Vaueli Johnson: an interview by Savani Aupiu, 13 October 2008: Pacific Islanders Oral History Project, U-1943

Transcript (42 pages) of an interview by Savani Aupiu with Vaueli Johnson, on13 October 2008. Part of the Pacific Islanders Oral History Project, Everett Cooley Collection tape no. U-1943

Vaueli Johnson grew up in American Samoa until she was four. Her family then moved to Laie, Hawaii. After she graduated from high school Vaueli moved to Utah to attend BYU. Vaueli talks about the various jobs she's had. She mostly worked for her father's business, a variety store called Country Baby. She wasn't taught to speak Samoan when she was young but she can understand it and speak it fairly well. Her father now regrets not teaching them the language because it's part of their culture. She talks about charity and generosity as aspects of Samoan culture she's learned from her father. She also talks about the importance of education in her life. Vaueli feels that she is treated differently as a Samoan in Utah. Most people mistake her for being Hispanic and she doesn't feel welcome because of that. She talks about the differences between her experience of Samoan culture growing up, and her husband's experience growing up Samoan. Vaueli discusses being raised Mormon, and how her parents were converted. She talks about the differences between Samoan LDS churches and white churches.Pacific Worlds Project. Interviewer: Savani Aupiu