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

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

Haku Creative rallies the community in Hawai'i to show their support for Kahuku's hometown boy Iam Tongi!

Singers (including past Hawaiian American Idol contestants), artists, actors, community leaders, and Iam's family put together this video to campaign for America's vote for their guy Iam. 

Mothers across the Pacific endure so much, they are Warriors that nurture and create our new generations – often in hard circumstances.

So there is no wonder Mothers are the most treasured in society and it is seen in Cultures and Traditions all around the world. 

However, Fiji in particular has certain traditions that are followed to make known about the sacrifices Mothers go through to bear their children. 

Once the baby is born, the new-born and the Mother spend four days isolated from extended families and those intending to visit as it is said that the first four days of a baby’s life is the most precious, this is called the “Vaka Bogi Va” (The Four Nights). 

Once the Bogi Va is done visitors may now be allowed to see and carry the new-born, this act is called the “i Roqoroqo” (To Carry).…more

PG recommended - Coarse language 

The Pivot Podcast hosted by former NFL stars Channing Crowder, Fred Taylor & Ryan Clark takes a trip to sit with none other than Dwayne The Rock Johnson for a conversation where they just all let their guards down, had some laughs, talked life lessons and shared their experiences and what matters most in their lives. 

Taking a trip down memory lane to what it was like growing up as an only child and having the dreams to play in the NFL one day, The Rock shares with Ryan how he never imagined being where he is today and frankly never wanted this life either, he just had other goals that led him to where he is now. Fitness and being in the gym is an obvious part of The Rock's life, but the motivation is far beyond the physical aspects it provides as he opens up that its symbolic to his relationship with his dad and their time they had when it was just the two of them.…more

NOELEEN TUALA 

POLYTRANEUR - CREATOR & FACE BEHIND PELE 

SAMOAN / TONGAN 

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Talofa,  Mālō e lelei  My name is Noeleen Tuala mum of 5, nana to 4 and a polytraneur! The creator and face behind PELE.  

I am of Samoan (Leulumoega Tuai) and Tongan (Nukualofa) decent with a sprinkle of Irish thrown in for a good mix (thanks to my beautiful nana) and I have been married to my amazing husband Joe for the past 13 years. I have lived in South Auckland all my life, currently calling Manurewa home and calling my spare room my office. 

By day I am an executive assistant for a community housing provider and by night and lunch breaks I am all about PELE. I have always believed there was more out there than a standard  9-5 and I feel incredibly blessed to be where I am today.

You run Pele - can you tell us a bit about your business?

PELE is a dream come to fruition! 

PELE is made up of baby essentials with a poly theme.…more

Young Samoan actress Eliana Su'a is set to star in new Disney series 'Pretty Freakin Scary' which premieres on 15th of June on the Disney Channel and then the next day on Disney+

The series centres around 14yr old Frankie Ripp (played by Eliana) who had the perfect life - a great family, annoying little brother, a popular boyfriend and a BFF she could always count on. However, her life takes a surprising turn after an unfortunate incident.  After some heated debate in the Underworld with the Grim Reaper herself, Frankie is forced to navigate life with her new Underworld guardians, Pretty and Scary...in the most challenging setting of all…Middle School. Pretty freekin scary, huh?

14yr old Eliana is half Samoan, half Latina and originally got her start in theatre before progressing into TV and film.  Her first role was in 'Simmer' but it was her major breakout role as Dwayne Johnson's on-screen daughter in the blockbuster feature film "FAST & FURIOUS: PRESENTS HOBBS & SHAW" that catapulted her into the spotlight.…more

Written by Va’ai Nah Folasa | Blu TV

Last week the Prime Minister’s Championship tournament was held over 2 days at the St Joseph’s field at Lotopa. The competition drew teams from all educational districts of Samoa.

This year the tournament took a slightly different format with out of town teams being billeted at different host schools where they were provided with accommodation and food for the duration of the competition. This initiative by the Minister for Education saved parents of players the cost of hotel accommodation and also meant that the teams were housed together and cared for by fellow schools.

Blu-wave has reported this event as part of its presentations last week. However, one story has come to light which captures the spirit not only of this school boy competition, but of rugby Samoa.

Pitone Asafo is a 12 year old boy from the village of Falealupo, Savaii.  Proud son of Asafo and Nina, young Pitone was the winger for the U14 team for the District of Itu Asau which eventually won the Spoon.…more