Disney's special screening of MOANA in Samoa
Last night, the town of Apia was buzzing with excitement at the arrival of Disney's own Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of MOANA. A blue carpet at Apollo Cinemas welcomed the rising star along with producer Osnat Shurer and directors Ron Clements and John Musker.
L-R Ron Clements, Osnat Shurer, Auli'i Cravalho and John Musker
Upon first meeting Auli'i, I could sense her energy from a mile away. A vibrant young woman, oozing with charisma and bursting with positivity. It was not hard to see why she was picked for the role. She had X Factor! She embodied everything that was MOANA. When asked why it was important that young Pacific women be portrayed as leaders, Auli'i responded that "Disney films are reflective of their times. Right now what we need are more beautiful women who are going to lead themselves."
Cherelle, Auli'i & Brianna
It was also great to have the opportunity to pick the brains of the masterminds behind the whole MOANA production.…more
MOANA - Pasifika Film Fest Sydney & NZ Premiere's
We were privileged to be able to attend TWO screenings of MOANA within a few days of each other in two different countries.
We were in Sydney for the NRL Pacific Leadership Camp which was attended by players of Pacific Island descent chosen by their clubs as being leaders or potential leaders.
On Saturday night the boys were involved in a Community Outreach near the Entertainment Headquarters where they hung out with fans, taught them a clap to march to and then did a mass Mannequin Challenge outside the theatre.
Everyone was then treated to a special preview screening of MOANA which was put on by Pasifika Film Fest and partners. Thanks to everyone in attendance the #PFFMoana hashtag was the number 2 trending hashtag in Australia!
Check out some of the videos and more pics from the event here on our Facebook page.
Special thanks to Nigel Vagana, the NRL Welfare & Education team and our friends at Pasifika Film Fest for an awesome night.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS: TYSON PEDRO
Tyson Pedro
MMA/UFC Fighter
Samoan
The first Pe’a to enter the Octagon - TYSON PEDRO-MMA/UFC Fighter
Tyson Pedro has always believed in the old adage “ask and you shall receive”.
The 25-year-old light heavyweight pleaded for the chance to fight at UFC Melbourne .... And soon enough, he was granted his wish. “I’ve been training hard and I’m ready to go Dana.”
After Pedro won at AFC 17, submitting respected New Zealand warhorse Steven Warby, he called on UFC president Dana White to add him to the card at Rod Laver Arena on November 27.
“They’ve got a show in November and if someone pulls out at light heavyweight, I’m there,” Pedro said on October 15. Pedro said it was a “dream come true” to break into the UFC.
How did you get into fighting?
My family has always been involved in martial arts; I started in karate at a young age with my father.…more
SUPA - Our Stories. Our Music
"Encourage, Inspire, Empower. Our Mission & Vision Statement". Rebecca Va'ai (Co-Founder & Director of SUPA) writes about their successful end of year shows.
Over 300 Students were part of our SUPA -SAINTZUP Performing Arts Trust After School Programme in South & Central West Auckland for 2016. What an amazing year we've had. We are also based in Glen Eden Int, Kelston Int, Bruce McLaren Int, Rise Up Academy & Gladstone School providing Performing Arts Programmes.
On Sunday we held two End Of Year Shows at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau for both our Programmes. The theatre was SOLD OUT and filled with parents, grandparents, families & friends supporting all their SUPAStars. We're all about providing an opportunity and platform for ALL our young people to display their creativity.
The potential is there, we are here to unlock all those beautiful treasures they have inside of them. Now, we don't promise that EVERY child that walks through our doors is going to be the next big thing, we know there are some students that will continue into the Music & Arts Industry.…more
Joseph Parker Fresh From Winning The WBO Heavyweight Championship Of The World
He has just made history by becoming the first Samoan to win the Heavyweight Championship of the world. We Catch up with Joseph Parker, straight after his hard fought win and he tells us all about taking the belt back home... to Samoa.
The Powerhouse Poly Pioneers Who Showed Joseph Parker The Way
Before Joseph Parker, some other very powerful Samoans stepped in to the ring.
Jimmy Peau & David Tua to name a couple. Here's a little look at the carnage they caused, as they paved the way for Joseph Parker.
KAHUKU'S HAKA
The Hawai'i State Championship final in November saw the Kahuku Red Raiders and the Saint Louis Crusaders meet again.
Saint Louis went on to win 30 - 14 to claim the Open State Football Title but what was interesting about this game besides the game was that the Kahuku Red Raiders were not allowed to perform the haka.
In 2010 a haka was composed for Kahuku's football team which became a tradition for the boys to perform at the beginning of their games (similar to the hakas performed in New Zealand and the South Pacific islands prior to rugby and rugby league games).
Last year the Kahuku Raiders were told that if they did the haka it would be considered "Unsportsmanlike" and they'd be given a 15 yard penalty. They did it anyway and took the penalty.
THIS year, the team were told that any player performing the haka would be banned so the community got together - friends, family and fans - to help the team and THEY performed the haka in the stands for the boys.…more
Our Hair Stories: Melarnie Manuel
Kia Orana, my name is Melarnie Manuel. My friends and family call me Lani.
I am of Cook Island descent. My mother was born in Tukao, Manihiki and my father was born in London, England. Since I was a young child, I've had more hair styles than the years I have lived.
I'm 24 years old and I'd like to consider I have had my fair share of horrible cuts and wonderful up dos. When I was little, the luxury of growing my hair out was not in my Mums opinion, something to up keep. We (and when I say we, I mean me and my hair) had our days of the ugly home job fringe, the saga of me cutting my own hair and the cheap trim. There has not been a significant time in my childhood where at any time, my hair was any longer than the below.
As a Cook Islander, I've had the wonderful privilege of knowing and having women and girls around me with long, thick hair.…more
THE MOST UNBELIEVABLE STORY IN RUGBY - Sevens From Heaven
Sevens From Heaven is the story of Fiji Rugby Sevens, the winners of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2015/16 and the team that inspired the world in Rio when they won Fiji's first ever Olympic medal, and a gold at that!
Discover how a tiny island nation with limited resources took on the world at Rugby Sevens and won. Go inside the team with never-before-seen footage to see what it took to take a team from an island in the South Pacific to becoming the best in the world.
Suggested Links:
Fiji 7s win Gold at the Olympics
Na Qito Vakaviti - Traditional Games
Credits:
Created by HSBC Sport in collaboration with Zoomfiji - https://www.facebook.com/1zoomfiji/
Produced by Hill + Knowlton Strategies
Music: Composed by Ross Budgen - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQKG...
JOSEPH PARKERS PANTS
*** COCO EXCLUSIVE ***
Every time Joseph Parker steps in the ring he wears a new pair of shorts but what you probably don't know is that he designs them himself!
He also buys all of the material, picks the colours and goes shopping for everything himself too.
For his upcoming WBO Heavyweight Championship fight, he took the Coconet along with him on one such shopping trip.
Joseph Parker - Our future Heavyweight Champion of the World