Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Lead Officer Rhonda Vea, who has Pacific Islander ancestry, specifically Tongan roots, weaves the best parts of her heritage into her security work. She does it with the same passion traditional Tongan mat weavers display as they deftly craft ceremonial tapas.
“Mat weavings or tapas, known by the Tonga word ngatu, are traditional dress worn to Tongan weddings, funerals and family gatherings and can be gifted and exchanged,” said Vea.
The way Vea expresses her Tongan influences embodies this year’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander 2024 theme of Advancing Leaders Through Innovation. In practical, but profoundly personal ways, Vea connects and infuses the four pillars of the Tongan culture – respect, humility, relationship nurturing and loyalty/passion with TSA’s culture and mission.
“Through my ancestry and traditions I bring the spirit of serving others whether it’s help with the traveling public, my team members, other officers or my peers,” said Vea. “I take the time to serve and take pride in showing them tokens of appreciation such as organizing potlucks or bringing special treats to show how much I care about them. These actions unite the team by boosting morale, which helps them take more ownership of their work.”
Vea takes as much pride in her professional attire as she does her Tongan ceremonial dress.
“As a leader, I always come into my day looking and acting very professional,” said Vea. “Through my example of a sharp uniform, respectful tone and command presence, I am able to motivate my team to follow suit as a more professional workforce.”
Ancestral pride
In the late 1960s, Vea’s father immigrated from Tonga to Hawaii, joining his brother there who filed the necessary paperwork. Her mother migrated to Hawaii in 1973 and then to San Francisco and finally Los Angeles.
“It was in Los Angeles where she met my father, and their journey began,” reminisced Vea.
Vea enjoys an eclectic mix of Tongan music from church hymns to ancient chanting, live drumming and love songs with sweet melodies played on banjos. Some of her favorite native dishes are Ota Ika (marinated raw fish), Tunu Puaka (pork on a spit), Faikakai Topai (a sweet dumpling dessert) and Otari (coconut-based drink made with seasonal fruit).
“National pride is carried by the rugby team,” said Vea. “Team players yell the war chant Mate Ma’a Tonga, translated to ‘Die for Tonga,’ showing no fear before playing a match.”
What do you want your colleagues to know about your Tongan pride?
“Tongan pride is deeply rooted in its cultural heritage, traditions and values,” explained Vea.
In one such tradition, Vea's mother followed Tongan custom by cutting the hair of the descendant of a deceased relative, symbolizing the end of mourning and beginning of new life.
“It encompasses a strong sense of community, respect for elders and a connection to the land and ancestors,” said Vea. “Appreciating Tongan pride means recognizing the importance of family, faith and preservation of the cultural practices of dance, music and language.”
What I do matters
“In order to sustain an inclusive culture, I showcase my heritage through serving others, and in my way, demonstrating hospitality and making people feel like a family.
“I feel that by being a family, my team and I can overcome the dynamic threat because we can support each other.
“I take the time to get to know people and offer small gestures which are meaningful to them, such as
donating leave through the volunteer leave transfer program for maternity or sick leave. I make others aware of what someone may be going through in a tactful and private manner in order to gain understanding behind people’s motives and attitudes.
“When I became a lead officer, it was not only to better myself, but everyone around me. As a leader I am constantly uplifting my officers and guiding them through “lead roles” such as how to manage an effective and efficient zone and pushing them to sign up to participate in workgroups and special details that they would thrive in.”
By Karen Robicheaux, TSA Strategic Communications & Public Affairs