The center congratulates its most recent graduate, Jesi Lujan Bennett. Jesi’s thesis, “Apmam Tiempo Ti Uli’e Hit (Long Time No See): Chamorro Diaspora and the Transpacific Home,” explores Chamorro migration and settlement within new diasporic spaces like San Diego, California. It shows how Chamorros living away from their home Islands still find ways to stay connected to their cultural roots through their trans-Pacific homes and identities. The movement of Chamorros to the United States changes how Chamorros choose to articulate their indigeneity. Jesi’s thesis highlights the challenges and nuances of living in the trans-Pacific diaspora through the examination of Chamorro organizations, clothing brands, and festivals. Today there are more Chamorros living away from their home Islands than on them. This project shows that Pacific Islanders abroad continue to keep strong links to their home Islands despite their physical location.
This semester, Jesi joins UHM’s Department of American Studies to pursue a PhD focusing on indigenous studies and work as a graduate assistant for the department.
At the beginning of fall semester, the center welcomed six new students into the MA program:
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Rarai Aku Jr is from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and attended Hawaiʻi Pacific University, where she earned a BA in political science. Her experiences growing up in Papua New Guinea motivate her research interest in women’s roles in society. Rarai is interested in exploring gender equality in the Pacific Islands and hopes to develop culturally sensitive and respectful ways to address the issues.
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Terava Casey has a BS in political science from Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi Campus. As a student at BYUH, Terava performed at the Polynesian Cultural Center. She enjoys performing hula and ʻaparima [dance] because through dance, she connects with her Hawaiian and French Polynesian heritage. She is interested in employing creative methods to examine regional issues.
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Matthew Locey graduated from Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi with an associate of science degree. He has long been fascinated with Hollywood’s portrayals of Hawaiʻi and other Polynesian cultures. Drawing from his Hawaiian heritage and experiences working in Hawaiʻi’s film industry, Matthew looks forward to conducting researching comparing Hollywood’s version of the Pacific Islands with perspectives from the Islands.
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Jason Mateo graduated from San Francisco State University with a BS in ethnic studies. In San Francisco, he was a youth advocate and developed the Brave New Voices International Youth Slam Poetry Festival. He has continued to work with youth and communities in Hawaiʻi and cofounded Pacific Tongues to create access to sustainable youth programs through an active community of writers, spoken-word performers, educators, and students.
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Yu Suenaga was born in Japan and grew up in Weno, Chuuk. He earned a BA in Japanese studies from UH Mānoa. Together with other graduates of Xavier High School, he cofounded the Fourth Branch, a news and media outlet to inform and involve the people of Micronesia, particularly those living in Hawaiʻi. Yu is pursuing Pacific Islands studies to gain a deeper understanding of his home, Weno, and explore the connections between Japan and Chuuk, particularly during the Japanese colonial era.
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Melvin Won Pat-Borja is from Guahån and earned a BEd in secondary education from UH Mānoa. He has worked in high schools in Guahån and Hawaiʻi teaching poetry and spoken word, and he cofounded Youth Speaks Hawaiʻi to develop critical thinking, writing, reading, public speaking, and leadership skills through spoken-arts education. Melvin is interested in exploring ways that educational systems in the Pacific region can validate oral histories and adapt to the needs of young people.
The East-West Center recently welcomed four new US–South Pacific Scholarship students. The students studying at UH Mānoa are:
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Geejay Paraghii Milli, from Papua New Guinea, who will be working on her MA in political science
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Devereaux Kolosefilo Takagi, from Niue, who will be working on his MA in public administration
Students studying at UH Hilo are:
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Ada Kettner, from Vanuatu, who will be working on her BA in marine science
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Pelenatete Katie Leilula, from Sāmoa, who will work on her BA in business management, is the fourth scholar and she will arrive in January.