Comments about ‘Vai's View: Polynesian culture offers barriers, blessings’

This is interesting, but blogs don't belong on the front page of the DesNews. Put them on the editorials page, where they belong.

Vai,

I watched with amazement while you played football at BYU. But I have got to say after reading about your culture and your life experience, I am even more proud of you the man.

I hope your words find their way to the masses. They have great worth to all peoples.

Another great article Vai. Looking forward to the next part of this subject.

As always an enjoyable read and insightful- I am sure this will engender much discussion as well and personally better discussion than most things here which is exactly why it belongs on the front page.

A well written, insightful article.

Vai, What a great article. It is nice to see people like you who are able to embrace the positive things from their culture, but are able to let the things that don't fit with their beliefs become a part of who they are. Keep up the good work.

Great article, Vai. And, these days, we all have to pick and choose and leave negative aspects of our various cultures behind if we want to live the Gospel.

These thoughts could easily apply to other cultures. Though traditions and methods are slightly different, at its core we're all the same. I love reading all your candid truthful insights.

Come on readers! Seriously? The thrid article in-a-row on Poly issues? Is such information REALLY necessary? I've LOVED your previous blogs, with the exception of the last two and now this one. You've lost my interest, Vai. Sorry about that. Is it your personal mission to educate society on poly culture? I'd like you to get back to your sports/BYU analysis without including race/culture issues. I can't imagine I'm alone, but who knows. Perhaps I am. We'll see.

So. Cal Reader I think you are alone, anyone who didn't find Vai's article interesting needs to find other interests besides only sports (and this coming from a certified sports addict)

Best article you've written, Vai. Belongs on the front page. The Latu story deserves to be trumpeted loud and long -- make a movie of it. Limhi and his wife are extraordinary human beings and examples. (Never met the Latus, but know Keli Lobendahn and that great guy is similar to Limhi. Hard working, salt of the earth, great father.)

Despite some protestations, life in America for the Polynesians is pertinent and powerful stuff. Keep it coming.

Anxious to read part 2.

I was very bored with this article.

Bro Sikahema - So. CalReader is having a hard time seeing the big picture. There is much more to these articles than "Poly issues". I look forward to anything Vai Sikahema has to write about. Even if it is controversial. Keep it coming.

So. Cal Reader

On the surface this blog may be an educational piece on Polynesian culture. However, if you look beyond that you will find principles that apply to all of us regardless of culture. As a father of three young children I read through this and picked up several ideas that I can learn from as I raise my kids, and I'm as white as they come - literally. (I live in Seattle where the sun doesn't shine).

I grew up in Provo. I had a young men's leader from Tonga who was and still is a great example to me. I had friends in the ward from Samoa. The culture doesn't matter. It's the principles and what we can learn from them that do matter.

Wonderful article from a talented guy. The Polynesian saints are a gift to us all and their faith is astounding. Thank you for the insights. Some of you readers are completely oblivious to the message Vai is sending here. The message is...wait for it...THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN SPORTS! I played college football (was a freshman QB when Vai was a senior at BYU), am a high school coach and love sports beyond reason. But I have learned that sports are pointless unless put into the right context. Vai is attempting to do that for you here, with varying degrees of success, apparently.

Thanks for the insights. I have two adopted Samoan children, and continue to be amazed how much of the Polynesian culture comes through them, even though they both left Samoa as toddlers. Your lessons apply to anyone, in considering what parts of our culture need to be adjusted to live a successful life. Thanks!

this is much better than Vai's last two articles (which were long, drawn out, and really had no point). Thanks Vai!

I personally know a few of the Latus, and they live up to everything Vai wrote about them. If only more families like them could be found. They are all very talented, musically, academically and socially. It's hard to see minority youth from many different cultures grow up believing there's nothing for them beyond highschool. We need to turn their attention to people like Vai and others who have chosen to step beyond the stereotypes.

Vai,let me add my voice to the vast majority who appreciate your candid and insightful articles. I once heard that the definition of a great leader is one who can be perfectly honest and perfectly kind at the same time. I feel you achieve this in today's blog. Well done and thank you.

I'd much rather hear Vai's analysis on the culture than his analysis on sports. Sports analysts are a dime a dozen and they all say the same meaningless things...like most sports intereviews..."I think if we play good defense and score more points than them we'll win the game." Really?! Ya think?!
All too often people (particularly racial minorities) cling to their culture so much that it becomes detrimental. Vai is exactly right in picking and choosing the cultural traditions that fit within the gospel and eschewing those that do not.