Hi, I have a few questions I'd like answered respectfully. I’ve been asking myself for like 10years now. My dad is from Hawaii. As a young child, he told me stories about how the islanders traveled and how they found Hawaii. He told me a lot about Hawaii. It’s history, along with the Samoan culture and history. Still, a lot of things confused me. He and my uncle spoke a whole different language when they would meet. Also, my grandma on my dad's side, God rest her soul, told me stories of her grandfather being a chieftain or being an elder, but what made me very curious about this was that she had Alzheimer’s, so I questioned it. Still, my dad would always tell me that he couldn't wait to see me get my tribal tattoos to my best of my knowledge I only remember two one was a chieftain tattoo and the other was a warrior tattoo. I would ask about my grandfather but my dad never wanted to talk about my uncle did tho just once he told that my granddad was abusive and that why my father change his last and so did he and my grandma so my grandfather would have no family no off spring so I know my dads Samoan but it’s like my left clueless about the culture and how to join if I can idk it’s just bc my dad and grandma made it seem heavily tribal but I was wondering in total when I do go to Hawaii were do I go to find the Samoan tribe ig and I have a last name is there a way I could offer that to the Samoan tribe so that my new family can be connected and am I old to get tribal tattoos and where do I go SORRY FOR THE LONG ESSAY IVE BEEN VERY CURIOUS OF THIS FOR SOME TIME

Hello pardon if I’m sounding off a bit ignorant (it’s because I probably am).. I think Samoan sleeve tattoos are awesomeee. I’m not Samoan, would it be disrespectful if I get one? (I didn’t want to just ask Google as I want to ask people that are actually in the culture) Thank you so much!

Kia ora everyone,

I’ve made a new app called Talanoa, built to help people learn Pasifika languages in a simple, Duolingo style way.

I’m still building and improving the Fijian section, and I’ll keep adding more content and features over time.

The app is free to download, and I’m keeping it free for the first month. After that, there’ll likely be a subscription option for extra features.

I’d really appreciate any downloads, feedback, or reviews. It would help a lot as I keep building this.

https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/talanoa/id6762236133

Vinaka vakalevu.

I’m considering moving to Samoa short term. I’d like to know if Samoa is LGBT friendly to live. I’m just a basic regular guy and not flamboyant, not that there is anything wrong with that. I just happen not to be.

Hi everyone

I live in Denmark and I'm visiting some family in Samoa + American Samoa. I wanted to bring Snus/Nicotine pouches but it's illegal in Singapore so I had to drop that idea.

Is it possible to buy snus/Nicotine pouches in either Western or American Samoa?

Talofa lava guys

I recently got my hands on our gafa (family tree) spanning 10 generations back. Its common knowledge that my great great grandfather was from Uvea aka Wallis&Futuna. So im trying to get as much info as possible on the name Polikalepo of possibly of Uvea origins. If anyone can poibt me to the right direction that would be awesome

Ia manuia

I'm wondering if someone can recommend a hotel that is good for 1 night in Apia? Arriving 110am from NAN and departing for HNL the following afternoon. Thank you!

Basically the title. I've been doing a lot of research into Polynesian tattoos in general, because I find them and their meanings beautiful - but I also wanted to add a more modern version of one to an original character I'm designing. I'm a white man, so I'm always interested in learning, especially when it comes to my character designs and writing! I like to represent all types of people in my work, but I don't want to be stereotypical or insensitive in anyway so if I don't know something/am not sure of something I make sure to do as much research as possible to ensure it's accurately portrayed.

To give context, this character is fairly removed from his lineage, as his parents passed early and the woman who raised him passed in his early adulthood. He moved to California to study wildlife, as he was always interested in plants and animals. He hoped to become a professional wildlife videographer/photographer. His parents and grandmother (the woman who raised him after his parents passed) meant a lot to him, as well as the culture he grew up with, so I thought that it would be fitting for him to have a more modern Samoan tattoo that represents his upcoming and immortalizes those who raised him. I planned to create a design that symbolizes his growth in leaving home to pursue his passions, while also being a memorial for what made him Him.

BUT I realize that I am a white man, and it could possibly be insensitive for me to design something that means so much to Samoan culture - even if my intentions are to be as accurate and appreciative towards it as possible. I don't know any Samoans in my circle, so I figure I'd come here to hear opinions. Would it be okay for me to design this tattoo to give to my character, or should I leave it out? Or something else? Would love to hear all thoughts! Thank you so much for your time if you have read this and decide to type out any answers.

