Ifoga helps bridge murder: the power of Samoan culture
By Lefaoali’i Dion Enari
The tragic murder of Geo Sione, allegedly by his girlfriend Naea Moli has sparked much conversation. Many are left asking
How could such a tragedy occur?
How could we not see the signs?
Why?
As someone who wasn’t there, it is not my intention to answer these questions. Instead, I wish to draw attention to how Samoan culture, through ifoga (Samoan practice of seeking forgiveness) was used as a way of healing among the families involved.
Although the origin of ifoga lies within the islands of Samoa, it has moved beyond her shores to countries such as New Zealand, Australia and America. In this instance, ifoga was performed in New Zealand for a murder that occurred in Sydney, Australia.
As Samoans, many of us have either seen ifoga through the eyes of the perpetrators aiga (family), victim’s aiga or externally as an onlooker. Following this story, many are shocked at how a crime as serious as murder could be healed between the victim and perpetrators aiga.…more
COOK ISLANDS GAMES 2020
While most countries around the world have had to cancel major sporting events, concerts and gatherings due to the spread of Coronavirus, the Cook Islands have pulled off an event that no other country in the world has been able to do, at this scale and at this time.
Earlier today the tiny nation kicked off the first events of the 2020 Cook Islands Games - handball, tennis and lawnbowls with the official opening scheduled for tomorrow night, 6pm local time at the national stadium in Nikao.
The Games have been three months in the making and organised by the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC).
"The idea (for the games) was a collective idea through the CISNOC Executive which came by default from the Manea Games which are held every 4 years amongst the Southern Group Islands of Mangaia, Mitiaro, Mauke, Atiu and Aitutaki" said CISNOC Senior Vice President Romani Katoa.…more
THREE PASIFIKA ACTORS FROM DOWN UNDER CAST IN DWAYNE 'THE ROCK' JOHNSON's BIOPIC SERIES "YOUNG ROCK"
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson announced the core cast for his upcoming NBC comedy series #YoungRock on his social media today.
The series is based on his childhood and formative years growing up. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Former 'Fresh off the Boat' showrunner Nahnatchka Khan will oversee the 11 episode series. She will co-write the comedy with her longtime collaborator Jeff Chiang. Dwayne Johnson himself will appear in every episode and he is also executive producing the series alongside the writers and his Seven Bucks productions partners Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Brian Gewirtz and Jennifer Carreras.
The series is expected to debut on NBC sometime in 2021 and will be filmed on the Gold Coast in Australia. We're looking forward to seeing more of our Pasifika actors from down under announced in this production.…more
JEN SHAH - THE FIRST POLYNESIAN HOUSEWIFE IN "THE REAL HOUSEWIVES" FRANCHISE
The Real Housewives franchise has expanded to Salt Lake City with a brand new cast of women including the first Polynesian 'housewife' to be part of the series.
Her Bravo bio reads:
"As a Tongan and Hawaiian growing up in Salt Lake City, Jen Shah felt like she often stuck out in her traditionally white, Mormon world.…more
Fresh off the Vote 2020 - Diamond Langi
Diamond Langi is a model, musician, actress and is the current Miss Universe New Zealand.
She is of Tongan descent and comes from Central Auckland. She shares why voting is important to her and what she will be looking for in our government.
#FreshOffTheVote #Election2020
SAMOAN EMMY AWARD WINNER - MAEA LENEI BUHRE
Coco congrats to Samoan / Kiwi / Dutch Production Associate for PBS News Hour, Maea Lenei Buhre on her 'News & Documentary' Emmy Award win!
She is one of the Producers for PBS News Hours 3 part documentary series 'Stopping a Killer Pandemic' which was the recipient of the 'News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Science, Medical and Environmental Report.' The award was presented by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences during the virtual awards ceremony on Monday, September 21st.
The series, which aired in June 2019, explored the potential threat of a likely flu pandemic and the advances in medical research leading to a solution.
When Maea found out her and her team had won she tweeted she was proud and grateful to be part of the team and also gave props to fellow Producer & Editor Jason Kane who had the idea to cover an imminent pandemic BEFORE Covid-19 had hit worldwide.…more
Jorge Masvidal vs Samoan Food
Jorge Masvidal meets up with Mark Hunt, Tyson Pedro and his father to chow down on some authentic Samoan food in Sydney, Australia.
* PG recommended - coarse language
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for Samoa
A shipment of U.S. government-funded medical supplies left Auckland last Friday afternoon bound for Samoa. Ambassador Scott Brown, U.S. Ambassador to both Samoa and New Zealand, says he was honored to have the opportunity to assist with packing out the shipment.
“The PPE we’re sending includes nearly 100,000 pairs of gloves, tens of thousands of masks, hundreds of surgical gowns, and huge volumes of hand sanitizer,” says
Ambassador Brown. “These supplies will help protect healthcare workers should they be called upon to put their lives at risk to treat COVID patients.”
The shipment comes in response to a request from the island nation’s Government. “Although Samoa is currently COVID-free, the Samoan Government asked us to help
them procure medical supplies to have on standby in case the virus reaches their islands,” says Ambassador Brown. “We’re happy to help and the U.S. Department of Defense
through US INDOPACOM stepped up to get it done.”
Worldwide the United States Government has given more than $US20 billion in COVID related assistance.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - HAANZ FA'AVAE-JACKSON
HAANZ FA'AVAE-JACKSON
ACTOR
NIUEAN / TONGAN / SAMOAN
.
My name is Haanz Fa’avae Jackson. Born in South Auckland, where I still reside with my big Otahuhu family. My bloodline runs through Niue, Tonga & Samoa. When I'm not working on my career or spending time with family, I help manage "Konfident Clothing", a clothing brand me and my brother launched mid lock down. When there's no work, make work.
How long have you been in the entertainment industry and do you have a highlight or favourite experience in your career so far?
I graduated from PIPA in 2014, and I haven't stopped performing since. Started strong on the theatre stage, where I really got to sharpen my craft and find my feet as a professional performer & actor, which then later on lead to the huge world of screen.
Highlights for me would have to be the travelling. I never really got to travel much as a kid, but I had always wanted to.…more
Fresh Off The Vote 2020 - Elvis Lopeti
Elvis Lopeti is a professional dancer who travels the world with Parri$ Goebel and the Royal Family.
He is of Tongan descent and is from Otahuhu, South Auckland.
Elvis shares some good things for you to think about when you're getting ready to vote.
Enrol to vote at vote.nz
.
#FreshOffTheVote
#Election2020