Coco Talanoa — Humans of the Islands / Page 11

ALI FOA'I 

ACTOR/WRITER 

NIUEAN / TUVALUAN / TOKELAUAN & AMERICAN SAMOA

Fakaalofa lahi atu, Taloha ni, Talofa, Kia ora, Asalaam alykum!

I am Ali Foa’i and I am an actor slash writer born and raised in West Auckland, currently residing in Te Aro, Wellington. I am Niuean, Tuvaluan, Tokelauan and American Samoan, a proud child of the Pacific.

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You're currently in rehearsals for the show 'MoodPorn' can you tell us a bit about it and why you were attracted to the role?

MoodPorn (showing at Bats Theatre, Wellington April 23-May 4) is a brand new play by Wellington based Filipino writer Matthew Loveranes about two old uni friends catching up one night and spilling secrets and drama! It’s very melodramatic but anchored in a hypnotically poetic and modern script. My character Atlas is a migrant to New Zealand, his family moving for a better life which as a PI I could relate to.…more

Fa'afetai "Tai" Fa'aleava 

Doctor of Psychology

Samoan 

The last time we spoke to Tai Faaleava, he was still a student working towards his Psy.D (Doctorate in Clinical Psychology) in 2016. Since then, Tai Faaleava has become Dr Tai Faaleava, and he has continued his work as a Psychologist within Prisons.

In a recent chat, Dr Faaleava shared how his personal journey shapes the impact he has on clients, especially in a prison setting.

When Dr Faaleava walks into his therapy sessions with his patients, he takes with him his cultural values. The Samoan Psychologist believes that before even drawing from his learnings from University, he starts with Fa’aaloalo (Respect) Loto maulalo (Humility) and Tautua (Service)

“We can all be taught the same thing. I sat in the same classes as every other psychologist that came to my school but the difference in how we impact lives depends on how we deliver services”

Dr Faaleava fondly recalls sessions with Samoan inmates where he has been able to connect with them on a personal level through the language.…more

Emmanuel “E-MAN” Carlos 

Pro Boxer

Samoan / Cook Islands 

Kia Orana, Talofa and G’day CoconetTV fans.

It's an absolute honour to share a little insight about myself, my life and my journey so far.  My name is Emmanuel Carlos and I'm 26 years old. I was born in Sydney, Australia but now living in Melbourne, Victoria.  My father is Samoan, from the village of Sogi (Chan Chuni) and my mother is Cook Islander (Vakatini). Everyone is always misled by my surname Carlos, and always mistake my background with anything but Polynesian. The Carlos name comes from my step grandfather who is Spanish.

I was born and raised here in Australia. I'm what you call an Aussie. Even though I was born in Oz, I am very proud of my pacific heritage and culture. 

I'm a professional boxer, my current record is 10 fights - 9 wins with 7 knockouts. The one loss was against Junior World IBF Champion Dwight Ritchie a fight I took on a week and a half notice.…more

The extraordinary life of Arrianna Princess Auva'a who is the first fa'afafine in the US military.

She tells her story here in this Coconet exclusive and you can check out her new comedy page - Jordan and Princess Comedy Channel on Facebook here 

Follow Arrianna here on Facebook & Instagram:

TESSA TEMATA 

New Zealand's High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.

Cook Islands / Samoan 

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I can trace my Cook Island heritage back 26 generations to Kaitini Ariki, the eldest child of Uke who settled the island of Mauke.  My father, Tiatoa Temata, married my mother, Jane Crichton, whose aiga are from Asau in Samoa.   There is also a wee dram of Scottish voyager in there dating back to the 19th century when a sailor called William Crichton decided to settle in Samoa.

I was born and raised in Taranaki.  The seventh of nine children.…more

PATRICA, OCEAN & THE ALATINI FAMILY 

FAMILY FOOD FIGHT CONTESTANTS 

TONGAN / MAORI 

TIANNA TUAMOHELOA 

Miss Nevada USA 2019 

Samoan / Tongan / African-American / Japanese / Irish

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I grew up a Military brat where both of my parents were in the United States Army. I was born in Fort Riley, Kansas, moved around to about 4 states from the South to the West Coast and finally my parents retired to Las Vegas, Nevada where we have lived for the last 14 years. Though my 3 brothers and I grew up in the mainland, we were always reminded of where we truly come from. My parents Simi, Jr and Salamasina Nomura McMoore Timu Tuamoheloa hail from Illilli, Utulei and Lealoaloa, American Samoa. My father is Samoan/Tongan/African-American and my mother is Samoan/Japanese/Irish. 

Asuelu Pula'a from a little village in Falealili, Upolu, Samoa went viral around the world after appearing in the US TV show '90 Day Fiance' Season 6 with his fiance Kalani.

We check in with him to find out how he's enjoying his new life in America! 

Since the last time we caught up with Asuelu, he went on to marry Kalani and they now have two beautiful boys Oliver and Kennedy, but have since run into marriage trouble (yikes!). They feature in the latest '90 Day' spinoff series, '90 Day: The Last Resort', you can check out an exclusive clip here:

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Their first YouTube video takes you back to how they met ...

But it's been rough seas for the couple from the moment they set sail

'90 Day: The Last Resort'  follows couples from hit reality TV show '90 Day Fiancé'  who have hit their breaking points endeavor to revive their relationships. Through a couples retreat, every pair will engage in activities designed to assess the possibility of mending past hurts.…more

VIRGINIA TO'ALEPAI 

President - World Wide Safety Org

Samoan 

I was born and raised in Matautu, but I also had family from Saleimoa.  My Dad came to the States to check out the land of opportunities that we heard so many stories about.  A couple of months later, my Dad came back to Samoa and my siblings and I were sent to America.

Fast forward many years, I worked and networked in the construction industry like never before.  I loved the arena and my ex-husband and I opened our own business.  Unfortunately, our marriage did not last, so I left everything we built together to establish my own empire for my daughters and I.  I left him with $12 to my name & my girls and I had to move back to my parents’ house because I didn’t have the means to make it on our own.  I was determined to make it happen. 

I stepped out in faith and invested in my future by attending meetings, events and other gatherings with leaders in the industry.…more

LUALIMA HANSEN 

AUTHOR / PACIFIC WOMENS REFUGE ADVOCATE

SAMOAN 

I was born in Samoa - Faleasiu, where my mother is originally from, with Irish Grandparents. My father is also from Samoa - Taungamanono, his father is Niuean and hails from Lakepa.

We moved to Auckland, New Zealand as children and we were raised in South Auckland. I am now married to Craig Hansen, we have three beautiful children and have spent 5 1/2 years in Jakarta, Indonesia, in a variety of ministry roles through our local church.

I have just recently published my autobiography book - Grace Brought Me Here. As a survivor of domestic violence, I am in New Zealand promoting it and working with the Pacific Islands Women's Refuge on a fundraiser event, where proceeds from my book launch will go towards supporting this great organization.

I also started an online clothesline business catered for plus size men ranging Size L up to sizes 10xl - The 3Bears Online, which has customers worldwide.…more