Colourism in the Pacific continues as region grapples with history of colonialism
Skin whiteners are common on shelves in Tonga. (ABC News: Marian Kupu)
Pauline Bourke remembers when skin brighteners became popular in the early 2000s.
She now sells beauty products to Tongan youth who are continuing the trend.
"I believe they use these products to become more beautiful, their skin becomes more clearer … [they hope] their girlfriend or their boyfriend will also see them as more beautiful," she told ABC's The Pacific.
Skin whiteners and brighteners are common in Tonga.
Whiteness is a beauty ideal some Pacific people strive for, while those with darker skin tones are often discriminated against.
It is defined as colourism — the prejudicial or preferential treatment of people, usually of the same race, based on their skin tone.
Pauline Bourke says young people in Tonga continue to buy skin-whitening products. (ABC News: Marian Kupu)
The issue of whiteness can be traced back to the region's colonial past, and today some are fighting back against it.
'My offence is that I'm Black'
As Apple TV's Chief of War cast accepted the best ensemble performance award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, Black-Hawaiian actor Moses Goods spoke in Native Hawaiian.
The celebration was short-lived when he was targeted by online trolls.
"I know we should let these things go and pay them no mind, and usually I do, but this one was different," Goods said on Instagram.
"This one was rooted in hatred and racism and not only that, it was from another Native Hawaiian.
"I'm a f****** popolo [Black person] with no koko — no Hawaiian blood, using the N-word freely and laughing about it.
"It'd be one thing if I did something offensive, but what was my offence? My offence is that I'm Black."
Moses Goods has spoken out against the hate he received online. (Supplied: Apple TV)
The issue does not only exist online, with 531pi radio host Carolanne Toetu'u noting it had permeated parts of Pacific culture.
"Growing up into a teenager, you'd say things like, 'what a waste, they're so good-looking but they are Black,'" Ms Toetu'u said.
Pacific's past linked to colourism
Maile Arvin, an expert in race and settler colonialism at the University of Hawaii, told the ABC that these attitudes were influenced by the Pacific's history.
"It's most obvious in the name Melanesia which refers to the Black islands," Dr Arvin said.
"Polynesia, the word just means many islands. And then Micronesia means small islands. So, the actual names are not racial in the sense that Melanesia is."
She said 19th and 20th century anthropologists like Louis Sullivan portrayed Polynesians as "whiter and nobler".
Sullivan took physical measurements and photographs, compiling data such as hair types and nose lengths to justify his claims.
Despite the work being debunked, Dr Arvin believed this history of elevating whiteness continued to influence Pacific societies.
"There is sometimes some understanding that Melanesians are understood to be folks with the darker skin, and therefore have a particular history with really explicit racism against them, which is tied to that," she said.
"I think it's important to see it as an origin story of the way we often unconsciously believe certain racial ideals in contemporary life."
May Hasola was left hurt and disappointed by the abuse she received. (Supplied: Solomon Islands Government)
Melanesian contestants competing at beauty pageants have also experienced colourism in recent years.
May Torowi Hasola represented Papua New Guinea at the regional competition in 2024 where she received a torrent of abuse for her skin tone.
"It was disappointing experiencing colourism, and especially when I put myself out to be of service, and to be someone who really champions women here in Papua New Guinea," Ms Hasola said.
"I was really blessed that I had such a strong family and people and friends that I could … rely on to uplift me and hold me during this time."
Despite the online abuse, she said the role was one of "the biggest honours of my life" and that she represented all regions in PNG.
Diversity is something Moses Goods wants people to celebrate.
He said events like FestPAC, the Pacific's largest arts and culture festival, were critical for learning from other cultures and celebrating difference.
"When you're in the middle of that environment and you see the different beautiful shades around you and know that we're all connected, we all come from the same thing," he said.
You can watch the full story and episode of The Pacific on iView.