Ko Papatuanuku me Ranginui nga matua o te ao
I puta mai nga tamariki nga Atua o te ao
He Atua o te moana
Ko Tangaroa he Atua o te moana
Tu mai te ihi
Tu mai te wehiwehi
Tu mai te wanawana e
Hi ha aue

From the divine heartbeat of Mother Earth and the ever-elusive constant of Sky Father
All descend and all ascend the natural world
The timeless current of tranquil stillness
The harmonic music of ones infinite ocean
Resilient are the vital influences of the universe
Stand liberated by the inner radiance
Be still be silent and all shall be revealed

Na Uekaha Taanetinorau nga kupu Maori, na Tamiaho Herangi-Searancke te whakapakehatia

Lyrics written by Uekaha, translation by Tamiaho

SAMOA >
New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997.

Population:
214,265 (July 2007 est.)

Independence:
1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)
********************
FRENCH POLYNESIA >
The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded

Population:
278,963 (July 2007 est).

Dependency status:
overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from 1946-2004
*********************
FIJI >
Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president. In January 2007, BAINIMARAMA was appointed interim prime minister.

Population:
918,675 (July 2007 est.)

Independence:
10 October 1970 (from UK)
*********************
TONGA >
Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.

Population:
116,921 (July 2007 est.)

Independence:
4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)
**********************
COOK ISLANDS >
Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.

Population:
21,750 (July 2007 est.)

Dependency status:
self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
***********************
TOKELAU >
Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925.

Population:
1,449 (July 2007 est.)

Dependency status:
self-administering territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelau and New Zealand have agreed to a draft constitution as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand; a UN sponsored referendum on self governance in October 2007 did not produce the two-thirds majority vote ne

Island Christmas Bash

“Live and Learn”

Pacific Islanders Using Music to Promote Unity, Education and Health Awareness

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Salt Lake City, Utah. October 18, 2007. ‘Iate University proudly presents the Island Christmas Bash featuring some of the most influential voices in Pacific Islander music. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be serenaded by these versatile music artists, whose unique sounds cover numerous music genres from hip-hop to reggae to R&B to Island style and much, much more. The concert lineup includes Polynesia’s finest Fiji Veikoso, from Aoteroa New Zealand; Lole and Chong Nee, from the streets of California; Son’s of Manasseh & JBoog, and our very own local bands Natural Roots, Big Ship, Smiling Souls and 676.

The Island Christmas Bash will be held on Friday, December 07, 2007 at:

E-CENTER


3200 South Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City, UT
7pm—12am
Tickets will be available on November 01, 2007
at all SmithTix Locations
$22.50 & VIP $50.00

The Island Christmas Bash have teamed up with the University of Utah’s Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA) and Pacific Islander Medical Student Association (PIMSA), and Salt Lake Community College’s Pacific Unity Association (PUA) to help bring awareness to issues that are pertinent within Pacific Islander Communities. In association with the concert, the Pacific Islander students from these organizations will be holding panel discussions, religious firesides, and community forums to help promote Unity, Education, and Health Awareness.