Three Wise Cousins - Review
Fans of the Sione's Wedding films will lap up this colourful and charming Kiwi-Samoan comedy.
It's the story of Adam (Neil Amituanai), a bit of a feckless slob, who, when he isn't on his Playstation, is asking his long-suffering Mum, "what's for dinner?"
However, his life is turned upside down when he admires a "beautiful" law student, who shares the same bus stop as him. Unable to muster up the courage to speak with her, he hits upon a plan when he overhears that she'd like a real "Island guy". Hopping on the first plane to Apia, he enlists the support of his two cousins – the muscle-bound Mose (Vito Vito) and the more "sensitive" Tavita (Vesui Villiamu). But as well as teaching him how to climb trees, crack open coconuts and weave baskets, they also offer up some more pertinent life-skills and advice.
Vito Vito plays Mose, Neil Amituanai is Adam and Vesui Villiamu essays Tavita in the new Kiwi-Samoan production Three Wise Cousins.…more
Humans Of The Islands - Dr Semisi Lolohea
Dr Semisi Lolohea
Tongan
General Surgeon, Colorectal Surgeon
I grew up in the Islands where I went to school and I was 17 years old when I moved to New Zealand. It was my first time outside of Tonga and it was quite daunting. My English wasn’t very good. I could have reasonable conversations with people but it was very hard for me adjusting in the first year.
And did you know at that time that you wanted to pursue a medical career?
Yeah I was always quite keen on doing medicine. I worked hard with my studies but it was challenging because of the language barrier. When I made it into Medicine school I could understand what they were talking about but asking questions and actually having a conversation with the Teacher was a struggle. Sometimes I wanted to answer questions but I was a bit embarrassed because I could not speak English properly. It remained a barrier even all throughout my career but over time I gained more confidence.…more
Indigenous Heroes of 2015
MUSKRAT magazine released it's Top 13 Indigenous Heroes of 2015, acknowledging the brave individuals fighting to make a positive change a better future for Indigenous peoples - including Hawaiian star Jason Momoa!
Game of Thrones star, Jason Momoa, born in Honolulu, jump started a social media campaign to protest the construction of the $1.4 billion project, Thirty Meter Telescope, on top of the sacred mountaintop, Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The campaign was used to raise awareness of a petition on Change.org to halt the telescope’s construction and the arrests of people protesting the project. Jason and his wife, Lisa Bonet, are using their fame and influence to bring Indigenous stories to the mainstream. In addition to writing, directing, and starring in Road to Paloma, a story about a Native American on the run after avenging his mother’s murder, Momoa also stars on the TV series Red Road, the new Netflix original- Frontier. He also has a contract to play Aquaman in several Superman movies.
Check out the rest of the list and their achievements here!
Humans Of The Islands - Sulani Helg
Sulani Helg
17 years old
Samoan, high school student.
I’m the eldest of 5 children and I come from a big Samoan family. My last name is Helg and that originated from Germany, so I have German in me but I’m also part Fijian, Tongan and Cook Islander. I do acknowledge those cultures because they make me ‘me’. I wouldn’t be the person I am without my cultural ancestors so it’s important to me that I acknowledge that.
Do you see yourself as a role model to other pacific island youth?
I try to embody my philosophy to respect others. I want to create a platform with everything that I accomplish to inspire other young people to follow their dreams and to not give up or let any obstacles get in their way, to endure and persevere. I try to be a role model for the youth.
Who’s been the most influential person in your life and why?
I’d say my parents and my grandparents. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today.…more
Joseph Parker vs Jason Bergman highlights
Check out the highlights from the Rumble in Paradise between the uso Joseph Parker and Jason Bergman in Samoa!
Bergman was unable to continue the fight in the eighth round after being floored several times throughout the fight, with Parker winning by TKO.
Samoan chief wears many hats
Serving as a high chief in her native Samoa is just one of Faamati Aumua Winey’s many duties.
Source: The Citizen
The busy Dellwood woman also owns five Snap Fitness franchises, is president of the Quad Area Chamber of Commerce, co-owns a rugby team, manages a campaign for a state senate candidate and serves on the governor’s Asian Pacific Council.
Winey admits her lifestyle is hectic, but the 39-year-old businesswoman would have it no other way.
It all started in 2000 when she moved to Minnesota from Samoa to marry her husband, Mark Winey. They met in American Samoa when Winey was working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He is a graduate of White Bear Lake Area High School and returned to the area to take over his dad’s business, Magnepan. After a few visits to the state, Faamati accepted Winey’s marriage proposal. Then she began a franchise search.
“I come from the tropics where there are always activities,” she said.…more
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson - The Worlds #1 Box Office Star for 2015
Coco-Congrats go to the one and only Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson taking back the #1 title of International Box Office Star of 2015.
He's the only Pacific Islander to ever make the Box Office Star list, first receiving the number one spot in 2013. The persistence of the 'Furious' franchise and the strong success of his leading role in sci-fi disaster flick 'San Andreas' have put him back at the top again.
Johnson posted this to his FB to express how he was feeling:
Humans Of The Islands - Tugi Paula Ryan Togiaheulu
Tugi Paula Ryan Togiaheulu
30 years old
World traveller
What’s your Pacific heritage?
My father is Niuean and part Tongan from Tamakautoga, Tuapa, Fatai and Nukuknuku , Hihifo. My Mum is Niuean, Cook Island from Hakupu and Palmerston Island.
What are you currently doing and how did you get there?
I’m currently teaching in Valledupar on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, South America. Being Polynesian, it’s in our blood to voyage. I’ve always been curious about the world, different cultures, ancient knowledge, rituals, medicine, language, music, history, art, religion - it all fascinates me. Travelling was just a natural progression on my quest to learn and discover more about the world and myself.
What did you before then?
I studied Live Sound Audio Engineering at the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand and then went on to complete a degree in Criminology and Social Sciences at A.U.T I’m about to start post graduate studies soon.…more
Parker vs Bergman #RumbleInParadise
Check out what both parties had to say in their upcoming match to be held in Apia, Samoa this Saturday night!
Epic Polynesian Wedding Proposal
Christian Parker, brother of NBA superstar Jabari Parker, proposed to girlfriend Terina Oto on New Year’s Eve with the help of friends at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii.
Oto, a lead performer in the evening show at the Polynesian Cultural Center, thought the choreographed dance was a tribute to the service missionaries at the PCC, but it was all for her. Parker enlisted the help of Oto’s uncle, a choreographer at the PCC, who came up with the idea to create a flash mob. Parker then recorded a song in a studio in Chicago, using the voices of LDS friends such as The Jets and The Moleni Brothers.
On the night of the proposal, Oto escorted the service missionaries, who she thought were being honored, to the front of the stage after the PCC evening show. She then watched as more than 200 people, including students at her preschool, family, friends and co-workers, participated in the flash mob that led to Parker’s proposal.…more