Alo, Aloha, Ia Orana, Talofa and Kia Ora!
Welcome to a piece of my heart – the Pacific!
My love affair with the Pacific began in 2004 when I moved to Melanesia! Almost a graduate from university – I was keen to start my career in the media. I packed up my kit and moved to Efate (a bonus was being with my boyfriend who was based there at the time). I contacted the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, explained that I was a journalist, on the ground, ready to go! They had just started 'Radio Australia' and we meshed!
What ensued was a clash of cultures as this nosey young reporter got into the affairs of the private peoples of the Pacific. Nevermind their media shyness, I found ways of getting details (respectfully of course) and delivered news from Vanuatu, and the Pacific to the world, in print and radio!
What ensued was a clash of cultures as this nosey young reporter got into the affairs of the private peoples of the Pacific. Nevermind their media shyness, I found ways of getting details (respectfully of course) and delivered news from Vanuatu, and the Pacific to the world, in print and radio!
Since 2006 I have based myself back in Australia but have travelled much of the Pacific, particularly Polynesia – as the culture (music and dance) has entranced me and become part of my being. I’m not only a cultural reporter of the Pacific, Im also a passionate hula dancer – a way I have found to meet in the middle of ‘Island time’ and story telling.
Here are some of my pieces from the Pacific, some older – some newer – all hopefully education, informative and interesting!
Mahaloa nui loa,
Meagan
It was a night full of glamour with a line up of stars such as Vanessa Quai and the Vanuatu Idols. Audience members were glued to their seats until midnight, to see 22-year-old Glenda Laban crowned Miss Vanuatu Tourism 2005.Runner up, Moana Korikalo, 20, was crowned Miss Vanuatu Independence.
The competition turned up a notch since Monday's display.
Finalists marched confidently down the catwalk in their custom costumes, island dresses, swimwear and evening gowns.
As it got down to the final six contestants each were asked questions about tourism in Vanuatu. Told to answer in English some of the contestants struggled. Two stood out speaking with passion, they were the inevitable winners.
But according to the General Manager of the Vanuatu Tourism Office, Linda Kalpoi, everyone was a winner . She went on to announce that all of the entrants had won 46,000 vatu from an anonymous Australian donor.
Contestants also received vouchers for a full body massage from judge Christine Hamilton. However the audience was most anxious to see the titles handed-out.
For showing kindliness to others throughout the competition Priscella Thieul, 18, won the title of "Miss Friendship".
Blue-eyed beauty Karen Kalsakau, 22, won "Best in Swimwear".
Title of "Best Island Dress" went to Patricia Kabukai, 26.
Alima Garae, 22, was titled "Best Talent".
The award for "Best Kustom Dress" went to Juanita Tarilama, 21.
Club Vanuatu Manager and organiser of the event Beverley Teklic thanked everyone for their support and opened the event explaining that a women's beauty is inspirational, referring to Leonardo Di Vinci's creation of the Mona Lisa.
Herself hoping to inspire, Miss Teklic said the event was a "celebration of beauty, pageantry and Melanesian pride." Swamped with congratulations on a job well done, several audience members asked for the pageant to be held again next year.
With 100, 000 vatu donated to the children's ward of Vila Central Hospital and the winner taking home a return ticket to the Gold Coast with $1000 AU spending money, there is sure to be more women lining up for the opportunity in 2006.
*more published pieces to be added
Hawaiian Harmonies - May 2010
[Article and images published in Eastside Radio's 'Airwaves Magazine' Est. Aud: 50,000]
We love Hawaii for giving us slack-key guitar and chilled out sounds from artists like Jack Johnson, but there is more to Hawaii than this – as I discovered when I attended the inaugural Na Hoku O Hawaii Music Festival on Oahu, May 2010.
Na Hoku O Hawaii, translates as the “The Stars of Hawaii,” and indeed they shone as award winning Hawaiian artists came together to present workshops, in a one on one style that would only be possible in the laid back surrounds of Hawaii.
A contingent of Hawaiian music lovers from all-over the world congregated at Hawaii’s convention centre from May 27 - 30, 2010 for this first ever music festival, included was this roving reporter.
After discovering the beauty of Polynesian dance at Sydney’s Dance Central in Surry Hills, I have been a passionate hula dancer for years now. It was only natural that my respect and admiration for the graceful dance would lead to further enquiry into the customs and culture of Hawaii, which are entrenched in the music that flows from these islands.
Last November Hawaii Tourism announced plans for the Na Hoku O Hawaii Music festival. It was hoped the event would celebrate the music of Hawaii in order to perpetuate the status of its great artists and preserve it for future generations. I knew I had to be a part of the festival, not only to experience it for myself, but to share with Eastside Radio's listeners.
