Fautasi 2023 Race | LIVE from Samoa
Watch the live coverage of the 2023 Fautasi Races from Apia, Samoa.
In the end, Tolotolo o le Tamauli from Savaii became the winners of this year's fautasi regatta to celebrate Samoa's year-long 60th Independence anniversary.
Don Bosco Segavao came in second place, Telefoni o le Vainuu in third, Little Rina was fourth and Marist in fifth place.
Big Impact: Papua New Guinea players leaving their mark on British rugby league
By Thomas Law
“There’s only three common denominators in this country. One is God. Two is Tok Pisin, the language we all speak. Three is rugby league.” So powers the opening voiceover to the Power Meri documentary.
The prominence of rugby league is not in doubt – famously it is the only sovereign nation in the world in which it is the national sport (the only other country to share this accolade is the Cook Islands).
As London Broncos and international prop Wellington Albert puts it, “Every little boy and girl will play around, with a Coca-Cola bottle as a rugby ball sometimes, playing on the backyard or on any field available. We grow up playing rugby league, and that’s where we started falling in love with the greatest game of all.”
His teammate for club and country, Emmanuel ‘Manu’ Waine, echoed that sentiment, particularly the pride fans have for the national team. “When PNG is playing against other nations, the backing in our country, everybody gets behind it and supports it.…more
Coco Talanoa: Pasifika cast from Hamilton the Musical - Elandrah Eramiha, Iosefa Laga'aia & Kirrah Amosa
'HAMILTON: The Musical' begins its first ever international tour in Aotearoa, direct from a stellar run across Australia on Friday 26th May and runs through until the 11th of June at Spark Arena.
We sat down for a chat with three of the Pasifika cast members - Elandrah Eramiha, Iosefa Laga'aia and Kirrah Amosa who share what their characters are like as well as what it's like having to play multiple characters, what it means for them to be able to represent our people on such a big stage, their favourite track to perform and more.
Don't miss out - Get your tickets to the show here
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Credits:
Director - Destiny Momoiseā
Camera Operator - Penina Momoiseā
Editor - Sefa Taouma
Research/Consultant - Talia Momoiseā
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Additional Footage & photos provided from Hamilton The Musical & 818 Publicity
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
Fiji Coca Cola Games | Keepin It Fresh
Welcome to the biggest high school athletics event in the Southern Hemisphere!
This is Fiji's CocaCola Games. A electric event filled with competition, chants and island energy that is unmatched. We kick it with the student athletes, school alumni, cheerleaders and coaches, as they bring to life one of the most lively days in Suva!
Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Pacific Cabarets.
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CREDITS:
Director - Elizabeth Koroivulaono
Editor - Laura McBeath
DOP - Hayden Aull
Sound - Felix Biuwale, Elton Varoumue
Extra Footage - FBC Tv, Fiji TV, MAI TV
Thank you to Lawrence Tikaram & Elton Varoumue
Iam Tongi on Live Kelly and Mark + Good Morning America
American Idol winner has been doing the talk show rounds appearing on Live Kelly and Mark as well as on Good Morning America hosted by Michael Strahan with fellow finalist Megan Danielle.
Meanwhile his new single 'I'll be seeing you' hit number 1 after the finale on the iTunes charts.
He released the track on the 19th of May and on Sunday prior to the finale, James Blunts 'Monsters' held the top spot but moved to number 2 when 'I'll be seeing you' reached the number 1 spot overnight after Iam won.
Watch him sing the track in the American Idol finale here -
Joe Rogan reacts to hearing Iam Tongi for the first time with Jelly Roll
Singer/Rapper Jelly Roll appeared on the Joe Rogan podcast recently and told Joe he was going to be performing in the final of American Idol this Sunday.
He then shared about a contestant he couldn't wait to meet and showed him Iam Tongi's audition video.
As the music filled the air, the soul-stirring vocals of Iam Tongi struck a chord with both Rogan and Jelly Roll, moving both of them to tears.
Tautua: Inked in Service | Trailer | RNZ
In Tautua: Inked in Service, RNZ Social Media Journalist Faivaeselopepe Anric Sitanilei undergoes the transformative process of receiving the traditional Samoan malofie, also known as the tatau.
Through vivid storytelling and intimate interviews, the documentary unveils the evolving role of the tatau in a changing world, showcasing its enduring power as a testament to Samoan heart and spirit.
Sitanilei says the tatau has long been a shielded part of Samoan culture.
“I wanted to share my story to showcase the tatau, and to show our audience that they’re not just tattoos, that receiving the tatau is a privilege, an honour and can be a spiritual experience.”
Tautua: Inked in Service is a celebration of heritage, tradition, and dedication to family and community and will be released on Sunday 28th May to coincide with the start of Samoan Language Week.
Iam Tongi performs at Homecoming concert at Turtle Bay Resort
It's been a whirl wind week for American Idol contestant Iam Tongi.
On Sunday evening (US time), Iam made the Final 3 in this season of American Idol, he travelled back to Hawai'i where he grew up and received an honourary diploma and a special haka from his former high school on the North Shore - Kahuku High School - then was given a homecoming parade the next day with a homecoming concert at Turtle Bay Resort.
Watc Iam's perforrmances of popular Tongan song 'Efiafi, peau ongo'i vale' by Sione Niupalavu Tatu, Spawn Breezies 'Don't Let Go', Jack Johnson's 'Pancakes' and then a special rendition of his break out Idol performance 'Monsters' by James Blunt in the video above.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - VANU MAOATE
IOKAPETA IFOVANU MAOATE
BEAUTY BY NUNU BUSINESS OWNER
SAMOAN
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My name is Iokapeta Ifovanu Maoate (nee Savea), I was born in Porirua, Wellington New Zealand. My parents are from the villages of Siumu & Aleipata in Western Samoa. I lived in Porirua for the first 12 years of my life but mostly grew up in Palmerston North. I now reside in Brisbane, Australia and am a Full Time Lash Technician & Cosmetic Eyebrow Tattooist.
You recently started your own business - what were the pathways that led you to what you're doing now?
I was hanging out at our local swimming pools here in Brisbane when I met up with an old friend of mine who mentioned her cousin who also lives in my suburb was training girls to be Lash Technicians. She is a fully accredited trainer so I immediately called her up and she booked me in for 1 on 1 training to get me certified as a Lash tech, I also wanted to add more beauty services so I am certified to do Eyebrow Lamination & Lash lifts. I…more
Pasifika Entertaiment Advancement Komiti's first in-person talanoa
By Honestine Pa'ala-Fraser
The Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (PEAK) held their very first in-person talanoa in downtown Los Angeles on May 4. The talanoa, which was sponsored by Amazon Studios, featured panelists across the entertainment industry: actor Uli Latukefu, writer and PEAK co-founder Dana Ledoux Miller, filmmaker Kerry Warkia, and writer Freddie Gutierrez, moderated by PEAK co-founder Kristian Fanene Schmidt as they reflected on the future of Pasifika storytelling in Hollywood.
PEAK is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California whose mission is to uplift and support the Pasifika community within the entertainment industry and 'expand Pasifika entertainment so that our creatives can thrive, evolve, and drive innovative storytelling that honors the richness and diversity across Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.'
“All Pasifika cultures come from oral tradition. Before we had a written language it was storytelling, and it was dance,” PEAK board member Averie Joy Maikalima O Makua Huffine shared with the CoconetTV.
“And the version of keeping that alive today is putting it on television and film. And that's how we're going to preserve these things.…more