BYUH students present their research at the 25th Pacific History Association Biennial Conference held in Australia
Amongst experts in the Pacific, three students left the familiarity of BYU–Hawaii to present their research in Australia, which addressed cultural and regional issues prevalent in their respective home islands, said Dr. Line-Noue Kruse.
Kruse, a Pacific Studies associate editor and coordinator in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, accompanied the students to the 25th Pacific History Association Biennial Conference at Deakin University in Warrnambool in Victoria, Australia in October. She said she believed the three BYUH students’ research and presentations exceeded the caliber of some professors, scholars and authors who specialize in these topics. She said their readiness to handle challenging critiques and questions following each presentation was impressive.
Exhibiting research
Lagisi Fesolai, a senior majoring in political science and Pacific Island Studies from Samoa, said her research addressed “Mental Health and Culture from the Perspective of Tama’ita’i Samoa.” Reflecting on her experience, Fesolai shared, “It was not an easy topic to talk about, but I had the courage because of my family’s support, my mentors and professors. They helped me throughout my preparation for this Her mentors and professors provided resources and insightful feedback on her research, she said.
Fesolai highlighted the cultural importance of her research, “We never talk about mental health, and in fact, there is no Samoan translation for it.” Additionally, she said expressing genuine feelings and opinions in Samoa might be considered “fiepoko,” which is a label for someone who thinks they know better than everyone else. She said this label often weighs students down while they’re away in foreign countries for college, hindering their potential for greater success.
In Samoa, education is deemed worthy to pursue because of hopes for a better life and more opportunities, shared Fesolai. She said her decision to pursue a bachelor’s degree has not only offered boundless opportunities to look deep into her specialized subject but also enabled her to expand her knowledge across diverse fields. Her journey at BYUH inspired her research, she said. “You don’t have to limit your education due to financial constraints. Education holds immense importance as it paves the way for one’s future, offering a significant opportunity to realize one’s goals and potential.”
Heimuli Paletu’a, a sophomore majoring in business management from Tonga, said her experience at the conference was both daunting and educational. She said she focused her presentation on the challenges faced by Tongan women regarding land inheritance in Tonga.
Paletu’a explained, “I cannot own land in Tonga unless I marry a Tongan man who is inheriting his family land.” Recalling her upbringing, she said she and her sisters actively participated in caring for their family home and land. She shared what she feels is a sad reality, “To know that they have nowhere to go if their brother has his own family one day is disheartening and seems unfair to the women of the family.” She said this is what inspired her to write and research on this topic.
Arania Campbell, a senior majoring in Pacific Island studies and a Laie local, said she focused her research on the contamination of land resources on Oahu. Her presentation was called “Poisoning Kamaka’oli or Native Hawaiians” and focused on shedding light on the island’s contaminated water systems. She said her initial curiosity about the issue began from reading in class about it. “I soon learned this wasn’t talked about in the news and I wanted to learn more about it. I realized this was a serious issue but no one was addressing it,” she said.
At just 19 years old, Campbell was the youngest presenter at the conference, said Kruse. Campbell said her findings revealed that water systems around Oahu were being contaminated due to various government activities, compelling people and organizations, including hospitals, to resort to purchasing bottled water.
Campbell said she furthered the impact of her research using a personal anecdote from her aunt, who worked at a medical center on Oahu. She said the hospital initially installed filters to address contamination issues but eventually had to switch to bottled water due to the worsening situation.
“I was grateful for the opportunity to present my research on an international platform,” Campbell shared, “because people think Hawaii is all paradise but don’t know the suffering of the locals.”
Kruse acknowledged the importance of Campbell’s research, “Arania’s research was so relevant because Aboriginal people in Australia were suffering from similar issues with water rights, land access and health resource availability.” Kruse said the engagement and connection of Australian scholars and professors with Campbell’s research was profound.
Constructive feedback
Fesolai said she was nervous to present at the conference but received positive feedback and critique after her presentation. Dr. Louise Mataia Milo, the dean of the National University of Samoa, said she was moved by Fesolai’s presentation, explaining, “Your presentation shifts the way I think about mental health now, especially in the light of my children.” Fesolai said she was invited by Milo to present the same topic again at the next conference, which will be held in Samoa in 2025. “I never thought I would have this opportunity, but I’m going to continue to research and prepare well for when I will present this on my home island,” said Fesolai.
Paletu’a said she was both excited and nervous to attend and present at the conference. “I was so scared to present because these were experts and I had initially done this research for a class, but it helped me learn a lot and I found those at the conference were very supportive,” Paletu’a said. She added the responses from those present at the conference were positive.
Paletu’a said although the professors’ presentation could be hard to understand with the academic vocabulary they used, they kindly asked the BYUH students questions in more easily understandable terms.
She added that a senior lecturer from the University of the South Pacific shared her personal experience of barriers and challenges Tongan women face with not being able to inherit land legally, which aligned well with Paletu’a’s research.
Fesolai said she was influenced by a saying from Telesia Tewat, an influential Pacific writer who presented at the conference. Tewat said, “You cannot paint the Pacific with one brushstroke.” She said the quote gave her more courage and inspiration to continue to learn and explore new opportunities she has previously closed herself to because of cultural limitations.
After reflecting on the conference, Kruse said, “The world is coming to the Pacific to resolve issues like climate change. People are now coming to Tuvalu and to some of the smaller non-continental jurisdictions for answers to global issues. So I’m hopeful that students will now see that in Pacific Island Studies we have opportunities to resolve global issues.” She shared her hope for more students to see Pacific Island Studies as more than just songs and dances.
“We have our own philosophies. We have our own research methods. We have our own frameworks and approaches. And it’s just as valid as any other Western discipline,” she stated.