Hokum Legacy
A Hokum family story · Western Samoa

JohnnyandSina

The Rusty Sword and the White Swan

A story told by Foalima Hokum of Western Samoa, passed down from his grandfather, Emosi Valu.

Hear Grandpa tell it Read the story
Book cover: Johnny stands on a Samoan beach at sunset holding a small rusty sword beside a white swan, with two whales in the sea.
His own voice

Listen to Grandpa Tell the Story

This is Foalima telling Johnny and Sina in his own words, the way he told it to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The recording runs about 43 minutes and ends with his message to the family.

Foalima Hokum and his wife smiling together outdoors in front of green trees.
Foalima and his wife
Johnny and Sina, told by Foalima Hokum
Original recording · September 26, 2026
0:00 43:00

Reading the printed book? The QR code inside, under “Scan to hear Foalima tell the story,” will bring you here.

Read along

The Story, Page by Page

Every page of the book, in Foalima's words, with its illustration. Use the arrows, your keyboard, or swipe on a phone.

Page 1
1 of 52
See all 52 pages
Dedication

To My Family

This story is part of the Hokum family legacy. It was told by Foalima Hokum of Western Samoa and passed down to him from his grandfather, Emosi Valu. Through the years, this story has been remembered, retold, and treasured as part of the family’s voice, history, and heritage.

This book was created to preserve that story for the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and generations yet to come.

Portrait of Foalima Hokum in 1969, wearing a dark suit and red striped tie.
Foalima Hokum, 1969
The Hokum family

The Ones He Told It To

Some of you heard it while camping. Some heard it trying to fall asleep. These are the faces of the family that carried the story from Samoa to here.

Family photograph from 1964 taken outside a house in Samoa as Foalima left on his mission, with family members standing and kneeling on the grass.
Samoa, 1964 · Foalima leaving on his mission
Studio family portrait of Foalima, his wife and their four children.
Family portrait, 1989
Studio family portrait with Foalima, his wife, their children and Grandma Suitofaga seated in the center wearing a white dress with blue flowers.
With Grandma Suitofaga, 1996
The whole extended family in 2023, gathered in tall grass under green trees, with Foalima and his wife seated in the center.
The family, 2023
The full book jacket: the family gathered under palms on the back, the spine with a white swan and rusty sword, and Johnny with the white swan on the front.
The printed book

A Book to Keep

A hardbound family heirloom with all 53 illustrations, Grandpa's dedication, family photographs, and a QR code that plays his voice.

Format
11 × 8.5 in, landscape
Layout
Story left, art right
Illustrations
53
Story pages
52
In preparationThe final proof is being reviewed. Ordering details will appear here when the printed edition is ready.
QR code in a frame with a white swan at the top and a rusty sword at the bottom, captioned Scan to hear Foalima tell the story.
Pass it on

Share Grandpa's Story

Scan this with a phone camera to open this page and hear Foalima tell the story. It is the same code printed in the book. Hold it up at a family gathering, or send the address to anyone in the family.

hokumlegacy.com/johnny-and-sina