This week we’re hearing from Buluo Croker in Anchorage. Croker is originally from Fiji and moved up here from American Samoa.
CROKER: I’m going on two years now. I came all the way from Fiji to American Samoa and I was with a son of mine. He’s in the U.S. Marines. Then I came up here the year before last because I have a son that served in the U.S. Army here on JBER. And that’s how I came here to Alaska.
I came here; I think it was winter, just past winter. And it was still cool and I really like the cold weather coming from the sunny place of Fiji where it is always warm. I appreciate the cold, ‘til now. And I think we [people from Fiji] look at Alaska as a big continent where there is lots of ice.
I’ve stopped over in Los Angeles and also New York, and people are quite busy in other states. But as for Alaska itself. I think the houses itself are quite expensive, the rent, but the people they are quite friendly. And they are quite helpful. I thought it would be one of the prejudiced states, but it’s not. One of my son’s has been asking me to come down to Vegas. The one in the U.S. Marines recently moved to Vegas, but I told him I prefer Alaska because of the cold weather and I know Vegas will be hot there. It’s like going back home.
I came here and before two years, I’ve seen a lot of development. There’s a lot of developing going on and I’ve seen increasing traffic on the road which states there’s a lot of people moving up here. Economy here is booming. That’s why it’s attracting people. And also, PFD is one of the things that’s attracting a lot of people. I myself wish I could go back because I have ten kids. I would have moved up here in those years if it was cheaper for me to travel.
The thing I can say about Alaska: Alaska has a lot to give to people who are wanting to move up here. I can provide you a lot of good jobs and pay for instance. It starts with a good rate, like $10 up. And I would like to ask a lot of people, trade people out there, that Alaska needs you. And you are welcome to come up here and make it your home. But it’s hard for you to sweat, so you better watch what you eat.
Wesley Early covers Anchorage life and city politics for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at wearly@alaskapublic.org and follow him on X at @wesley_early. Read more about Wesley here.
