My Beautiful Polynesia

Years ago, after relocating from my native islands of Samoa; the cradle of Polynesia, I spent the majority of my younger years growing up in Hawaii, at the apex of the Polynesian Triangle.  While spending my early childhood in Hawaii, I gained a deep love for the natural and exotic elements of Polynesian landscapes, culture, and traditions.  I can still vividly recall the Hawaii of my youth.  As a young girl with black hair and tanned skin, I was like most of the other kids in my neighborhood.  We played amidst exotic tropical flowers of every shade and alluring tropical fragrances.  I also remember the soaring trees adorned with aromatic flowers, such as the frangipani (plumeria), used to make leis for special occasions, trees abounding of plump mangos and papaya, sleeping ferns beneath my feet (with the slightest touch, their tiny leaves would fold and go to sleep), bird of paradise, hibiscus, and my favorite intoxicating tiare flower, tropical rainforest ferns, coconut palms, banana plants, fresh sugar cane, taro plants, guava trees, soaring peaks, lush rainforests, tranquil blue waters, and amazing ocean creatures; these were only among a few of my favorite things about my natural childhood playground; Hawaii.

After leaving Hawaii as a young girl, it was difficult to adjust to life in the desert of Arizona.  I longed for the islands; the place of my early childhood years.  Whenever I met someone from the islands, we became instant friends.  I continued to dance hula as a sweet release; a way to stay in touch with my Polynesian roots.  I can still vividly remember my father singing while playing his ukulele to the tune of beautiful Samoan music, sung in his native tongue.  My mother would also play her favorite Polynesian music, on cassette, while I would sing and dance around the house.  Every fiber of my being longed for Polynesia.

 

                        It wasn’t until I was in my twenties, after completing my schooling and first Bachelor’s degree, that I had the opportunity to return home to Samoa, the place of my birth; the land of my ancestors.  I can remember the long flight from Arizona to Los Angeles International Airport, then to Samoa; it seemed like the flight would never come to an end.  It was a direct flight, 11 hours across thousands of miles of ocean.  As I reflected on my return to my homeland, I wondered how incredible it was that my native people had inhabited the Polynesian islands of Samoa, as sea-faring navigators without a compass; shores where many of my relatives still reside and flourish.  Then, it really hit me; I was finally going home!  I can still recall the sweet descent into Samoa as the Captain announced our anticipated arrival was drawing close.  Many of us peered out our windows to absorb the beauty of bright lights dotting the islands below.  The feeling of complete joy filled my soul.  I was finally going home.

            As we made our final descent into Samoa, the lights brightly beamed closer and closer, as the plane safely landed on the tarmac; we had arrived on Samoan soil.  Home, at last!  My dad and I quickly gathered our carry-on luggage and exited the plane, walking briskly across the tarmac to the entrance of Faleolo Airport where the sign greeted us: “Talofa!  Welcome to Samoa!”  I was surrounded by a sea of people and the alluring melodies of native Samoan voices, dressed in their traditional island-ware, singing and playing traditional Samoan music to the tune of the same sweet music of my youth.  I was really home!  Other travelers hustled about to retrieve their luggage and greet their anxious family members; some Palagis (foreigners (not of Polynesian descent)) appeared to be there on holiday as they picked up their surf boards and left on shuttle buses to their various village accommodations to catch the best waves.

      

          One of my beautiful relatives awaited our arrival; a lovely cousin who I had not seen since I was very young.  Her welcoming voice and island hospitality was as refreshing as cool lemonade on a summer day.  We made the thirty minute-commute to my family’s beachfront home in Vaitele as I soaked in the beauty outside my car window.  All along the drive, I gazed in awe amidst the night sky, at the simplicity and tranquil beauty of the sweet-smelling flowers adorning the trees like glistening ornaments in the night, seeing little fales (similar to huts) dotting the coastal villages; all with perfectly-manicured lawns brought happiness to my soul.  I had finally arrived home to Polynesia; the home of my people.

          Despite the effects of western culture, Samoa has still maintained true to its native roots.  Samoa is like a diamond in the rough, particularly stunning when leaving the main city areas, where there is only one traffic light and where time seems to have stood still.  In the early morning, the police marching band still parades through Apia and the church bells ring signaling time for evening prayer at dusk.  As I explored Samoa in the ensuing weeks, arising early to take in as many sights as possible in my two-week stay, I discovered the richness and beauty of the Samoan culture and found the language still intact.   Apart from the soaring landscapes and breathtaking scenery, I was astounded at the traditional Samoan dances still performed at the evening shows with the bounteous Polynesian dishes served during Fiafia nights included everything from fresh fish, tropical fruits of all kinds, and fresh umu-roasted pig; the tastes and smells permeated my senses.
 

          It wasn’t until a few years later, after several trips to Samoa, that I had an opportunity to also return to Hawaii, where I had spent the early part of my childhood years.  Though similar to Samoa, Hawaii was much more congested now.  It no longer held the same feeling of nostalgia that I once knew and loved, but there was still a sense of love for the islands of my youth.  Looking back now, many decades later, I believe by leaving Hawaii and Samoa, as a young girl, I have come to gain a greater appreciation for the magnificence of God and the richness and natural beauty of Polynesia.  I look forward to returning to my beautiful Polynesia again someday soon.