Inaugural Pacifika Softball Tournament brings island communities together
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Roots Reborn Maui held its inaugural Pacifika Softball Tournament in Kahului from July 31-Aug. 2, bringing together athletes, cultural performers, families and community leaders from across Compact of Free Association communities, including the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
The free, three-day tournament at the Central Maui Regional Sports Complex was intended to bring communities together through sports, culture and access to community resources.
"Many oars, one canoe" was the theme for the weekend, reflecting the tournament's effort to bring people from Pohnpei, Yap, Chuuk, Kosrae and the Marshall Islands together in a new setting.
"Watching teams from each island play against and alongside each other, then mingle together off the field, felt like the theme playing out in real time," said Annie Alvelais, director of operations and development for Roots Reborn Maui.
Going into the inaugural event, organizers wondered what community engagement would look like. By Friday's opening ceremony, Alvelais said those questions had been answered as community members turned out to support the tournament.
Volunteers stepped in to umpire games, keep score, help with cleanup and bring food. Community members also hosted workshops on Yapese lei-making and created lei to honor tournament honorees during the opening ceremony.
An estimated 1,000 people participated throughout the weekend.
"For next year, we’re hoping to bring more of a fair feel with vendors and resources on-site to engage folks who may not be particularly excited about the softball tournament, and get more community members involved earlier in the planning process," Alvelais said.
Shakaz Up players gather for a team photo during the inaugural Pacifika Softball Tournament at the Central Maui Regional Sports Complex in Kahului. The three-day tournament brought together teams and families from Pacific island communities. Photo courtesy Roots Reborn Maui
On the field, the games were competitive, but organizers said the connections formed among players and supporters were just as important. Alvelais said feedback throughout the tournament was positive, with participants already expressing interest in returning next year.
"Coaches and players have told us how much it meant to them," Alvelais said. "One player even asked to speak at our closing ceremony, acknowledging how much fun they had with the tournament but highlighting the importance of the workshops and access to that information they need that may be affecting them, such as COFA and how to spread knowledge and awareness."
Alvelais said the feedback will help guide next year's tournament and other Roots Reborn Maui programs.
"Their thoughts and ideas will guide how we shape next year’s tournament and programming," she said. "In the near future, we’re excited to bring our Know Your Rights and Worker’s Rights workshops directly to the community, especially through churches, so people can get that information from a space they trust."
Roots Reborn Maui said many members of the COFA community who attended the tournament were not familiar with the organization.
By participating alongside community members throughout the weekend, organizers said they hoped to build relationships and make people more comfortable seeking the organization's services when needed. Introducing Roots Reborn Maui to more members of the community was one of the tournament's primary goals.
"As we worked to secure the umpires for the tournament, the opportunity to sponsor two young Micronesian women through the umpire certification process arose, which is exactly the kind of opportunity we hope to keep creating," Alvelais said.