Pacific Eye

Education: Profile on Hola Fiefia

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:00:00 EST

"I feel that my purpose in life is to create change, make things happen, keep things in progress and lead a path for my people, and to show my brothers and sisters in the struggle that anything is possible." by Ursula-Ann Siataga

Where can I get money for college?

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:00:00 EST

"Every year, I work with students at the University of Utah to organize a high school conference, which brings hundreds of students to the university so they can learn about the importance of college and how to gain access to higher education." by Feleti Matagi

Pacific �Eye�landers in the Eye of the Storm

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:00:00 EST

�In an economy that increasingly requires a college education to be successful in the labor market, Pacific Islanders have fallen behind and current admissions patterns will perpetuate this problem.� by Asena Lillywater Tui�one

Aloha from Down Under

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:00:00 EST

"I am inspired by Life in general. Living life, living the ups and downs of life inspires me. My family, friends and even strangers inspire me." by Sosefina Langifisi

Speak on it.

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:00:00 EST

"Our communities need to unite and do something about the lack of hope in this community, my community." by Malissa Netane

Fat Girl's Journal

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:00:00 EST

"It�s no use. My hips will always remain the generous width they are, my thighs just as thunderous." by Kiri Close

My first job

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:00:00 EST

"Trying to convince these girls was like trying to hold back lava with your bare hands, worked for a little bit but essentially futile, and very, very painful." by Natasha Saelua

Are you American enough?

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:00:00 EST

"The underlying assumption of my physical appearance implies that I am not from America and therefore must be a �foreigner,� a constant stranger." by Poonam Kumar

A Light and a Voice

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:00:00 EST

"We will indeed become that blossoming generation of Polynesian youth who will forever serve as the voice, the light and the very hope of our people." by Steven Alama Tausinga

Valentine's Day

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

"Slick advertising and marketing schemes have made it easy to overlook the meaning of love..." by Ane Phillips

676 is "Movin' On"

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

They are young, beautiful, energetic, talented and very proud of their Tongan heritage. In the music realm they are known as 676 (the country code for the Kingdom of Tonga), the dynamic female duo whose debut album �Movin� On� sets them apart from all other Pacific Islander music artists. They have a unique sound, one that can�t be boxed into one specific music genre. They thrive on taking risks with their music and hope that it will ignite a desire in all Pacific Islander music artists to create music that fully represents their experiences, background and heritage. Their album �Movin� On� is a coming-of-age story about their musical journey, past relationships, amazing friendships, endurance, survival and so much more. On a more personal note, they are known by their close family and friends as Neti Taumoepeau and Finau Afeaki and they have been singing together since they were in high school. The Pacific Eye Magazine was fortunate enough to sit down with these two remarkable young women to talk-story about their new album, their love of music, and their deep gratitude for those who continue to support them!

How do you want to be remembered?

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

"How would you like to be remembered? What would you want to be said about you when this phase of your life is over? What are you doing today to make that happen?" by Reno Mahe

Interview with Gabriel Reid

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

We the fans sometimes get caught up in the big named players and they�re success, but there are many Polynesians who continue to play in the NFL without the fame or millions, but continue to show up everyday to play the game they love. I was excited to sit down with Gabe Reid, and he was definitely very brave to be my first participant in this Q&A session. Gabe�s journey into the NFL is one of inspiration. Having received no offers to play college football, Gabe put in long hours to improve on his football skills, eventually walking onto the BYU football team and earning a scholarship. Going undrafted in the 2003 NFL draft, Gabe once again knew that only through hard work, would he be able to succeed. He impressed the coaches with his work ethic and has made a home for himself with the Chicago Bears. I am amazed at how grounded and humble he is, even with all the exposure and experiences he has had in life. I am glad that he has agreed to go one on one with Pacific Eye Sports.

