The Forgotten Pacific Documentary

The Forgotten Pacific travels to five Pacific islands to discover how communities are weaving indigenous knowledge into the modern-day fight to adapt, rebuild and save their islands from climate change.
Guided by the wisdom and passion of Pacific climate leader Suluafi Brianna Fruean the documentary spans across the waters of Fiji, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Samoa. The Forgotten Pacific captures the vibrant yet challenging lives of these islands. Each island speaks to us with its own story of struggle and resilience, yet all are united by an unwavering spirit of hope and survival.
Made with the support of New Zealand on Air
Credits:
Director/Producer : Elizabeth Koroivulaono (Yaroi, Mautuku, Lau vasu Lomaiviti)
Presenter: Suluafi Brianna Fruean (Toamua, Falelima, Nanumea)
Editor: Laura McBeath (Ngāi Tahu | Te Ātiawa )
Director of Photography: Riki Reinfield (Ngāti Mutunga)
Field Sound : Marcus Lawson (Aotearoa)
Director Mentor/Executive Producer: Kay Ellmers( Ngāti Tamaterā)
Network Commissioner: Lisa Taouma (Poutasi, Samoa )
Production House: Tikilounge Productions Ltd
Post House : Envy Studio
Graphics and Animation : Adrian McBirney (Cook Islands)

[@Gessieckahh]

Thank you Suluafi Brianna Fruean for sharing the stories from these islands. Powerful.

[@anastasiayvonna]

Thank you Brianna, the team behind this, everyone who shared their stories, and all Pacific Climate Warriors around the globe. So many emotions and so many reasons to spread awareness and educate ourselves and everyone around us. We are not drowning, we are fighting ‼️🗣🏝

[@vivianniedenthal-koroi5238]

“The Marshallese traditional knowledge is very vital because it is the histories that tell us how to live today to prepare us for the future.” This documentary is beautifully said. Beautifully captured. Beautifully done!

[@javenbautista5678]

I'm from the Philippines....I know the feeling of our brothers and sisters in the Pacific regarding climate change.... My province was hardly hit by Supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) on 2013. It is most strongest typhoon or cyclone ever landed.... Year by year the typhoon passing here in the Philippines are getting stronger and we hit by more than 20 typhoons every year...

[@traciannveno]

The storms are also caused by spiritual. If Christians took prayer seriously we wouldn’t have as many storms. But the pagans and atheists curse the earth and this is what we get. God bless this land and all who live on it. In Jesus name we break all curses sent on it amen

[@fa7842]

@@traciannveno I think in asia playing with drugs is not a joke. However is not healthy so better not take it.

[@ldixon4548]

God bless you 🙏🏿

[@Cilla-bu8ky]

I have never been able to sit through a climate change doc but this was beautifully made. My heart goes out to our beautiful islands most affected by this ❤❤

[@ambo9569]

Same! 😢 It breaks my heart

[@dylankava2561]

A Pacific visionary telling our story of Pacific resilience. So proud of you Bibi ♥️🌺

[@Toria-v5l]

Thoroughly enjoyed this Documentary. Thank you for educating us. This is a MUST SEE for the entire family! You will cry , but mostly leave with more knowledge on climate change and how it is killing the pacific. 🌊💔

[@lillyteafa_professional]

So proud of our Moana Pacific people! Love how this was made from our people’s own perspectives 🥹❤️

[@milishirley3333]

“We are nothing without the land & ocean we call ours” ❤ fafetai from the 12,000 beating hearts of Tuvalu.

[@garenzo86]

The world need to see this video, im from the island of the philippines, i couldn't stop my tears watching this.

[@EverettLang-w9k]

First of all, I appreciated watching this documentary. Very well done, Suluafi Brianna Fruean 👍🏽 When I was young, all the experts said the next ice age was coming due to climate change. Now many say climate change is due to global warming long before humans and industrialization. Climatologists say the world has gone through many cycles of cooling and warming. With all due respect, what if you are wrong? What if climate change is being driven by natural processes? Brianna, I would like to talk to you about these things when you have time.

[@john8451109]

OMG. My heart goes out to those who are now feeling the brunt of CC. Thank you Brianna and to the Pacific Island Warriors for your great work.

[@kagoon0709]

Dear team, thank you for making this. I recommend putting multi-language subtitles to this valuable and educative documentary for larger audiences.

[@wilding1092]

This is soo deep.. Very informative for our people to come together and be warriors against the fight of climate change. Praying for a better future for our homes.

