places armed with far superior weapons - the common notion that land could be taken away and used for mundane purposes - could not be understood by the people of the Pacific Islands.
History has recored it all - the Polynesians oral history is powerful. We even have some here in San Francisco at the De Young Museum - going back to the early 1800s. Artifacts given by the Elders who were brought here - the best they had to offer - were found not too long ago - collecting dust in the basement. Why? That is the question we must ask and reveal to the world.
Today, we are trying to grapple about the adverse impacts of colonialism and in doing so we falter because today our way of living has upped the deliberations - of how - people once used to live and how they are conditioned to live today - just to survive.
In days gone by no one ever went to bed hungry - for sure not if you were a Polynesian. There was no rampant crime. The disparity between those that had the means and those that did not was narrow. Today, it has all changed.
What makes the situation even more difficult is the immigration of folks from the Pacific Islands that have traversed to far off lands - and in doing so thought they would have a better life - and many learned that is not so in general.
In San Francisco we often talk about the dynamics of coming to this very rich city and not being given the opportunities. When we delve into the dynamics we find that most Samoans have chosen Public Housing known better in some place as State housing to make a living.
The prospects of making a better living in State and Public Housing as we know it in San Francisco - brings with it hurdles and difficulties.
That is not to say many Samoans have fought hard, got out of Public Housing and done well for themselves. But, as I said it is difficult and that is what I am talking about. The same is with State Housing in New Zealand. I cannot speak for other places - but the number involved of those got up in this predicament is large.
Tongans for example have chosen to live among the middle class and so get opportunities to do business and have opening in other areas that bring in more money and upward mobility. It is rare to find Tongans living in Public Housing in San Francisco.
I make the above point because we must be cognizant of opportunities, of education offered, and delve into the issue of who is educated on issues. The leaders and advocates must them find solutions.
Find out why so many jails are built. Why so many Polynesians are incarcerated in the many countries where they are found in numbers mostly in the cities. Why do we not find them in the Universities and why are Polynesians not given opportunities.
At any international meeting the topic of Quality of Life issues must be addressed.
With this agenda item on the table - the opportunities given to Polynesians to better themselves can be evaluated and the other adverse impacts - adjudicated by the experts at hand - hopefully all Polynesians.
In San Francisco we have the issue of "gentrification". Gentrification helps remove those segments of the population that are not wanted by those in charge. Mostly it means eviction and no one really cares where the folks go. Often times abject poverty is what this segment of the population suffer.
Now, if they were at home - the extended family and basic cultural and traditions - have built in factors that would embrace the needy. Now, do not get me wrong but this model and system is impossible to be in place in a place like San Francisco. Not with the blatant racism that prevails at all levels. The present dire economic situation does not help - but, this is our situation and our problem that we must deal with on the local level.
At any meeting National or International the Representatives will be as strong, united, and educated as the area they come from - and the economic class they belong to.
You simply cannot start addressing complicated issues if you do not first take into consideration the base line progressive and adverse impacts - of the various communities and what they bring to the meeting. Having discerned these factors - it becomes necessary to find the common denominator - to begin having meaningful discussion so that the pertinent factors can be addressed.
Polynesians world wide are affected by issues like housing, jobs, health, incarceration, poverty, and so on. There are models some of them great and executed to greater perfection - as perfect as we humans can make it.
There are many good things linked to the tradition and culture of the indigenous people of the Pacific Islands. International bodies have observed and now want to implement Restorative Justice - first started in New Zealand and practiced by the Maori.
I was there not long ago and had the opportunity to talk, dialog, and meet some of the leaders in the Auckland area. Auckland has a large collection of Polynesian Artifacts and an excellent Museum that is world renowned.
Experts, avail themselves to the Maori youth and other Polynesian youth and especially those youth that want to know about their culture, their tradition and so on.
The Maori Warriors have a tradition that is powerful and the Haka Dance sends some message but there is more for what they stood for and today stand for.
On another level the Maori Representatives in the Government are sensitive to the needs of the Maori people.
Every year the Media will have Maori translation and the news related in Maori.
These elements give hope, make those that are non-Maori take note about who was in charge of the land. Any International or National meeting should study these elements and if they work in one place there is no reason - why they should not work in another.
An important factor about deliberation is dialog. Traditionally the Polynesian men talk the talk but it has to be proven if they walk the walk.
Just like there are men Warriors, we have Women Polynesian Warriors and the time has come for them to take the stand and make good things - happen.
Contemporary times mean some one must take charge. The time for stagnation and doing nothing is over.
My subjective experience has led me to find out again and again that women and the many Polynesian Women that I know - can take charge and make good things happen.
You do not have to go far - this forum gets most of the detail comments and dialog started by Polynesian women. I do not know who is asleep but I can say loudly - the women are awake!
We must go back to the days of reigning wisdom and spirituality - and empower ourselves because the land belonged to the Pacific Islanders - for thousands of years.
Some one came and changed everything for the worse. While Greed in not going to bring justice and fairness - the cultural and tradition of the Polynesians stood the ground for thousands of years.
We know the values and if we do not - there is sound research that can lead us to WISDOM and a VISION that must be revealed - quickly and with substance.
We want to know who is in charge of the Island - if you are indigenous we can respect that - but if you are not - then we must sit down and find out why are Pacific Islanders keep being adversely impacted.
May be there can be some concrete solution to be found - but, the Pacific Islanders must be in charge and in the cockpit.
This journey has been long, and some where along the line the stranger came and messed it up.
We all know about the thousands of miles where brave WARRIORS traversed treacherous oceans and found land. Brought with them the riches of what they knew and spread goodness. From New Zealand to Hawaii and beyond
