Noa’ia!

A Journey to Embrace My Roots

I grew up in a small town in Utah, surrounded by the mountains of the American West, but I always carried a connection to the Pacific Islands. My journey to fully embrace my heritage began with my grandmother, Lusie, who was Rotuman. It’s through her stories, her love, and her memories of life on the islands that I first connected to the richness of my Pacific roots.

Lusie’s Legacy

Growing up, I always knew I was part Rotuman. My grandma would share stories from her childhood on the island of Rotuma, and as a child, I was fascinated by them. The vivid descriptions of island life, the traditions, the customs—each story painted a picture of a world far from the snow-capped peaks of Utah, yet somehow so familiar to me. I was proud of my heritage but didn’t always know how to connect with it.

 However, I didn't really start to seek to know more and connect with my roots until my grandma passed in 2017.  That for me was the catalyst to be more intentional and active in learning and participating in my island heritage. Losing her was a turning point in my life, and I knew I had to take the steps to learn more about the culture she had passed down to me.

Stepping Into My Culture

 I started dancing hula with The Pacific Islander’s Club at the university of Montana in 2020 that was one of the biggest steps in connecting to my cultural heritage. Since then I have been on a journey seeking to learn about my culture. Hula was a step toward understanding and honoring the traditions that had been passed down through generations.

Since then, I have immersed myself in learning more about my heritage. Through this journey I had the opportunity to go on a life changing trip to Rotuma with my Aunty Kathy and my brother Daniel in 2022. Visiting the island where my grandma grew up was an incredibly emotional experience. It rooted me in my identity as both a Pacific Islander and a Rotuman, and it reaffirmed the importance of carrying my culture forward. Walking on the same land that my ancestors had walked, seeing the people, and feeling the spirit of the island was a moment I’ll never forget.

The Birth of Pasifika Pua

I met Signe at Hula in 2022. Our friendship began over our shared desire to be more connected with our polynesian roots. In 2023 we started making hair flowers for Hula. It was there that we got the inspiration for Pasifika Pua. We wanted to be able to share our love for the Islands with others who like us grew up here in the states and were looking to relate to their heritage as Polynesians.

 Growing Pasifika Pua

 In that short year so much has happened and we have seen Pasifika Pua grow into something I never would have imagined a year ago. I know that this is just the beginning of something that I hope will make an impact in the lives of Pasifika people all over the world but especially those who, like me, live in the diaspora and want to have a “Piece of the Pacific" with them wherever they go.   

Our goal is simple: to help Pasifika people, especially those living outside of the islands, feel a deeper connection to their heritage. Whether it's through our jewelry, our stories, or our products, we want to offer a tangible reminder of the beauty and strength of the Pacific Islands.

Looking Ahead

I’m so grateful for how far Pasifika Pua has come, but I know this is just the beginning. I hope that through this journey, we can make a lasting impact on the Pasifika community, both here in the United States and around the world. There’s something incredibly powerful about holding onto your roots, especially when you're living in the diaspora. For those of us who are far from the islands, having a "Piece of the Pacific" can be a comforting reminder of who we are and where we come from.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Faiaksa’ia , and I look forward to sharing more with you soon.