I’M BACK…
I’M BACK…
Much love to all of you who continually send me emails every other day reminding me that I need to update my blog! Sheeesh…Hahaha! I appreciate the love and support but I must admit that what really drove me to the computer to write this blog was an email from Saia Vuki who wrote “I check your blog everyday and I am sad because there is nothing new so please write something and make me hepihepi” hahahaha… so Saia this blog better make you “hepihepi”!!! hahahaha!!!!
Anyways there is so much to blog about and there is just never enough time so I thought I would just highlight a couple of meaningful events and profile some of our inspiring Pacific Islanders!!!
MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY EVENTS…
In the past few months I have had the opportunity to attend a couple of really cool community events. It’s hard to choose which one’s to attend because of time and resources but I always try to make sure that whatever event I choose to attend that there is always some kind of meaning and purpose to it! I have decided to incorporate into my blog a section on upcoming events that I may attend and also past events that I have attended just to keep everyone in the loop with all the cool happenings in our PI communities!
UPCOMING EVENT
Solkrush entertainment is known in the Los Angeles area and beyond for highlighting some of our amazing Pacific Islander music artists. This year they have chosen “Unity Amongst Our People” as their theme and will be bringing in some of the best Pacific Islander musicians from New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Hawaii, Utah, and California. If you are only able to attend one concert this year…I hope you choose to attend the Solkrush concert because they are featuring some cool musicians and more importantly I will be there!!! Yeah I know you all want to go now!!! LOL!!!
As I previously mentioned, I will be in Anaheim, California this Saturday, July 05, 2008 for the Unity Amongst Our People concert! They have an amazing lineup of various Pacific Islander music artists who will be performing that night at the Anaheim Grove…the lineup consists of the following:
676/Neti Taumoepeau & Kolo Masima (formerly known as Rocky Steady)
676 also known as Neti Taumopeau and her band Rock Steady hails from Salt Lake City, Utah and brings with them a musical style encompassed in a variety of genres, all inspired by their Polynesian heritage! While her music is rooted in other more popular genres of today’s music, she has chosen to honor her Tongan Roots by choosing to be known as 676 referencing the telephone country code of the Kingdom of Tonga! Her debut album “Movin’ On”, released in 2006 showed the world her versatility with popular hits such as “When you needed me” and “Place to Be”. This Spring she released her first full length Tongan album which is currently on sale with 100% of the proceeds to be donated to the Tonga Red Cross. Currently 676 is back in the studio recording and writing her upcoming solo album which will be released this coming Fall!
676/Neti Taumoepeau myspace http://www.myspace.com/six7six
676/Neti Taumoepeau bebohttp://www.www.bebo.com/nettet
676 on Sonicbids http://www.sonicbids.com/676
3 HOUSES DOWN
THREE HOUSE DOWN was formed in 2004 and are based in Otara, New Zealand and have built up a large and loyal live following by playing gigs week in week out. They are known for their tight musicianship, a good work ethic and putting on a great show. After months of rehearsal and refinement, the album “Dreadtown” was recorded over 5 days in Auckland and released in 2007. Their debut album comprises of 10 songs, 9 of which are original compositions. Their debut album “Dreadtown” is a cohesive musical statement – a Pacific interpretation of one of the world’s greates musical genres – roots reggae. “Dreadtown” has been featured on Radio Australia and throughout the Pacific including Tonga, Rarotonga and Samoa. On Saturday 31st May 2008, THREE HOUSES DOWN won the Peoples Choice Award at the Pacific Music Awards for the Best Pacific Artist! They are most well known for their Tongan song Fo’i Paongo!
3 Houses Down Bebohttp://www.www.bebo.com/3HousesDown
3 Houses Down Myspacehttp://www.myspace.com/threehousesdown
ADEAZE
Adeaze is the two man R&B duo of brothers Nainz and Viiz Tupa’i. A new movement in the sound of contemporary R&B music. Starting their musical career at the ages of 4 and 5 respectively, Adeaze are the architects of their own sound featuring soaring harmonies and emotional song writing far beyond their years. Brought up playing music in the church, the brothers used the time wisely crafting their skills with different instruments and live performance. Officially signed to Dawn Raid Entertainment at the end of 2002, Adeaze began work on there debut album ‘Always And For Real’ a simplistic snapshot of true artistic expression. Their timeless principles are captured in the emotional lead off single ‘A Life With You’. A mid tempo love song (already being requested on radio) which highlights the depth and emotional posturing of Adeaze’s song writing. Adeaze have created a soundtrack of honest, emotional songs that will capture the minds of lovers and friends all over the world! Adeaze Bebo http://www.bebo.com/ADEAZ4REAL
THE MANA’O COMPANY
Mana’o Company released their debut CD in 1989, entitled “Just Beyond The Ridge”. Instantly, the album became a local favorite. The CD captured the popular Jawaiian beat through notable songs such as “96 Degrees” and “Drop Baby Drop, which have now become classics in contemporary Hawaiian music. Mana’o means concepts or ideas. Thus, The Mana’o Company’s goal was to share their concepts together for the people of Hawaii and the world via their music. In the beginning, their intent was to stay within the traditional realm of Hawaiian music. However, with the change in Hawaiian music to a more contemporary sound, they decided to change their style to more of an aggressive sound and instead of focusing on being the next great traditional band they set out to be known as one of the most versatile bands in Hawaii. In 1992 they decided to pursue their own solo careers and eight years later they reunited and in 2002 they won the Hoku Hano Hano Award for best album of the year, best contemporary album of the year, best song of the year, and best single year.
