Coco Talanoa — thecoconet.tv - The world’s largest hub of Pacific Island content.uu

Coco News

Reviving ‘ulu cavu’: the Fijian wig-making custom

iTaukei artist Daren Kamali grew his hair for 25 years and had it made into a wig. But why?

Centuries ago, Fijian men in mourning would cut their hair and use it to make ulu cavu, or wigs. They’d be worn until the hair beneath had grown back to its former length.

The practice was lost with colonisation, but is now on the comeback.

Kamali, along with fellow artist Ole Maiava and revered weaver Joana Monolagi, have formed The Ulumate Project - hoping to bring back ulu cavu into consciousness.

Earlier this week, the trio shared insights in a talanoa at Auckland Museum.

Next to them sat an ulu cavu made of Kamali’s own hair, harvested since 1997.

Before Kamali had his ulu cavu crafted by Monolagi, the pair sought advice from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and Fiji Museum.

They also travelled with Maiava to view ulu cavu held at the University of East Anglea in the UK.

Monolagi completed the creation of the contemporary wig, using magimagi (coconut sennit) and vau (hibiscus stem).…more

Events

Joe Fa'agase checks out Taste of Pasifika festival

Joe Fa'agase from Harlito & Jojo checks out what's on offer at Taste of Pasifika Festival from hand made arts and crafts to delicious island eats.

Peep the highlights here ...

-

Credits:

Talent - Joe Fa'agase

Director - Shimpal Lelisi

Editor - Sefa Taouma

Camera Operator - Jake Farani-Faga

Sound Operator - Marcus Lawson

Coco News

Pacific News Headlines: 21st July 2022

Watch a wrap-up of your week in news from across the Islands, in under a minute.

A man is charged with murdering beloved Samoan grandmother Maria Brown, at her Onehunga home.

-

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

Podcast

The Bachelorette Japan contestant: Jayden Toa-Maxwell

Kuki Airani rugby player Jayden Toa-Maxwell (Mauke/Atiu heritage) has been living in Tokyo for the last 8 or 9 years and this year he was asked to compete on The Bachelorette Japan Season 2.

He chats to us here about his upbringing, how he got the opportunity to be on the show, what his ideal life partner would be like, looking for love and much more.

The Bachelorette Japan Season 2 is currently playing on TV in Japan.

We'll keep you updated on how Jayden does as his journey progresses or you can follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

-

Interviewer - Brianna Fruean

Editor - Sefa Taouma

-

Public Interest Journalism Funded by NZ on Air

Coco News

Abuse in NZ Care - The witness testimony of Lusi Faiva

"Being in care was like a slap in my face. There was no freedom of choice in entering care. I was lost in care. There was no acceptance, brief or trust from others that I needed freedom. Freedom is acceptance of who I am as an individual.

I think that the concept of institutions are not set up to care and look after the disabled people because it is built on a system that dehumanise disabled people and I think that hasn't changed much for how the current state care works. Care was about medication, changing showering and other very clinical procedures that doesn't take into account of the very individual needs such as human connection and affection." - Lusi Faiva

-

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is currently holding the Disability, Deaf and Mental Health institutional care hearing - this hearing has focused on the lived experiences of survivors who are disabled, deaf or were placed in psychiatric institutions.…more

Humans of the Islands

Humans of the Islands - Eric Blanc

Eric Blanc

Creative

Samoan

-

Samoan designer Eric Blanc whose work has graced the covers of Vogue Italia, has now had his collection acquired as part of the Oceania Collection at the Uebersee Museum in Bremen, Germany.

The young designer’s work has been a smash hit across Europe, from his early start in Aotearoa.

You recently had your designs featured in Vogue Italia – can you tell us how that opportunity came about?

VOGUE ITALIA was a dream come true, I remember having a meeting with Angela and I said to her “My ultimate dream is to one day be on VOGUE”, and she also had the same goal.

She proposed to me a concept shoot and I instantly fell in love with it and we started working to make it happen immediately.

The image that made it to VOGUE was a team effort.…more

Podcast

Not Another Talanoa! podcast | Episode 4

After a brief hiatus, the Not Another Talanoa podcast is back! We're joined this time by Cook Islands musician and Maz's own friend, Sam V.

If you were a kid of the early to mid 2010s, you'll definitely know him - not long after uploading YouTube covers at 9-years-old, he signed with a major label. Fast forward to now, Sam's gone independent. How has he managed to remain relevant after all this time?

0:00 We’re in Rarotonga!

3:03 Quick fire questions

7:38 Using AutoTune

10:18 Collapsing on morning television

12:00 Growing up in NZ music industry

21:26 Hosting a radio show?

21:42 Young and slept on

25:30 Coming soon for our guy

27:10 R Kelly’s 30-year jail sentence

31:47 Being Jack Harlow’s twin

37:12 The Boy Is Mine

-

Bringing you a spin-off from the hit Fresh segment, the Not Another Talanoa! podcast is a deep dive into the hot human discourse from a young Pacific lens.…more