Pasifika Futures activate immediate Lockdown support for Pacific Families
As we continue to live in this “New Norm” and adjust our lives to different Alert Levels, the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) through Pasifika Futures (PFL) – the Whānau Ora agency for Pacific families – remains resolute and active in its support of Pacific families.
Pasifika Futures Director of Partnerships, Mr Craig Sionetuato advises that immediate support is available to Pacific families who need assistance during this current Alert Level 4 lockdown.
“We’ve increased investment with our Whānau Ora partners as they have strong relationships with their various communities,” he says.
PFL partners providing immediate support for Pacific families include; The Fono, Tongan Health Society Inc, Mt Wellington Integrated Health Care, The Village Community Service Trust, Taeaomanino Trust, K’aute Pasifika and Etu Pasifika.
Details of PFL partners are outlined above and support offered will include food, utility support and those affected by a loss of income.
“If you’re a Pacific individual or family and you’re needing urgent food or utility support, please reach out to one of our identified partners as the process for receiving assistance is fast and efficient.…more
Covid-19 Delta variant is “Much more infectious” so we must be vigilant says Pacific doctor
With the announcement of a snap lockdown at Alert Level 4 by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, people should feel reassured that the government is making the right decision, says Dr Collin Tukuitonga.
The sudden announcement comes after a positive Covid-19 Delta community case in Auckland. The 58-year-old man who tested positive is from Devonport but travelled to the Coromandel last weekend while unaware. The government has made the decision for all of New Zealand to move to Alert Level 4 for three days, while the period for Auckland and the Coromandel is seven days.
Officials have confirmed five positive Covid-19 Delta cases to date and are working quickly to trace any and every possible lead.
Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) member Dr Tukuitonga stresses that the severity of the Delta variant should not be taken lightly as it is the most transmissible variant of Covid-19.
“It’s much more infectious. One case of delta could infect up to 9 people and then those 9 would infect another 9.…more
Rarotonga leaps into Covid testing action with the influx of Kiwis on the island
Over 3000 kiwis visitors are currently in Rarotonga, where the Cook Islands have gone into Alert Level 2.
The government made a swift public announcement following New Zealand’s Level 4 decision last night, rolled out Level 2 measures and a fast and effective Covid testing regime around the island this morning.
All passengers that were in flights from Aug 11th are being asked to isolate in their accommodation and get Covid tested at the many stations set up overnight around the island. This process included an efficient drive through service with well trained local staff at the ready.
With the current barometer for Island Covid 19 being Fiji, the fear of the virus hitting the smaller Island of Rarotonga is uppermost on the minds of health workers and some locals:
“We are worried but all we can do is the best we can in the current situation, we have had two years of practice and we have put it into action. We have a system in place and are confident and we know what to do.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - SIONE MOLI aka NONEH.
SIONE MOLI aka NONEH.
HIP HOP ARTIST
TONGAN
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First off, my real name is Sione Kesome Isileli Moli. I was born on March 29th, 1999 at Stanford Hospital. My parents are Amato and Ala Moli, I have a younger brother named Jeremiah and an older sister named Loisi. My father is from Nuku Nuku, Tongatapu and my mother is from Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu. In terms of my heritage, I’m full Tongan with a bit of Samoan from my great great Grandmother, and I come from a line of hard working individuals who bred greatness.
Growing up, I pretty much lived everywhere, but my life began in East Palo Alto, California. When I was born, my family stayed in a run down apartment complex on a street called Scofield Ave, where there were no playgrounds and sidewalks. That was what East Palo Alto looked like at the time. With roaches on the floor, crime roaming the streets, and my brother on the way, my parents chose to move us out the hood.…more
MMA fighter Fau Vake attack: Man sentenced to home detention
News report via RNZ & video above via NZ Herald Youtube - City Kickboxing fighters along with spokesperson Mike Angove and UFC champion Israel Adesanya want to see the law changed on the 'coward punch' after the death of team mate Fau Vake.
A man who admitted punching the head of a young MMA fighter who later died in hospital has been sentenced to six months' home detention, which the victim's friend likens to a Covid restriction, not justice.
Ofa He Mooni Folau, 29, pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting with intent to injure. He attacked Liufau (Fau) Vake, 25, who later died in hospital of head injuries, and his brother Ika after a night drinking in central Auckland in May this year.