[@forme3h]

Darlene is such an inspiration. The first Marshallese warrior and one of the Pacific’s inspiration. I read a book by Darlene and it’s such a great book.

[@mahepofele9357]

This was a touching example of the continuing struggle we as pacific peoples face, even with the challenges thrown at us we will work and unite to fight and defend what we know. Ofa atu, and proud of all the achievements outlined jn this doco.

[@SrRafaele]

Thank you beloved Brianna for your ministry, very proud of you, a real Samoan warrior woman who fights, leads with audacity and determination. Malo tau, malo le tautua for our survival. Alofa and God bless from Perth Australia 🇦🇺 ❤❤❤

[@precioustusega6850]

So hard not to get emotional watching this! 🥺 Thank you to everyone involved for teaching us so well thru this doc! Eyes have been opened more, mind has been awoken more and my motivation to be a better guardian/protector/advocate for the land and sea that take care of us has increased! Malo lava! 🙏🏽🤍

[@Durga-ct2eb]

Beautifully put together, thank you. ❤ Pacific Climate Warriors will prevail!

[@susancroft3734]

I live on a small island in the Caribbean called Anguilla. I have lived here since 1983. When it was innocently beautiful 🌴 I SO enjoyed watching and learning from your experience and video . Blessings to all of your people ☀️🙏🏽

[@carmiefuller5414]

Thank you for this video. It's such an eye-opener. Hopefully, companies will realise how much damage is being done to the beautiful islands in the Pacific and change their ways. Everyone needs to do their part to try and save the world we live in before it gets ruined 😢

[@leieseapo]

This is a call to action esp for all those who call the islands their home. So much prayers for our Pacific!🩵🩵🩵

[@edandlex]

Just finished watching this! Wow, thank you for all your hard work- what a blessing to this woman and the other Climate Warriors 💪🏽

[@vaitagi]

Beautiful congratulations for the knowledge you give to us . To me as an Uvean . I don’t know a lot about you. Blessed was the day I met Youngs in Tonga , especially Reid. Thank you !

[@futunaislandadventure]

A very informative and eye opener to most industrialized countries. We can raise awareness and inspire action to protect our communities and our environment for our future generation. We are not Drowning, we are fighting. Pray and hope for our Pacific Island.🇻🇺

[@adapesa2898]

Very inspirational! Malo lava Brianna & team!

[@riseofvikingz2287]

Shes one of the crying beacons that keeps echoing throughout the vast pacific oceans 😢❤ we are with you

[@RandmOutdoorz]

Deep......eye-opening.....reality. You have not been forgotten, Pacifica; always in my prayers. Thank you and all the climate warriors out there for the work you do! 👏👏👏

[@lesxv284]

Shame Cook Islands government hasn’t signed on with the treaty 😡 as an cook islander I’m disappointed 👎🏽……we are all on same Vaka we are all sinking

[@Trey_Stylez-3066]

Don't blame cook islands. Climate change and pollution came from white people from england, Europe, spain, Italy, Greece, jews etc. They are the ones that polluted our oceans, and land, mining our minerals. Metal ships and metal parts rusting and corroding in our waters poisoning it. It's killing our corals. The whites are the ones that developed all these things we consume and use. The cars, the foods and preservatives in our foods, the plastic wrapping, the cans, the this and that. Hardwaste rubbish like TV's, microwaves, beds, clothes, trash poisoning our soils, this has nothing to do with cook isla d's and most pacific islands. The islands with the mc Donald's, kfc, dominoes, pizzahut, hungry jacks or burger kings aka fast food restaurants are polluting the lands and seating into the ocean. We all know about solomon islands and other islands sinking. But there is nothing we can do. Too much population and over weighing the land. Luckily the islands don't have skyscrapers like main cities do because it wouldn't with stand the weight of the building would be weighing the land down. And they were asked to move to fijians islands and start over again. But no one wants to move because of their culture and traditions started where they are. Cook islands don't even have any fast food restaurants. All cook islands foods are cooked by locals and caught by locals. None of this supermarket stuff daily. It'll be mainly tourist at supermarkets in cook islands . The cook islanders are the ones at the fish markets amd fruit markets selling their kai aka foods. Should be whoever is running your country. I mean not your government but the ones that own it. Wether it be english, Dutch, French, Americans, Asia, australia, new zealand. Because they are the ones that are running your country and your laws and similar top theirs. Like for instance cook islands are under new zealand. Samoa was Dutch inhibited but they are mostly travelling to nz. Tonga isn't under any but part of nz aswell. Fiji, vanutau,papua new guinea is under australia, tahiti is under France, Hawaii is under american rule. So it should be these countries finding solutions and help with maybe convincing you to go to nz or Australia etc because it's the only way to help your islands. Carry on traditions in Australia and new zealand etc. Pacific culture is big in these 2 countries and america is slowly following suit. Like our Polyfest, Pacifika fest, Pacifest cultural days. It's also in schools and slowly growing etc. But there is no way to stop it. It has to be we pacific move or our land will long to exist. And we can't have that. But carry on our traditions abroad.

