Last month, I had the honor of traveling with our OHA delegation to the 2025 Raromataʻi Festival in Raʻiātea. It was my first visit to French Polynesia, where I was surrounded by extraordinary leaders, cultural practitioners, and communities united by a shared vision for the future.
The opening ceremony at Marae Tainuʻu left a lasting impression. With traditional protocol and vibrant performances, the ceremonies echoed the energy and spirit of last year’s Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture. Experiencing these traditions firsthand was both a profound blessing and deeply humbling.
At Marae Taputapuātea, where the festival experienced its most historic moment, I saw leaders from across Polynesia reaffirm our commitment to protecting language, land, culture, and community. Standing on these sacred rocks – at the heart of the Polynesian Triangle – and knowing our ancestors once gathered here for the same purpose was truly a special moment.
During a brief stay in Papeʻete, I joined in important conversations with leaders of the Assemblée de la Polynésie Française. President Antony Géros spoke candidly about the pressures facing our region as world powers turn their eyes toward the Pacific, and we reflected on the shared struggles of our people in self-determination, economics, and education. These discussions highlighted that our cultural traditions and the political challenges our communities face are closely connected – each shaping the strength and future of our people.
Another memorable moment came during kanikapila with the esteemed Dr. Randie Fong and Kamehameha Schools. OHA and Kamehameha Schools hosted a “Celebration of Hawaiian Culture” event with workshops, hula, mele, and ʻawa. As we performed together, I thought back to my days in the Hawaiian Ensemble at Kamehameha Schools under Uncle Randie. One of the first mele we learned was Hoʻi ke Aloha i Raʻiātea, written by Uncle Randie and Nuʻulani Atkins. Singing it in Raʻiātea, I reflected on everything that Uncle Randie so beautifully celebrates in this mele. Standing on that very island and performing it was a full-circle moment.
Our journey also took us to Tautira, the second home of Hōkūleʻa, where we joined the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Nainoa Thompson in honoring the ancestors of that place – those who have supported our Hōkūleʻa ʻohana over the years. I had the special opportunity to visit Hōkūleʻa as she was docked in Papeʻete, preparing for her next voyage. Knowing the journeys she has carried, seeing the vessel up close was a moving reminder of the enduring spirit of Moananuiākea.
I returned home with a renewed commitment to strengthening these ties. This festival was not only about ceremony or celebration; it was about relationships, resilience, and our shared responsibility to the next generation. Being an OHA trustee is about more than boardrooms and policy, it is about nurturing these connections, listening to our kūpuna, and preparing the way for our keiki. Like our ancestors, we will continue to navigate whatever lies ahead together.
Finally, a sincere mahalo to Dr. Randie Kamuela Fong for making this experience possible for all of us at OHA.
