For The Qultures

Our guests, Ama & Sipoga (Simi), share their experiences about contracting COVID-19 and what recovery has been like for them. We also have community leader, 'Alisi, with us to speak about COVID-19 and the work being done to educate and empower the Pacific Islander community. Follow @pacificislandercovid19 on Instagram Watch via YouTube: https://youtu.be/u5KqBdHYQ5A

Nana & Nikki said, "Lez start a family, Lez Inseminate, and Lez go half on a baby!" We are rooting for y'all! Our guests, Filiaga (Nana) & Nikki, chop it up with us about queer love and acceptance, marriage, and starting a family. Watch via YouTube: https://youtu.be/fTupCmGEVfo

Our guests, Teyonna and Will, join us to chop it up about navigating their Black and Sāmoan identities in their respective families and in the concrete ocean (Pacific Islander diaspora). The goal of our Virtual Talanoa (conversation) is to listen in love, listen in community, and listen in solidarity. #AllBlackLivesMatter #BlackLivesMatter Watch via YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/umIq8Yy0jfc Link to Twitter thread by Vatiseva @fjgoldylocks https://twitter.com/fjgoldylocks/status/1270219668335165441

Social distancing has pushed our creativity. We are introducing an extension of our podcast: KEEPIN' IT

For this special episode we are fortunate to have Vea, Saia, and Robert Mafile'o from the Documentary, My Father's Kingdom (2019), talanoa with us on the podcast. They are kicking off their U.S. Tour here in the Bay Area and will be making stops in Utah, Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawai'i. Tap in!!! SYNOPSIS For My Father's Kingdom follows Tongan pensioner Saia Mafile’o and his family as they are stretched to breaking point by the commitment and passion to God that has driven Saia’s life. This debut feature documentary offers a rich view of how contemporary secular families deal with the rigorous of devout Christian tithing, as well as a unique insight into traditional Tongan culture. Important links to follow, like, and share: Trailer: https://youtu.be/8hFtMMdvkzI Website: https://www.formyfatherskingdom.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/formyfatherskingdom/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formyfatherskingdom/ @formyfatherskingdom Screening dates and times are subject to change. Please "Like" their Facebook page to stay updated with the screening schedule.

Our homie, Mikias Alipate, returns to the podcast to chop it up before he goes on tour with Young LB and Moneybagg Yo. We chop it up about chasing goals, our whys, and what he's gotta do to prepare for a tour. Tap in with him on IG @ali.pate We premiere our new segment, TALANOA IS HEALING! Lastly, we introduce our new addition to the team, our lovely intern, Juicy. Welcome to team! Our house is growing.

Pretty Boy Pooks pulls up to chop it up with us about his passion for fashion, his 2hunnit clothing brand, and his pursuit of happiness. Tap in!

Recording artist, Tenelle, pulled up on us to chop it up about her journey in music, new records she's dropping this year, and future projects she got coming soon. She gifted us with a sneak peek of some of her new music as well as her personal experiences that have shaped her to be the love and the light that she is. Tap in! THIS IS TEN! Stay connected and shop 10x10 https://www.tenellemusic.com https://www.10x10clothing.com/shop

Hey FTQ Fam! We're on a break this week and are featuring an episode highlighting our one of our fellow Pasifika Podcasters. Tap in w/ QUEER COCO hosted by Pele Vaimoso. This episode “My Complicated Relationship w/ Straight Men” explores Pele’s relationship with straight men and masculinity. Pele, a fellow Sāmoan queer podcaster says, "The idea of this podcast came about after I started sharing personal stories about my journey as a Young Queer Sāmoan person on my instagram. I received a lot of feedback from friends and family, some of whom I didn't expect to even engage in the conversations that I was having. Through my podcast, I hope to elaborate more on the stories I've told, share new ones and talk to others from community." Like and Follow @queercoco Subscribe to Queer Coco on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pejIzQjm8LYy7MivbiMi3

The new decade marks the age old tradition of The Census, the population count that determines the distribution of political power and money from the federal government to our communities. 'Alisi Tulua pulls up to the podcast to drop some science on how the Census works, why it's important for our Pasifika communities, and why it is important for us to fill out our Census on April 1, 2020! For more information about The 2020 Census, tap in with: NHPI resources: www.countusin2020.org/nhpi Census Bureau: www.census.gov San Mateo County: https://cmo.smcgov.org/census-2020-san-mateo-county

Lau susuga le faafeagaiga (Pastor) Tautalaaso (Tala) Faaleava sits down with us to talanoa about sexuality, culture, and religion. Pastor Tala's heart for God emphasizes the belief that God loves us all inclusively. Pastor asks us all to let God be our anchor and our rock. TAP IN!

