IN THIS ISSUE
16 stories
MUSICTupulaga Samoa: Tree and WaynoThe Samoan singer on the decade-old anthem that found its way back to her, the sister who turned it into a music video, and why culture is the other 80% of the work.Queenie Taua'a
MUSICColdplay Shares the Stage with Pasifika ArtistsSaia, Junior, Poni, Sione and Nate of “This Is Our Home” took Pacific climate justice to a crowd of more than 60,000 in France.Queenie Taua'a
MUSICRising Stars of South Auckland: Meet FavonaBoyzFyz305, Mou305, Gucii305 and Ola305 on paving their own path out of Māngere — with a blessing from Cutthroat Mode.Keilani Mayo
MUSIC“Want To” Achieves Over 20 Million StreamsFour years on, Victor J Sefo and Josh Wawa's 2020 single is still in daily rotation — and has crossed 20 million plays.Queenie Taua'a
COMMUNITYUa Taunu'u: The Arrival of Success with Teuilealealofa Rose-Anna Saitumua TafaoialiiAt just 25, the daughter of the Pacific and Samoa has earned two doctorates — and wants the next Samoan girl to know the room belongs to her too.Queenie Taua'a
COMMUNITYChampioning Men's Mental Health: Teti's ClubMasini Matautia on the Brisbane non-profit making room for Pasifika and Māori men to talk — and the ava ceremony it threw for Alex Pereira.Queenie Taua'a
CULTUREIsland Breeze: Transforming Lives Through Dance and Performing ArtsSilia Matelau on touring with the Kansas City-based ministry, returning to the Pacific after 40 years, and restoring the dignity of island dance.Keilani Mayo
COMMUNITYHailame Kinikini: From D2D Sales to Short Term Rental KingThe Elk Ridge Management founder on a childhood spent following his father through medical school, dropping out of college, and building a 150-property portfolio.Queenie Taua'a
SPORTSSive Mata'utia-Jarrard: Riding Big Waves, Writing Samoan HistoryMiss Samoa Hawaii 2022-2023 becomes the first woman to represent American Samoa on the World Surf League Championship Tour in longboarding.Keilani Mayo
SPORTSW.W.E. Hall of Famer and Father of Roman Reigns, Passes at 79Sika Anoa''i, one half of The Wild Samoans and a trainer to a generation of wrestlers, died on June 25, 2024.Queenie Taua'a
SPORTS2024 NBA Draft: Pasifika Representation in the 2024 NBA Draft ClassRob Dillingham went eighth overall and Tolu Smith III signed with Detroit — two Tama Samoa in the NBA in one summer.Queenie Taua'a
SPORTSBlues Break Super Rugby Drought to Claim 2024 TitleA 41-10 demolition of the Chiefs at Eden Park ends 21 years without a title and breaks the Crusaders'' seven-year reign.Queenie Taua'a
CULTUREFESTPAC 2024Over 2,200 delegates gathered on Oahu for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture — Ho''oulu Lahui, Regenerating Oceania.Queenie Taua'a
ENTERTAINMENTDisney Discovers Catherine Laga'aia to Star as 'Moana' in Live-Action RemakeThe 17-year-old Samoan actor from Sydney leads an all-Pasifika cast alongside Dwayne Johnson, John Tui, Frankie Adams and Rena Owen.Queenie Taua'a
COMMUNITYHealth Is Wealth: Food Tips to Help Reduce DiabetesType 2 diabetes has been climbing across the Pacific since 1990. A few habits that help push back.Queenie Taua'a
MUSICThe July 2024 PlaylistAre you a pani popo girl? Because your sweetness makes my playlist complete.Queenie Taua'a