Why do all the women in Tonga know how to juggle or hiko in Tongan? That simple question set off a search for answers captured in the documentary, “The Queen’s Influence: The Vanishing Culture of Hiko in Tonga”. Filmmaker Paprika Leaverton explores the origins of the native juggling art known as hiko and how it was revived by one of Tonga’s most revered monarchs. The film also takes a closer look the country’s gender and power dynamics and how hiko is helping to empower women in a male-dominated society. Source: PBS Hawai‘i
Author: Newsdesk
Six Pacific countries are at a high risk of debt distress in part due to government spending to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Bank said in a report on Thursday. The report, titled Raising Pasifika, said fiscal consolidation was needed in Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu because these countries lack domestic debt markets and access to international capital markets. Among other countries in the region, Vanuatu is rated at medium risk, while Palau and Nauru’s debt is sustainable, the report noted. “While public debt levels as a share of…
The Tongan and Samoan singer who grew up in Hawaii has won hearts and minds the world over, including the fervent support of fans across the Pacific region. In recent weeks the 18-year-old brought viewers to tears with show-stopping covers of What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and Monsters by James Blunt. Tongi dedicated Monsters to his late father and was joined on stage by Blunt as he fought back tears. In the three-hour finale on Sunday evening, Tongi performed an original song, I’ll Be Seeing You, before he was crowned the winner. Congratulations Iam Tongi! Source: ABC
The Fiji Police have removed a border alert issued against a high chief and former military general who has been living in exile in Tonga. Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara confirmed to RNZ Pacific last Friday that the country’s top cop has given his assurance he was “free to enter Fiji” and not subject to an arrest. According to Ratu Tevita, acting police commissioner Juki Fong Chew has informed him that there was a “misunderstanding” on the issuance of the “person of interest” border notice against him. Earlier this week, the son of Fiji’s first PM said he would travel back to Fiji…
Singer/Rapper Jelly Roll appeared on the Joe Rogan podcast recently and told Joe he was going to be performing in the final of American Idol this Sunday. He then shared about a contestant he couldn’t wait to meet and showed him Iam Tongi’s audition video. As the music filled the air, the soul-stirring vocals of Iam Tongi struck a chord with both Rogan and Jelly Roll, moving both of them to tears. The 2023 American Idol finale airs this Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Source: Thecoconettv
Now in its ninth week since its release, feel good New Zealand film Red, White and Brass has reached over $1.4 million at the local box office and continues to play across Aotearoa. Producer and co-writer Halaifonua Finau is overwhelmed by the response to a story that’s close to home for him. “Greatness is in our [Tongan] DNA, so to be amongst the great New Zealand films is mean,” he said in a statement. The film is inspired by the true story of a Tongan church community that forms a brass band, with no musical experience, as the pre-game entertainment in a…
“My father played rugby for ‘Īkale Tahi so he got recruited to go play in Brisbane, Australia. That was in 1975 and then me and my mum followed 6-8 months later. I’m the eldest of 6 kids. All my brothers and sisters were born in Brisbane so I was the only one born in Tonga. We were all encouraged to speak English and I lost my Tongan language speaking quickly. I can understand it now; I speak a little bit but not much. Growing up in Brisbane, rugby was predominantly a middle to upper class sport so we encountered a…
Lau high chief Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara will attend the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) meeting on Bau island next week even as Fiji Police say a border alert issued on March 15 remains effective against him. Ratu Tevita, also known as Roko Ului, is next in line to be traditionally installed as the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau, or the paramaount chief of Lau. He is the son of former Tui Nayau and Fiji’s first Prime Minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Ratu Tevita confirmed to RNZ Pacific that he will depart Nuku’alofa – where has…
Last month, Disney announced a live-action adaption of the hit Hawaian animated film Moana was put into development with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui. Many wondered if original voice star Auli’i Cravalho would also return to play the role as she is also producing the film. Unfortunately, she is in her mid-20s now, and the studio is looking for a teenage actress to portray the character in the film. Auli’i Cravalho wrote in a statement: “When I was cast as Moana at 14 it wonderfully changed my life and started my career. In this live-action retelling I will not be reprising the role. I believe it is absolutely vital that…
Global temperatures are likely to surge to record levels in the next five years, fuelled by heat-trapping greenhouse gases and a naturally occurring El Niño weather pattern, according to a new update issued by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Wednesday. There is a 66 percent likelihood that the annual average near-surface global temperature between 2023 and 2027, will be more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for at least one year. And there is a 98 percent likelihood that at least one of the next five years, and the five-year period, will be the warmest on record. “A warming El…