Valley of the Rootz 2023
Amazing turnout!!!!!
Shout out to VOTR committee (Salesi, Pres, Hia, Sam, Pou, Daisy, Isa, Laura) for putting on a great event and taking care of everyone who came from all over the states!
We can’t wait for VOTR 2024
MORE VOTR CLIPS TO COME! STAY TUNED🤗
#VOTR #FreeEvent #Arizona #KavaSesh
Arizona State Fair 2023
This is the last week to head out to the Arizona State Fair. Take your family out for a day of fun! Enjoy some of your favorite foods, games, and rides. 🎡🎢🎟️🎠😍
“I thought I’d go all the way out and show everyone how proud I am to be Tongan… I’m hoping people can also stand up and rep where they’re from and say they’re proud.”
- Blkb3ry
Speaking with Sydney based artist, Blkb3ry was nothing short of a great time! We discussed his journey into music, the ‘WHY’ behind his songs/genre choice, and even got a little sneak peak of what he’s got cooking in the studio🔥 We applaud him for saluting our culture’s history through his renditions of “Ha’ele Ki Pilitania” and “Nepituno,” and look forward to his upcoming projects that will continue to celebrate our beautiful pride🇹🇴
Songs: “Ha’ele Ki Pilitania,” “Katinia,” “Nepituno,” “Run Into Paradise”
This past weekend we were invited to celebrate the grand opening of the first ever Cookies Cannabis Dispensary in Arizona. If you aren’t familiar with cannabis brands, Cookies is known as one of the best dispensaries for top shelf flower strains. Some consider it the goldmine for exotic high quality cannabis brands. And based on the turnout, the hype is real! What made this opening extra grand is the fact that Cookies partnered with LIONS PROPERTIES to build out the entire shop, making them the first ever Tongan general contractor in Arizona to be involved with the Cookies brand. Shout out to Sam Tuipulotu and his incredible team for such a huge and historical accomplishment! #StayLit #AZgeneralContractor 🍪👷🏾♂️🇹🇴 Sam Tuipulotu Maise May Paul Tui
“It is a labor of love… We really pride ourselves on the Aloha culture. And so anytime we make them we want everybody who tastes it to have a wonderful eating experience”
- Repeka Avegalio
Wiki-licious Chandler owner, Repeka, welcomed us into her beautiful home where we discussed the Hawaiian donut, malasadas; balancing business and family; plus advice on getting started with your own business. And of course, we had to do a taste test on scene so you can see how we feel about the malasadas in the video 😉
Wiki-licious - Chandler thank you so much for your hospitality! Hit them up for some delicious Hawaiian Malasadas made with aloha 🌺
“I was born and raised on Aloha… I wanted to bring that vibe to this business.”
- Patrick Smith
Thank you to Aloha Fingerprints for taking the time to speak with us about your business and journey! Good conversations and even better people. If you’re in need of fingerprinting services, notary public, passport photos, or clearance cards hit them up- we guarantee you will not be disappointed- they have a five star rating for a reason! 😉🤙🏾
And if you’re looking for some new good vibes music, check out their talented son Marc Skies on all music platforms! 🎧
“It’s honestly time to take action on your life 1,000 percent!”
-Josiah aka @therealcoachjosiah
Christian Social Media Content Creator
Health and Business Coach
He also teaches others how to monetize their social media platforms!
Check out his journey, you don’t want to miss out! Josiah Alipate
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
- Philippians 2: 3-4
We sat down with Reverend Timote Piukala, Pastor of the Tongan United Methodist church in Mesa, Arizona. He discussed his journey to becoming a pastor, his new role as District Superintendent of the North District in the Desert Southwest Conference, and how he would like to be remembered. Thank you RevTimote Piukala for sharing some of your faith journey with us!
One of the incredible organizations we are affiliated with is Poly Praise. Not too long ago, they invited us to join in serving at their annual foster event in Phoenix, which hosts thousands of foster children and families across the state of Arizona. We count it as a blessing for our team to have witnessed the joy this event brought to so many children in our home state. If you’re interested in donating, volunteering or serving in some capacity with the nonprofit organization, visit their page Poly Praise Nonprofit.
