Ocean's Kin

For many Polynesian girls, Lilo and Stitch was the first mainstream representation we had onscreen, particularly Nani Pelekai—brown skin, Polynesian features, a thicker build. So, naturally, we were all very confused when we saw the actress who would be playing Nani in the upcoming live action remake.  Why are lighter skinned individuals playing dark skinned characters? Let’s say it together, COLORISM.  In this episode, Keely brings her sister Taulia back on the podcast to discuss their thoughts on colorism within the Pacific, the history of colorism in films, and why a light skinned wasian playing a brown Kanaka Maoli character is not the same as Ariel being black.  Sources: Actors. Data USA. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://datausa.io/profile/soc/actors  IMDb.com. (n.d.). Sydney Agudong. IMDb. Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5867620/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm  S, S. (2018, January 20). Difference between ethnicity and nationality (with examples and comparison chart). Key Differences. Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-ethnicity-and-nationality.html  Follow Ocean's Kin ig : @oceanskinpodcast Follow Keely on ig and tiktok : @keelylasela

Put a finger down if you're Pacific Islander and are constantly the only P.I. in the room, school, workplace, friend group, etc. Put another finger down if having the same conversations about your culture/community is getting redundant.  Yeah, same.   In this solo episode, Keely talks about finding solace in being the only Pasifika person in most spaces, dating Polynesians vs non-Polynesians, how the Filipino community gave her a sense of comfort, and how it's not POC's jobs to educate white people. Join Keely as she shares some personal stories and provides some insight on how to go about being the 'token' Pacific Islander.  Follow Ocean's Kin ig : @oceanskinpodcast Follow Keely on ig and tiktok : @keelylasela

*clears throat*...NOT ALL Pacific Islanders are big, masculine, play volleyball/football/rugby. We are not all related and for the love of God...we are not all Hawaiian. Growing up Pasifika,  we’ve all heard a stereotype, misconception, or generalization about ourselves and we’re here today to try and put an end to these images and labels that have exhausted many of us.  In this episode Keely sits down with the one other Polynesian she knew defied all Pasifika stereotypes, her younger sister Taulia Ma’ilo. What’s the “thrifty gene” hypothesis and is it why we’re ALL “so big”? Why are Pasifika women either masculinized (the aggressive fighter) or hypersexualized (the sensual hula girl)? What happens when we start to believe and embody the stereotypes enforced on us by others and our own people? Join the Ma’ilo sisters as they debunk, evaluate, and discuss some of these inaccurate (and sometimes very racist) narratives the general public has about our community.  Sources: Corbett, H. (2022, May 24). The history behind Common Aapi stereotypes. Forbes. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/hollycorbett/2022/05/23/the-history-behind-common-aapi-stereotypes/?sh=65fd76bd73e1  Langi, G. (n.d.). My Polynesian pride. The Mirror. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://vnhsmirror.com/207857/uncategorized/my-polynesian-pride/  Senthilingam, M. (2015, May 1). How paradise became the fattest place in the world. CNN. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/01/health/pacific-islands-obesity/index.html  Sloss, M. (2021, December 14). 12 things I'm sick and tired of hearing as a Samoan woman. BuzzFeed. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.buzzfeed.com/morgansloss1/things-i-hate-hearing-samoan-woman  Follow Ocean's Kin ig : @oceanskinpodcast Follow Keely on ig and tiktok : @keelylasela

Many young Pasifika people are on a reconnecting journey to learn, preserve, and perpetuate their traditional precolonial cultures, but many face setbacks when religion is brought into the picture. Is it possible to actively decolonize and maintain a faith brought through colonization?  Last week, in PART 1 of the two part episode ‘Religion in the Pacific’, Keely spoke with Sāmoan culture keeper Charles Pouono about religion in the Pacific Islands before Christianity and the arrival of missionaries. In today’s episode, PART 2, Keely and Charles examine culture and religion today in the Pacific Islands. Last week they looked at how religion affected our ancestors, this week they look at how religion is affecting this generation and the forthcoming ones.  The dark history and power of the church, the traditions that were almost eradicated by Christianity, the balance of decolonization and faith — all uncovered in today's episode. Follow Charles : @charlespouono  Academic Sources: Anisi, A. (2017, June 7). The historical development of Christianity in Oceania. Sanneh/Wiley. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.academia.edu/33371338/The_Historical_Development_of_Christianity_in_Oceania  Davidian, E. (2020, January 25). Christianity and colonialism's impact on place. ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/77d9e620cce643509b4de86550f8b875  Indigenous traditions and sacred ecology in the Pacific Islands. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.uwlax.edu/globalassets/offices-services/urc/jur-online/pdf/2005/dickie.pdf  Poignant, R. (1975). Oceanic mythology: The myths of Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australia. Paul Hamlyn.  Follow Ocean's Kin ig : @oceanskinpodcast Follow Keely on ig and tiktok : @keelylasela

They say never discuss politics and religion in polite company. Oops.  On average, 95% of our Pacific Islands’ population are Christian, but our ancestors weren’t reading the bible or reserving a day of the week for rest; they had no idea who Jesus even was. So how did we get here?  In PART 1 of this two part episode, Keely talks religion in the Pacific Islands with Sāmoan culture keeper Charles Pouono. Keely and Charles discuss what religion and life looked like in the Pacific Islands before Christianity and how organized religion spread so quickly throughout the islands once the missionaries arrived. Many people have preconceived notions about religion in the Pacific. Was cannibalism a thing? Was Christianity brutally forced upon Pacific Islanders? Has organized religion drastically transformed Pasifika culture? Join Keely and Charles as they share their knowledge, delving into the history of religion in the Pacific Islands.  PART 2 will be released next Monday and will focus on organized religion in the Pacific Islands today, its effect on the culture, and balancing decolonization and faith.  Academic Sources: Anisi, A. (2017, June 7). The historical development of Christianity in Oceania. Sanneh/Wiley. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.academia.edu/33371338/The_Historical_Development_of_Christianity_in_Oceania  Davidian, E. (2020, January 25). Christianity and colonialism's impact on place. ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/77d9e620cce643509b4de86550f8b875  Indigenous traditions and sacred ecology in the Pacific Islands. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.uwlax.edu/globalassets/offices-services/urc/jur-online/pdf/2005/dickie.pdf  Poignant, R. (1975). Oceanic mythology: The myths of Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australia. Paul Hamlyn.  Follow Charles on tiktok : @charlespouono   Follow Ocean's Kin ig : @oceanskinpodcast Follow Keely on ig and tiktok : @keelylasela

"You're plastic. Cold, shiny, hard PLASTIC".  To kick off the show, Keely sits down with Māori Fijian content creator Courtnee Martin to discuss the term "plastic", its effect on islanders, and how Pasifika people can reclaim their Pacific Islander identity.  Keely and Courtnee share their personal experiences growing up "plastic" and what being Pacific Islander means to them.  To anyone who grew up isolated from their Pasifika family, was born and raised somewhere aside from the motherland, isn't fluent in their native language or well versed in their traditional practices, this episode it for you. May you feel seen and heard through this episode's discourse and the shared experience of being referred to as "plastic".  Follow Ocean's Kin ig : @oceanskinpodcast Follow Keely on ig and tiktok : @keelylasela Follow Courtnee : @courtneemartin