The Honolulu Museum of Art in partnership with the Pacific Islands Development Program present Carrying Culture 2022, a three-part series of events highlighting poets and poetry as carriers of culture. This year the series expands its focus throughout Oceania. Each program is dedicated to uplifting and celebrating the life experience, wisdom, and leadership of our community through storytelling, spoken word, and community conversation.

Part one of the series starts in June with Generation to Generation, highlighting a diverse group of female poets and authors to share the matrilineal legacies passed from elder to youth. This part is moderated by Lauren Keenan, Deputy Consul General at the New Zealand Consulate-General in Hawai‘i.  The four series panelists are Alyssa Chau (Chamorro/Taiawanese), Dr. Konai Helu Thaman (Tonga), Noʻu Revilla (ʻŌiwi), and Jasmine Navala Waleafea (Solomon Islands).

In this Youtube clip the four panellists share their poetry: You the choice of my parents (Tonga); I am here Because (Chamorro/Tawianese); When you say “Protestors” instead of Protectors (ʻŌiwi); and The Waves (Solomon Islands).