On June 6, 2024, at free public online event on “Talk Story on Tides of Change in the Pacific Islands” (Part 3 of 3), Dr. Tarisi Vunidilo, Marilyn Cornelius, and Nora Nelson discussed their Visions & Voices articles.
09:01 What inspired you to choose the topic for your article?
16:27 Can you share the key messages you hope readers will take away from your article?
25:55 Are there any surprising discoveries you made during your research?
32:20 How do you see this issue impacting the Pacific islands in the near future?
39:10 How can individuals and communities contribute to addressing the issues highlighted in your article?
Dr. Tarisi’s article, “Repatriation of Ancestral Remains from Germany to the Pacific,” discusses the Sensitive Provenance-Human Remains from Colonial Contexts (2021-2024) Project at the University of Gottingen in Germany, a research platform that encourages collaborative approach by working together across the museum sector, with other government institutions and local communities. To date, they have successfully undertaken repatriation to Hawaii, Aotearoa/New Zealand and the Republic of Palau, and more will take place in the near future.
Marilyn’s article, “The Elephant in the Room: Trauma in the Pacific,” examines a deep underlying cause of many societal ills in the Pacific: trauma resulting from abuse. Abuse, combined with patriarchal, colonial and capitalistic influences lead to depression, gender-based violence, addictions, and broken relationships, but we don’t usually talk about trauma. She explains that any viable way forward must embrace inclusion, creation of safe spaces to talk about and heal trauma, and building on intersectional efforts.
Nora’s article, “The Pressing Need for Resilient, Equitable, Safe, and Sustainable Decentralized Wastewater Solutions for the Pacific Islands,” explains that islands around the world face unique water and wastewater management challenges that are made more complex and dynamic in a changing climate. In Hawaii, the task of converting more than 83,000 cesspools by 2050 will require collaborative and innovative approaches that will meet policy mandates; effectively address engineering challenges; empower communities and make them more resilient; and safeguard natural resources and local economies. With funding from the National Science Foundation, the authors are engaging in a four-pronged approach to develop and promote decentralized wastewater solutions that can be scaled across Hawaii and replicated in the unique contexts of islands in other regions.
Moderated by Keoni M. Williams, PIDP.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the Pacific Islands Development Program or the East-West Center.