Author's Note and Pronunciation Guide
UPDATED AS NECESSARY
At a time when Polynesian representation is at an all-time high, there are still too many places where they are lacking, the literary world being one of them. In an effort to add to the growing stories being told of and by the diasporic, diverse, and strong voices of the Pasifika, I wanted to add a little twist to mine.
I mean no disrespect for any of the cultures involved. As an Afakasi, my experiences and my story are not representative of anyone else’s, and I do not mean for this story to be anything of the sort. My goal is simply to join the call in destigmatizing a culture by sharing a piece of mine.
Afakasi (or Hafekasi)- Ah-fah-kah-see (or hah-fah-kah-see) Half Pasifika, half Caucasian. A hybrid, if you will
Auntie (or Uncle)- Ahn-tea (or Un-kul) Basically, the Polynesian equivalent of saying “ma’am” or “sir”. They don’t actually have to be related. Also used if you can’t remember their name, they’re older than you, or they’re in your house, but you don’t know why
Cheehoo- (CHEE- Hu) Polynesian equivalent of ‘yeehaw’. Used as a rally cry, to cheer someone on, to celebrate, to show support. If you can’t cheehoo loud, don’t cheehoo at all
Honu- (Hoh-new) Sea turtle. Said to bring luck and longevity. If you see it on the beach, don’t touch it
Lei- (Lay) A necklace made traditionally of flowers, leaves, nuts, or seeds. It’s meant to show affection and respect, and is traditionally given by loved ones to someone in a time of accomplishment. Nowadays, people make them out of anything, including money, candy, gift cards, or even use a pool floatie to signify the same feeling of pride for the individual
Mr./Mrs./Ms. Aloha- Someone who knows the everyone and the everything at every function, a well-liked person, a social butterfly, what your mom calls your dad when it’s past 10 pm, and he’s still talking story with his bruddahs
Nafa- (Nah-Fah) Traditional Tongan drums that create an echoing ‘boom’. Used in performances, celebrations, and ceremonies
’Otai- (Oh-tie) A Tongan fruit drink, made with coconut milk and coconut meat (the white part of the coconut) and watermelon, sometimes mango, orange, or other fruits
Palagi- (Pah-long-ee) Samoan word for anyone who isn’t Samoan; especially used for white people
Pani Popo- (Pah-knee Po Po) Diabetes in a pan. Rolls cooked in sugar and coconut milk as a sweet little treat
Pasifika- (Pah-see-fee-kah) Someone whose ancestors came from Polynesia, Micronesia, or Melanesia.
Pukana- (Poo-kahn-ah) The facial expression made during the haka; a wide-eyed, wild, ferocious, and fear-invoking look meant to intimidate other warriors
Sasa- (Sah-sah) a beating, an ass-whooping, lickins, a good old-fashioned, old-school discipline
Shaka- (shah-kah) Depending on the usage, it can mean almost anything, generally friendly. Could mean ‘we’re cool’ or ‘thanks’ or ‘hey’ or ‘I concur’ or ‘whatever, it’s chill’ or ‘see you later’. Make a fist, pop that pinky and the thumb, and you’ve got a tourist shaka. Loosen the grip a little, and maybe you’ll pass for a local.
’Ulu (Ooh Loo)- AKA breadfruit, a tropical fruit that is really hard to ruin; you can eat it raw, boiled, baked, fried, grilled, etc.
Uncle (or Auntie)- Un-kul (or Ahn-tea) Basically, the Polynesian way of saying “sir” or “ma’am”. They don’t actually have to be related. Also used if you can’t remember their name, they’re older than you, or they’re in your house, but you don’t know why
Characters:
Charles Sivatau Kaufusi Jr. (Juni)- Charles See-VAH-Tauw COW-foo-see Joon-yuh (Joo-Knee)
Iosefa- eeYO-sefah
Langi- Long-ee
Ofa- Oh-fah
Pili- Pee-Lee
Poe- Poe-Eh
Sina Soliai- See-Nuh Soul-EE-eye
Tevita- Tev-EE-tah
Uli- OOH-lee
