Magazine special
"Edith Pakarati Araki, Testimony from the Past"
An article by Claudia Berardi, Moe Varua Magazine, September 2023
Edith Pakarati Araki came into the world on August 30, 1962, in Rapa Nui. Her parents, Tomasa Araki Tuki and Esteban Pakarati Hito, formed a large family with a total of 22 children, with Edith being the eleventh to arrive. To ease the burden on her mother, they devised an ingenious system where "each sibling was assigned a household chore, and ironing fell to me on long Saturdays," Edith recalls.
The family's father was an exceptional man, completely dedicated to his children. His remarkable attention to each of them ensured their success in school and constant well-being. Despite toys being a scarce luxury in those days, he found creative ways to entertain them, organizing 100-meter horse races for each of the little ones.
Each Christmas held a special shine in the life of this large family. The father would take all the children to a store called "Salame" to buy them everything new, from clothes to shoes, ensuring that each one was immaculate for church. Edith recalls how he meticulously checked their nails, hair, and ears.
Once Edith completed her basic education, the family lacked the funds to send her to study on the mainland. Thus, she sold necklaces of flowers, pipi and feathers at the airport to make a living. This is how she met Mrs. Doria. Edith recalls, "She was so moved to see me, so young and unable to study, that she secured me a scholarship to the prestigious National Women's Boarding School in Santiago." There, Edith consistently excelled as the top student in her class.
During a school vacation, Edith saw a job advertisement at CONAF and decided to take it despite her mother's concerns about her studies. The economic hardship her family faced motivated her, as she observed her parents sometimes skipping meals to feed all the children. She joined CONAF in the Heritage and Belonging area and utilized her natural communication skills to work at the local channel 7 and Manukena Radio. In 1992, the film "Rapa Nui" by Kevin Costner arrived on the island, marking a turning point in her life. During this time, she had a significant encounter with William David Howe, known as Bill, that would forever alter her destiny.
Once, Bill, a film technician for Costner's movie, visited Rapa Nui and had an instant connection with Edith. Through their mutual friend Miki Makihara, a linguist also working on the film, Bill and Edith met, despite not sharing the same language. With Miki's help, Bill asked Edith to be his girlfriend, initiating a romance based on gestures, glances, songs, and magical moments. Soon, Bill moved in with Edith, despite her initial refusal. The strong desire of those close to Edith, who adored the "gringo" in Rapa Nui, played a significant role in her eventual acceptance of Bill.
A few months later, Bill proposed they move together to Australia, but Edith, being independent with her own income, initially declined. This saddened Bill, but it was his father who ultimately convinced her.
Upon arriving in Australia, Edith felt a strong connection to the place and shared exciting experiences with Bill. Their first year together was full of adventures and travels across the country. In an emotional moment, Edith revealed to Bill that the girl in a photograph was her daughter, Karen, who lived with her grandmother while Edith worked. Bill's response was one of wholehearted support: he embraced Karen as his own daughter and committed to finding her alongside Edith. Bill's mother eagerly joined the search, eager to meet her new granddaughter. Together, they prepared to welcome Karen to her new home in Australia.
Little Karen, at the age of 3, quickly adapted and learned the language in Australia, under Bill's attentive care. He managed her breakfast, took her to and from school, and assisted with her schoolwork, remaining inseparable to this day. Edith also formed strong bonds with Bill's ex-wife and mother. The latter ensured Edith learned English at the finest school in Sydney and shared her passion for reading. Years filled with travel and exciting experiences followed in Australia until Edith's mother fell ill. Without hesitation and with Bill's suggestion, the family returned to the island in 1999.
Upon their return, they transformed the old family house into the charming Taura'a Hotel. Edith and Karen provide exceptional hospitality at the hotel, with Karen being the only person in Rapa Nui to possess a glass-bottomed boat, a unique possession linked to her cherished memory of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Today, Edith devotes herself to teaching Rapa Nui language courses to foreigners and mainland Chileans, while also managing the hotel and assisting her family, nieces, and a beloved grandson. She dreams of soon writing her memoirs, promising a remarkable book that mirrors the astonishing life of Edith.
