POLYNESIAN LITERARY JOURNAL

The purpose of this organization is to promote, encourage, fund, and support the composition of literary works in Polynesian Literature, poetry, music, non-fiction and fictional writing, and in the arts.

It is the wish of the founders to see more published works from Polynesian writers, poets, photographers, screenwriters, journalists, and novelists as well as works on Polynesian themes by non-Polynesians.

The Polynesian Heritage

Our Polynesian heritage expands throughout much of the Pacific Ocean from Aotearoa (New Zealand) in the south, to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the east, to Hawaii in the north, to the Rotuma islands in the west. Although they each developed their own sub-cultures, the root Polynesian Heritage with its own language root, history, religion, music, even its traditional oral literature, is unique in its origin.

For apparent reasons, the Polynesian Literary Journal wishes to develop authors and composers who could promote our own literature from the Polynesian view point instead of the usual biased interpretations of "outsiders." Missionaries, mercenaries, beachcombers, ex-convicts, educators, revolutionaries, blunderers and thieves have all compiled their own interpretations of our Polynesian Literature.

Examplary Works

It is hoped that examples of the classic literary works of Maori ethnologist Te Rangi Hiroa (Sir Peter Buck, "Vikings of the Sunrise," 1938; "Anthropology and Religion," 1939; "The Coming of the Maori," 1949) for example, and others could guide other Polynesians to expand Polynesian literature in all areas of the field. Peter Buck was first in his field to include Polynesian oral history, legends, and chants in his scientific works to trace and record the migration history of our people.

Historian David Malo recorded his traditional Hawaiian history reaching back to antiquities to illustrate their connection to the present. Dr. Sione Latukefu also recorded traditional Tongan history which reached back to pre-European contact times. Their works are basis for the correct interpretation of the Polynesian Heritage.

The Polynesian Literary Journal invites all to give us your feedback on subjects you would think appropriate to be included in our editorial library. We wish to take into account all literary aspects of our Heritage to promote learning, development, its enjoyment, and thus encourage its preservation.

How it All Started

Filoi Mataele-Fetu'u, President

It started in her kitchen in 1998. Carried over from the popular Internet "Kava Bowl" forum, where lively debates on Polynesian-related issues were popular amongst Polynesians around the world, we brain-stormed on ideas to take the discussions to a more permanent level.

Some of us "Kava Bowlers" once met in San Francisco for breakfast, but nothing was promulgated from that meeting. My meeting with Filoi in Utah was coincidental, but our minds were in mutual agreement: A literary organization to promote and develop interest in Polynesian literature was needed.

And there it was, at her kitchen table, on the evening of July 24, 1998. We talked about a newspaper, a newsletter, or a magazine publication, a radio and TV program, etc. She was the brain, the driving force, and I was the writer.

Sione A. Mokofisi, Editor-in-Chief

Our shared interest was more than coincidental. Besides being second cousins (her father and my mother are first cousins), we were eager for something more intellectual than lu'aus and parties. And before the media could be organized, an organization needed to be formalized to guide the goals of such undertaking.

I was in Salt Lake City to referee at the Utah Pioneer Day Rugby Tournament, and she invited me to spend the weekend at her place. At the end of that weekend, we embarked on forming a Polynesian literary organization to be incorporated, raise capital, and to find a staff to expand the goals we initiated.

A Tumultous Beginning

As with all new organizations, assembling a volunteer staff was a costly learning process. With their own personal agendas, the volunteer staff brought distractions to the fledgling organization.

The distractions caused setbacks, incurred financial liabilities, office bikkerings, and hardfeelings, but they did not erase the original purpose and dreams we put together on the evening of July 24, 1998. Once the dust settled, we sorted out the losses and regrouped.

It is hoped that this second try will be more successful.

A Few Accomplishments

The Guild was incorporated as a non-profit organization with its Constitution and By-laws in September, 1998. A website was also launched.

It picked up steam immediately with great interest within the Polynesian communities. Composers, authors, entertainers, both Polynesians and non-Polynesians, joined up. Recognitions from educational institutions and organizations were also received which provided opportunities for financial sources made available.

Artists participated enthusiastically in the first Polynesian Arts Show and Musical Performance in July 1999. The turnout was a fantastic succcess, but careless business planning invited needless expenses that exceeded revenues.

Perhaps things were moving too fast for our own good. It all happened in less than a year from our starting date. The response from the communities was overwhelming which pulled the officers in different directions. Therefore, it was inevitable that a re-organization was needed.

Looking To the Future

Getting back on track may take longer than the last time around, because this is starting over. Mistakes of the past will have to be avoided. Important goals that were overlooked in the first time around will have to be priorities.

Most important amongst the major administration assets that failed to materialized was the IRS 501(C-3) non-profit organization status. If the organization is to gain financial support from private businesses and government agencies, the tax exempt status has to be first priority.

We will also be looking for a few good individuals to join the Polynesian Literary Guild in administration, production, promotion, and distribution. No matter where your home may happen to be, we can use your talent.

Malo 'aupito, Mahalo a nui loa, Faafeta'i lava, Maruru, etc.