Background
Jonassen, Jon Tikivanotau Michael Son of Michael William Jonassen and Lily Teina Ngapoko Tutuariki Tauei Tinomana Napa.
musician political science professor
Jonassen, Jon Tikivanotau Michael Son of Michael William Jonassen and Lily Teina Ngapoko Tutuariki Tauei Tinomana Napa.
Bachelor, Brigham Young University, 1980. Bachelor of Science, Brigham Young University, Laie, Hawaii, 1981. Master of Arts, University Hawaii, Manoa, 1982.
Doctor of Philosophy, University Hawaii, Manoa, 1996.
Musician, drummer, band master Betela Dance Troupe, Arorangi, 1963—1976. Manager Eitiare Dance Team, 1976—1978. Assistant manager Alert Taxies & Jonassen Motorcycles, 1976—1978.
Assistant Polynesian Culture Center, Laie, 1978—1981. Fellow Pacific Islands Development Program, Manoa, 1981—1982. Special acting administration officer Public Service Commission, 1982—1983.
Acting secretary & acting director external affairs Government Cook Islands, 1983—1984, secretary, foreign affairs, 1984—1986, secretary, ministry cultural development, 1990—1992, high commissioner Wellington, New Zealand, 1997—1999. Director, programs South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia, 1987—1990, acting secretary general, 1989—1990. Professor Brigham Young University Hawaii, since 1993.
Cook islands delegate member Pacific Islands Standing Committee Meetings, 1983—1987. Working drafting committee member South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty Working Group, 1984—1985. South pacific representative Pacific Islands Nations Group, China, 1988.
Chairman Pacific Arts Council, 1991—1992. Leader delegate First Tumu Korero, Kaumatua Culture Exchange, New Zealand, 1991. Member Pacific Islands Political Science Conference, 1992.
Fellow Bergen Pacific Islands Research Group, Norway, since 2008. East west center representative Government & Administrative Systems Project Conference, 1982. East west center students association representative First National Association for Foreign Student Advisers-Hawaii International Students Conference, 1982.
Cook islands government representative United Nations Economic and Social Commission, Bangkok, 1983—1984. Cook islands alternate representative South Pacific Economic Cooperation Committee Meeting, Canberra, Australia, 1983—1986. Assistant to the cook islands prime minister South Pacific Forum Meetings, 1983—1986.
Representative Committee Republican Participating Governments, 1983—1986. Cook islands alternate representative South Pacific Commission Conference, 1983—1986.
President & co founder Cook Islands Music Association, 1984—1986. Chairman Nephi George Scholarships Committee, 1996. President Avatea Parent Teachers Association, 1990—1991.
Editor, demo news & weekender Democratic Party, Avarua, 1973—1974, assistant campaign manager Puaikura, 1974—1978. Member Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration, New Zealand, 1969—1983. Chief instructor & cofounder Cook Islands Kei Shin Kan Karate Association, 1973—1978.
Mem.betela dance troupe World Expo, Japan, 1974. Member East West Center Alumni, Honolulu, 1982, SACEM, France, 1983, SPACEM, French Polynesia, 1983. Managing director 6th Festival Pacific Arts, 1990—1992.
Member jury panel Himene Patitifa, Papeete, French Polynesia, 1991—1992. Fellow Brigham Young University Alumni Board, 1993—1997. Convenor or member jury panel Cook Islands National Dance Competition, 1996—2008.
Co-founding member Cook Islands Research Association, 2007. Fellow board Center Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Studies, 2008. President & co founder Cook Islands Culture Club, Laie, 1978—1981.
Fellow board Institute Polynesian Studies, 1993—2008. Cook islands section organizer, participant Windward Community College Taro Festival, 1993—1997. Advisor Papua New Guinea & Melanesian Club, 2005—2007.
Member of Cook Islands Research Association (committee member 2007).
Married Diya Moana Nicholas-Taripo, March 8, 1975. Children: Melina Liana Jonassen-Tuiravakai, Olivialani Moana Williams Uea, Tamatoa Tiamana Rangimotia, Melody Tiavaru Tutuariki.