The D.I.L.F. himself, Tama Jah Bless, pulls up on the podcast to chop it up with us about his social media presence, how much he loves being a Dad, and what therapy has done for him. We announce a new segment we're trying out once a month called "TALANOA IS HEALING." Is there something you want to talanoa about to process, unpack, or get off your chest that you haven't felt comfortable sharing? We invite you to email us about it. Let us know what support you need or questions you may have regarding your situation. We may discuss it on the show and offer perspective, insight, or advice if applicable. We will protect your identity and respect your confidentiality. We understand the amount of courage and bravery it takes to be vulnerable so you can rest assure, we won't out you. Email us at forthequltures@gmail.com

Maile & Ruta pull up to the podcast to try our version of Song Association, set intentions to pray for and send to Australia, educate and empower us about who doulas are, and inform us about their doula program for Pacific Islanders in San Francisco, Maintaining Ancestral kNowledge & Autonomy (MANA) Pasefika, which is part of SisterWeb, a San Francisco Community Doula Network. Tap in with Maile & Ruta: www.sisterweb.org/mana-pasefika Maile: mchand@sisterweb.org Ruta: r.aiono@sisterweb.org

Poppin' a bottle of bubbly as we enter our first episode of 2020 with our guest, Sam Jimenez, a bay area father, husband, bartender, and hospitality manager. We chop it about the travesty that is Tiki Culture. We get into the controversy about Saweetie's hula girl costume, Sammy J defending her, and how it relates to tiki culture that is rooted in colonialism.

As 2019 and this whole ass decade closes out, Jordan Fihaki of the Wayfinders brand pulls up on us to reflect on the lessons learned from this decade, manifest intentions for the new decade, and put us on about his brand. "Thank you all so much for rocking with us this year! We hope you all will reflect on the lessons of the past decade and manifest your intentions for the new decade ahead." - Bexx Bumble & DBoy Tap in with Wayfinders https://www.fearlesswayfinders.com/ We mentioned this book, Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend: https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-When-Take-Control-Your/dp/0310247454

We choppin' it up with Amanda Stowers of Afakasi Prints and why representation is the driving force of her business. Tap in with Afakasi Prints to see Amanda's work and cop her artwork: www.afakasiprints.com Also find her on IG @afakasiprints

Comin' outta Frisco, music artist Cazey Volks pulls up on us to chop it up about her new album, LIVING OUT MY DREAMS, dropping 12.12.19 - Be sure and cop that! Cazey chops it up about havin too much at stake not to grind and live out her dreams. Campaign that Cazey Volks y'all! Haters - Cazey Volks: https://youtu.be/y-EqcwIv2dg Before It All Started - Cazey Volks ft. AZ https://youtu.be/QaCOBClAZ-4 Somebody - Mico Cocky ft. Cazey Volks https://youtu.be/C05SPJ7HOv8 No. 2 - Cazey Volks: https://youtu.be/SSnNCReBmTI Anytime - Ayo Luciano ft. Cazey Volks: https://youtu.be/MSDD612STEM

Veronica Pome'e, the first Polynesian

Hairstylist & make-up artist, barber, and manicurist, Keke Vasquez-Tamali'i, joins us on set of the podcast to chop it up about her career in the film & television industry and about her experiences working in Hollywood. Keke has worked on a myriad of film sets such as The Last Black Man in San Francisco (Talbot, 2019), Us (Peele, 2019), Sorry To Bother You (Riley, 2018), 13 Reasons Why (Yorkey, 2017), and All Day & A Night (Cole, 2020) to name a few.

SPULU, ALL CAPS, is back again to chop it up about his experience working with Nike and designing his shoe, Nike OAK. "OAK is: Ohana. Advocacy. Knowledge. We search for the family that will embrace us exactly for who we are. In this journey, we end up fighting for a space to exist exactly as we are. With that knowledge, we share our truths. OAK is planting our feet into the shoes of those who wish to share the story others won't listen to and walking a mile in them." - SPULU https://www.nike.com/nikebyyou/community/drop/ho19/creator/spulunism If you like what you hear and the spirit of giving moves you to support, please donate to our podcast: paypal.me/forthequltures

IKUNA means victory, to overcome, to achieve in Tongan. Elevating culture, For the qultures! The Lauti brothers, Jay, Tai, and Feke are 3 dedicated men who founded IKUNA, an organization that advocates for successful outcomes for the Pacific Islander community. Rooted in Oakland, C.A., The Lauti Brothers talanoa with us about their victorious work! Tap in with IKUNA on Instragram @ikunaed or by email jlauti@theikunagroup.org; tlauti@theikunagroup.org; flauti@theikunagroup.org Also tap in with IKUNA Apparel ikunaapparel.com proceeds fund IKUNA programs.