[@JohnsonPenerata]

At sea , vessel in distress , law of the sea states u must provide assistance , that is the same vaka we are in 😢

[@Jounrananiroj]

We the Marshallese need everyone in the pacific to act together in prayer as the sea water is rising

[@maurice4140]

We’ve allowed foreigners to engineer our society so from a Hawaiian subject I’m truly sorry that we’ve allowed them to separate us from the koko our! But we’re few that still fighting against the lies and corruption and hope one day we can reunite with our bloodlines our wa‘a

[@MaryMisikaram]

What a great documentary.. very moving and impactful. Thank you tumas. Prayers and hope for our Pacific 💗

[@DramaticFootage-y9y]

The way you film is very professional, every frame is perfect! I feel the dedication in every scene.

[@sarahlo-a-njoe4742]

Thank you so much for making this beautiful documentary. It has given me a better insight into what is happening on the islands. Lots of love from the Netherlands

[@lulutiapapa8326]

Thank you this is such an important documentary. Thank you for highlighting our Pacific nations and their perseverance through the brunt of climate change.

[@tulanfromnowhere]

This was so beautifully done and I couldn’t help but cry for our islands and I really feel so uninformed but now it’s ignited a fire in me ❤😊

[@JosephMetusela_685]

Deeply moving. Thank you for your courage and strength. This is part of our identity and we ought to graduate from our petty quarrels and rise up to the challenge. The challenge that poses an existential threat to not just our future but our present and rich past. How inspiring!!

[@JenHavili]

Thank you Brianna for sharing these stories!

[@kcbwnc]

What a beautiful documentary, it's so sad to see our islands suffering from this big issue and despite the fact that we're a little community compared to others, that we represent only a little point on a map, we can change thing by fighting 🌏💗! Thanks for your reportage, and using your voice for thousand and thousand people 💫

[@gregteMaori]

Kia Ora everyone watching this was extremely sad . But I am awakened by this. Thankyou

[@sofdaniels1972]

Such a great documentary. Well done to Brianna and team for bringing this to our attention. You’re an amazing young lady 🙏🏽💚🥹

[@KavuiInvestmentCooperativeSoci]

our home our life the vast blue ocean no matter living anywhere across the globe it is always be our home and a place we will always call home,keep up the good work may the lord be our strength much love from Papua new guinea

[@Hendika]

im crying, why am i crying, this is beautiful, thank you for sharing this to the world, hello from indonesia, stay strong my friends

[@TheAdventureAtlass]

Amazing scenery at 31:18 ! Your videos always have such a great feel

[@marchhokiwak6688]

Amazing movement, god bless our pasific island. Love from west papua

[@williamkitunguzi6905]

Watching this is discovering real native Pacific and oceanic people and their really small carbon footprint. Credit given.

[@MackVulaca-du7ec]

Watching from Fiji 🇫🇯,,, thank you Pacifica let's go green 💚

[@dpt702]

Great documentary! I have learned a lot from watching this and realize how important taking a stronger stance on clmate change is so important for our islands. It's so good to see our young climate change warriors advocating and representing our islands to the. world. I hope I can make a change in some way by educating others where I live. Again, thank you so much! Alofa atu!

[@PMentor1]

We are telling the world and I am passing this on to more Samōas and activists! I’m currently working to create a coalition and in the middle of documentary Western Samōan urgency and hope to return to work harder on the island. Being there with family was so important and learning culture and abide by generations traditions! Our goal is to help more for the future of the children in Samōa and the families abroad get together to make the difference!

[@jacqueseustaquio2523]

Hafa Adai, Thanks for educating me and the World. Keep up the Great Work. I was stationed in Okinawa and went back to my Island Guam how it changed so much due to climate changes.