Mana’o Company Myspacehttp://www.myspace.com/themanaocompany
MANA POLY ALL STARS
Mana Poly All-Stars (MPA) is no stranger to the music industry. With well over fifteen years of combined experience, they have had success in both the retail and radio charts, in addition, to posting numerous Number 1 Hits on Polynesian radio stations along the west coast, the Polynesian triangle, Guam, Saipan, and the Micro and Melanesian islands. MPAs fortune is accredited to a sound which they have pioneered together-urban island music. They released their debut album in 2005 and have won the Best Out of County Artist/Group award at the Fifth Annual Orange County Music Awards and was also nominated for Best R&B at the First Annual Southern California Music Awards. MPA was also selected as finalist for the 2006 Virgin College Mega Tour. Their band name Mana, meaning power or great spirit, is the driving force behind this skillful sensation. Poly, the shortened version of the word Polynesian, is the culture and heritage of which they are a part. The collaboration of some of the most talented Polynesian musical innovators and brilliant song writers helped derive the term All-Stars. Thus, the caliber of talent this group possesses is what makes them truly unique.
MPA Myspacehttp://www.myspace.com/manacorp
KONTIKI
Kontiki is a reggae band based out of Whittier, California. In 2004 Kontiki won the Reggae Album of the year at the Hawaiian Music Awards. Kontiki embraces their Polynesian cultural values and beliefs and expresses it through their music. As the first generation born in the United States, they understand poverty and hardship, but their music represents their hunger for opportunity and the struggle for a better life. Their rhythmic fusion contains a crossover of reggae spirit that combines a Polynesian perspective and a positive reggae blend that never fails to touch the hearts of their fans. All of the band members are hopeless romantics who sing about love, relationships and making it work. But each band member admits their favorite song is “Stand Tall,” based on a phrase their older brother, who was gunned down at age 26 in South Central, used to say. Kontiki strives to use their music as a forum to remind their fans to always remain true and “Stand Tall.”
Kontiki Myspace http://www.myspace.com/kontikimusiccom
HOOLIGANS
HOOLIGANZ was founded in the fall of 2002 when three friends got together on a Sunday afternoon and decided to dust the cob webs off the drums and the dust from the strings. In 2003 Hooliganz played their first gig at a spot called Hoagie Barmichaels and have been jamming ever since. In 2007 Hooliganz were blessed to have their first single ‘Vibe So Nice” debut on KPOA 93.5 radio station in Maui, Hi, and with that came the opportunity to open for Hawaii’s own Sudden Rush. In 2008 Hooliganz had the pleasure of performing at the Pure Aloha Festival in Las Vegas where they opened up for New Zealand’s very own Reggae group Katchafire. Hooliganz love to spread their rootzy vibe which attracts music lovers from all genres of music. Their love, talent and passion for music have held the Hooliganz together through all the struggles of life and have propelled them to the next level.
You can visit the Solkrush Myspace for more information:www.myspace.com/solkrush or you can purchase your ticket online at www.thegroveofanaheim.com
If you see me at the concert make sure you come and say “hi” and even if I don’t know you don’t worry because I will just pretend like I do… hahahaha!!!! Don’t forget to remind me to take a picture of you so that I can post it up online when I get back next week!!!
PAST EVENT
This past May I had the opportunity to attend and be the keynote speaker for the 2nd Annual Pacific Islander High School Conference that was held in the Bay Area. The theme of the conference was Once Were Warriors II - Past, Present and Future. They had over 300 Pacific Islander High School students in attendance. The students spent most of the day attending workshops that addressed the cultural as well as the academic needs of students! It was an honor for me to speak to our students and also to be part of the conference. Much love and gratitude to Malissa Netane (Education Committee Chairperson, of the TIC) and the rest of the TIC (Tonga Interfaith Collaborative) for the amount of work and dedication they invested in putting the conference together. You can see pictures from the conference in the Planet Tonga Photo Gallery.
