The Proud Asian
  • The Proud Asian
  • Why We Are Proud
  • Golden Spotlight
  • Proud Reports
  • Stop Asian Hate
  • Submit News Tip
  • More
    • Caught on Video
    • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
The Proud Asian
  • The Proud Asian
  • Why We Are Proud
  • Golden Spotlight
  • Proud Reports
  • Stop Asian Hate
  • Submit News Tip
  • More
    • Caught on Video
    • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
The Proud Asian
No Result
View All Result
  • Why We Are Proud
  • Golden Spotlight
  • Proud Reports
  • Stop Asian Hate
  • Submit News Tip
  • Opinions
  • Caught on Video
PEAK Pushes For More Pacific Islander Stories

PEAK Pushes For More Pacific Islander Stories

HuffPost by HuffPost
May 9, 2023 11:39 am EDT
in News
0 0
A A

LOS ANGELES — The Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti, or PEAK, kicked off its first in-person event to a full house in downtown Los Angeles last week with a panel discussion on the future of Pasifika storytelling.

PEAK is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “redefine and expand Pasifika entertainment” and inspire Pacific Islander creatives to “thrive, evolve and drive innovative storytelling that honors the richness and diversity across Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.”

“We want to be able to tell all kinds of stories, all kinds of ways, all sorts of genres,” filmmaker Kerry Warkia told a crowd of people at the May 4 event when asked what Pasifika storytelling meant to her. “We want the whole spectrum.”

Warkia, who is Papua New Guinean, was joined by the organization’s Samoan co-founder and writer Dana Ledoux Miller, Tongan actor Uli Latukefu and Guamanian writer Freddie Gutierrez. The conversation was moderated by Samoan PEAK co-founder Kristian Fanene Schmidt.

“We want to be able to walk into all sorts of rooms, partner with whoever we want to partner with and tell our stories. And yes, we want those stories to have integrity, and we want them to be authentic to us,” Warkia continued. “I think it’s about us not feeling like we have been locked out of storytelling, not feeling like we have ridiculous standards that are set by people who don’t even come from our communities. I think that’s what it is to me, to be able to kind of embrace the spectrum of storytelling of our humanity and to be able to dive into that in whatever way we want to tell that.”

Latukefu, who portrays college-aged Dwayne Johnson on the NBC series “Young Rock,” chimed in to share his own perspective: “It feels like the imagination — our imagination as specific people — is limited at the moment. And what I would like to see is a level of excellence and a standard that people gravitate to toward us, just as they do with the Black…

Read the full article here

Have a news tip for The Proud Asian? Submit your news tip or article here.
ShareTweetPinShareShareSendSend
HuffPost

HuffPost

HuffPost is an American progressive news website, with localized and international editions. The site offers news, satire, blogs, and original content, and covers politics, business, entertainment.

Related Stories

From Animation to Live-Action: Revisiting “Lilo & Stitch” as a Cultural Touchstone

From Animation to Live-Action: Revisiting “Lilo & Stitch” as a Cultural Touchstone

by Mochi Magazine
May 24, 2025 9:00 am EDT

Before Moana sang and sailed into the spotlight, there was Lilo — a misfit 6-year-old Hawaiian girl with a camera,...

“Rule Breakers” Brings Needed Attention To Afghan Girls’ Promise

“Rule Breakers” Brings Needed Attention To Afghan Girls’ Promise

by Mochi Magazine
May 21, 2025 9:00 am EDT

“Rule Breakers,” a new drama film by Academy Award-winning producer Bill Guttentag, explores the remarkable journey of a teacher named...

What Is Hmong Oral Tradition? History, Challenges, and Modern Adaptations Explained

What Is Hmong Oral Tradition? History, Challenges, and Modern Adaptations Explained

by Mochi Magazine
May 16, 2025 9:00 am EDT

On a sunny Fresno afternoon, a Hmong elder beckons and shows her daughter which plant in her garden is medicinal...

Mouthfuls on the Mend: How Cabbages and a Cutting Board Saved My Mental Health

Mouthfuls on the Mend: How Cabbages and a Cutting Board Saved My Mental Health

by Mochi Magazine
May 12, 2025 9:00 am EDT

Content warning: This article contains references to suicide and eating disorders. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please,...

The Proud Asian

The Proud Asian is your number one website for the latest news affecting the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. It’s about representation. It’s about being heard. It’s about feeling Proud to be Asian.

  • Why We Are Proud
  • Submit News Tip
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise
  • Contact

© 2023 The Proud Asian - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • The Proud Asian
  • Why We Are Proud
  • Golden Spotlight
  • Proud Reports
  • Stop Asian Hate
  • Submit News Tip
  • Opinions
  • Caught on Video

© 2023 The Proud Asian - All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.