Elsie Moleni Toluta'u, Salt Lake City, UT: an interview by Savani Aupiu, 30 November 2008: Pacific Islanders Oral History Project, U-1964

Transcript (57 pages) of an interview by Savani Aupiu with Elsie Moleni Toluta'u on 30 November 2008. Part of the Pacific Islanders Oral History Project, Everett Cooley Collection tape no. U-1964

Elsie Toluta'u was born in Hamilton, New Zealand. When she was three her family moved to Utah. They then moved to Tonga when she was five and they lived there for five years. Then her family moved back to New Zealand for nine years. After she graduated from high school, her family moved back to Utah. Elsie also lived in Tennessee for a year and a half while on a Mormon mission and she lived in Hawaii for four years. She lives in Utah with her husband and two children.She discusses moving around a lot. Her parents wanted to live in America because there were more opportunities here for their family. She was excited to move to America because she felt there were not a lot of opportunities for her in New Zealand. At school in New Zealand Elsie felt like a lot of the teachers and coaches favored their own children over other students and so she and her siblings did not like it there. She did enjoy some of the extracurricular activities at the high school. She talks about living in Tonga.In New Zealand Elsie's family grew up with aspects of the Maori culture. When they moved to Utah, though, they took part in Tongan culture because there is such a large Tongan culture there. The transition to Utah was made easier because of the Tongan culture in Utah. Elsie describes Maori cultural activities they took part in while in New Zealand.Elsie talks about her parents' attitudes towards education. She describes her parents' educational backgrounds. Education was expected in their home. Her parents led by example when it came to education. Her father came to America for an education and worked hard to earn it and her mother earned hers while raising their family.She talks about growing up in a big family. The girls had to share a room and the boys had to share a room because they lived in a small house. They all worked to support the family. She was very close to her sisters and did everything with them.Elsie discusses being Tongan in Utah. She has not felt discriminated against but feels she has learned to love all people since moving. She was reluctant to make friends with white people but has learned to get along with everyone.She talks about her family's religious background. She is a fourth generation Mormon. She went on a mission in Knoxville, Tennessee. She recounts her most memorable experience as a missionary. Elsie believes that everything good in her life has stemmed from being a part of the Mormon religion.In the future Elsie wants to serve missions with her husband. She wants to move to Tonga. She wants to be a marriage and family counselor.Project: Pacific Islanders. Interviewer: Savani Aupia