Tony Fa was an overweight diabetic when his father-in-law’s stroke put the stakes in perspective.

After that stroke hospitalized his father in law, who is also diabetic, Fa had his blood sugar levels checked — and they were higher than his father in law’s. Fa’s doctor said he needed to improve his lifestyle to improve his life.

That’s when Fa found Xtreme Hip Hop, a YouTube fitness movement that combines a step, an instructor, and hip hop music. Soon, Fa was dancing — and now, he’s an instructor.

Fa’s story inspired those in the Polynesian community to dance, too — he lost more than 100 lbs., is off his diabetes medication, and he teaches multiple classes per day as a certified instructor.

Try out the basic steps in the video below and check out the full story on ABC4.Com here 

New Zealand and the Cook Islands are working towards a travel bubble by May, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement after a meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. Brown said he was confident quarantine-free travel could be achieved in that timeframe. Currently, people from the Cooks Islands can travel to and from New Zealand without quarantining. “We are ready for business, and we are looking forward to the commencement in May,” he said.

With the Cook Islands Covid-free, Ardern said the risk is of those departing New Zealand carrying the virus to the Cook Islands, and Kiwis “carry a lot of responsibility” to get it right.

Ardern said the Government is currently working on the onward distribution process for vaccines to other countries. She said the Government is working with vaccine providers, with some liability issues yet to be ironed out. Ardern said a bubble is not contingent on widespread vaccination.…more

Tamaki Herenga Waka:  Stories of Auckland  a new gallery at the Auckland Museum is now open to the public - chronicling Auckland's past and capturing its present including Pacific taonga.

The gallery is divided into several sections across four gallery spaces:  

* Tamaki / Auckland - Auckland looked very different for the first families who settled here, and this section of the gallery looks at why people have made this place their home for centuries. Explore the development of Tāmaki through the eyes of the Māori, colonial and Pasifika families who settled here.…more

At dawn, a gathering of Pacific people assembled at the Auckland Viaduct to take part in a sacred Kava ceremony aboard the Waka Haunui. This event served to raise awareness on climate justice through connected Pacific ancestral ways – kava, waka, and storytelling.

The event was led by Pacific Vision Aotearoa using Kava o Aotearoa, which wove in various Pacific cultures into the morning. Kava o Aotearoa is a traditional kava ceremony uniquely designed and adapted for Aotearoa. The Maori representative Pita Turei of Ngati Paoa was uplifted as the highest chief of the ceremony, in honor of his stewardship and the waters in which the ceremony took place. Being on the traditional Waka this particular kava circle was extremely special. For many of those who were privileged to receive kava, it was their first time having kava on the Moana. About 20 people participated aboard while another 50 participated on the balcony overlooking Haunui. 

The overall event aimed to unite Pacific conversations around climate justice in Aotearoa.…more