2017 - THE YEAR THAT WAS
So many golden moments for our Pasifika communities across the diaspora in 2017 from the Golden Globes to the streets of Manurewa and the sports fields of Teufaiva in Tonga, starry Islanders have made their mark on the world in a dazzling variety of ways.
Some of the Coco highlights this year have included: -
FIAO'O FA'AMAUSILI & THE BLACK FERNS
Led by their Samoan Captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili it was the year of the Black Fern for Rugby highlights this year, as the kiwi team beat out the All Blacks and England to scoop the pools as World Rugby Team of the Year.
The New Zealand women dominated at the World Rugby Awards ceremony held in Monaco, with three awards going the way of kiwi teams and players.…more
PACIFIC PEOPLE RECOGNISED in NEW ZEALAND'S NEW YEARS HONOURS LIST
Former All Black and Manu Samoa rugby coach Tuifa'asisina Bryan George Willams aka BeeGee is now a 'Sir' and has been appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to rugby, only one of 3 new Knights & four Dames in the Honours List.
It is his fourth honour, having previously received the Order of the British Empire in 1983, the Samoan Order of Merit in 1996 and the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013.Other Pacific people honored on this years list come from a wide variety of sectors and includes -
"Coco" review
In and amongst the madness that is xmas shopping and school holidays, both of which can twist the soles of our rubber jandals, many of us look forward to what little respite our friends at Pixar and Disney can give, to cool tensions and in many cases, save us from using our jandals as frisbees to be thrown at peoples faces.
Luckily enough, there is a decent crop of animated movies it the local cinema to keep us all in check this holiday season. From not so raging bulls to young witches on broom sticks, it’s a good time to be that good Dad, Uncle or Aunty, and take the kids to the movies.
Leading the animated assault this year is Coco (queue music...I’m in love with the coco), a story about a young boy (Miguel), whose quest to become a famous musician goes against the wishes of a long line of relatives who are hell bent on keeping him in the family shoe making business. If this was a Samoan story, this film would end here.…more
SUNSET SMOKEY EYE
Taija Kerr is the first Afro-Hawaiian woman to star in a major beauty campaign EVER and she shows us how to create a sunset smoky eye look! Follow along to hear her tips and tricks.
Following in the footsteps of Fenty Beauty's extensive foundation shade range, Glossier's candid naked body product pictures and Illamasqua's work with transgender model Munroe Bergdorf, among others, Sephora's inclusion of the New York-based make-up artist is another win for 2017's long overdue diversity efforts.
Speaking on the importance of being involved, Kerr said:
'Most [Hawaiians] don't have curly 'Afro' curly hair and I have the softer Hawaiian features. My father is Hawaiian. My mother is black, so I'm considered Afro-Hawaiian to put them together'
And people are into it.
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS: Maria Jessie
Maria Jessie
Entreprenuer
Cook Islander
My name is Maria Jessie, I'm of Cook Island & Maori decent & I'm the founder of 'Intuitive Hands'.
A little bit about yourself?
Well here's a little. I was was brought up by my mother in Herne Bay/Ponsonby, in what I like to refer to as "the glue pot era". She came over to Auckland as a late teenager from Aitutaki, the most beautiful atoll in the pacific. Met a rather dashing Scottsman, (whom like many other papaa at that time had a rather strong fetish for Duski maidens) and voila... Here I am.
What inspired you to start massaging?
I was so fortunate to spend a couple of years living at home with my grandparents in Aitutaki as a young child. And that is where I believe I was passed on the gift from my grandmother to help others through massage. She was a natural healer through medicinal plants and would treat everyone in our family and all over the island for many things.
Something special happened to me while I was in her care.…more
PASIFIKA MADE GIFT IDEAS
We've put together a list of Pacific Island owned or made products that would make fantastic gifts or presents for friends, family and loved ones for any occasion.
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ARTS & CRAFTS
RISE BEYOND THE REEF
A homegrown value and supply chain in partnership with rural remote women and their communities in Fiji.
Viti Levu artisans from Ba, Ra, Macuata, Nairai and Bua use traditional knowledge and natural materials to handcraft beautiful mats, bags, gift sets, earrings, home decor, dolls and more.
They have just recently made Gift Cards available on their site too.
Follow them on Facebook here and shop online via their website here
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LEIDA TAPU CREATIONS
All-natural, genuine products handcrafted from the finest quality lito (young coconut leaves) and shells from Penrhyn in the Cook Islands.
If you're in Rarotonga, stop in at the Rongohiva hut in Avatiu or email rongohiva@yahoo.com for enquiries.
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KOKO & KI
Koko & Ki is a contemporary Samoan & South Pacific inspired art & design line.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS: CELINA YANDALL
Celina Sosefina Yandall
Entrepreneur / Personal Trainer / Radio Host
Samoan
My name is Celina Sosefina Yandall. I’m a Samoan girl born and raised in Long Beach, California. I’m a personal trainer, a radio host for Island Block Radio, a singer and aspiring actress, and the baker and owner of Sweet Nina’s Cookies.
How did your business Sweet Nina's Cookies start?
2008. I was a junior at a private high school when I started baking cookies. I was playing volleyball year round and private school was already expensive, so my mom made up a cookie recipe for me because she wanted me to sell cookies to sort of help out with the funds for school and volleyball.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS: G.K BOWES
Gina Keali'inohomoku Bowes
VOICE ACTRESS
Tahiti/ Tonga/Hawai'i
Talofa! My name is Gina Keali'inohomoku Bowes. I am a voice actress based in Los Angeles. My Pasifika heritage hails from Tahiti, Tonga, and Hawai'i.
One of my favourite voice over roles has been the voice of Barbie for Mattel! It was a dream come true to voice such an iconic character. Currently, one of my favourite roles is voicing sports promos for the Pac-12 Networks. I was a Pac-12 athlete at UCLA, so getting to work with the Pac-12 Networks holds an incredible amount of meaning for me!
When I first began working towards a voice over career, I was simultaneously pursuing on-camera work.…more
UFC: THE HALFCAST PODCAST
UFC Fighters Tyson Pedro & Tai Tuivasa host their own podcast - the 'Halfcast Podcast' and have a special guest with them on their 3rd episode.
They talk to Mate Ma'a Tonga Prop Andrew Fifita about his decision to play for Tonga, his younger days growing up in West Sydney, gold teeth, KFC & that infamous disallowed try!
The boys had another interview with him again more recently where they discussed their fights, Andrews first couple games this season with Cronulla, annoying media harassment and his decision to stick with Tonga for the remainder of his playing career! Check it out in the video below .....
For more of the Halfcast Podcast interviews click here
* PG recommended - coarse language
