Sipping Koko

March 28, 2020July 6, 2020

Pasifika Women and the Chief System

Throughout history we have seen our women be leaders in movements, take care of our people, and fight for the preservation of our culture. Sadly, even in our own islands and villages women are represented or recognized as true leaders. We can be leaders in the western world and that’s okay, but what about our own families? What about more women becoming chiefs? There’s something to be said about women having that position and the ability to have a say in how our villages and families run. Plus, I can already hear it now, “Women should be seen and not heard,” or “They need to take care of the household. That’s where they have their say.” Trust me I know it’s 2020, and you wouldn’t think this mindset is still around, but trust me, I’ve seen how some of our families work. I’ve gone to church and see the gender roles placed. The old ways are still there.

March 19, 2020September 8, 2020

#EmpoweredPasifikaWomen – Joreen Nohealani Kepa aka Jing

Empowered Through Inspiring Other

I’m from the Island of Moloka’i which is one of 8 islands in the Hawaii chain. I now reside in Utah cause milk is cheap. Culture shock but Home is where you are! I love traveling, good energy & positive vibes.

March 18, 2020July 6, 2020

Pasifika Women and Body Image

“Someone told me they were worried about you cause you had gained weight.” “Do you think a guy is going to date you? They only date girls who are skinny. ” “It’s the world we live in. Skinny girls get what they want.” “Are you depressed?” “Do you even want to lose weight?” And, the list goes on and on. This is what I have heard over the last few years. This is all about my weight.

March 16, 2020September 8, 2020

#EmpoweredPasifikaWomen – Monique HoChing

Empowered Through Family

I was born and raised in Sandy, Utah and am very intentional in representing my Samoan heritage and the 801 with work and projects. My greatest motivation comes from wanting to give back to my family, culture, and beloved SLC community while also paving new paths for the younger generations. My family, more specifically my nieces and nephews, are my best friends and gives all credit to anything she has accomplished/hopes to accomplish to her parents. I studied at Weber State University where I served as the Pacific Islander Student Senate for the TOA Club (Pacific Islander club on campus) and was studying to become an museum/art exhibit Curator. I transferred to the University of Utah in Spring of the 2019-2020 school year where I have now taken on a position as Vice President for the Art History Student Association and become a Art Ambassador at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. When I am not at school are working on passion projects I love to hang out with cousins, listen to music, and shop for shoes.

March 15, 2020July 6, 2020

Pasifika Women and Business

Our people have been entrepreneurs for a very long time, but when it comes to modern-day business our women are just now making their mark. That doesn’t mean that it’s easy or that we are recognized for our hard work. If you think it’s hard for women in general, think about the added struggle of people thinking that because of your background you don’t know anything. You go through mansplaining and other women “dumbing things down” for you.

March 14, 2020September 8, 2020

#EmpowerPasifikaWomen – Susi Lafaele

This month, I also asked people who follow my socials to submit women who inspire them. Leilani Funaki submitted Susi Lafaele, and this is her story.

Empowered Community Work

Susi is one of the best people I know. She’s generous, kind, compassionate, dedicated, and authentic. She’s a wonderful daughter, dedicated sister, and the world’s best aunty to a large group of nieces and nephews. Susi is also active in her community, through church activities, her work network (she was with the St. George Chamber of Commerce for 10 years and is now the Legacy Park Event Specialist and Fair Director), and through the many ways she gives back to her community. She co-founded the Southern Utah Pacific Islander Coalition (SUPIC) and has worked tirelessly over the years to support the PI community in Southern Utah.

March 13, 2020July 6, 2020

Pasifika Women and Politics

If there is one place that women are sorely underrepresented, it would be having a seat in politics. It seems that around the world women are constantly working to break the glass ceiling. Just to have our voices heard where decisions about our countries or even bodies is a very hard thing to do. You want to know what the worst part of all of this is? Oh yes, there is a worse part. It’s that it is statistically known that the Pacific governments are the worst at having women in government.

March 12, 2020September 8, 2020

#EmpoweredPasifikaWomen – Morwenna Petaia

Empowered Through Overcoming Life’s Obstacles

I am a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter and an aunt. I also own a business.

I was born in NZ. We moved to Australia when I was about 2. I am a Samoan Australia, sorry NZ. I was brought up in a single parent home. At 15 I moved to Samoa to give my grandma company for a while. I attended Samoa College while I was there. I returned to Australia and finished High School. I did a year of Uni in Melbourne before heading to Hawaii to finish my Bachelor of Arts. In Hawaii I met my first husband. We got married in Samoa. When I became pregnant I returned to Australia to give birth to our amazing son. Our marriage broke down and I moved to Samoa with my son. We lived there for 9 years. In that time I worked full time as a single mother and completed my Master of International and Community Development degree online. It was hard at times but family and work support helped me through. We moved back to Australia where I met and married my now husband and added two sons to our Brady Bunch. It was hard for me to get a job when I returned to Australia even with years of experience and degrees. I participated in the NEIS program and began my own business, Measina Treasures of Samoa. This is my life now.

March 11, 2020July 6, 2020

Pasifika Women and Sex

Okay so I wasn’t sure if I should touch on this topic. 1. Because, well, as I’m always honest with y’all I’m a virgin. I know a lot women at the age of 27 are not virgins but there it is. Can I also say that doesn’t mean I’m completely oblivious to things though? It doesn’t mean I’m naive like the rest of the world would think, it just means I haven’t found the man I’m comfortable having that moment with. And, 2. I feel as if it’s a taboo topic to talk about. Like a lot of our community doesn’t want to explore the topic of sex except for – DON’T DO IT. 3. I have family members who follow this and this could get weird, but I created Sipping Koko to open doors to conversations and I have to stick to that belief.

March 10, 2020September 8, 2020

#EmpoweredPasifikaWomen – Jenilyn Su’a Satuala

Empowered Through Good Energy

I am a first generation Pacific Islander, with Eastern European influences, a mother of 2, and a pop culture connoisseur. I am constantly on the look out for good music, good food, & good company. I enjoy history, trivia in any competitive form, family time, traveling, being outdoors and all kinds of podcasts. I am fascinated by the energies of the universe and am always trying to learn more about my/our purpose in this life.