Utah to celebrate 10 years of Pacific Island Heritage Month

SALT LAKE CITY — Throughout August, Utahns are celebrating Utah Pacific Island Heritage Month.

This year is a special one – commemorating the official declaration made 10 years ago.

Governor Spencer Cox is inviting Utahns to learn more about the Pacific Islander community and their culture.

One way you can do that is by checking out an art installation at this year’s “Friendly Islands Tongan Festival.”

It was put together by a group of Pacific Island leaders and artists from Utah who attended Harvard University in June as part of a fellowship.

They got to see some of their ancestors’ belongings featured in the Oceania collection at the Harvard Peabody Museum.

It’s called Asoso: Resting Collectively, Rising Collectively.

The exhibit focuses on the headrest used across Oceanic cultures.

“One of our focus is bringing it back to significance of rest especially in today’s day and age where people are constantly working especially our Pacifica people,” Sinia Maile, Pacific Islander community worker said. “We kind of want our people to know that it’s ok to rest, it’s ok to ask on your fellow Pacific Islanders to help each other.”

Stop by the Friendly Islands Tongan Festival happening today and tomorrow at Jordan Park 1060 S. 900 West in Salt Lake City.

There will be cultural performances, entertainment, crafts, and plenty of tasty food to enjoy.