The sensational fashion designer extraordinaire, Epeli Tuibeqa, talanoa-s with us about his love for fashion and how Pacific culture informs his aesthetic with his line, KuiViti. Epeli also introduces us to Jaqueline La Queer Dubois. Securrrity!!! Tap in with Epeli Tuibeqa on Instagram @kuiviti_couture or @etuibeqa or on his website www.kuivitipr.wix.com If you like what you hear and the spirit of giving moves you, please donate to our podcast via our paypal: paypal.me/forthequltures

Our girl Ruby se'e-s(slides) her way into the podcast to chop it up with us about being Fa'afafine, Trans, a Christian, and a founding member of Tifa i Moana Dance Group. Tap in with an open mind and open heart. Hate will not be tolerated!!! Tap in with Ruby on social media @tifaimoanadance or tifaimoanadance@gmail.com Bunga by SWIDT (Spycc): https://youtu.be/qQBEJQJ7_JQ Bunga article by Alice Lolohea of Tagata Pasefika: https://tpplus.co.nz/entertainment/swidt-preview-brand-new-album-with-the-release-of-bunga/

Long Live The Fupa! lol. We choppin it up with Lupe Katoa about her live video, how life has been after going viral, and what it's been like to have a hefty size of humble pie. Lupe recently went live at the Donna Marie concert and was talking hella shit. She claimed to have wasted her outfit and called a group of women who were living their best lives ugly, pathetic, grenades. Her video was then leaked and went viral. The internet was relentless and tore her up, called her all kinds of names, made hella memes about her, and called her out threatening her with violence. After a week of being put through the wringer, one of the women who was in the video, Kaveinga, reached out to Lupe to address the issue like adults. They sat down, reconciled, and Lupe issued out an apology. The situation took an unexpected turn for the better that changed the momentum of the whole ordeal.

O le ala i le pule o le tautua (The path to leadership is through service) - Samoan Proverb. Epi & Faga speak about their tautua to the Samoan community in the Bay Area and how their servant hearts have been providing solutions for the past 12 years. Tap in with all things Samoan Solutions: https://linktr.ee/samoansolutions

"The only real revolution happens right inside of you." - J. Cole We chop it about Black culture, appropriation vs. acculturation, anti-Blackness in our Pasifika communities, and how we can do/be better in solidarity with the Black community! Tap in w/ AfroTeine's podcast: The Real Tautala https://soundcloud.com/user-753101404

We sit down with the Brown Skin Lady w/ the Brown Skin Baby, Rocky Rivera, to chop it up about Rocky's Revenge and more. Peep her latest video "Best Shot" directed by @been.milky: https://youtu.be/7h3_mkorQV4 Tap in with all things Rocky Rivera: https://rockyrivera.bigcartel.com Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/rockys-revenge/1437848066 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2GYpVuQKY90oIhLSA07G18 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj5rJs2d8gXoeS8gw6H_5kw

We are humbled and honored to chop it up with Director, Na'alehu Anthony, about the new film, Moananuiakea, and his kuleana (one's personal sense of responsibility) as a filmmaker. "Mālama Honua" is simply translated as "to care for our island earth" but the Hawaiian language is beautiful and complex. Mālama Honua means to take care of and protect everything that makes up our world: land, oceans, living beings, our cultures, and our communities. It means learning from the lessons of islanders to take care of your limited resources, as though you were living on a canoe in the open ocean or an island in the middle of the sea. On a canoe, water, food, plants, and other basic needs are in limited supply and are tended to with great care; so too we must tend to our resources on islands, and for all of Island Earth. Moananuiakea celebrates the historic Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage aboard the Hokule'a that connected countless individuals and communities from around the globe. This voyage also represented the fulfillment of the vision of Nainoa Thompson and his contemporaries, the passing of the mantle of celestial navigation to the next generation of Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) who will retain the skills of their ancestors and perpetuate this tradition for generations to come. Check out more about the film at https://www.moananuiakea.film Check out more about the Polynesian Voyage Society and the Hokule'a at http://www.hokulea.com/ Required Viewing Papa Mau: The Wayfinder https://oiwi.tv/hokulea/papa-mau-the-wayfinder/ More about "Kuleana:" http://www.managingwithaloha.com/19-values-of-aloha/kuleana/

We get to Faika (gossip)with Nackie & Carl of the Faika Podcast. They bring so much heat you can hear the fan in the background

