Its crunchy, salty and spicy – what’s not to like about sea grapes from Samoa, Fiji and Kiribati?

This delicacy in the Pacific Islands is a type of seaweed known as “Caulerpa” and has different common names in different places.

In Samoa, it is called ‘limu fuafua’, in Fiji it is called nama” and in Kiribati it is called “kureeben taari”.  One thing that they all agree on is that seaweed is an important part of their culinary heritage that is crucial to preserve in these times of environmental change.

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced that Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman, Ronnie Stanley has been selected as the 2019 recipient of the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award presented by Hawaiian Airlines.

The Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award recognizes the most outstanding professional football player of Polynesian Ancestry. Seattle Seahawks Offensive Guard Mike Iupati was selected as the inaugural recipient in 2015, Tennessee Titans Quarterback Marcus Mariota was selected as the recipient in 2016, and Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was selected as the recipient in 2017 and 2018.

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Stanley is of Tongan descent - his Mum Juli is Tongan and was born in Tonga.  He is in his fourth season out of the University of Notre Dame. This year, Stanley helped lead the Baltimore Ravens to a 14-2 regular season record.  He has given up no sacks and only 5 QB hurries throughout the season while leading the Ravens to the #1 ranked offense in the National Football League.…more

via Radio New Zealand Pacific 

The first lineup announcements have been made for a series of concerts in New Zealand, which aim to raise funds for the families of measles victims in Samoa.

The 'I Love Samoa 2020' concerts will take place in Auckland, Wellington and Australia's Gold Coast from the end of the month.

The concerts will include Ardijah, Annie Crummer, Sammy Johnson, Lole and traditional powerhouses Punialava'a.  Hip hop stars Savage and Swiss will also perform as well as other Pasifika stars.

Organiser Danny 'Brotha D' Leaosavai'i told Radio 531PI the response from the musicians had been heart-warming.

"They're all donating their time and their talents for this.  The monetary value of each of these artists is far beyond what probably we could have paid for...I'm speechless. I want to thank them personally and sincerely."

Brotha D said the lineups might differ at each venue but more details could be found on the event Facebook pages.

He said the aim was to get as much financial assistance to Samoan families as possible.…more

Hātea Kapa Haka group welcomes Scottish Singer/Songwriter Lewis Capaldi to New Zealand with a haka and a suprise waiata ... his number 1 hit song 'Someone You Loved' in Maori.

Check out the extended cut with Lewis singing with the group below 

Taika Waititi took home his first AACTA Award for his bold and hilarious screenplay JOJO RABBIT at the 9th Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts Awards in Los Angeles.

The awards recognise excellence in the film and television industry, both locally and internationally including the producers, directors, actors, writers, and cinematographers. It is the most prestigious awards ceremony for the Australian film and television industry. They are generally considered to be the Australian counterpart of the Academy Awards for the U.S. and the BAFTA Awards for the U.K.

The awards are presented every January in Los Angeles.

One of our favourite parts of the 'Take Home Pay' movie was the High Note Challenge between Tofiga's character Bob Titilo and Paul Ah-Kuoi's bar security guys character.

Enjoy!   

TVNZ has revealed New Zealand's first Bachelorette and we're pleased to introduce Lesina Nahkid-Schuster.

It's a win for diversity with Lesina being of Pacific Islands, Caribbean, Lebanese and German heritage. 

Lesina's father George is Samoan/German and although retired now, was a teacher at Mt Albert Grammar for over 20 years.  Her Mother Dr Camille Nahkid is Trinidad & Tobago/Lebanese and is an Associate Professor at the AUT School of Social Sciences and Public Policy. She has done extensive research into Māori and Pasifika educational achievement; family and community among Pasifika youth; factors impacting on migrant resettlement; and culturally relevant research methodologies. In 2018 she was awarded a Member of New Zealand Order of Merit for services to ethnic communities and education.  

Lesina is the eldest of her 2 siblings - her brother Alesano works with refugees, interviewing and helping them with entry into New Zealand & her sister Shani has recently graduated from Columbia University with a Masters in Sociology and Education. 

Her whole family are fully supportive and really excited for her Bachelorette journey.…more

It's official, young Samoan Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has declared himself for the NFL draft.

Tua Tagovailoa came to Alabama as a 5-star recruit & ended his true Freshman season leading the Crimson Tide to a National Championship. He came up short as a Sophomore & was having arguably his best season in 2019, but suffered a season-ending hip injury. Throughout his career, Tua was one of the best players in all of college football. He throws a beautiful deep ball & is arguably the best at throwing slants. Overall, he might be the best QB Alabama has ever had. 

The NFL draft is scheduled to be held from April 23–25, 2020 in Paradise, Nevada.

Parris Goebel gets some of the Request "Sorry girls" together along with other friends in LA to jam a lil sumthin sumthin to Justin Biebers latest track 'Yummy'. 

They received so much love from the original rehearsal video they put together (Below) that they've given us something extra special.

Enjoy!