Baby Joe: Carrying Tongan Language Through Music

You may have first stumbled across him on social media, or maybe one of his hooks has already lodged itself in your head, “Baby Lea Mai AA” or “Ta’ahine Ofa Atu.” Either way, there’s no mistaking his sound. Catchy. Feel-good. And, most importantly, rooted in language. Meet Baby Joe, an up-and-coming artist making waves not […]
Where Creativity Meets Community: Inside Creative Pacific Week

Ben Powell, co-founder of Creative Pacific Foundation has been preparing for its annual Creative Pacific Week. This year’s three-day celebration is happening in the greater Salt Lake City area in Utah. Powell is a celebrated artist and co-founded the foundation with his late friend, acclaimed fashion designer Afa Ah Loo. Creative Pacific Week brings together […]
Maluali’i Siva Academy: Where the Future Moves

In the heart of American Samoa, a powerful journey continues to unfold, one that honors heritage, identity, and pride through the art of dance. Maluali’i Siva Academy is more than just a place to learn movement; it is a sanctuary where culture lives and breathes, passed down from elders to the next generation. Founded and […]
“E So’o Le Fau i le Fau”: When Nonosina and Pacific Connection Wove Vines of Unity Between Anaheim and Aotearoa

On a warm Friday evening in Anaheim, California, something quietly extraordinary unfolded. Beneath the lights of The Grove of Anaheim, two Pacific powerhouses, Nonosina Polynesia, a legendary Southern California dance group, and Pacific Connection Choir, an acclaimed vocal group from Wellington, New Zealand met in a moment of sincere cultural exchange. It wasn’t a concert. […]
Celebrating Pasifika Excellence: Q&A with Okilani Veatupu Hautau

Breaking barriers in one of the world’s most prestigious academic arenas, Okilani Veatupu Hautau, a proud Tongan and first-generation college graduate earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Columbia University, an Ivy League institution. His decision to walk away from Division I football to fully embrace academics marked a powerful shift toward purpose and […]
POV: You may not have grown up in Samoa, but chances are you know these classic songs without a doubt

Ia malu lou sā. Folau i lagimā : A well-grounded self, is a successful self. (2025 theme) Manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa, Happy Samoa Language Week! This year’s theme reminds us of the importance of being deeply rooted in who we are, because from that grounding comes strength, success, and identity. While this […]
Inside the Room: Where Our Stories Were Heard, AANHPI Songwriting Camp with Mono Stereo Groove

In mid-May, in the heart of Los Angeles, something powerful unfolded behind studio doors, something that went far beyond beats, melodies, or even the music itself. Mono Stereo Groove, an emerging yet powerful collective of Asian creators and executives in the music industry, hosted a songwriting camp in celebration of AANHPI Month. The camp wasn’t […]
Why Frankie Luvu’s Story Hits Different for Us

A PMN+ Feature Inspired by the NFL’s Mini-Documentary – Frankie Luvu’s Journey: From American Samoa to NFL Stardom From the heart of the Pacific to the roar of packed NFL stadiums, Frankie Luvu’s journey is more than a story of athletic excellence, it’s a living testament to the power of heritage, family, faith, and purpose. […]
Brianna Fruean – THIS IS OUR HOME

I recently had the opportunity to hear from Brianna Fruean, the passionate environmental advocate from Samoa, who shared some exciting updates about the ongoing project she’s been working on. For those who may not know, Brianna has long been a leader in the fight for climate justice, she’s a member of the Council of Elders […]
How Jai Opetaia Embodies the Famous Samoan Proverb, ‘E lele le toloa ae ma’au i le vai’

Photo Credit: Junior S. Ami/Samoa Observer Jai Opetaia, the Samoan-Australian professional boxer, is proving that success is not just about personal achievements but also about giving back to the place that made you. Amidst his rising stardom, he continuously returns to Samoa, his motherland, embodying the powerful and famous Samoan proverb: E lele le toloa […]