Film
Asösö: Resting Collectively, Rising Collectively.
Harvard Oceania Collections Engagement Fellowship and Art Exhibit
Director, Organizer, Cultural Practitioner: afā
Cinematography, Photography, Editor, Music Producer: afā ‘aikona, Ti Tavai
Mālō to our Ancestors. Thank you to Kathryn Bond-Stockton of the University of Utah, University of Utah Pacific Island Studies, Utah Museum of Fine Arts and Gretchen Dietrich, Ivoni Nash (National Tongan American Society) and Harvard Peabody Museum. Mahalo to our local communities and global communities.
This alofa of the collective was through a collective commitment to our Ancestors, kin and communities from Glendale - Salt Lake City to the Universe. We were given a $1,000 to make a film with no budget, an installation, numerous tok stori and talanoa (discussion) from Hawai’i, Tonga, Boston, Tongva (Los Angeles County) to all parts of Pia Okwai to Diné territory, Navajo Nation.
We were able to secure Oceania kin from Marshall Islands, Sāmoa, Papua New Guinea and Tonga to travel to Harvard for one week. We reunited with our Ancestral peaces and collections.
We were unable to take any of our Ancestral peaces home with us. The experience was a homecoming and traumatic.
Our exhibit opened at the largest Oceania festival in Salt Lake County in the neighborhood of Glendale, Salt Lake City on the Westside of what we call home.
The power went out for at least 9 hours. We were unable to access electricity until the night of the exhibit after 9:30pm. We shared our koloa, our wealth of cultural and heritage peaces of ngatu, fala, 300+ plants donated by a community nursery and our team of elders, queer, Trans, kids, the first Womens kava club, Kalapu ‘Uluaki A Fafine. We raised funds for gas, a u-haul truck, tape, rope. We give thanks to Si’oto’ofa crew and Salesi Hautau and the motorcycle club, Royal T’s.
Kau Faito‘o: Traditional Healers of Tonga
Assistant Camera, Cultural Consultant, Navigator of Relations, Artistic Director, Research Assistant, Assitant Writer: afā
The main islands of ‘Eua, Tongatapu, Vava’u, Niuatoputapu and Ha’apai in addition with many outer islands.
Street Dance Activism: Dance, Meditation for Black Liberation
Jesse Chief, Navajo dances to honor the land, her culture and the lives lost due to COVID-19. She speaks about the Racial Uprising of 2020.
The first day of the 28 day of meditation and dance. www.streetdanceactivism.com.
They say it takes 28 days to break a habit. Dancers, students, healers, artists and community gathered for 28 days to meditate, dance, learn and share on Instagram Live. Thank you, Harvard Professor, Dr. Shamell Bell.
Director and Director of Photography: afā
Cinematography: Ti Tavai
The Nu’usila, Hola, Malohi and Ieremia families and dancers share their histories, culture and urgency to connect and heal through dance during the pandemic in 2020.
Dear Mr. Warren Buffett
Film and media package presented to Billionaire, Warren Buffett to stop the toxic rail yard, the Southern California International Gateway (SCIG). The SCIG was to be built on Tongva land ( Long Beach and Wilmington, Ca) with the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach. We, the communities won and halted the proposal. Made in 25 days for Mr. Buffett’s Shareholders meeting and The New York Times.
Dear Mr. Warren Buffett - LB4Health
We Rise
Song written and performed by, Ti Tavai
Director of Photography: afā and Jack Osoimalo
Editor, Music Producer: afā ‘aikona, Ti Tavai
1 Year of Victories: People’s State of the Union
Filmed and edited by ‘Aikona, Hiyas Saturay, Josh Jimenez, Jedi Jimenez and Eric Tandoc.
The Air We Breathe
A collaboration with Khmer elders, youth, Thai and Samoan Creatives. Gathered to learn about using performance arts while weaving their stories with environmental justice in their communities of Long Beach, Ca.
Cinematography and Sound: afā while pregnant
Photography, Cinematography, Editing: Ti Tavai
Take Shelter Coalition
A group of local organizations and individuals of Salt Lake City, Utah gathered to provide physical support, donated meals, protection and community to the Unsheltered relatives on the streets of Salt Lake.
Directed, filmed and edited by: afā and Ti Tavai of ‘aikona.
2nd Annual Pasifika Living Arts Pieam, Long Beach
A two day gathering of Indigenous and Oceania cultural stewards, artists and community members sharing and celebrating each other.
Filmed and edited by, ‘aikona
Rising Waters: Global Warming and the Fate of the Pacific Islands
Assistant Editor, Cultural Consultant for PBS: afā
Aired on National Geographic World in 100 countries. Received 14 awards. Screened at theUnited Nations General Assembly.
Le Afi Ua Mu: The Fire is Burning
1st Assistant Camera, Cultural Consultant and Assistant Editor: afā
A journey of Samoan gang members exploring cultural identity, gender roles and belonging in Samoa, Compton and Carson, California. A PBS Film.
Matters of Race, Episode 3
We are Still Here
Associate Producer: afā
A four part television series on the status of race relations in the United States. From the Producers of the award-winning Civil Rights film series, Eyes On The Prize. Interviews with the Beloved,Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask, Kumu Hula Dr. Victoria Holt Takamine, Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell, The Bourdeaux family, Oglala Sioux. Pineridge, South Dakota
Cambodian Community Census
The Khmer community of Long Beach, California express their culture, language and the urgency to be counted.
Production Coordinator, Cultural Consultant, Navigator of Relations: afā
Thai Community Census
The Thai community of Southern California show us why the Census is vital to them.
Production Coordinator, Cultural Consultant, Navigator of Relations: afā
Tongan community Census
The Tongan and Oceania community in Lennox, California. A Public Service Announcement.
Production Coordinator, Cultural Consultant and Relationship Navigator: afā
Samoan Community Census
The Samoan Community in Southern California shares the importance of the Census.
Production Coordinator, Cultural Consultant, Navigator of Relations: afā
South Asian Census
The South Asian Communities of Southern California gather and share the importance of the Census.
Production Coordinator, Cultural Consultant, Navigator of Relations: afā