🎶 Song credit: You Are Welcome” by Forever Jones
We didn’t even get his name but we’re calling him Bay Area 😂 someone please tag him! Definitely a funny guy and loved his positive vibes! Malo Bay Area for taking time to interview with AZ Degreez 👏🏼
#someonetaghim #BayArea #PolyGolf #kavakings
“You can be a wife, a great mom & still be a business woman”
Rosie Herrera also known as Mrs. Tonga 🇹🇴
Her story is truly inspiring and motivating in so many ways from being a plus size person to now health and fitness advocate. Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs in the world & she explains how she is able to juggle it all and still have time to spend with her family. Watch and listen to her story, you will be truly inspired!
#MrsTonga #RosieHerrera #Tonganbeautyandbrains #pageantqueen #milliondollarpageant #motherhood #businesswoman #Health #fitness
“It’s literally like the American dream… our parents were the immigrants that came in and for them to see all of their children have homes and how much we have accomplished, I think it makes it worth all the sacrifices that they’ve been through.”
- Marie Kaihau
Home ownership is a dream for many Pacific Islanders so we met with long-time realtor, Marie Kaihau to ask some questions about the home buying process. If you’re in Arizona and looking to buy/sell property or have questions about real estate, reach out to [email protected].🏡🤙🏾
“We dedicate our time for you so that you can enjoy this event… It’s a labor of love.”
- Lani Auwen
If you’re an Arizona native, you’ve heard of the Aloha Festival - especially if you’re a South Pacific Islander! Year after year, the festival attracts thousands (150,00+ projected this year!) of people across the valley to showcase Polynesian cultures through food, music, performances, crafts and more. And if you’ve had the pleasure of enjoying it, you know how massive the occasion is. But do you know the manpower and commitment required to pull off this annual event? Ahead of its 29th year, we sat down with Vice Chairperson & board member of the Arizona Aloha Festival committee, Lani Auwen to learn about the two-day event and the diligent volunteers who work tirelessly year round to make it happen.
If you’re interested in volunteering in the future, visit Azalohafest.org/volunteer
And if you’e attending the festival, be sure to return the love and aloha spirit by picking up trash before you head out! 🌺
We stopped by Aloha Island Market in Mesa, Arizona to check out the shop and meet the awesome owners. Definitely recommend this local spot!
“We want to bring ALL the culture back…”
- Laukau Ioelu
AZ Degreez sat down with the owners of Aloha Island Market Arizona, Laukau and Paniani Ioelu, to learn about their business journey and dedication to serving the Pacific Islander communities. (They also shared the details of their upcoming two-day festival in Mesa, Arizona!)
If you’re looking to start or grow your business, the Ioelu family is eager to be a resource for the community. And if you’re looking for Island treasures in the desert, Aloha Island Market is the place to go!
The Polynesian football players weren’t the only ones making their mark for Pacific Islanders in the Super Bowl. Did y’all see the halftime show?! The performance was choreographed by Samoan Professional Choreographer, Parris Goebel - born and raised in New Zealand. Way to represent, Teine Samoa! 🇼🇸
*JUST FOR LAUGHS*
Happy Super Bowl Sunday! 🏈
Last weekend we spoke with some football fans and learned a few things:
1. The NFL should stop using roman numerals to mark what Super Bowl number it is.
2. There are a lot of Eagles fans in AZ 🤔.
3. Polynesian players are underrated.
4. Not to ask strangers what "A Tongan" is 😅.
Good luck to the Polynesians playing in the big game today. It's a win-win for us all either way!
🙌🏽 Jordan Mailata, Noah Togiai, Matt Leo, Sua Opeta, Marlon Tuipulotu, Isaac Seumalo, Danny Shelton, and JuJu Smith
“Keep your head down and keep working… If you put your mind into something you could get it done.”
We sat down with Marlon Tuipulotu, Defensive Tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, ahead of Super Bowl 57 to talk faith, family and football.