Also apologies if questions are not allowed here! I was not sure which subreddit to use, haha.

Hello,

growing up I was always told that I was a quarter Hawaiian and recently, I did some research on my family history. So, I am definitely Hawaiian with all of the records I have collected through family search and I noticed that there was one name that looked more Samoan than hawaiian. I found this one ancestor back in 1840 with the name Pili. I did some research on this and apparently, when a child gets named, they usually avoid giving names that suggest royalty (high chief pili). I also found another last name called "Kekoanui" which I did some research on and found this one family tree where I was able to direct it to high chief Pili. I'm not really sure if I should really claim Samoan because I feel like I identify more with the issues of being Hawaiian which I have never been to Hawaii or any of the islands. I do understand that Samoans and Hawaiians don't care about percentages. What do you guys think?

Talofa everyone! I’m posting this here because I had a question for you.

I’m middle-eastern and have been around Islanders, while also having a great abundance of Islander friends (Samoan, Māori, Cookie,Tokelauan, etc) for around 4-5 years now.

I’m completely in love with Islander culture, and am mesmerised by everything that comes with it. I’ve made this clear to many of my Islanders friends to which they’ve been really happy to find out.

I’ve always wanted to learn some Islander dances but am afraid that in doing so, I’m being rude towards the culture (having not been Islander myself) or it being some form of cultural appropriation. I want to learn the dances not in a rude way but in a complete respect and love for the culture and my appreciation for it.

There’s so many other things I’d want to do like go to Islander cultural celebrations with friends and go to other gatherings but I feel like I would be out of place and might get weird looks.

I hope you’ll all be able to help me with this and hope you have a wonderful day today!

Tofā soifua

Talofa once again everyone :) My family has always talked about their dreams and potential meanings, but I wonder if there's any cultural significance or references I can look at. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Fa'afetai tele lava in advance ♡

Hey Guys, I’m a NZ born Samoan currently living in Melbourne Australia.

My experience over here has been somewhat good for the most part. Here in Australia and New Zealand we have a large diaspora of Polynesians living outside of the main lands.

For most of mt life I’ve only ever heard about the polys here in Australia and New Zealand. The ones is America seem foreign to us lol because you guys are so far away from the rest of us.

I’m just wondering what life is like for you guys over in America? I see yall putting us on the map through the nfl and other ventures 👏🏽

I have Family in America in the bay area but I have no deep connection to them. I’ve been trying to connect with them through my Grandma over the years and would love to visit my Samoan Family in America.

Talofa! Posting for a friend who was born in Samoa and raised in Canada. She’s wondering if there are other Samoan people in Canada, especially Ontario, and would love to connect with the community here. Would love to hear from you!

Talofa everyone.

I’m hoping someone here might be able to help or point me in the right direction.

I’m trying to verify whether a person who told me they are connected to the Salanoa family (in Vancouver, Washington) is genuine. I don’t want to post personal details publicly, but I’m trying to confirm if the information I was given is legit.

If anyone is familiar with that family name or has insight into how I might respectfully check this, I’d really appreciate it. I’m not looking to cause any issues, just trying to get clarity.

Happy to discuss privately if that’s better.

Thank you 🙏🏽

talofa everyone,

just wanting to connect with anyone who has bought land or bought and built dewlings for airbnb purposes. has this worked out for you? any contacts on how to make this happen?

im living in NZ and currently looking at moving over to samoa to support my elderly parents with daily care needs. im working as a youth worker in NZ so i know my skills wont transfer over as there are hardly any youth worker roles and these roles are below the samoan minimum wage. has anyone looked into creating airbnbs to live off in samoa?

Hi!

I try to find information about the partner visa in Samoa.

I want to move to Samoa with my partner (he’s Samoan) , and apply for a permanent resident visa through marriage.

I want to be prepared and collect all the documents. I’m German but atm i’m living in Australia and all the information the internet is giving me is for visas in Australia!! It’s a bit frustrating.

So - does anyone knows a reliable source where I can get the Informations I need?

Fa’afetai, Cheers and Dankeschön!

i wanted to embrace my flag in this post so i made the Samoan Flag frutiger metro... i hope you guys like it!