Here’s some brief information about the TIC that was taken from their press release:
TIC is a community partnership between various Tongan community leaders, three police departments and PCRC in response to the escalating violence among Tongan youth and young adults from San Mateo and San Bruno due to their affiliation with different gang factions. PCRC houses the projects of TIC and oversees the events and activities and is a leading organization of support. Our stated mission is to reduce the incidences of violence involving Tongan youth by engaging them in productive relationships and alternative activities. Since our establishment in 2004, we have organized a number of different activities and events that have improved community relations with police, strengthened bonds within community and diverted youth into more positive activities. We are the same organization that has established the Tongan Youth Rugby Team along with PAL of San Mateo. The conference is our latest effort.
INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS
It’s always wonderful to see the success of Pacific Islanders regardless of the field that they are in and by success I mean those rare individuals who use their talents and resources not only to better their own lives but also the lives of those around them. These are individuals who recognize that when you are in a position to do something meaningful you never turn away from it but rather you embrace it and keep pushing forward! I believe that is one of the major differences between those who strive to do good and those who strive for greatness!!! Greatness never forgets where they came from and fully understands that their responsibility is to help in creating a better world whether they do that through their music, their writing, their poetry, their films, their research, their business, etc! Here are some of those amazing individuals which I have had the honor of crossing paths with these past months…
676/NETI TAUMOEPEAU
Neti Taumoepeau otherwise known as 676 not only recorded an amazing Tongan language album but she is donating 100% of the proceeds to the Tonga Red Cross Society. Like many other upcoming independent music artist, she also goes through the regular financial struggles, but this project was something she felt strongly about and believes that sometimes you have to give your all not because it’s the most financially stable thing to do but because it’s the right thing to do. Join 676 in supporting the Tonga Red Cross Society by ordering a copy of her Tongan CD ‘Unaloto Ki Pulotu at: http://cdbaby.com/cd/676kolokakalaband or you can purchase it for the discounted price of $10 exclusive only to those who will be at the SOLKRUSH UNITY CONCERT in Anaheim this weekend!!! You can also visit her youtube page to watch some of her videos at http://www.youtube.com/676nTaumoepeau
LOLE USOALI’I
Lole Usoali’i is one of those amazing musicians that you can spend five minutes talking to and already you are inspired to be a better person! Recently Lole won the Pacific Best Female Artist in the Pacific Music Awards in New Zealand! Here is an excerpt from her acceptance speech:
“…Music is a gift from God it’s not something that you just wake up one day and think that you are really talented…music is not just about lyrics and music…but music is suppose to touch the heart of the human spirit and that’s what my music talks about is touching the human spirit and its time to get our young people back to finding their identity as Pacific Islanders…that’s why I write music, that’s why I do music…”
What powerful words! We definitely need more musicians whose music can touch the human spirit!!!
You can watch the full version of her award acceptance below…
Lole Best Pacific Female Artist
Lole’s Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/loleusoalii
Lole’s Bebo: http://www.lole-usoalii.bebo.com
FOLOLA TAKAPU
Folola Takapu (known by her friends as Lola) is a young Tongan filmmaker who recently graduated from UC Berkeley. She is best known for her documentary film Sione’s Journey, a documentary that was produced for one of her university film courses, but has been used in classrooms by teachers to begin the conversations about the complexities of Tongan identity and the struggles and challenges of growing up Tongan in America. Currently Lola is working simultaneously on both a short film and also a documentary while at the same time creating and heading up the HYPE (Helping Youth Pursue Emancipation) Movement! Lola is a living example of the fact that you are never too young to be a community activist!!! It’s time for us to GET ON THE HYPE!!!
Visit the HYPE Movement Myspace and find out how to GET ON THE HYPE!!!
HYPE Movement Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/387931976
PACIFIC YOUTH VOICES
Pacific Youth Voices is a youth media network supported by the Commonwealth Youth Programme South Pacific. They strive to ensure that the voices of Pacific young people are heard by governments, NGOs, youth organizations and media so they can take a more meaningful role in the development and governance in the Pacific. They highlight Pacific youth issues, Pacific youth perspectives, and positive examples of youth participation; and profile organizations focused on youth, young leaders and youth projects which challenge the stereotypes. They have just released their first Pacific Youth Voices Newsletter!!! You can access it by clicking on the link below:
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/document/181084/pacific_youth_voices___issue_1__2008.htm
For more information about this cool organization check out their bebo page at: http://http://www.bebo.com/PacificY
The time for activism is RIGHT NOW and Pacific Youth Voices are a great example and reminder for all of us to get up and do something!!!
Okay PT Readers that’s all for now… stay tuned for next week’s blog with more exclusive interviews with some of the music artists who will be featured at the Solkrush concert, political activism in our PI communities, Polynesian fashion designers and much, much more!!!
‘Ofa lahi atu!!!