After six months of preparation, coordinating airfares with Hawaiian Airlines and accommodation kindly provided by Hawaii Tourism Oceania, I jetted off to Honolulu. I was bursting with excitement whilst my suitcase bulged with radio equipment; laptop, microphones and other gear so that as soon as I hit the ground I could record the ambiance and interview anyone with a story and there were many.
My first interviews occurred a few hours after landing. I checked into the Aqua Bamboo & Spa to a special welcome; goodie hamper and champagne. Resisting the temptation to don bikini and laze by the pool, I interviewed a well respected Kumu Hula (hula teacher), Mahealani Wong and hula practitioner, Kaleilehua Maioho. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for hula was profound. Hula is not just a dance but a way of life involving chanting and other rituals.
Hula is one of the world’s most famous dances, however it’s often misrepresented. The festival and media attention that followed enabled artists to dispel myths about Hawaiian culture. Many workshops held over the three day event explained how hula is an expression of the ole (words), put the mele (music). It’s far more than pretty girls moving to sweet Ukulele melodies. That’s not to say that this modern (Auana) style of hula cannot be enjoyed but when the deeper layer of Hawaiian music and hula is acknowledged it’s like knowing that yoga is more than breathing and stretching.
Although Hawaii is known as the festive islands, the Na Hoku O Hawaii Music Festival was so unique that Hawaii’s own Governor Linda Lingle admitted that she couldn’t believe no one had thought of such an event previously as she extended her gratitude to 4 Miles LLC “for producing the First Annual Na Hoku O Hawaii Music Festival”.
A Honolulu based trio of producers, the 4 Miles LLC is passionate about the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture. The group, made up of Ruben Carillo, Dirk Fukushima and Dawn Kanaupio, came together in their goal to produce culturally rich Hawaii based events and indeed with this event they succeeded.
There were many highlights of the festival, including seeing famous artists perform at satellite stages across Honolulu. Hanging backstage at the awards ceremony; Na Hoku Hano Hano Awards to interview winners and even meeting experienced rocker, Kenny Loggins, who was in town to perform with Hawaiian group Hapa. Amongst the fun he found time to introduce himself to this Australian journalist, keen to tell me of his “plans to head ‘Downunder’.”
It was an honour to speak with so many profound people from the Hawaiian Islands and share their stories.
You can enjoy Hula classes at Dance Central in Surry Hills:
Tears as Miss Vanuatu Tourism 2005 Crowned
[Article published in The Daily Post - Vanuatu]
It was a night full of glamour with a line up of stars such as Vanessa Quai and the Vanuatu Idols. Audience members were glued to their seats until midnight, to see 22-year-old Glenda Laban crowned Miss Vanuatu Tourism 2005.Runner up, Moana Korikalo, 20, was crowned Miss Vanuatu Independence.
The competition turned up a notch since Monday's display.
Finalists marched confidently down the catwalk in their custom costumes, island dresses, swimwear and evening gowns.
As it got down to the final six contestants each were asked questions about tourism in Vanuatu. Told to answer in English some of the contestants struggled. Two stood out speaking with passion, they were the inevitable winners.
But according to the General Manager of the Vanuatu Tourism Office, Linda Kalpoi, everyone was a winner . She went on to announce that all of the entrants had won 46,000 vatu from an anonymous Australian donor.
Contestants also received vouchers for a full body massage from judge Christine Hamilton. However the audience was most anxious to see the titles handed-out.
For showing kindliness to others throughout the competition Priscella Thieul, 18, won the title of "Miss Friendship".
Blue-eyed beauty Karen Kalsakau, 22, won "Best in Swimwear".
Title of "Best Island Dress" went to Patricia Kabukai, 26.
Alima Garae, 22, was titled "Best Talent".
The award for "Best Kustom Dress" went to Juanita Tarilama, 21.
Club Vanuatu Manager and organiser of the event Beverley Teklic thanked everyone for their support and opened the event explaining that a women's beauty is inspirational, referring to Leonardo Di Vinci's creation of the Mona Lisa.
Herself hoping to inspire, Miss Teklic said the event was a "celebration of beauty, pageantry and Melanesian pride." Swamped with congratulations on a job well done, several audience members asked for the pageant to be held again next year.
With 100, 000 vatu donated to the children's ward of Vila Central Hospital and the winner taking home a return ticket to the Gold Coast with $1000 AU spending money, there is sure to be more women lining up for the opportunity in 2006.
*more published pieces to be added
