Interview

Well Justin Live has had a Pacific theme lately. As I've said, there has been no escaping the Pacific lately. My friend Holly interviewed me for a class project and I figured I'd share it with you because its Pacific theme (...and to think that I actually have a Pacific Blog that I could have been posting all this stuff on!).

1. What was it like growing up as a Pacific Islander?
I don’t think growing up as a Pacific Islander was any different of an experience than that of my White friends. We did everything together and weren’t really aware of any ethnic, cultural, or racial differences. We were just kids. I didn’t really become aware or interested in my heritage until I was much older. It may have been different if I grew up around other Micronesians, but growing up with White kids, I was more in tune with the European/Caucasian part of my heritage.

2. Does your family have any Pacific Islander traditions?
It is hard to practice any sort of traditions in Michigan because of the cold climate. The closest thing we do is speak to each other in our native language.

3. How do you feel about the culture of Pacific Islanders not being focused on in classrooms?
I feel that there needs to be some focus. While Pacific Islanders aren’t by any means the largest of minorities, they have a specific place in the history of this country. Hawaii is one of our states; the whole Pacific was (and is) the sight of United States colonialisms and an important area for our victory in World War II. The Pacific is a huge part of our history and to have no focus in school on Pacific Islanders/Islands is a shame.

4. How has traveling to the Pacific Islands affected your life? Has it changed your life in good ways or bad ways?
It has changed my life. Living there this summer gave me some perspective on my own life. I really have it easy here in the States. It showed me all I take for granted: electricity, water, transportation, food, etc. They have all those things there, but it is stuff you have to worry about on a daily basis.

It has also taught me more about myself and who I am. I feel both more and less Pohnpeian now. Less in the sense that my life isn’t same as it is for Pohnpeians on the island, but more in the sense that I know what it means to be a Pohnpeian now. I know about the culture, life, and attitudes of Pohnpeians.

5. How is education viewed in the Pacific Islands and in your household?
In my household education is very important. Throughout my childhood there was always an emphasis on getting good grades, preparing for college, and attending college. My brother and I were the first to graduate from college in my whole family.

I can’t say how it is for all Pacific Islands, but I can speak for Pohnpei. School is important there, but there are often religious ties. There is a Catholic school, a Protestant school, a Seventh Day Adventist school, etc. There are also public schools. College isn’t as important there. The College of Micronesia is there, but it’s probably about the same size or a little smaller than NMC. It is for all students from the Federated States of Micronesia (so it includes students from Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae). The reason college isn’t as important is because most make their living off the land and sea. They get the food they need from fruit, the pigs & chicken they raise, and fish from the sea. There isn’t this attitude of materialism where everyone is always looking to make more money so they can live more comfortably (with a bigger house, better car, nicer clothes). They need extra money so they can buy electricity (it is pay as you use – think cell phone minutes), gas, some clothes and soap.

Some do go off-island for schooling in the States (especially the University of Hawaii). Those that do go to college end up working in the States of for the government in most cases.

6. Are there any holidays or celebrations that your family participates in that are different from the USA?
No, there really aren’t. Even on the island they celebrate the same holidays. This is because Pohnpei used to be a US Territory and is the sight of many religious missions.

7. How is religion viewed in the Pacific Islands and in your household?
Religion isn’t important in my household, but it is very important on the islands. Ever since the Islands were “discovered” by the Western World, religious missionaries have been coming to the island. The two biggest religions are Catholic and Protestant. Most of the island goes to church every Sunday.

8. Have you ever taken a class on Pacific Islanders? If so, what was something new that you learned about Pacific Islanders that you didn’t know already?
Yes – my minor in college was Asian & Pacific Islander American studies, obviously I tried to get an emphasis on Pacific Islander Americans. I took a class called Canoe Cultures of the Pacific that taught me about Polynesian and Micronesian traditional seafaring and its cultural significance. It was a dying ‘art’, but there has been a huge push to regenerate interest and practice of seafaring. It was much more about the culture significance and renewing the significance than actually learning how to be guided by the stars, birds, waves, etc. I also took a class called World War II and the Pacific. This not only taught me about strategies and battles of the Pacific, but also how colonialism and the war affected the every day life of Pacific Islanders. I enjoyed both classes.

9. How and when did your father’s family come to the USA?
It was sometime in the early-to-mid 1970’s. A man in the Peace Corps adopted him. He was from Leelanau, but they first moved to Forks, WA before coming to Traverse City.

10. What languages are spoken in your household?
Just English. In fact, English is the official language in FSM, although it isn’t the language of choice. English is only spoken when talking to a mehn-Wai (American) or at the government Capital – Palikir.

My Dad has forgotten most of the language because he has never been back and doesn’t speak it enough with his family. I think I might know more than him now.