‘Dear Uso’ set to spark hard but important talanoa

A celebrated Sāmoan author is set to release Dear Uso, the prequel to his co-authored award-winning book Tama Sāmoa, which explores Pacific youth experiences.

Next Wednesday, Dear Uso will be available to readers where they can delve into the story of Mika, a seemingly perfect Sāmoan teenager, who struggles to balance school, work, and heavy family responsibilities while coping with his brother Tala's absence.

As family secrets emerge Mika learns that the real challenges lie within his home.

Speaking to Tofiga Fepulea'i on Island Time, Dear Uso author Mani Malaeulu said Mika's character was inspired by his own experiences.

He said this was then combined with some of the stories gathered by Tama Sāmoa, which he co-authored with his wife Dahlia Malaeulu, covering a brave conversation among Sāmoan youth about cultural challenges and the need to belong.

"And also through I suppose your own usos (brothers) and the stories you know about - that we know about," Malaeulu said.

"And some of the challenges we face but also some of the successes we experience as well."

The Wainuimata-based Sāmoan migrated to Aotearoa as a baby, settling in Wellington's Lower Hutt where for the last five years he has run Empower Pacific, a training organisation offering leadership, wellbeing, and employment training to companies and colleges.

Watch Mani Malaeulu's full interview via 531pi's FB below:

Prequel obstacles
Reflecting on the writing process of Dear Uso, Malaeulu said his wife and co-author for Tama Sāmoa, Dahlia, was heavily involved with this book despite not being a co-author this time around.

He said writing was not his thing but that Dahlia's support motivated him to release a book on his own.

Malaeulu said a major challenge in writing the book was crafting a prequel that seamlessly connected with Tama Sāmoa.

"We wanted to make sure it makes sense and has that connection," he said.

"There's a massive cultural theme in there, as you can imagine, and then also a massive well-being theme as well."

Hopeful takeaways
The book not only tells a compelling story but also includes student-study questions and practical mental health tools and strategies for readers

Malaeulu said the utmost lesson he would like readers to take away from the book is "the power of connection to self and the power of making decisions".

"And being able to have that conversation and sometimes those conversations are quite hard to have.

"But having the courage to be able to do that for yourself and also within your aiga (family) is really important."

Another aspect was inspiration, where the author encouraged aspiring Pacific writers to embark on their literary journeys by simply starting with their passions and interests.

"Even if it's for half an hour a day, or every couple of days, you never know when you may put that together later on."

Future works and gratitude
Malaeulu also hinted at future projects that continue themes relevant to Pacific communities, such as leadership, personal growth, and tautua (service).

As Dear Uso prepares for launch Malaeulu remains grateful for the support he has received.

"Thank you for your support so far, I'm really looking forward to getting this tusi (book) out to you.

"I really hope that you read it and enjoy it and take a lot away from it."

Dear Uso is available for pre-order through Mila's Books and will officially drop on 20 November.