[@alboobookuya3385]

Watching from the Philippines 🇵🇭

[@fai6139]

I love this so much! Great work to everyone who is involved!

[@Mana26621]

"This is a tree that I'm planting that I will never be able to enjoy the shade of" this line Alisi from Fiji 🇫🇯 breaks me 🥹😭🌎 Sharing this right now.

[@weiwei1136]

I live in the Philippines, seems like category 3-leveled typhoon is something we're already used to now. Very sad.

[@JenV848]

This was such an eye-opener. Thank you for sharing this 💛

[@samuelabuinimasi8001]

Love this documentary 👏 godless our pacific island Nation. Bula from fiji 🇫🇯

[@matthook2530]

Imagine loosing those beautiful islands and amazing communities.. let’s hope we get our act together

[@dorothyalofivae4982]

A very educational and informative documentary about the reality of everyday effects of climate change in the Pacific. I have been looking forward to seeing it. Thank you it was really good and so impactful 🙏🥰

[@esitalivai]

Loved this documentary… beautifully presented and very informative ❤❤❤

[@ReadswithRosa]

Thank you so much for this important and valuable educational resource 🙏🏽 My grade 12 class are currently watching it for our environment unit.

[@KathleenDuterte]

Sharing this feed on my LinkedIn profile, for my sisters and brothers.

[@ambo9569]

Thanks CocoNet TV for sharing this ❤

[@TheMrDenlife]

what a beautiful documentary. Well done!!

[@kamakoa]

Respect and culture... We fight all the way..YES

[@navigator.jpgggg]

Amazing work Pacific Climate Warriors, wonderful narration by Briana and so glad to see these living Pacific legends (everyone who've spoken) advocating and speaking up for our Pacific ❤️ learnt so much more about the particular/specific effects for different islands. 🥹

[@beatsandpiecesstudio]

Thank you for sharing the stories 🌿 Very important work 🌸

[@shreyakumar1391]

Absolutely cannot wait!

[@Italiza587]

Thank you😢❤! I had no idea it was this bad! It just baffles me that some people do not believe in global warming and climate change!

[@perspektikaproject8501]

Floris talks about regenerative agriculture at 1:08:45 "Sometimes, if you plant something and it doesn't grow there, you shouldn't keep trying to plant that thing because it doesn't belong there. So, you really need to grow things that really thrive in that space." This quote reminds me of my national government's giant project in the South Papua region of Indonesia, they keep trying to build paddy fields and sugarcane farms in the region instead of sago palm trees. They will definitely meet a huge failure because paddy and sugarcane don't belong to the land of Papua. Our main staple food and local plant is sago, not rice and sugar.

[@belxvou]

Didn’t expect to be crying so much ❤

[@johnbrady9589]

Fa'afetai Brianna for such an excellent documentary! It really describes the visceral human impact of climate change. How can one get involved with the Pacific Climate Warriors to help?

[@iborhergotic5514]

AMAZING!!!!

[@geoffskipper9450]

This film is pure, true, alive, urgent; should be shown in every school on Earth. I live in Brooklyn, NY, part of USA's largest city but ALSO an island. Here, as well as in many coastal cities, multi-billion dollar seawall systems are being built to protect against sea rise. It is unjust that wealth and large populations buy safety while island / atoll nations and small populations are allowed to drown. Why not a "No Seawalls Treaty Without First Ratifying Non Proliferation of Fossil Fuels Treaty"? It would shine a spotlight on powerful industrialized countries willing to let other peoples die while they preserve their own safety and comfort. I am Pacific Islands Warriors volunteer 1,100+1 if a far-away, aging anglo can help

[@pacificcub]

CoconutTV, I think it's about time to approach all international airline carriers that travel to the Pacific to start playing these documentaries inflights. The tourism industry needs to be aware of this and if u all look deep, they need to be playing a major role in preserving the Pacific instead of just making money out of our islands and people and turning a blind eye on important issues ...THE NEXT BIG ONE WE ARE NOT READY FOR IS DRUGS. GOD HELP US!!

[@djbrodriguez]

Such a good idea. It's rare to find a decent informative documentary on an airlines in-flight entertainment.

[@LaveniaSokokivavalagi]

Thank you, for this eye opening documentary.

[@kreepykraut8153]

Thanks very much, highly interesting documentary!

