[Review of the book Reppin': Pacific Islander Youth and Native Justice, edited by K. L. Camacho]

Abstract

Pacific Youth have been visible in global discourse as 'natives' 'sport athletes' and 'criminals'. Sadly, many of these narratives have been imposed on this group by the media and ill-informed academics. As a result, there has been an invasion of scholarly literature which frames Pacific youth through a deficit lens. Not only is deficit theorising inappropriate, it is also dehumanising. Reppin': Pacific Islander Youth and Native Justice aims to counter these narratives by privileging the 'lived experiences' and resilience of Pacific youth from a transnational standpoint. This anthology opens with a comprehensive introduction by Keith L. Camacho, himself a passionate and well known scholar of Pacific studies. Camacho challenges the problematic nature of current literature on Pacific youth. He believes that stories of Pacific youth should allow for this cohort to maintain their "dignity". In doing so, he shows the corrective and scholarly contribution of this anthology, which is to provide an avenue to show the stories of Pacific youth both in the Island nations and diaspora, with respect and humanity.Through this work, he showcases how Pacific Islander youth address global issues, advocate for change and create their own narratives, 'reppin island style'.Chapter 1, titled 'Koti Rangatahi: Whanaungatanga Justice and the "Magnificence of the Connectedness"', by Stella Jacquie Kidd and Katey Thom, is about culturally appropriate ways to engage Maori families and youth. This chapter calls for "whanaungatanga justice", which is a collectively Maori approach which incorporates many aspects of te Ao Māori (Maori worldview) such as the elders, speeches, meetinghouses and carvings present in Koti Rangatahi (Youth Court), it is envisioned that this process can be implemented in every legal process in New Zealand.Chapter 2 is titled '"Raise Your Pen": A Critical Race Essay on Truth and Justice', and is written by Kepa 'okusitino maumau, Moana 'ulu' Ave-Hafoka, and Lea Lani Kinikini. This chapter speaks of an extraordinary journey of Kepa Okusitino Maumau and how he was able to navigate the legal system in Salt Lake Ciy, Utah. Through a high school acquaintance, the fusion of Tongan culture and Critical race theory, Kepa was able to be released from prison, as an empowered man.Chapter 3, titled 'Pasifika Lens: An analysis of Samoan student experiences in Australian High Schools', written by Vaoiva Ponton, speaks of youth homework study groups for Samoan students BOOK REVIEW