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING⚠️ Our "Would You Rather" deals with sexual violence. Be advised! Tears, giggles, and music with the amazing soulstress, Lady Saane. www.soundcloud.com/ladysaane Register to get your free tickets to the screening of Moananuiakea: One Ocean, One People. One Canoe. playing in San Francisco on Tuesday, 9/24 and in Oakland on Wednesday, 9/25 bit.ly/ftqmoananuiakea TedTalk: Re-thinking the Fijian Man by Jope Tarai https://youtu.be/qh_ClbaSVTs

The Tongan ILL NANA slid through the podcast to slay this episode. We chop it up with her about her Chiefdom as a Leiti. Tap in and subscribe to her YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/GSTaufa Tap in to Giosifa & Eni's comedy videos: Melenaite: The Live-In Nurse: https://youtu.be/myBSZ_xzM_4 Gangsters & Leitis/Faafafine: https://youtu.be/2XEOoEUZP8w Shit Tongan Parents Say: https://youtu.be/LgCgMPrRwKw Shit Tongan Girls Say: https://youtu.be/yTyQDF4ek7c Jidenna interview on The Breakfast Club talking about his inspiration for his tattoo (12:05-13:35): https://youtu.be/J1so1OswmY4?t=725

Celebrating our 1 year anniversary, reflecting on the journey. Here's to another great year of building, creating, and developing For The Qultures.

It's our 50th episode y'all! The shape shifter, SPULU, all caps, hailing from Oakalani, slid through the studio to talk about fashion, identity, and hoodrat shit. Tap in to see SPULU's Black vs. Blue performance: https://youtu.be/u1ZJ6upPELA

Bexx speaks out about the negativity regarding her tattoo. Tap in to hear what she has to say!!! For more about Bexx's tattoo, tap in to these links below. The Real Tautala by Afro Teine Episode 3 (aired 7/29/2019): https://soundcloud.com/user-753101404/the-real-tautala-3-my-aunt-bexxs-tattoo-and-the-difference-between-contemporary-and-traditional-tattoos Bexx Got A New Tattoo (aired 5/20/2019): https://soundcloud.com/forthequltures/bexx-got-a-new-tattoo

Lee Kava will begin her work as a tenure-track faculty member in Fall 2020 in the Departments of Race and Resistance and Asian American Studies within the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. Shout-out to all the students, faculty, and community who fought for this position to exist for Pacific Islanders. What a time to be alive!

Dear Jean, You have been accepted to the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. Lights, Camera, Action, we're so proud of you!

We chop it up with Ruta-Lauleva about her experiences as a doula as well as an afatasi. Tap in with her Masina Fou Birth Services at masinafou13@gmail.com Mauna Kea information below provided by Sheridan Noelani Enomoto: - Mauna Kea is a mountain located on the Big Island of Hawai'i and it has profound sacred significance to Native Hawaiians. - The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) would be built on an untouched, pristine northern plateau of Mauna Kea. The building permit the TMT received allows them to build 18 stories high and 5 acres wide. - Government officials are attempting to erase Native Hawaiians' rights to engage in cultural practices reserved by law. Investors responsible are: University of California; California Institute of Technology; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Department of Science and Technology, India; National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese academy of sciences; National Institutes of Natural Sciences/Astronomical Observatory of Japan; National Research Council Canada; Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. What you can do: CALL NOW TO HALT THE TMT CONSTRUCTION! Regents of the University of CA President Janet Napolitano president@ucop.edu Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (650) 213-3000 Governor of Hawai'i, David Y. Ige (808) 586-0034 * Email their partners: tmtj@nao.ac.jp; zshen@nao.cas.cn; inquiry@tmt.org; communications@moore.org; media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca; NRC.ethics-ethique.cnrc@nrc-cnrc-gc.ca; info@aura-astronomy.org; tap@nao.cas.cn; ypwang@bao.ac.cn; tcc@ilap.res.in; dbwTMT@tmt.org; voe@tmt.org * Tag on Instagram: @nrc_cnrc; @MooreFound; @AuraAstronomy; @NAOJ_pr; @CDNinnovation; @CDNscience * Tag on Twitter: @NRC_cnrc; @PRCNAOJ_en; @MooreFound; @askISED; @ISED_CA; @csa_asc; @Caltechipac * Use hashtags #ProtectMaunaKea #KuKiaiMauna #TMTshutdown #WeAreMaunakea #iStandforMaunaKea #KapuAloha * Donate to Hawai'i Community Bail Fund to support the Kia'i: http://hawaiicommunitybailfund.org * Donate to Hawai'i Community Bail Fund to support the Kia'i: http://hawaiicommunitybailfund.org * Donate to Hawai'i Community Bail Fund to support the Kia'i: http://hawaiicommunitybailfund.org

