A delegation from environmental non-governmental organisation Kōrero o te 'Ōrau’s 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango (AKTT) young ambassadors have returned from an enriching successful cultural exchange experience in Hawai’i.

The two-week exchange programme was an opportunity to share the traditional practices and perspectives of indigenous Cook Islands people, while also learning about the challenges faced by native Hawaiian communities.

Marine scientist and indigenous rights advocate, Dr Teina Rongo, who specialises in climate change, marine ecology, ciguatera poisoning, and traditional knowledge, led the team of 43.

“The purpose of our trip was to share cultural exchanges with groups in Hawai’i who do similar programmes for youth, and it was also an opportunity for our kids to see what’s happening in Hawai’i - the challenges indigenous people are facing,” said Dr Rongo.

He said 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango intentionally went to the three islands of Oahu, Maui and Moloka’i to look at the impact of development.  

“We wanted our kids to see the changes in the Hawai’i environment, to see first-hand what could potentially happen to us so they can understand what’s going on here as well,” said Dr Rongo.

“We’re all heading in the same direction, every country in the Pacific wants to be developed and we are all at different stages.

“And if we are to go into more development what would happen to us? What could potentially happen to our people if we continue to develop and we get replaced and lose our culture?

“If we could be mindful of things and maybe change directions and consider better development practices and a better pathway, and learn from these countries like Hawai’i and Aotearoa.”

Jackie Rongo (middle) and Dr Teina Rongo (left) with the 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango during their trip to Hawai’i. AKTT/24081908

Dr Rongo believes it is always best when you immerse in other cultures.

By immersing themselves in the local Hawaiian culture and hearing firsthand accounts of their indigenous experience, 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango hope to gain a deeper understanding of the many struggles indigenous people continue to face in the modern world.

Over the course of their two-week visit, 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango had the opportunity to connect with their Hawai’ian counterparts, participate in cultural activities and visit important historical and environmental sites across Oahu, Maui and Moloka’i.

Dr Rongo said the highlight was the people, the community who welcomed them and shared their culture.

In Oahu, the local group spent a few days in Waikiki, and had the privilege of visiting the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Memorial Chapel of the Kamehameha Schools and the Heritage Room at the Kamehameha campus. 

They visited the Polynesian Cultural Centre (PCC) and Brigham Young University (BYU) and were shown their native reforestation programme led by Cook Islands students Andrea George-Uyehara and Taniora Lowry.

'Ātui'anga ki te Tango at the Kahuku Farm in Hawai’i. AKTT/24081905

The 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango members also met the PCC performing cast behind the scenes before their performance, and were thrilled to also appear on stage performing their pe’e chants.

In Maui, AKTT members were welcomed at the airport by the Kamehameha performing arts group and every day they were involved in several activities.

The youth also helped out with a Hawaiian hundreds-of-years-old taro planting restoration method similar to terracing, learned about the freshwater ecosystems and were hosted by the “amazing” Kamehameha School performing arts students.

The group also experienced Hana, located at the eastern end of the island of Maui, which has one of the most isolated communities. They are doing experiments on the hybridisation of kuru, crossing all kinds of fruits and taro, and the members learned to make poi.

Dr Rongo noted, “their produce goes towards feeding all the elderly in the community.”

In Moloka’i, the team enjoyed staying at the Kamehameha School’s mango orchard at Māpulehu and had the opportunity to interreact more with the He Ēwe Molokaʻi Youth Cultural Ambassadors Programme who were their hosts.

“The hospitality was amazing,” said Dr Rongo. “We truly felt the Aloha spirit.”

He said the children had already been learning practical life skills which helped when they travel.

“They were proud of themselves, of their culture and sometimes you need to go out there to value what you have. The value of knowing who you are.

“I was proud of them, they really stepped up.”

Cook Islands formalised a sister city relationship with Honolulu, Hawai’i, in June this year and Dr Rongo believes more of these cultural exchanges between the two countries should be happening.

AKTT also participated in the three-day Hawai’i 50 Classic Volleyball Tournament on Oahu where the Cook Islands young development side had a taste of Grade A volleyball in Hawai’i.

In March next year, the Kamehameha group will be visiting Rarotonga and will be hosted by 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango.

The AKTT programme strives to educate the youth of the Cook Islands the good moral values and utilise the tools and skills they have to better the livelihoods of indigenous Cook Islanders going forward.