Lifting Pacific Voices: A Conversation About Pacific Islander Artists for AA & PI Heritage Month
- Robert Nagby
- May 30
- 5 min read
Updated: May 30
AA & PI Heritage Month gives us a chance to celebrate a wide range of cultures, but Pacific Islander stories often end up pushed to the edges of the conversation. At Inspiration’s Edge, we wanted to close out the month by bringing those voices forward in a way that feels personal, welcoming, and grounded in community.
Southern California has long been home to vibrant Pacific Islander communities. Their influence shows up in dance, visual art, music, theatre, and contemporary storytelling. Yet many Pacific artists still do not receive the visibility they deserve. This post is meant to help shift that by introducing a few creators whose work is powerful, rooted, and worth knowing.
Pacific Islander Artists in Southern California
Lance Savali
Lance Savali is a Samoan dancer and choreographer who has performed with artists like Beyoncé and Rihanna. What makes his work stand out is the way he blends Pacific movement traditions with the energy of modern pop performance. His presence in mainstream entertainment helps young Pasifika dancers see a place for themselves in the industry.
Taiana Tully
Originally from Honolulu and now based in Los Angeles, Taiana Tully brings a grounded sense of Hawaiian identity to her acting and singing. Her performances often explore what it means to carry island culture into new spaces while staying connected to home.
Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PIEAM), Long Beach
The Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum in Long Beach is one of the most significant spaces in Southern California dedicated entirely to Pacific Islander art and cultural education. PIEAM works closely with community members, cultural practitioners, and artists to present exhibitions and programs that honor the depth and diversity of Pacific traditions. The museum’s approach is rooted in relationship building and cultural stewardship, which makes it a meaningful hub for both established and emerging Pacific artists. Its exhibitions often highlight the living nature of Pacific art, showing how ancestral practices continue to evolve in contemporary spaces.
Keali‘i Ceballos
Keali‘i Ceballos is a respected kumu hula who has taught thousands of dancers in Los Angeles. His halau keeps traditional Hawaiian dance alive while also exploring contemporary choreography. His influence can be felt across the region’s Pacific dance community.
Artists Across Oceania Who Deserve More Visibility
Cora Allan Lafaiki Twiss
Cora Allan Lafaiki Twiss is known for reviving hiapo, the Niuean form of barkcloth. Her work blends traditional technique with modern design in a way that feels both grounded and fresh. Museums and galleries have noted her role in bringing hiapo back into public awareness. As she once explained in an interview, hiapo is not just an art form but “a record of who we are,” a reminder that cultural practices carry history.
Brett Graham
Brett Graham is a Maori sculptor whose large scale installations explore colonization, land, and Indigenous sovereignty. His pieces often appear in major international exhibitions and invite viewers to think about the relationship between history and place.
Rosanna Raymond
Rosanna Raymond is a Samoan performance artist, poet, and cultural advocate. She helped found the Pacific Sisters collective, which challenges stereotypes and celebrates the strength and complexity of Pacific women. Her work often blends humor, critique, and cultural pride.
Kihara Yuki
Kihara Yuki is a Samoan and Japanese multidisciplinary artist whose work explores gender, identity, and the legacy of colonization. When she represented Aotearoa, also known as New Zealand at the Venice Biennale, she became the first Pasifika and first faafafine artist to do so. Her presence on that stage was a milestone for Pacific representation.
Rose Matafeo
Rose Matafeo is a Aotearoa comedian, writer, and actor of Samoan, and Scottish heritage. Her work blends sharp humor with a clear sense of cultural grounding, and many people first discovered her through the series Starstruck, which she created and stars in. Matafeo’s success has helped bring more Pacific voices into international comedy, and her approach to storytelling shows how Pasifika perspectives can thrive in mainstream spaces without losing their sense of identity.
Bubbah
Bubbah is a Samoan artist from Aotearoa whose music and online presence resonate strongly with younger members of the Pacific diaspora. His work often highlights everyday Pacific life, family, and humor, and he has become a familiar voice for audiences who want to see their own experiences reflected in contemporary art. Bubbah’s style feels approachable and community focused, which makes his work an authentic expression of the culture he represents.
Cliff Curtis
Cliff Curtis is a New Zealand actor of Maori heritage whose career spans independent films, major studio productions, and television. Audiences often recognize him for his remarkable range, which has allowed him to take on roles across many genres while still bringing a grounded sense of cultural identity to his work. Curtis has spoken in interviews about the importance of representation and the responsibility he feels when portraying Indigenous characters. His presence in international film and television has helped open doors for other Maori and Pasifika performers, and he continues to be a respected figure both on screen and within the broader creative community.
Even More Artists to Check Out:
George “FIJI” Veikoso (Fiji) Legendary singer and performer, who has roots in Fiji, moved to Hawaii, and lived with his Samoan family. FIJI was well known to unite all of Oceania with his music, singing traditional and modern songs from various islands, highlighting their beauty and unique cultures.
Known for his smooth voice & soulful lyrics, FIJI's collaboration on the "Island Warriors" compilation album earned a Grammy-nomination for Best Reggae Album, an accomplishment that only a few Hawaii-based artists have achieved.
Elsie Polosovai (Solomon Islands) is a young actress, and Miss Solomon Islands 2024. She is a role model for Melanesian youth, providing rare representation for an often overlooked region of the Pacific. She has starred in New Zealand horror show “Teine Sa – Hiama”
Rainbow Wedell (Vanuatu): A prominent Hollywood actress of Ni-Vanuatu descent, best known for her starring role as Maddie Nears in the hit supernatural teen show School Spirits.
Lissette Yamase (Chuuk and Pohnpei): A self-taught muralist and visual artist of Chuuk and Pohnpei descent, whose vivid works celebrate the cultures and values of her home islands.
Tribal Theory (Guåhan aka Guam and Marianas): Founded in San Diego, this band fuses Pacific Island reggae roots with R&B and rock. The group features musicians who got their start in traditional CHamoru dance troupes.
Kai Edgar (Federal States of Micronesia): First performer with roots in the FSM to perform on Broadway as Michael in ELF: The Musical. Performing on stage and screen since he was 8 years old, the child actor’s favorite credits include: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie, National Tour), A Christmas Story (Ralphie, Ahmanson Theatre), The Hours (Richie, Metropolitan Opera), The Secret Garden (Colin, Sacramento Music Circus)
Why This Spotlight Matters
Pacific Islander artists often face a unique kind of invisibility. They are part of the AAPI umbrella, but their stories and traditions are distinct and deserve to be recognized on their own terms. Highlighting their work helps:
Support cultural preservation
Challenge stereotypes
Expand the narratives included in the arts
Encourage arts organizations to broaden their programming
Southern California is already home to many Pacific Islander creators. Giving them more visibility strengthens the entire arts community.
How You Can Support Pacific Islander Artists
Attend performances by local halau and Pasifika dance groups
Visit exhibitions featuring Pacific artists
Share their work on social media
Advocate for Pacific Islander inclusion in AAPI programming
Collaborate with Pacific artists for community events
Small actions can make a meaningful difference.
Closing Thought
As AAPI Heritage Month comes to a close, this is a good moment to pause and recognize the artists who are too often overlooked. Pacific Islander creators have always been here, shaping culture, carrying ancestral knowledge, and offering new ways to see the world. Their voices deserve to be heard long after the month ends.
