Tongan Family Band "The Curtis Family C-Notes" audition for Americas Got Talent
This talented family band brought the house down at America’s Got Talent with this incredible rendition of "I Was Made to Love Her" by Stevie Wonder!
The Curtis Family C-Notes are an African American and Tongan family band from San Francisco. They are led by parents Maestro Curtis & Miss Nola Curtis along with their 5 children. Zahara Curtis (16) plays guitar, violin, and ukulele. Nile Curtis (15) plays the bass and cello. Isis Curtis (14) plays piano, guitar and drums. Kiki Curtis (12) plays ukulele, electric guitar and acoustic guitar. Phoenix Curtis (10) plays ukulele, piano, guitar and bass. This talented family plays all these instruments plus they all sing!
In the tradition of family bands such as the Jackson 5, the Partridge Family and the Carpenters, The Curtis Family perform covers of funky classics as well as original compositions. Mama and Papa C (what they call their parents) aspire for their children to enter into the sciences because of its connection to music.…more
Man charged with manslaughter after death of MMA fighter Fau Vake jailed for two years & 9 months
Cover image photos courtesy of Willie Vake.
via RNZ
Update: The man who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of rising MMA fighter Fau Vake in a late night attack in Auckland last year has been sentenced to two years, nine months in jail.
Liufau Vake, 25, known as Fau, died after an attack by a group of four men outside a bar on Symonds Street, just before 3am on 16 May 2021.
After a series of other punches from others, Fau was punched by Daniel Havili in the side of the head while he had his hands by his side. Vake was unable to break his fall and his head hit the asphalt road.
The fall caused a skull fracture and brain bleeding, which, despite surgery, could not be recovered from. Vake died in hospital nine days later.
Fau's brother Ika was also attacked, including by Havili. Ika was hospitalised but survived.
Of the four men charged, Daniel Havili, 30, was the only one charged with manslaughter.…more
Lavika's Lash House: Beauty and Business
Lavika's Lash House is a Pacific owned and run Beauty Parlour based in Auckland specialising in Eyelash Extentions. It was started by founder Veronica Tatafu 4 years ago after the birth of her sixth child, named Lavika. In search for a work life balance where she could be present in her daughters life Veronica left her corporate job and started doing Lashes. Since then she has built her business from the ground up and now uses the knowlege she has gained to teach other aspiring business women how to do lashes through her masterclasses.
The Coco team got to talk with Veronica about her hustle, what it means to be an empowered woman and so much more.
How would you describe your business to those who are hearing about it for the first time?
My business didn’t really take off properly until me and my husband separated. Suddenly I found myself alone having to provide for me and my 6 children.…more
Jarome Luai & Brian To'o - NRL's newest bromance
Jarome Luai and Brian To'o have been crowned the NRL's newest bromance, and after a great win over the North Queensland Cowboys the boys chat with the Fox League team and get in a bit of singing while they're at it.
The Samoa Internationals were named as debutants in Brad Fitlers NSW Blues State of Origin side for Game 1 next week.
Samoa talks fail to resolve impasse
via RNZ Pacific
Samoa's prime minister elect, FAST party leader Fiame Naomi Mata'afa says negotiations remain at an impasse between her party and the rival HRPP.
The parties met yesterday in Apia to try and resolve the stalemate resulting from the 9 April election.
In a statement last night, Fiame maintained that FAST held the majority of 26 seats to the HRPP's 25.
She said these FAST members had been sworn in, with a cabinet appointed and speaker and deputy chosen.
The HRPP leader, caretaker prime minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi continued to claim the result was not clear because 10 percent of 51 members or six women representatives in the House had not been achieved.
“Now Tuilaepa is singing about the rule of law when he had been contemptuous and ridiculed the Judiciary in his and the caretaker governments actions to block and delay the formation of a new government,” said Fiamē.…more
OUR PASIFIKA RECIPIENTS in QUEENS BIRTHDAY HONOURS 2021
Celebrating our Pasifika recipients in this years Queens Birthday honours.
In a statement, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern congratulated this year’s recipients and said the group represented decades of services across many areas, and highlighted how many New Zealanders were “going above and beyond for the benefits of us all”.
Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio said the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours list show that across Aotearoa, New Zealand there were many champions of Pacific education.
“Education is so vital to the success of Pacific people that it’s truly fitting that a number of educators have been honoured this year. Education provides an opportunity for Pacific people to realise their potential and to be confident, thriving and resilient in Aotearoa New Zealand."
“This year’s honours are a celebration for all of us in Aotearoa New Zealand who recognise and acknowledge the value and importance of education to our Pacific communities,” said Aupito William Sio.
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Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)
Reverend Iliafi Talotusitusi Esera, for services to the Samoan community and Christian ministry.…more
Conversations at Home with YOUNG ROCK
The cast of Young Rock reunite with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and actor Randall Park for 'Conversations at Home' as part of a fundraiser to support the SAF-AFTRA Foundation's vital safety net for performers and children's literacy initiative.
You can donate here
Dwayne talks on how the idea came about to make the TV series, the cast talk about their characters and working with each other, Ata Johnson makes an appearance and talks about how she felt watching their family's life portrayed in a TV series, the cast's auditions and much more.
"It will Die" - Samoan Language
By Lefaoali'i Dion Enari
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa (Samoa language week) is not only a time to celebrate, but also reflect upon and address our language issues. Although Samoan is the second most spoken language in Auckland, and the third most spoken in New Zealand, it is experiencing decline. The decrease in language usage is both visible in statistics and everyday interactions, particularly among those who are New Zealand born. Sadly, if we are not careful, ‘it will die’ in 3 generations. The fact that many Samoans would not be able to understand this article if it were written in Samoan, is in itself concerning.
Before looking at ways to sustain the Samoan language, I believe we must first remember why it’s important. As I reflect upon my discussions with Matai, scholars, families and educators, we were unanimous, in our belief that it was a measina (treasure). We also identified this measina as the window into the Samoan world. It is through our language, that we are able to fully access, marinate, and explore the wisdom we inherit.…more
Samoan-Australians Play "Never Have I Ever" with BuzzFeed
Gloria, Jason, Nivs, Pelz, Nella and Biggs685 play a game of Never Have I Ever Samoan-Australian Edition.
In this game they have to say if they have or havent done/experienced things like "Said Im related to Dawyne The Rock Johnson" or "Been told to go back where I came from". The group hilariously answers all these sticky questions and in doing so even sheds some light on the experience of Pacific Island people in Australia.
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Video from BuzzFeed Oz
ONLINE BULLYING IN SAMOA RESULTS IN TRAGEDY
** Trigger Warning - this story that you're about to read contains references to topics such as cyber bullying and youth suicide **
A recent family tragedy has highlighted the need for greater awareness and positive action, writes Nah Folasa.
Just this week our family was devastated by the suicide of my 15 year old cousin. Her crime: A victim of on line bullying.
Like most Samoan families we live close. There is always an intergenerational mix around the dinner table, we share our love, food, land and resources and we help one another.
As a family we cannot ever understand the hopelessness which she must have felt and the only way to escape this harassment was to take her own life. We never contemplated that this would ever occur in our family.…more