Pacific Islanders mourn death of Tongan king

The people of Tonga lost their King, His Late Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, on Sept. 11, 2006, and some Pacific Islanders said they wonder if their traditional life will be lost along with him. "The two ways are clashing," said Peni Fiuangaihetau, a Hawaiian Tongan Weber State University freshman and red shirt defensive end for the football team. "If we had the American system, we would have lost our ways a long time ago." Tonga's constitutional hereditary monarchy and isolation has kept the tropical island's population of a little over 110,000 strongly influenced by their Polynesian traditions. Pacific Islanders have a culture of respect. "It's a way of life," said Lokahi Weisbarth-Tafaoimalo, a Hawaiian Samoan WSU freshman majoring in criminal justice. "You have respect for your elders, your culture, and for fellow Polynesians." Fiuangaihetau agreed, explaining how children are taught at a young age to learn to respect using what he described as a "tough love" approach to discipline. Fiuangaihetau and Weisbarth-Tafaoimalo believe American Samoa and here on the mainland are examples of the troubles Tonga could face if Tongans start to lose their cultural identity. "American Samoans are becoming more what they see on TV and MTV," Fiuangaihetau said. Many Pacific Islanders have left their island homes in search of better economic opportunities here on the mainland. One of the sacrifices made to fit in becomes the loss of the daily influence of the Polynesian culture. "It's diluted here, not like back home," Weisbarth-Tafaoimalo said. "Most don't know the ways: They swear in front of girls and talk back on the phone to their parents." "In Hawaii, most people stuck to their own people," said Crystal Harris, a WSU junior majoring in broadcast journalism, who lived in Hawaii for three years. "Not all the Islanders got along with each other, but they did think that they were better than whites, who they called 'Howlies.'" Fiuangaihetau and Weisbarth-Tafaoimalo had a different experience in Hawaii where both grew up. They felt Hawaii was a place with open doors, food to share and everyone was called auntie or uncle out of respect. All agreed life in Utah is different. "Utah has horrible racial tension," said Harris, who is black. "They're not exposed to other cultures. "We get followed everywhere and we're always getting pulled over," she said of her and her fiancé. "A lot of second and third generation Poly kids lose their identity," Fiuangaihetau said. "Their parents want to Americanize or civilize them." Fiuangaihetau said the challenge is in finding the right balance. "They need to carry them hand and hand," he said. According to Weisbarth-Tafaoimalo, "Poly kids get into gangs because of identity crisis. Down in West Valley and Jordan especially, you have T.C.G.'s (Tongan Crypt Gang) and S.O.S. (Son's of Samoa)." They explained that some parents abandoned the traditional ways and seemed ashamed of them. The youth join the gangs as a way to be proud of their culture. "Most adults get along," said Eveni S. Tafiti, a Pacific Islander and counselor for Multicultural Students Services at WSU. "They try to help solve the problems with kids." Tafiti explained a program like the Pacific Islanders' Area Gang Conference in SLC tries to educate parents and youth about ways to keep out of gangs. "I'm a multicultural counselor," Tafiti said, "and when a Pacific Islander has issues they can come to me." WSU has an Asian-Pacific Islander Area Council and an Asian-Pacific Islander club. "Anyone can join the club," Tafiti said. "We do lots of Polynesian dances where we go out into the community to do luaus or birthdays. All students are invited to come participate and learn. "This year we have to reorganize. Our president and vice president are both gone and we are looking for new leaders." Students interested in learning more about the Asian-Pacific Islander club or more information about community events and services can contact Services for Multicultural Students at 626-7586 or at weber.eduSMSSMSinfo.html.

You can leave a message for reporter Deborah Ramsay by calling 626-7655.