23/08/2025
Congratulations to the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award winner – Opetaia Foa‘i.
A true icon of Tuvaluan and Tokelauan heritage, his 30+ year career has shared our stories with the world.
Maneanea Dance was honoured to pay tribute with a performance celebrating his Tuvalu roots – featuring “Loimata e Maligi” and “Toku Matua,” before transitioning into the Tokelauan group fatele with “Te Hiva.”
Our costumes paid homage to Te Vaka’s signature style, featuring tapa-inspired sulu and matching armbands.
Despite time constraints, we thoroughly enjoyed creating this tribute. We hope Opetaia and his family felt the pride and love we poured into our performance.
Opetaia and Te Vaka continue to inspire us, and we aspire to carry forward the legacy of storytelling through music and dance for years to come.
Fakafetai lasi to the Pasifika Music Awards for the opportunity to open the 2025 ceremony and showcase the richness of Tuvaluan culture 🇹🇻.
