Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 62
Samoan designer fights for freedom through fashion
Stunning, gutsy and bold are just some of the words people on social media have used to describe the designs by young Samoan designer Janice Brown Setu-Galo.
The pacific fashionista has been heralded by some for pulling off ‘print on print’ with designs that are putting a definitive stamp on the industry.
But it’s about more than just clothes.
After a decade-long career in the fashion industry left her feeling unsatisfied, she bravely embarked on a new journey.
The creative designer went on several mission trips, and found that she wanted ‘helping people’ to be at the heart of her work every day.
A revelation which became a turning point in her career.
“It came to a point in my life where I really wanted to amalgamate what was in my hand and what was in my heart” said Janice.
And so, Salt & Light Threads was birthed.
The brand combines her passion for fashion and creativity, alongside her innate desire to help others.…more
Pacific Youth amongst The Queen's Young Leaders winners
The Queen's Young Leaders Programme discovers, celebrates and supports exceptional young people from across the Commonwealth - which include Youth Leaders from the Pacific!
Last year the search was launched to find exceptional young people to receive the first ever Queen’s Young Leaders Awards. Hundreds of applications flooded in from incredible young people all dedicated to making lasting change in their community and beyond.
The Queen’s Young Leader Award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives. Winners of this prestigious Award will receive a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK during which they will collect their Award from Her Majesty The Queen.
Amongst those recognised from the Pacific include:
Aiona Prescott TONGA
Easter Tekafa Niko TUVALU
Luisa Tuilau FIJI
Mary Siro VANUATU
Salmon Parairua SOLOMON ISLANDS
Seini Fisi'Ihoi PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Tabotabo Auatabu KIRIBATI
Unique Harris NAURU
To see the full list, check out https://www.queensyoungleaders.com
As a Pacific person, you are someone.
Last week, I shared my thoughts on the media’s storytelling of the sad death of Tevita Ba Daunibau. Like you, he was someone. A son, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, and a valuable, young Pacific person. His life was meaningful, and his death – a tragedy. The media barely mentioned his name, only giving a small bite to the reader, leaving a person like me – a person who cares – starving for more.
You are More
Tevita was more than a gang member, more than a few lines in a news article. He was a person and he was one of our own. Lovingly raised by God-fearing grandparents, loved by his family and respected by his friends, he brought life and laughter to those who knew him. After 10 years in the Australian Army, he was discharged due to post-traumatic stress disorder, and later joined a bikie gang. The fact that he joined both the defence force and a gang tell me he was looking to belong to something bigger than himself.…more
World First for Samoan Doctor
A proud daughter of Samoa is set to achieve a first for the region.
When Satualafaalagilagi Dr. Leinani Salamasina Aiono Le-Tagaloa graduates as a Pain Specialist, she is likely to become not only the first Samoan to achieve the feat, she could also be the first Pacific islander with such a qualification.
A Pain Specialist or pain management specialist, is a medical doctor who specialises in pain medicine. Pain medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of pain.
Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, Satualafaalagilagi said she is humbled by her achievement and she wants to use it to motivate other Samoans.
“There are many Samoans who are popular in sports but the world should know that we do have brains as well,” she said.
“This is what I am proud of, is to have Samoa be the first and that’s my pride.”
Satuala is the daughter of a former Member of Parliament, Le Tagaloa Pita and the late Aiono Dr. Fanaafi.…more
Cook Islanders get into the spirit of giving this Christmas
Check out the awesome work the Cook Islands are doing for those who need a little bit more Christmas cheer this Christmas.
The Cook Island community has come together to support 1000 of its families most in need.
Source: ONE News
Samoan-Niuean graduate moves the room with Graduation speech
This is not the first time Joshua Iosefo, a spoken word artist, has made waves with a speech. In 2012 while a schoolboy at Mt Roskill, he appeared on Campbell Live with a speech called "Brown Brother" in which he talked about the stereotypes about Pacific Islanders.
Iosefo made an impassioned speech about overcoming adversity to graduate, with a video of the emotional moment now surpassing 75,000 views online.
Joshua Iosefo, a Bachelor of Communication Studies graduate of Samoan-Niuean descent from South Auckland, told the 2015 Design and Creative Technologies graduation ceremony that to walk across the stage and receive his degree was about "more than a piece of paper".
"We all have our own walk. We all come from different walks of life," he said.
With his voice breaking, the 21-year-old tells his fellow students and friends what the day means to him.
"When we walk across this stage we are saying we did it. When we walk across this stage we made it ...…more
Isolated Pacific islands get Christmas presents by parachute
Australian, Japanese and US air force planes deliver food and toys to remote atolls as part of the annual Operation Christmas Drop
Australian, Japanese and US air force planes are dropping food and toys on remote atolls in the Pacific as part of the US military’s longest-running humanitarian relief mission.
The packages will support 20,000 people across 56 islands in Micronesia, the Mariana Islands and Palau.
The US Air Force began the annual Operation Christmas Drop in 1952 when a Guam-based air crew noticed residents on the island of Kapingamarangi waving at them as they flew overhead. The crew gathered items they had on the plane, attached a parachute and dropped them to the islanders.
Cook Islands road toll fatalities points to 'gutless' MP's
They dot the island like brightly coloured fast moving road insects, the cheapest, effective and most fun way to get around the tiny country.
But while the island breeze catches in the head ei's of the mamas, there is a much darker picture to this carefree vision of paradise. Lack of helmets and driving drunk are turning these machines into instruments of death - and the numbers are soaring.
After the most recent fatality over the weekend locals are labelling the Cook Islands’ parliament members ‘gutless’ as they continue to procrastinate over changes for road safety legislation.
The tiny Island of Rarotonga has the second highest road traffic deaths per capita in the world and has had five deaths by motorcycle this year on its short 20 minute island road.…more
PNG to offer citizenship for West Papuan refugees
Papua New Guinea are preparing to give citizenship to refugees from West Papua who are fleeing their homeland.
The Department of Immigration states they are in the process of granting citizenship to West Papuan refugees.
Deputy Chief of PNG Migration and Refugees Affairs, Esther Gaegaming said about 3000 refugees from West Papua who are currently stayed at refugee camps in East Awin, Iowara, Kuinga of North Fly Province have been registered.
Gaegaming says that refugees are the most vulnerable people in the world, and most of whom have lived in PNG for over fifteen years. “This is the greatest humanitarian crisis of all time, and this displacement is happening at around the world,” she said.
UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency) considers the measures taken by the Papua New Guinea Government as positive act to integrate the West Papua refugees, and in order to protect the refugees, a clearer legal basis of this new migration is also in preparation.…more
Miss World Fiji rocking Bulalicious fashions!
In case you've been wondering where the gorgeous Miss World Fiji Brittany Hazelmann gets her activewear from, check out Bulalicious!
Rocking the beautifully colourful line inspired by the natural landscapes of Fiji, the clothing line is donating a portion of every item purchased towards 'Beauty with a Purpose' - the fundraising initiative run by the Miss World Pageant.
Check out their website for more of their gorgeous range!
Images courtesy of Bulalicious.