[@LealofimuaLemusuKuresa]

You are a true hero

[@tuta1701]

Awesome doco ❤

[@ElsePauline]

Let us all educate our people about climate change. Save our Mother Earth.🇵🇭

[@253KINGS24MEIMEIMJ]

To all Kagaka Pacifica living in the USA and worldwide, always recycle ♻️ and never litter! Go green if can but remember there’s always a way to help out. Don’t do it for yourself but do it for our countries/Islands !

[@wp6133]

Thank you for sharing your story, it really an eye opener for bigger nations to reduce burning of fossil fuels to reduce emission of green house gas. . Sad but it is real in the pacific islands.

[@williesmith-el9mm]

All the Pacific island nation have the same problem with climate change and nothing we can do about, climate change course by other countries greedily of power, may God bless and keep the Pacific island nation safe 🙏☦💝

[@hersheythao]

These beautiful islands are places I dream of visiting. It is sad to know that this is happening.

[@forme3h]

Thank you! This is such a beautiful and great documentary.

[@willall9270]

If Carbon Dioxide was visible to the naked eye, you would see a thick fog of CO² everywhere. The rate of CO² produced by humans within the last 150 years is far greater than what is emitted by natural sources. At this rate, the earth cannot keep up with reducing trapped heat any longer. Sadly, many people only fight for what they see and as carbon dioxide is invisible, we can truly appreciate the level of dedication and fight these fellow islanders have for our future.

[@simplykatttt]

Anyone know what the song is that’s sung in a different language. It’s such a beautiful tone! Video is done perfectly and couldn’t explain the problems we’re currently facing as a Pacific Nation.

[@wideglide28811]

Thank you for sharing. My heart is sad for you our Island whanaunga. Our people of the Moana. Arohanui

[@t312ep]

I am from the pacific, specifically Palau. I have seen the effects of climate change in person and understand the process. I also know that in Pohnpei in Micronesia is an underwater remnant of an ancient city of Nan Madol. This village predates modern history and yet is victim of sea level rise. Sea level rise is imminent and inevitable. I think a solution to the survival of a culture is its people. Tuvalu is taken the first step in preserving culture by making a legislation saying that Tuvalu is conserved as long as its people are together. The islands will be flooded and disappear. Better to invest in lands spaces in other land masses or countries. Trying to convince petrol to stop is impossible. We need that energy. The airplane and the boat engine you rely on to do these work relies on the very industry you’re telling to stop. If you can convince them to dredge sand and land fill to increase and raise land mass than that will help the islands survive.

[@TreeBeast]

Nah cause these big countries like USA really need to be held accountable

[@miguelocasio3056]

Lol how about china ??

[@MarquezerrrFIGHTFAN]

Nah cause how about The USA is the only big country protecting these nations? Like what are you even talking about?? 😂

[@KanakaBae]

​@@MarquezerrrFIGHTFAN the US has a very bad history with nuclear testing on our islands. Nothing they do can reverse the damage.

[@Nepukosweno]

Micronesia 🇫🇲 you need to get involved in this important program, thanks to all this wonderful people fighting for our pacific islands 😢❤ keep up the good work

[@analovesbananass]

this is beautiful

[@jchendrix]

Climate change will not end because of greed, however I think there is a way to save Tuvalu, I think that the secret to saving Tuvalu could be the waste which it creates. For example there is a rubbish pile on one end of the island, instead of dumping rubbish like this, the waste could perhaps be salvaged inside of containers or concrete bases and wedged in between the bases to in effect create more land space and even sea walls for certain areas. I think that with the right planning this could be done and Tuvalu could be saved.

[@HiHowiseveryonedoin]

Good Luck Brianna ❤❤❤

[@Gākau13]

🙌🏽🙏🏽 Praying for our PASEFIKA ❤️

[@rudigarpalu8019]

It’s time to act-reduce emissions, protect our oceans, and support those impacted by the rising tides.

[@Trilogy...]

Much Aroha to our Kuki Airani whanau ❤ we stand with you 😢

[@ilovecarnitas]

this is great. aaaand these excessive ads are absolutely ridiculous

[@susanradinisau5714]

Too good Lizie🙌

[@sunamist]

❤ Our beautiful home the Pacific Ocean. Emotional watching because I feel the same🙏

[@deedpaina2914]

Sadly, all their hard work and dedication towards this global issue won't change the fact that their island will sink in the coming decade.

[@robkaleta5189]

Awsome watch.

[@chisokcheatv]

We face to fight with climate changing we have to join together ❤