Interview with Vaimoana Niumeitolu

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

Vaimoana Litia Makakaufaki Niumeitolu is an Artist (painter, poet, actor), Activist, Educator, Community Organizer & Leader. Moana was born in Nuku'alofa, Tonga; raised in Provo and Orem, Utah and now lives in Harlem, New York (Uptown Baby!) She graduated from New York University in the Studio Art Program concentrating in Painting and earned the Ellen Stoekel Fellowship from Yale University. As a Graduate Student, she attended Columbia University in the Theatre Masters Program and then worked at the United Nations in NYC. She has performed her poetry and performance art at New York City�s Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Bar 13, SOB�s, Cantor Film Center, Bronx Museum, Locus Media Gallery, and SoMarts Gallery in San Francisco, California and Villa Natalia in Florence, Italy. Her first play, Tongue-in Paint, a full-length performance art event was performed at Dixon Place in New York City in April 2001 and her one act play, A Prayer for Tonga was produced and performed at Harvard University�s Loeb Theatre in Feb. 2004 for the WINC Theatre Festival. Moana has taught Visual Arts, Theatre and Writing to youth in the South Bronx, Harlem, Brooklyn, Chelsea and the Lower East Side for the past 6 years and continues to teach and be active in raising awareness for Youth Rights and Education. Her paintings & drawings have been shown in New York City, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Utah and Florence, Italy. She is the founder of Pasifika New York City, a nonprofit organization for Indigenous People of the Pacific Ocean on the East Coast. (Bio excerpts from http://www.mahinamovement.net/) The Pacific Eye Magazine was lucky enough to spend a few moments with this amazing Tongan artist as she pours he heart out about her love of writing and the power of words!

Interview with Aulelei Love

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

Aulelei Love, a poet, playwright and mother, is a Miami native of Samoan roots who now lives in the Washington D.C. area. Though she has been performing in local venues for the past four years, it was only last summer that she entered her first contest - the Slamicide in Baltimore - where she took first place. Prior to her foray in poetry slams, Love found success in speech and debate competitions, even winning the 1999 Roland Lantham Oratory Competition at Northeastern University. She also worked alongside the acclaimed playwright Ed Bullins and helped found HoneyChile, an online collaboration of women writers. She has recently become one of the chosen few of Russell Simmons Def Poetry Slam featured on HBO. Aulelei is also the author of a book, I Don't Write Pretty: A Collection Of Confessions, which can be ordered through her website www.sheflypaper.com. (Aulelei Love�s bio was taken from the HBO DEF Poetry website please visit for more information http://www.hbo.com/defpoetry/bios/season5/episode03.html) Aulelei Love takes some time off from her busy schedule as a mother, poet, writer, and amazing woman to answer some questions for the Pacific Eye Magazine!

Reflecting on Black Thursday

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

On Nov 11, 2006, rioters burned Nuku'alofa to the ground. Five Tongan youth share their feelings on the riots. by Berndine Lehauli

How did you get all them genes?

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

"My uncle in Samoa has always told me that I got a big nose from my dad and chinky eyes from my mom." by Jacob Fitisemanu

Youth activism in the midst of chaos

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

"I watched young men and boys throw coconuts and rocks at the windows of local businesses, steal all of the contents inside and then set fire to the buildings. I saw my bank blow up and watched my great-aunt's fabric store disintegrate into ashes." by Elaine Sihoatani Howard

Interview with Dr. Selena Tuistala Marsh

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

Dr. Selina Tusitala Marsh is of Samoan, Tuvaluan, English, Scottish and French descent. She is the first Pacific Islander to graduate with a PhD in English from Auckland University where she is an English Professor teaching New Zealand and Pacific Islander literature. She has published numerous poems addressing critical issues in relation to Pacific Islander experiences. Her most recent work focuses on the challenges and triumphs around what it means to be afakasi. Even with her very busy schedule Dr. Marsh made the time to answer Pacific Eye Magazine�s inquiries about her poetry, her writing style, and her love of learning!

Interview with Tahitian author C�lestine Vaite

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

"My life mission is to blast the literacy rate in French Polynesia to the sky. And I will!"

Redefining beauty

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:00:00 EST

"So what do I deem worthy of my front page Vogue? My mother and grandmothers." by Moana 'Uluave

And Still We Rise

anapesi@planet-tonga.com — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 15:00:00 EST

"There is something about the realness of our young people that always seem to capture my attention and forces me to reflect on my responsibilities to our next generation." by 'Anapesi Ka'ili