Coco Talanoa — Humans of the Islands / Page 3

Clarence Dass is a cartoonist and author based in Fiji, on social media as @nerdwala. Active in Fiji media since 2002, Dass has worked as a music journalist, radio presenter and television producer.

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I'm a self-taught cartoonist from Fiji. I used to be a musician in a punk band, a radio DJ, a TV host and then a TV producer, a film maker and now I edit videos for The University of the South Pacific. Though I love music and films, I really enjoy making comics, but my passion throughout is story telling.

Where did your passion for story-telling come from? and how did you start off?

I've always been drawing. Even as a kid, I'd make comic books out of A4 paper, folding them and stapling them together. I even had my own characters. So I guess my passion started from comic books and 80s Saturday morning cartoons. The Ninja Turtles were probably my first big craze and old Hana Babera heroes like Space Ghost and Mightor.…more

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

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

TAHLEA AUALIITIA 

JOURNALIST / ABC NEWS 'THE PACIFIC' HOST 

SAMOAN / ITALIAN 

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In April 2023, ABC launched its ground-breaking new show 'The Pacific' - a 30 minute pan-Pacific news program broadcast to Pacific audiences every Thursday on ABC Australia, followed by ABC iview and ABC News Channel. 

The show will be hosted by ABC presenter Tahlea Aualiitia.  She shares a bit of her journey with us here ... 

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My name is Tahlea Aualiitia - my dad Tui is Samoan and my mum Marina is Italian. I come from the Samoan villages of Leauva’a, Pu’apu’a, Satupaitea and Satalo i Falealili.…more

NYRENE CROWLEY 

PROFESSIONAL MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST 

SAMOAN / KIWI 

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Well Talofa Lava Coconet!  Thank you for including me in this beautiful collection of Pacific women!  So, I grew up in East Auckland in Pakuranga - where I was raised alongside my little brother and older sister by both of my parents.

My Dad is a Kiwi, and my Mum was born and raised in the village of Lepea, Apia, Samoa and immigrated to New Zealand in her early 20s. We had a very active and sporting upbringing and were all regional and national reps across different sports growing up.  I am now a Professional Mixed Martial Artist and have been training and competing for almost 10 years now, representing my heritage around the world.

You're a pro fighter - when did you know you wanted to go pro and how did you get into MMA/fighting? 

I had been training and fighting originally with Muay Thai Kickboxing here in Auckland. Once I started training, I just LOVED it.…more

'ILAISAANE LATU VAIPULU GREEN

ACTRESS

TONGAN 

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Malo e lelei my name is 'Ilaisaane Latu Vaipulu Green. Yes, I had to put my full name and maiden name because I can already hear my mum saying "before you were a Green you were a Vaipulu" Hoi sai ke tau ilo/good to know. I was born and raised in Otara South Auckland. My Pacific heritage is from The Kingdom of Tonga.

My parents are both from Ha'apai, Dad is from Lofanga and Mum is from Tungua. I still reside in the same house in Otara. I do acting as a full time job, but since covid happened I'm looking at other avenues for some side hustle.

What inspired you to get into acting? 

Growing up I loved performing!  Before acting I was a dancer and I was sooo passionate about it. My favourite styles were Hip Hop and Pasifika Dancing. I did it from primary all the way to high school. Throughout high school in each year I did both Polyfest and Bring It On.…more

NICK WILLIAMS 

CO-OWNER & GENERAL MANAGER MATAI WATCHES 

COOK ISLANDS / NIUEAN 

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My name is Nick Williams and I own half of the Pacific Watch company - Matai Watches. 

My business partner Andrew is from Samoa, while I'm born and bred in West Auckland. My mother is of Niuean descent and my father is from the Cook Islands.

My responsibility is the day to day operations of Matai Watches, our company that we launched in July 2022 after five years of development. 

What were the pathways that led you to getting into designing/making watches?

It came from many years of failed ideas as entrepreneurs. I have personally tried my hand at loads of different side hustles and legitimate businesses, but looking back they were all learning phases. Nothing has come close to the responsibility and brand awareness quite like this one. This is the first business where I feel we are at peace - spiritually, mentally and financially. 

The idea was to have a product we could call our own, and as the story goes ...…more

'ANAU MESUI-HENRY 

CO-OWNER OF THE FOUR SHELLS KAVA LOUNGE & MERCHANT OF THE MOANA 

TONGAN 

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Si’oto’ofa kainga oe moana. Ko hoku hinoga ko ‘Anau Mesui-Henry mei Tonga, my name is ‘Anau Mesui-Henry from Tonga.

I am a proud Tongan born and Mangere raised fefine. I am the co-owner of the Four Shells Kava Lounge located at Victoria Park Markets in Tamaki Makaurau and work as a full time Merchant of the Moana aka Pacific entrepreneur.

What was the inspiration behind starting Four Shells and the pathways that led to you starting your own business?

My inspiration has always been my parents. I grew up experiencing the hustle of the migration to Aotearoa and the navigating of foreign social systems. I watched my parents work hard, make money from nothing and set themselves up as best as they can with the little they had in their hands. They were super resourceful.

Samoan

Comic Book Artist, Professional Wrestler and Owner of 'Bloody Samoan Art' Company

We got to hear from multidisciplinary artist Michel Mulipola also known as Bloody Samoan, about the amazing work he has been doing since our original Humans Of The Island profile on him in 2016. Since then he has accomplished a long list of achievements including working on an exciting new project with Disney. 

Hear about Michel's work here... 

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You've been working with Disney this year, what has that experience been like for you?

Working as a Story Artist for the Disney Animation Studios has been an absolutely fantastic experience for me. As I have no background in the animation field, the challenges presented by this new (to me) medium has pushed my creative limits in a good way. I have learnt so much over the last 6 months from everyone in the Story Team.

I've been fortunate to be able to work from home in Māngere for Disney but I was lucky enough to work from the Disney Animation Building in Burbank, Los Angeles in November/December.…more

Jarom Su'a

Producer/Songwriter 

Samoan/Argentinian/Mexican 

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My name is Jarom Su’a. I’m a 16-year-old producer/songwriter and artist based out of Florida/LA. I was born in Utah but later moved to Florida when I was very young. I’m a mix of Samoan and Argentinian/Mexican.

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What were the pathways that led you to doing music and ultimately making beats and the producer side of things?

I remember being little and always loved music - I was 11 years old when I was in the car, and I heard “Are You That Somebody” by Aaliyah & Timbaland; I just wanted to know how people make the beats of these songs I hear on the radio—I was hooked! I remember going home and practicing; I bought Timbaland’s online Masterclass. If you listen to my music, you can hear the Timbaland influence, and I think it’s what shaped the way I make music forever but while still staying true to my own sound.…more