"That's not good enough for being part of an attack that took a man's life," Vake's friend Dan Hooker said outside court.
"Six months, stay at home? That's Covid restrictions," Hooker said, who's also an MMA fighter. "100 percent the laws have to change."
Three others pleaded not guilty over the attack, including one charged with manslaughter.…more
ORDINARY TONGAN LIVES - Nukualofa, Tonga
Story collated and written by Haitelenisia Afemui ‘Uhila Angilau for her 'Ordinary Tongan Lives' facebook page
“It’s just me and my little sister. I’m older. We were left with our grandparents after birth because our parents separated. They weren’t married so we were born out of wedlock. I attended GPS Longolongo then passed my class 6 exam to Tonga High. There, I joined sports from form 1 to 4 but I wasn’t really good at it. I was into my friends too much that I failed in form 4. I had another chance to repeat but I moved to Queen Sālote College. Early when form 5 started, I got kicked out of school. Then I moved to Tailulu. I think I devalued myself thinking I didn’t have what other kids have. Instead of using my background as motivation, it became an excuse to put myself down.
There’s this one time we went to play soccer and our team lost. Some of the spectators called me to come out as I didn’t score anything.…more
Tokyo 2020 - Our Pacific Islands athletes final round up
And then there was ONE!
Solomon Islander Sharon Firisua was the last Pacific Islander representing their home island to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics today in the marathon.
Here's our final wrap up of results for Days 12 - 15 and you can peep the results of our athletes from Day 1-4 here , Day 5-7 here and Day 8-11 here.
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Cook Islands
Canoe sprinter Kohl Tamarua-Horton was the final competitor for Team Cook Islands on Wednesday 4th August (Day 12)
He raced in the Mens 200m sprint and managed to make it through to the Quarter Finals but unfortunately capsized his boat and was unable to finish the race. He was one of the youngest on the team so we're sure we'll see more of him in the future.
Guam
On Thursday, Guam wrapped up its competition in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. All that’s left to do is wait for the Closing Ceremony, in which wrestler Rckaela Aquino will bear the Guam flag.…more
"Dune" could cement Jason Momoa's ultimate reign in Hollywood
The trailer for "Dune" had movie buffs talking from the moment it was realeased and the anticipation for the epic movie has been rapidly growing with its recent run at the Venice Film Festival.
Denis Villenueve’s science fiction epic is based on the classic novel by Frank Herbert. Dune is described as a sprawling story of power, betrayal and exploitation set in the distant future. The movie has been receiving rave reviews from those who have watched. "Dune reminds us what a Hollywood blockbuster can be," wrote movie critic Xan Brooks, while offering five stars.
Jason Momoa is no stranger to huge action roles from Khal Drogo to Aquaman, but the shinning reviews from Dune might just be the cherry on top of the cake for his soaring career. If the film manages to reach viewers and gain fans like critics anticipate this might be the beginning of a growing fandom.
The Hawaiian actor plays the character Duncan Idaho. In Herbert’s novel, Duncan is described as a handsome man with "curling black hair" to whom women are easily attracted.…more
Tokyo 2020 - Our Pacific Islands athletes Round Up Day 11
To go along with our guide to who, what, when and where our Pasifika athletes are competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games we'll be doing a round up of how they've all been doing in case you missed their event. Peep the results of our athletes from Day 1-4 here & Day 5-7 here
Here are the results & who to watch out for of our Pasifika athletes who have competed on Day 8, 9, 10 & 11 of the Olympic Games.
Track and field dominate the results here. Cover image of some of our Pasifika sprinters via Oceania Olympics.
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American Samoa
American Samoan sprinter Nathan Crumpton is more widely known for his Winter Olympics sport of Skeleton racing. He only decided to try out for the Summer Olympics track and field 100m race when he was on a training break in American Samoa in 2019 and happened to turn on the TV when the Pacific Games were on.…more
Why Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has a snap of Ben's butt on his phone
Jono and Ben talk to the stars of Disney's 'Jungle Cruise' - Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Emily Blunt.
The Rock reminisces on his time living in New Zealand and reveals the hilarious reason why he has a photo of Ben's butt on his phone.