In earlier times, Pacific Islanders crafted sophisticated navigation methods based on natural elements, and an upcoming week-long series of events seeks to revive this custom. The aim is to help Pacific Islanders currently living in Utah reconnect with their maritime heritage.
Wayfinding Week
The inaugural event of this kind in Utah kicked off on Friday with a discussion about an oral history initiative centered around the state’s Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations. The series will run until May 30 and feature multiple activities exploring the navigation practices of these island communities and how such ancient wisdom can be applied to contemporary living.
Jake Fitisemanu, who was born in New Zealand and brought up in Hawaii before moving to West Valley City, stated, “Being ‘so far away from the coast, we frequently experience a sense of disconnection from the ocean which is central to our heritage, linguistic roots, cultural practices, and personal identities.'” He added, “‘Much of this wisdom may be rooted in antiquity yet remains highly pertinent and applicable within our contemporary, city-based lifestyles.'”
The Samoana Integrated Learning Initiative, established by Fitisemanu who is also part of the Utah House of Representatives, is the primary organizer behind Wayfinding Week. The event is additionally supported by the University of Utah’s Center for Pasifika Indigenous Knowledges, the Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition, and various other groups.
The following week, multiple presenters will deliver talks encompassing historical insights, metaphors, and personal stories focused on the maritime customs of Pacific Islanders; they may also delve into environmental issues.
Wayfinding is an essential element of Pacific Islander culture, evident in our vocabulary, sayings, traditions, and social structures,” stated Laneta Fitisemanu, who is also an event coordinator like her brother Jacob Fitisemanu. She added that the ocean “unites everyone throughout the Pacific region. Even for individuals born and residing outside their ancestral lands, this bond remains strong and keeps them connected to their origins.
As stated in an event press release, Pacific Island navigation methods “rely on stars, wind patterns, sea currents, and inherited wisdom.” Presenters hailing from Hawaii, Samoa, and New Zealand will provide instruction on these customs during the gathering.
The main presenter at an event was
presentation on Tuesday
On May 27, “Traveling Across Land and Sea: Exploring Roots in Utah and Oceania” features Captain Fani Bruun of the Gaualofa, a traditional Samoan sailing canoe. The event summary states, “Inspired by her journeys throughout the Pacific and further afield, she discusses how navigation techniques teach us to coexist harmoniously with both sea and land, underscoring that our stewardship of Earth is intrinsically linked to respecting our identity.”
Celeste Manuia Ha’o, an educator based in Hilo, Hawaii, will provide a
talk on Wednesday
, May 28, merging “navigation, cultural rejuvenation, and the profound duties of a taupou residing abroad into a compelling narrative of homecoming, fortitude, and rebirth.” In Samoan tradition, a taupou serves as a specific kind of ceremonial hostess.
An event
Thursday, May 29
, at Clark Planetarium will highlight the Samoan “star compass” while a
storytelling event
is scheduled for Friday, May 30.
Laneta Fitisemanu mentioned that the conventional method of navigation experienced a downturn when Western navigational tools emerged. However, this approach is currently undergoing resurgence, partly because it serves as a way for Pacific Islanders to affirm their cultural heritage and helps those residing beyond the region connect with their traditions again.
Events such as Wayfinding Week “serve as reminders that our ancestors were skilled navigators, astronomers, and builders, and that youth today can also excel in these domains where diversity remains lacking,” she explained. The organizers aim for more Native Hawaiian families in Utah to share comparable moments of rediscovering their deep connection to Oceanic heritage.
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