My New Online Store!

When I was visiting Samoa (Upolu and Savai'i), I had a chance to visit the open markets over there. It would be similar to our version of the swap meet. I sat in a corner and just observed. There were many booths that were selling many hand crafted items (things to hang on your wall, things to decorate your house with, earrings, necklaces, etc). I walked around the market and inquired and asked questions. Of course there was sort of a language barrier because I cannot speak fluent Samoan and well as try as they might, the sellers spoke very little English.

However, from what I was able to understand, I understood that these items are very unique. Yes, you can probably find these in a swap meet in some major city, you can find most items at a traditional Polynesian store. But, I hardly see them online. From what I understand, there have been people that have attempted to sell a lot of these items before hand. Their attempts were not successful.

The reason I am opening an online store is to reach to the world and give people a taste of what Samoan talent is about. Most of the time, when you hear about Samoans, one tends to think of NFL players, or young ones that join the military. Samoans are slowly letting the world know, we can be a small island of less than 200,000 people, but we sure can produce athletes, boxers, weightlifters, sumo wrestlers, actors and now even singers.  We are not just people that get drunk and get into senseless fights at some corner bar. Greg Louganis, was a gold medalist in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics has Samoan blood. Tulsi Gabbard is now a well known politician with a Samoan background. Marcus Mariota was the first Samoan athlete to win the Heisman Trophy. Samoans such as Sapolu, Sopoaga, Polamalu, Seau, and Tuinei have paved the way for the younger generation of Samoans to slowly make a name for themselves.

However, Samoans are gifted artistically. What I would like to do is give the world insight that Samoans are creative. I want the world to be able to indulge themselves, and own a piece of the culture. Samoans take coconut shells and create jewelry, the mulberry tree and turn it into a beautiful tapa cloth (siapo). I want the world to know Samoans back home are hospitable and treat their guests as such that their guests are treated like royalty. There was a reason famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson made his home in Samoa. Living in Samoa gave him the inspiration to write.

I am setting up this store because of a desire to help promote my people's craftsmanship skills, educate about Samoa, and to even promote the islands as a tourist destination. Samoa is known as the Cradle of Polynesia, where all Polynesians originated.  Buying these items allows one to carry a piece of the culture with them always. When my store is up and running I will be sure to post it up. Right now, I am doing the best that I can to build it from scratch.

I want to move to Samoa

Salemumu Beach, Upolu

Not to long ago, I went to visit my parents who lived in the independent nation of Samoa. Before the trip, I was very skeptical of even visiting. For goodness sake, that is going to a different country, even though I was born in the neighboring island of Tutuila (a U.S. territory).

Was there something wrong with me? Not only was I skeptical of going but I was just very hesitant. I hopped on the plane what seemed like a very uncomfortable 5 hours of flying. When I finally arrived at the airport, my body was screaming for an ac. It was in the early morning it wasn't that hot, yet, but you could feel the heat inside the baggage claim area.

As I walked out of the terminal into the waiting lobby, I seen my dad standing there waiting for me and my mom. I walked to say a quick hello, but quickly asked where is the closest store. I was very thirsty. I pulled out a couple U.S. dollar bills forgetting I was in a different country to buy a bottle water. At first the lady just stared at me but then she realized I was new. She accepted the bills though since Samoa tala is double the rate of a U.S. dollar. It felt good to drink.

As we drove on the road to the house, I realized, I really am here, especially after a 21 year absence. The last time I was in Samoa, I was there for only a couple days, so I did not get to do much. However, from what I remember from back then, not much really has changed. At least not in a total significant way. Well of course except the driving. It just was weird.

So what is it about Samoa that makes me want to move back and leave Hawai'i, a place I have been saying this will be my home? What makes me want to go back is the fact that it is just beautiful down there. Yes I won't deny it is hella humid. But it gets that way because the island is in the tropics. It gets humid here in Hawaii as well. The way of life down in Samoa is much more simpler and surprisingly, I can hang. I just need to familiarize myself with the customs and traditions that have made Samoa the way it is. I loved how there was an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables - all organic and not really that expensive.

Outside my dad's house there was a papaya tree growing with some ripe fruit. I can't stand papaya at all but I hate the idea that fruit was just going to get wasted. So my dad picked it with a stick, and I ate it. Wow, it was delicious and sweet. I ate at least one papaya a day with bananas. I've always been a sucker for bananas though. The weather was hot but it rained to keep things nice and cool. What I enjoyed was fresh koko Samoa (our version of roasted chocolate) with the white bread and NZ Anchor butter. For some taste, slap on some strawberry jelly.

As long as I have a working internet connection, and the internet technology in Samoa doesn't seem that slow, I think I will be able to survive there. I am trying to settle some things here in Hawai'i so that when I make the move, I will be ok. American Samoa is only 45 minutes away so the thought of being in America is not too far. One of the main reasons though I am thinking this through is someone is going to need to take care of my parents as they are getting older. As of now, I am single and no kids so yes I am the most likely candidate.

I loved being in Samoa. When it was time to leave, I found myself hesitating to even pack and pondered how much it would cost me to change my ticket. In the end, I had to get back on my flight and return, with a heavy heart. I really do want to move back. Even though that would put me miles away from the rest of my siblings, I find myself yearning to be in a place where I know for sure I will be happiest.