It's such a wonderful and beautiful place. But here we are now, living and working in the BIG country. Some may be here for just a short time, in school or in the military. Whichever state we live in, we're always looking for other Polynesians to learn where to find good Polynesian food, where to shop for Polynesian staples, where to hear good music, enjoy Polynesian dances and to find out, generally, what's happening. All is not as rosy as they seem, however.
Some Polynesian families have serious difficulties adjusting to a new way of life.
Traditional family values in Polynesia are not the same as they are in the U.S., especially on the mainland. As new generations of Polynesians mature in the U.S., there is a concern that, because they have not been immersed in the Polynesian culture as we have, they may someday lose their true identity as Polynesians. Jesse Sapolu, the well-known Forty Niners lineman, said it well in a recent television interview. The kids have it tough here because they are expected to act one way with their friends and another with their mom and dad. But they must never forget their culture and where they came from because, in the end, that's what really counts.