We started this project with many questions that led to many paths. Yet that might have been the best place to start; I had no idea that seeking out these stories would lead us beyond what we were ever searching for.

The universe works in beautiful ways. My ancestors spoke to me, guiding me towards these people—placing our paths in alignment just enough for our stories to intersect, diverge, and one day meet again.

Utilizing the theoretical frameworks from our theory course, what I have taken away is the ability to both use and not use theory depending on circumstance. And that it's okay either way.

I leave this project feeling loved, affirmed in my beliefs/values, and seen for who I am, and all that I will be. I feel more confident in my abilities as a critic: to call things out as they are, to challenge/unsettle texts in a way that seeks to recuperate their harm. I have also seen the power that storytelling has, to transcend words and become physical iterations of who we are, and where we come from. Our project is a testament to that.

Perhaps the greatest takeaway—the greatest gift I could have received, is the friendship and support of these two inspirational women. I walk lighter because of them. My heart is full of joy as I get the privilege to take in and take on parts of their stories that they have trusted me with.

What a beautiful life and space we have cultivated.

Mahalo nui loa,

Ki

In one of our conversations, we were essentially asked, “what will you take with you from this journey?” I have been sitting with this question for a month; my best answer is I am taking the language gifted to us by those we spoke with: story is my structure; we exist in relation, not comparison; vulnerability and transparency are necessary to the creative process; misunderstandings are often caused by using the same word to mean different things; inter-disciplinary and inter-genre work is necessary.

This project has helped me become more comfortable with indeterminacy; I do not need to have the answers, I just need to show up ‒ in my work, in conversations, in my world. I will find the people I’m meant to learn from and grow with. And that is the biggest gift of this project and experience: a brilliant, supportive, and forever curious cohort between Kiana, Sione, and (incredibly thankful) myself.

In terms of this class, I am grateful for this project because instead of approaching theory at points of tension, of using comparison as a diagnostic tool to understand it or my work, I can approach theory as a method of storytelling to understand ourselves ontologically, epistemologically, metaphysically. But it’s just that ‒ a story. We get to decide which stories to accept and apply; which stories to challenge; and which ones define us.

In truth, I am not ready for this journey to end. I know this project will stay with me as I continue to work and grow.

Reflection:

This final project is such a beautiful example to me of what interdisciplinary work can look like when you are given the space to work within/around/in-between the margins, or as decolonial scholars Walsh and Mignolo might say, it is a testimate to what can flourish in the cracks. I learned a lot, personally and professionally, in terms of the type of scholar I want to be and the sort of work and community I want to be involved with. I am most grateful to have had the chance to work alongside Kiana and Racheal, as well as the chance to share space with the faculty we spoke to. It was an honor to hear from them and see the ways that these common themes are relevant across disciplines but in various ways.

Positionality:

As is the protocol for many Pacific Islanders and Pacific Islander scholars, it is important for me to recognize the roll that my genealogy plays within my own identity and my research. I am Sāmoan, born and raised in the United States. My biological father is from Utulei on Tutulei in American Sāmoa, and my mother is white-American, born in California and raised in Washington state. I identify as Pacific Islander, as Pasifika, as a descendent from Oceania, as Sāmoan and as a woman of color. I am also an able-bodied, cisgender woman. All of these aspects of my identity make up who I am and how I navigate through spaces, including academia and research.