ABOUT

Let Me Break it Down For You

To start off, the Samoan word 'suga' pronounced soon-ga (try placing your tongue at the top of your mouth), is used to address a young lady. I would count myself as a suga, being a young 18 year old gyal...oh yeah read that above in my introduction? The word 'gyal' is often used on the islands to address girls, island girls, gyal. Whew, glad I got that cleared up. See, this whole "lost in translation" is basically my life. Never did I think I would have to explain to others the difference between Hawaii's local language (Pidgin) and 'olelo Hawaiʻi (this is the Hawaiian definition for - Hawaiian language). If you guys were wondering -- yes, Hawaiʻi is the 50th state of the U.S., however what a lot of outsiders (of our state) don't realize is that we were once a sovereign nation. We had our own Kingdom, way of government, way of living, etc. Hawaii is a culture, Hawaiian people being the natives of this indigenous culture. We have our own language, food, dances (most famous -- hula, but others such as kahiko, ʻauwana). Hawaii is very misrepresented and underrepresented, therefore it is critical as a young Hawaiian to continue perpetuating and teaching others about our beautiful culture.

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So, that is why I am here. My purpose is to design my own path, through schooling at NYU and the streets of bustling city Shanghai, #1, but again as I said previously, to also carry out my kuleana (responsibility) as a mana wahine (powerful woman) and perpetuate my Polynesian culture wherever I go! That is very important to me. My roots and upbringing will never fail me, as they are deeply instilled in my character and will be forever.

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Follow me as I bring you guys along endless stories like getting lost in huge fake markets, traveling to different cities within China, my college life experience, trying new foods like cow tongue, to exploring and adventuring through the modern, very lively city of Shanghai! Let's see what this suga has to offer away from the islands.