Check out this beautiful talk looking at the use of metaphors in our Pacific languages - mainly the Hawaiian language!

Like her ancestors, Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele epitomizes cultural brilliance, beauty and power. A renowned scholar and author who is steeped in the hula tradition, she leads a team of researchers in reestablishing an ancient Hawaiian system of cultural intelligence. Dr. Kanahele is of pure Hawaiian descent and was raised in a hula tradition that spans many generations. 

Michel Mulipola

Samoan

Comic Book Artist / Professional Wrestler and owner of 'Bloody Samoan Art' company.

Michel Mulipola is a self taught Samoan comic book artist from Auckland. He is currently working as a Story Artist for Walt Disney Animation Studios on an upcoming project. You also may regonise him as the wrestler "Bloody Samoan". 

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As a little kid I pretty much remember my Uncles being into comics. I stumbled across their stash of comic books and instantly fell in love with it. I think it was just the characters, the costumes, the bright colours, just everything about it captured my young imagination. Eversince then, it’s been a constant in my life - just comic books.

Being a kid, naturally I loved to draw and when I found those comics, all I wanted to be was a comic book artist.

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So were you that kid in class drawing comic characters while the teacher was teaching?

Yeah.…more

“Ah, schucks,’’ he grins. “I’m sitting here in this Las Vegas mansion, watching gardeners work in my backyard.

“It’s incredible. And why nothing in life surprises me anymore.

“I’m just waiting now for a pink elephant to fly overhead.”

Indeed, who can blame him?

Unsigned even to fight four weeks ago, Hunt is suddenly three days off the most hyped bout in UFC history - facing WWE megastar Brock Lesnar here in Las Vegas at UFC 200.

Already, the stacked card is being billed as the biggest of all time.

With Lesnar and Hunt the undeniable feature.

Which is why, to help the Sydney slugger through his preparations, UFC president Dana White has secretly gifted Team Hunt the lease on a private $5 million mansion.…more

Tongan Born New Zealander Nailini Helu has won her second professional bout, winning against Sarah Long by unanimous decision.

Source: NZ Fighter

The 22 year old is currently ranked 10th in the world by independant boxing records keeping and computerized rankings system boxrec. Helu is also ranked 10th currently in the UBF.

Helu is the older sister to Professional boxer Panuve Helu who just recently came off a win against Tauranga Resident Jonathan Taylor. Panuve is scheduled to fight Fili Mailata in August in a rematch after a controversial draw and again in september against an opponent that is still to be announced.

Both Nailini and Panuve born in Tonga and residing in Auckland, New Zealand are Tonga's biggest boxing prospects, showing massive amount of potential.

Nailini has an incredible amateur career, winning three New Zealand National Championships in 2012, 2014 and 2015 and also reaching the semifinals in 2013.

Nailini debut as a pro in April this year on the Kali Reis vs Maricela Cornejo WBC World title undercard in Auckland, New Zealand.…more

Samoan actor Ray Chong Nee on his heritage, his desire to give back, and his dream for a King Lear of colour.

Source: The Saturday Paper

On the island of Upolu, in the high inland ranges of Aleisa, about 17 kilometres west by road from the Samoan capital of Apia, you will find the farming community where the Melbourne-based stage actor Ray Chong Nee was raised, and where his family still owns smaller plots. 

Chong Nee spent about half of his first 12 years there, after being born in Apia’s Moto’otua Hospital in 1983, and the other half of those years in New Zealand, his family shuttling back and forth for work and for education, before they settled in Australia on the brink of his adolescence. 

There had been no electricity where he grew up in Samoa: in the very stony but fertile soil of Aleisa, the wider Chong Nee family had worked their eight hectares by hand, growing taro and bananas. 

“I was exposed to people telling me to go home, using ‘nigger’.…more

KJ Apa has landed a lead role in Altar Rock, an indie thriller from director Andrzej Bartkowiak inspired by the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

Source: Deadline

No word on his role in the film, which will shoot on location this summer. Kristin Alexandre and A. Wayne Carter wrote the script.

KJ’s profile will get a boost when he stars as Archie in the CW’s midseason drama series Riverdale. The New Zealand native also has a role in A Dog’s Purpose, Lasse Hallstrom’s pic about one dog’s quest to discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes with multiple owners. Apa’s other credits include the NZ drama series The Cul-de-Sac and Kiwi soap Shortland Street.

KJ is repped by WMA, Luber Roklin Entertainment and Red 11 Management.

Image: Rex/Shutterstock

All Blacks veteran Liam Messam has missed out on representing New Zealand in the rugby sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Source: NZ Herald

Messam, as predicted on Friday, was omitted from the NZ men's sevens squad to contest the Olympic Games next month when it was announced in Auckland today.

While fellow All Black regular in recent years Sonny Bill Williams was named in the squad of 12 for men's coach Gordon Tietjens, it's understood Messam will now rejoin his old Super Rugby side the Chiefs for the remainder of their 2016 title-chasing campaign.

Williams' sister Niall Williams was named in the women's squad to be coached by Sean Horan, while Kurt Baker was another high-profile omission from the men's team.

The New Zealand women's side will be lead by Sarah Goss, with Kayla McAlister and Portia Woodman key cogs if they are to defeat Australia and win a gold medal.

Liam Messam won't be part of the New Zealand men's sevens side to contest the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.…more

Not many actors can say they made their film debut - at the age of 64 - in a scene with Scarlett Johansson and Pilou Asbaek.

Source: Stuff

But that's the claim to fame of Fa'amoana "John" Luafutu - father of rapper Scribe - who was spotted by Ghost in the Shell director Rupert Sanders on a striking poster for his play The White Guitar as he was being driven from Wellington airport to the set.

The poster features heavily tattooed John topless with his two sons, actor Matthias Luafutu and Malo Luafutu (Scribe), who also feature in the play.

He was contacted by a Ghost in the Shell representative to discuss appearing in the film, and they auditioned in Christchurch.

Unfortunately, Malo, or "the famous one" as proud dad John puts it, was not selected.

But John was thrilled when he found out he would be joined on set by Matthias, a Toi Whakaari-trained actor who stared in 2013's Shopping.…more

Check out the cast of the American Tour of The Lion King and their take on Samoan Language Week!

Jo Ramsey, a Samoan from Hawaii, is currently playing Mufasa in the American Tour of Lion King.