Alex put us on about his business, TOA Strength, and many involvements in the community, including dance company, Tifa i Moana. Join us, Saturday, July 20, 2019 from 1:30pm - 5pm in San Leandro, CA at the Senior Community Center for TIFA I MOANA'S PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY PROGRAM SHOWCASE. This is a family event. All ages welcome. We will be your hosts at the event! Free Admission x Free Food x Free Entertainment x Free Resources RSVP online: www.tifahapishowcase.eventbrite.com Tap in with Alex on IG @toastrength

The Wayfinders Scholarship is a collaboration of The Wayfinders brand and scholars, Levalasi Loi-On & Andrew Vai. As Pacific Islander students in higher education, you have accepted your identity as a Wayfinder in pursuit of a college degree. As former students in higher education, they founded the Wayfinders Scholarship to recognize your work and support you in this journey. REQUIREMENTS: current full-time undergraduate college student in California x Pacific Islander descent (Melanesian, Micronesian, Polynesian) x Cumulative 2.0 GPA or Higher x Open to Community College and University students. Submit application, transcripts, and video submission by August 31, 2019 TO SUPPORT: Purchase gear online or send Venmo donations to @jordan-fihaki to support one of two $1000 scholarship! www.fearlesswayfinders.com QUESTIONS: wayfindersscholarship@gmail.com or IG @fearlesswayfinders

As PRIDE month comes to end, we want to close out this month celebrating Pasifika Queer Lives! We have special guest, David Utuone, with us to share the importance of knowing your status. Tap in with David on Instagram: @no1zprodigy Happy PRIDE 365!

We venture into several discussions around Anime, Sexuality, Transitioning, Finding Your Worth and much more with Chauncé and her partner, Jerry. Dr. Chauncé Phoenyx has been a licensee Chiropractor since June 2005 and has since, been freeing people from pain in her San Jose, CA clinic. She is a champion for health & wellness in our diverse Bay Area community. She volunteers her time to organizations that help women overcome abuse. She also is a proud member and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. She serves and is inclusive of all communities in the Bay Area. For more information about Doc Chaunce’s chiropractic services please visit her business website: www.cmcchiropractic.com

We are choppin' it up with entrepreneur, Mikias Alipate. To book an appointment and to learn more about Mikias Alipate, tap in to his website www.mikias.co and on IG @ali.pate Check out his work as a creative director for EcoCo on IG @ecocobeauty

Bexx chops it up with local artist TishaInkk and returning guest, AfroTeine.

Tryna get through this episode

BexxBumble's new tattoo got people's panties in a bunch! Our I SEE YOU this week goes out to JOSIAH VEMLI. Check out his non-profit organization www.tyrellsangels.org

Rest In Love, Faddy! https://ktla.com/2019/05/04/man-shot-to-death-in-carson-investigation-underway/ Our "I SEE YOU" this week goes out to EPI AUMAVAE & FAGA MISA of Samoan Solutions!

Choppin' it up w/ Tai about the impacts of alcohol on mental health. For National Poetry Month, Samantha Jane Milo, WE SEE YOU! Samoa, Tula'i: https://youtu.be/xvspOOOWw0Q

Keep going, no matter what. - Reginald Lewis, Virginia State University 1965 For National Poetry Month, Grace Taylor, WE SEE YOU! Bedding the Poet: https://youtu.be/DR7T5VXwfig

In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month, we're choppin' it up about Alcoholism and our experiences with it. For National Poetry Month, The South Auckland Poetry Collective, WE SEE Y'ALL! Caramel by Malia: https://youtu.be/5voYuvIy_Nc Israel "Izzy" Folau, you are the FUAM of the year. UFA! https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/14/sport/israel-folau-rugby-unrepentant-spt-intl/index.html

Tī of the Day: Dismantling the term "Sāmoan-ish" We used this term to describe our level of Sāmoan-ness as Sāmoan-Americans who did not grow up fully immersed in our Sāmoan culture. Kiana is here to deliver the tī and dismantle the term "Sāmoan-ish." For National Poetry Month, William Nu'utupu Giles, WE SEE YOU! https://youtu.be/oUCEXa1EzTE White Supremacy Culture article: https://collectiveliberation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/White_Supremacy_Culture_Okun.pdf

Happy Womxn's Herstory Month! All month long we've dedicated each episode to PI womxn in herstory. On this episode, we are talking to a PI womxn who is writing herstory! Tap in as we welcome Sophia Tupuola, newly appointed District 10 resident, to San Francisco County Transportation Authority Citizen Advisory Committee.