Page 19 - IB June July 2024

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exist in concert with the government. And so there
was a recognition that those different frameworks
need not be the reason why we stay apart. And
that we can find a forum to continue to meet and
discuss and help each other, regardless of what the
structure of our own internal islands are.”

Absent relatives and friends
The absence of Vanuatu, West Papua and in
particular, New Caledonia was felt from the first
moments of the festival.
“We remember our brothers and sisters who are
not here with us,” Fiji’s Jope Koroisavou said at the
opening ceremony.
“We bring their spirit with us.”
Kanaky/New Caledonia’s empty hale quickly
became a gathering place for delegates and
attendees to show their solidarity for the Kanaks in
the face of the troubles that forced their withdrawal
from the festival. It was adorned with many artful
messages of support by the final days of the event,
and became a meeting place for kava drinkers,
talanoas/talks and the like.
The closing ceremony also featured reminders
of these absent relatives, with protestors dropping
banners bearing messages including “Free Kanaky”,
“Free West Papua” and “Cancel RIMPAC” (the US
military training exercise around the Hawaiian
Islands involving 29 nations that was due to
commence as the Festival came to a close). Fijian carver, Iliesa Latu
Guam author, Michael Lujan Bevacqua noted:
“In truth, FestPAC itself is a tapestry of political
and territorial ambiguities, some of which remain
clearly colonial according to the definition of the
United Nations. Among the islands that participate
in FestPAC, six (American Samoa, French Polynesia,
New Caledonia, Guam, Pitcairn and Tokelau) remain
on the list of non-self-governing territories that the
United Nations reminds the world must be assisted
in achieving a genuine level of self-governance.
“But beyond this, there are places in the Pacific
where colonial relationships may persist, just under
different names. Norfolk Island, where a little over
2000 people live, is governed by Australia, which
has reduced the island’s ability to locally govern
in recent years. Rapa Nui or Easter Island has been
one of the most visible and memorable delegations
in recent FestPAC cycles. Their island is home to
only around 8000 people and they are governed by
Chile.”
In a region where cultural expression is an
important part of political and independence
movements, the “beautiful chaotic mess” that
was FestPAC was a microcosm of the complex,
ever-evolving region which it celebrated. It was an Awaiting the arrival of traditional wa’a (voyaging canoes) at Kualoa Regional Park prior to the
honour to be there. Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture. Photos: Floyd Takeuchi

Islands Business,June/Juy 2024 19