
Paddles up at the 2023 Samoa IVF Va'a World Distance Championships
by Loveni S. Enari
After the wonderful scenes of Don Bosco Technical College, resplendent in the pouring rain, wowing, no - absolutely smashing the International Va'a opening ceremony in Apia Harbour yesterday - at 7:30am today, it was business time.
The Under 19 men kicked off the championship and Samoa came in an honourable fourth behind race favourites, Tahiti, Aotearoa and Hawaii, in that order.
The final medal table on 18 August will look similar, with a very tight struggle expected between perrenial champs, Tahiti and the always strong Kiwis, with permission of Hawaii, Australia and the Cook Islands.
The opening ceremony and march past were well supported and provided spectacularly festive images of the beach front road for the rest of the world.…more

Celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop
August 11th 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hip hop - an art form that has helped influence so much of pop culture in the USA where it was birthed and around the world even down to tiny island nations & communities in the South Pacific.
Hip hop historians are able to pinpoint the date because a party in the Bronx on August 11th 1973 was when DJ Kool Herc debuted his 'merry go round' technique of playing funk breaks back to back. The event inspired DJs, breakdancers, graffiti artists, and eventually MCs in the early 80s which is when the culture spread beyond New York.
To honour the legacy and influence of this now global culture, we asked a number of our Pasifika hip hop artists who their all time favourite hip hop artist is or who would be the most influential hip hop artist in their career.
We start with Gawtti from the legendary Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E (the group of Samoan brothers who are celebrated as the pioneers of Samoan and Polynesian hip hop).…more

A Young Warrior's Triumph: MJ's Inspiring Story to his $200,000 Academic Scholarship
In the heart of Manurewa, MJ Fau Fuimaono Latu has captured the hearts of many with his extraordinary journey. Born and raised in South Auckland, MJ attends Finlayson Park School, a decile 1 school that has become the backdrop of his inspiring story.
MJ is the son of Anthony and Teresa Latu, hailing from the village of Samata i Uta, Samoa. Described as ‘very reserved’ by his mother, his early years were spent in homeschooling, but now embraces school work with enthusiasm.
Through sheer determination and unwavering dedication, MJ triumphed over numerous challenges to secure the prestigious Buchanan Charitable Trust Scholarship for Kings School/College - an accomplishment that holds a value of over $200,000.
MJ's pursuit of this life-changing scholarship began with stiff competition. Numerous applicants vied for the award, but MJ's brilliance and hard work set him apart. He passed the preliminary assessments and testing day, securing a spot in the top 5 finalists; and then went on to be shortlisted among the top 3 finalists for the final interview.…more

WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - MORGAN HOGG
MORGAN HOGG
MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTIST
COOK ISLANDS
Morgan Hogg is an emerging artist of Cook Island-Australian descent. Drawing from her Kūki Airani heritage, Morgan employs installation and performance as means to visually convey her personal journey of grappling with cultural dislocation and self-identity.
Selected from six finalists, Morgan was awarded the 2023 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) and will use the pretigious $30,000 Fellowship to undertake a self-directed programme to develop her professional practice.
Developed and curated by Artspace, Sydney, works by all six shortlisted artists are featured in the 2023 Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) exhibition. The long-running exhibition has earned a reputation as a highlight in the NSW visual arts calendar, showcasing the diverse and exciting talent of a new generation of artists, and helping to launch many careers.
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Kia orana Morgan, tell us about yourself
I am a Cook Island-Australian emerging artist living and working on unceded Wangal and Gadigal lands. I utilise installation and performance as visual representations of my own exploration of cultural displacement and identity.…more

WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - MAUI DANIEL
MAUI DANIEL
REGISTERED NURSE
COOK ISLANDS
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Ko Maui Daniel toku ingoa
Ko Takitumu toku vaka taunga
Ko Pa ma Kainuku toku nga ariki
Ko ngati kainuku toku matakeinanga
Ko turangi manga mataiapo toku tapere
Ko te kou toku maunga
Ko te avarau toku ava
Kia Orana from the Cook Islands.
My name is Maui and I am named after my late grandmother Mama Maui Short (nee Cowan). I was born on the island of Penryn, and raised in Rarotonga in the village of Ngatangiia, Muri. I am the eldest of three, however I have two older siblings before me.
I am the mother of one handsome young man of 20 years old, who is my life and my strength.
My father Dr Roro Daniel was born on the island of Aitutaki that is well known for its beautiful Lagoon. I have family connections to Palmeston and Penryn.
My mother, the late Akaiti Daniel (nee Short) is from Rarotonga with strong ties to Atiu.…more
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Surprises UFC Fighter Themba Gorimbo With New House
Earlier this year, a tweet from UFC Fighter Themba Gorimbo caught Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s eye.
Gorimbo tweeted a screenshot of having $7 in his bank account, an amount all-too familiar with Johnson, who infamously had $7 in his pocket after getting cut from the Canadian Football League in 1995 and was forced to move home.
Inspired by his story, his selflessness and his determination for greatness, Johnson flew down to Miami to meet Gorimbo in person. While Gorimbo thought that meeting was the surprise of a lifetime, as he would soon find out, a lot more was in store.
Roman Reigns set to face his cousin Jey Uso for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
WWE superstar and current undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns takes on his cousin and former team mate Jey Uso (one half of The Uso's) in the main event at WWE's 2023 SummerSlam.
In case you have missed much of the ongoing storyline, take a look back at how the Summerslam main event came to be, from when the Usos lost their rematch for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships against Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens in the video above.…more
The Rock’s “Day One” Mentality | Official Project Rock x Under Armour Campaign
Project Rock’s newest training gear was inspired by Hawaii’s McKinley High School, where teenage Dwayne Johnson learned his “Day One” mentality.
Whatever dream you’re chasing, no matter how long you’ve been at it, or how long it might take you: The true test will always be today. It’s either One Day, or Day One.
Then go behind the scenes of the latest campaign video with former McKinley student, Chrilen Jibewemal, to see what it’s like to play “The Rock.” Those reps are no joke!
Amokura - Interview with P. Digsss from Shapeshifter
World-renowned live Drum&Bass group Shapeshifter, has released their latest single, 'Amokura' to celebrate Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani - Cook Islands Language Week 2023.
Lead singer Paora Apera, also known as P. Digsss, sits down with us to share his childhood growing up in the Cook Islands and how the song 'Amokura' came to be.
‘Amokura’ is a big electronic, jungle, island drum & bass track, synergizing Shapeshifter's energy and sonic palette with Cook Island's traditional drums.
The single honours the rhythms of the Cook Islands; the pate drums were recorded in Rarotonga by P. Digsss’ brother and cousins about five years ago when the Shapeshifter lads became transfixed by the Cook Island rhythms on a trip to Rarotonga. At the time, there wasn’t a plan for the recordings, and they sat in the archives until the idea came up to record a Cook Island Māori song - inspired by The Waiata Anthems movement.
The vocals are in te reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani.…more

Remembering Toakase Fakakovikaetau: Pioneering Paediatrician in Tonga
Respected and pioneering Paediatrician in Tonga, Dr Toakase Fakakovikaetau sadly passed away on Friday the 28th of July after a brief but aggressive battle with cancer.
Tributes have poured in from her homeland of Tonga, across the Pacific Islands and from the Pasifika Medical Association here in New Zealand.
PMA Chief Executive, Mrs Debbie Sorensen, expressed her heartfelt condolences to Dr Fakakovikaetau's family, friends and colleagues.
"Her absence is a tremendous loss to not only the medical sector in Tonga and the Pacific region, but to her community that she so tirelessly served. As a Life Member of PMA, we acknowledge her dedication to child health and the lifelong impact that she has made in the world of paediatrics, both in Tonga and in the Pacific.
"At a personal level, she was also an amazing friend, colleague and a courageous leader.…more