Teams traveled from across the United States to compete in the Utah Alofa Fa’aSamoa kilikiti tournament and celebrate the Pacific Island community.
To the untrained eye, kilikiti might look like any other game of cricket. One team bats while the other fields the ball. Spectators watch as bowlers deliver powerful throws and batters run between the wickets.
But with a little time and attention, it is possible to spot the differences. Teams are larger, bats are three-sided and uniforms are lavalavas. These details point to the heart of the sport: tradition.
Jerome Lavata’i, president of the Alaska-based cricket team the Snow Warriors, took a five-hour flight to attend this tournament with his team. He said the game connects people throughout space and time.
“This game has been our ancestors’ game back in the days, so all we’re doing now is keeping it alive and keeping the game going for all the younger generations and all the generations coming in,” Lavata’i said.
Kilikiti, also known as Pacific Island cricket, originated in Samoa, but the teams playing in this tournament were based in the United States, Asiata Pio Vaoliko, tournament announcer, explained.
“There are three teams from Washington state, one team from Hawaii, one from Alaska and the rest of the teams are all local from Utah, so there are twelve in total,” Vaoliko said.
Joshua Pati, co-captain of the Snow Warriors, said playing the game helps him connect to his roots in the Pacific Islands.
“If we play the game, it’s like we’re living back home,” Pati said. “That’s why we try to keep the game alive up here in America. It’s like we’re playing and we’re still back home.”
Vaoliko, who flew all the way from New Zealand to attend, said the sport helps young men develop into the community leaders of tomorrow.
“It taught me pretty well how to become a good man, how to be a good leader,” Vaoliko said. “It taught you about discipline, it taught you about patience. These are the attributes we need to have in order to cope with life.”
It’s these life lessons and sense of brotherhood that keep people coming back to the pitch year after year.
“We don't get money from it, but our love for playing this sport is high for us,” Pati said. “We play with our heart, and it’s for generations to come together and get to know each other.”
Teams said they are grateful for the opportunity to play in the tournament and are excited to see how kilikiti will continue to shape their communities.