Holding down Independence, Missouri is That Samoan Boy (you know the one), also known as Brett Salamina Tali Tuiletufuga. I’ve seen him around the ville since the early days, but only recently discovered his talent for flow and passion for music. This hard-working rapper is part of an independent island hip-hop movement that just might blow up world wide in a min. All I know is we’re lucky we got him to do our Native Spot interview before TSB got too famous to talk to us.

What’s an experience you had that made you SO proud to be Samoan?

…when I look back to that time, I appreciate the love we have for one another, as a people. For them kids, my cousins, to just park under a tree, next to a sleeping stranger and watch out for me, was an awesome gesture of kindness and love. It’s the little things like that, that make me proud to be Samoan.

…from our Native Spot

by hamogeekgirl, posted 9th September 2010 at 2:12 pm, 2 Comments

I know I’m sliiiiightly biased, but One Samoana Natives are some of the best looking people on the World Wide Web. You only have to browse this lady’s photos to know it’s the truth. If you don’t catch her in her faleo’o, Patosina - Vee Vina Tele’a, also appropriately known as EZI BREEZY KINDA GURL, will be doin her thang in the forums with the other professionals. She’s proud to be 100% Samoan, a daughter of Vaimoso, Salelologa, Tutuila and Avao (“So ya’ll from these village(s) drop me a comment aua le ma ogay lol.”) and I gotta say… the way this cool cat mama has got it together, she makes me proud to be Samoan, too!

What’s the funniest/craziest thing you ever witnessed/did in the village?

Hmmm…wel, have to say the forums…just CRACKS me OFF hahaha! …it’s good to see how our people are encouraging/sharing their thoughts/helping out one another…it’s just bloody beautiful.

…from our Native Spot

by hamogeekgirl, posted 6th September 2010 at 12:46 am, 6 Comments

I’m not sure what the history is behind this scene - the single coconut tree standing alone in the sea - but its significance is clear in a couple of very moving posts Hanalei has written about her love for her home village…

I first saw the image and fell in love with its beautiful, crisp shades of deep to light grey. Then I thought ‘One’. As in One Samoa… and of course One Samoana. It was too perfect - I had to steal this photo. (Hana knows I owe her big!)

…about Samoan T-Shirts

by hamogeekgirl, posted 2nd September 2010 at 3:35 am, 4 Comments

Anyone who joined One Samoana earlier than 2010 will already know this, but Kilifi’s fingerprints are all over the village. He was one of our first Admins, our Ala Mai Project is built on his incredibly bold and uninhibited writing, he started most of our groups, and for over a year, the overall look of the village was his design. (I was so excited when I found a faleo’o the other day that still carries the beautiful ‘Kilifi’ look). Yes, I could easily spend all day going on about Fi, that’s how much I love (and owe!) this guy, but lemme step outa his spotlight already and let you meet Samoa’s own Screaming Tree.

What’s the funniest/craziest thing you ever witnessed/did in the village?

…I would say that some of the ‘OTHER’ natives have answered discussions with such pure honesty (well…you know) that I’ve sat in front of my p.c and just cracked up and pretended that I couldn’t identify with it (but really)…

…from our Native Spot

by hamogeekgirl, posted 30th August 2010 at 5:50 pm, 5 Comments

The beautiful Pepatupe Tuiolosega Ino is known in the village by several names. Most call her ‘Segaula’, or just ‘Sega’, and others like to call her ‘One Samoana Scrabble addict’. My favorite title for her, though, is ‘Teacher‘.. because even though she’s way chill and can run her kalepe with the best of them, you can’t help but have a lotta respect for this lady… and it’s not only because she really is our Samoan language teacher in the ville. There’s just something about our Teine o le Segaula!

Tell us about your passion/hobby/work

…my favorite hobby is writing. I love to write about anything and everything. I’m on my second book but I don’t like to share lol. Don’t ask me why. Everywhere I go I see something and I start brainstorming. And start writing as soon as I get to a paper and pen.

…from our Native Spot

by hamogeekgirl, posted 28th August 2010 at 11:58 pm, 9 Comments