Kia ora, aloha! My name is Emily Lau and I am from Kaimukī in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. When I was 10, I moved with my mom to the east coast of the United States and lived on a small island in Maine. I've been living on islands pretty much my whole life! I love being in and near the ocean, whether swimming, sailing, or just admiring the view.
I decided to take some time off from college when COVID hit, and I went home to Hawaiʻi to spend time with my ʻohana (family) and to volunteer with the Polynesian Voyaging Society! Learning more about waʻa kaulua (double-hulled sailing canoes) and traditional voyaging really inspired me to dig deeper into the rich culture of Hawaiʻi. Voyaging also helped me realize how connected all the different islands throughout the Pacific are -- if you listen to the different languages, like te reo Māori and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, you might notice that they have a lot of similarities!
In my last year at Yale, I decided to apply for a Fulbright to come to Aotearoa (New Zealand) so that I could learn more about these similarities and differences, especially related to how different indigenous peoples care for their ʻāina/whenua (lands and waters). I am so lucky to be doing a Master of Indigenous Studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau (the University of Auckland) this year, and I can't wait to share more about my adventures with all of you and to hear more about you too!
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
