Tagged
Samoan Culture
SPORTSJuJu Smith-Schuster: Fire WithinThe Super Bowl champion on AFI, the Samoan word for fire, a household of 23, the ‘ie faitaga on game day, and the flame that burns beyond football.Queenie Taua'a
SPORTSAdonia FaumuinaThe USC outside hitter on Samoan and Tongan roots, the back injury that tested her faith, and the first Pacific Islander Night for volleyball at USC.Keilani Mayo
COMMUNITYSamuelu Elisaia's Journey with Faith and the FCAThe coach's kid from Leone on identity, the cold-tub meeting that changed his life, and the FCA camp he is working to build in the Pacific Islands.Keilani Mayo
SPORTSRUNIT's USA West Coast Trials 2025Six cities, free entry and turnouts that beat expectations — the collision sport built by the Taua'a and Molimau families makes its American run.Queenie Taua'a
SPORTSFlorinalaula'au “Nalu” Liufau: A Legacy Inked in Culture, Forged in RugbyAt 18, the Southern California rugby sevens player carries a Liufau family legacy — and a malu inked by her father — onto Team USA.Joey Quenga
CULTURETiana Nonosina Liufau: A Cultural Powerhouse Bringing Polynesian Stories to the WorldThe Moana 2 cultural consultant on the Oceanic Trust, the malu she wears as a daily reminder, and why service is the measure of a leader.Queenie Taua'a
ENTERTAINMENTA Pacific Gem on the Global Stage: Queenie's Review of Moana 2Bring tissues. A Samoan writer on seeing her family, her village and her ancestors in a Disney sequel.Queenie Taua'a
CULTUREFrom Verse to Vision: How Wayno's Siva Samoa 2k24 Sparked a Cultural DialogueMusu Tapu Sitagata wrote a verse for Samoan women. Theresa Tupuola-Sorenson wrote the answer for Samoan men — and gave it to her daughter and her nieces to sing.Queenie Taua'a
CULTUREInk and Intent: Beyond the Lyrics with Musu Tapu SitagataThe composer behind the verse in Wayno's Siva Samoa 2k24 on the malu, the language, and what he is afraid our generation will lose.Queenie Taua'a
CULTUREReviving Tradition: The Miss Samoa USA Pageant Returns in 2024After almost 15 years, the pageant returned in Las Vegas with five contestants — and a new Miss Samoa USA in Josephina “Joey” Lealaitafea.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
CULTURERIMA: Tiana Nonosina Liufau's Celebration of Life in Music and MovementAt the Grove of Anaheim, the Creative Native honored her grandmother, 57 years of Nonosina, and the va'a that never stopped sailing.Queenie Taua'a
ENTERTAINMENTSole Man! Sione's Wedding Turns 18A classic that stands the test of time — and the lines our audience still quotes to each other.Queenie Taua'a
CULTUREHerstory: Moemoana Safa'ato'a Schwenke Follows Her Mother's CrownTwenty-seven years after MaryJane McKibbin-Schwenke, her daughter is crowned Miss Pacific Islands in Nauru.Queenie Taua'a
SPORTSThe Real Final Boss: Lia Maivia Inducted into the 2024 WWE Hall of FameThe Rock honours his grandmother, one of wrestling's first female promoters and the matriarch of a dynasty.Queenie Taua'a