Close to Home Ep. 3 | Tonga's Tiktok Titan: Havea676

[00:00:00]To keep it real, my Fijian is actually fluent in my tongue. And >> [ __ ] up real.

[00:00:03]>> Yeah. Some mornings I wake up and I turn the other cheek. Yeah.

[00:00:06]>> And then other mornings I wake up, I'm like, "Bro, >> your cheeks need to be clapped [laughter] right now."

[00:00:12]>> And so I think about my girls and if like anyone says like, >> "Oh, you're not tongen enough."

[00:00:18]>> I'm like, "Bro, there's no there's no level to this to be." Yeah. There's no measure.

[00:00:22]>> Um tongen's in their blood. [laughter] >> You know what? [laughter] Edit that.

[00:00:30]Sorry, Mar. Sorry, auntie.

[00:00:32]>> Because language is not just words.

[00:00:34]>> Mhm.

[00:00:35]>> Especially island language. E.

[00:00:37]>> Yeah.

[00:00:37]>> And it's not because of what's been said, but the way it's said.

[00:00:40]>> Who's funnier, Tongans or Sons?

[00:00:41]>> Ooh. Kind of scares me. Hey, I'm like, "Oh, it sucks."

[00:00:44]>> Yeah.

[00:00:45]>> Like what about my great grandkids? My mom had this whole life set up for me to be the pastor. I was expected to be a pastor as well, right?

[00:00:53]>> I've never thought about that award until now.

[00:01:00]One of the internet's biggest Pacific personalities with a following of over 4 million. This episode we [music] sat down with social media mogul Javier Matangi. This is Close to Home. Jav, thank you so much for coming on Close to Home. Honestly, I am gobsmacked that you have said yes to coming on the show.

[00:01:20]It's so cool to have you here.

[00:01:21]>> Thank you for having me.

[00:01:22]>> Um, how was your flight in? You know, cuz we flew you in on was it First Class Emirates?

[00:01:28]>> Oh, yeah. It was uh I had my own uh little studio in the plane. [laughter] >> No, I watched your Butterbean podcast and then saw that. Butter Bean, you you flew this guy in on business class, but >> yeah, thank you guys. It was a good flight. Good flight.

[00:01:41]>> Oh, that's good, man. What What have you been up to? What have you been you've been busy?

[00:01:45]>> Been fairly busy. Yeah, a lot's been going on. Um >> I think after the awards and everything, it's just good busy.

[00:01:53]>> Yeah. So many ways to be busy, but I'm truly blessed that >> it's a good busy.

[00:01:58]>> Yeah.

[00:01:58]>> Um >> so yeah, we're just kind of riding this wave right now and see where it goes.

[00:02:02]>> Well, your wave is a pretty big wave, brother, [laughter] because there's a lot of people that are asking to have you on the show. Um let's go back to to where you are. I mean, where you are, where you grew up.

[00:02:15]>> Um obviously being close to home, we want to start right at the beginning. I know that you didn't grow up in one place actually. Can you take us on um the journey of where your your waka waka went? It started in >> been like two of the Pacific Waka.

[00:02:32][laughter] >> Double hell. Yeah.

[00:02:34]>> Waka has been pushed around by the tide a bit. Um yeah. So I was born in Tonga originally >> or 100% fullblooded Tongan. Uh, and then when I was about one, my family, um, I don't know how they call it, they get those things where you get your green card in the States. Uh, and so they moved to Hawaii and, uh, I ended up in Hawaii. I was in Hawaii for like 13 years.

[00:02:59]>> And then ended up in Fiji somehow cuz my auntie raised me, my dad's sister.

[00:03:04]>> Yep. And so I was in Fiji for like a few years, went back to Tonga, lived with my nana for a bit. Um, and then ended up here in New Zealand. Finished off my high school in New Zealand.

[00:03:15]>> But throughout that time, majority of my high school years, mom and dad based in Australia. So Australia was always going to be back like where I come back. Yeah.

[00:03:24]>> Yeah.

[00:03:24]>> So after high school here in New Zealand, um, went back to Australia and been in Australia ever since.

[00:03:31]>> Yeah. Do you know um you were talking about living with your auntie?

[00:03:34]>> Yeah.

[00:03:35]>> Um and I think for a lot of people in a Pacific island family, this is very normal.

[00:03:39]>> That's the norm.

[00:03:40]>> Yeah. So what was it like? Um was that your fu by the way?

[00:03:43]>> Yeah. That's my dad's sister. So if you don't know in the tong and hierarchy.

[00:03:46]Yeah. It's like she's basically the one in the family that says jump and you say how high.

[00:03:52]>> Yeah.

[00:03:52]>> So she was the one that raised me cuz I'm named after their dad.

[00:03:55]>> Right.

[00:03:55]>> And so and I'm the oldest son. So when I was born um she pretty much was like my mother figure.

[00:04:01]>> Yeah. Um, even when she moved around the Pacific and I was with mom and dad, like she still called the shorts for me.

[00:04:07]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:04:07]>> Like, you know, she'd call my mom and be like, "I don't like what he's wearing in that photo. Don't ever put it on." Um, with stuff like that, it's crazy.

[00:04:14]>> Um, so she she was living in Fiji cuz her husband was a lecturer at the University of South Pacific.

[00:04:21]>> Oh, wow.

[00:04:22]>> And, um, I think they were doing well at the time. So, she was like, "Look, bring Javier down to Fiji to come live with us."

[00:04:28]>> So, I ended up staying with there with her for a bit. Um, and then they sent me to Tonga to go stay with my grandma, >> but yeah, she was she's my f. Yeah.

[00:04:36]>> Um, living in Fiji, you well, we'll get to it, but you you spoke Fijian after that because you were there for so long.

[00:04:44]>> I was only there for like four years.

[00:04:45]>> Oh, far out. And from then you spoke fluent.

[00:04:48]>> I learned Fijian. So, my first year there, I was in a boarding school. Oh, yeah. And um, in the boarding school, a lot of the kids in the dometry, they were like kids from like the outer islands, from like rural. So, like a lot of these kids come into the the boarding um side, they don't speak English.

[00:05:03]>> And like I think I was like 15, 16.

[00:05:05]>> Mhm.

[00:05:06]>> Um I feel like at that age, your brain is like a sponge and you just pick up.

[00:05:09]>> So true.

[00:05:10]>> But not only that, I'm sure half of the time they were talking crap about me cuz soon as I heard, I was like, "Hey."

[00:05:17][laughter] And so I was like, "No, square." So I started learning the language and then just became fluent. Um to keep it real, my Fijian is actually fluent than my tongue. Far out.

[00:05:28]>> Yeah. So I can speak the Fijian. Um and in Fiji there's dialects. Yes.

[00:05:32]>> So like western have their dialect. The outer islands have the dialect. So because I was raised on like the western side, I can speak the Fijian, but I can speak the western dialect as well.

[00:05:42]>> Far wow.

[00:05:42]>> Which is crazy. Um but Fiji love me, man. Every time I go do work in Fiji, >> I'm like the son of Fiji. Everyone shows up and the love is amazing.

[00:05:51]>> Uh my community online, Fiji, bro, they never let me down. So, shout out to Fiji. [laughter] >> What's your favorite thing about Fiji?

[00:06:00]>> The culture.

[00:06:01]>> The >> the people are so lovely.

[00:06:03]>> They're lovely. They're really lovely. I mean, Tonga is lovely, but Fiji's on another level.

[00:06:08]>> Oops. [laughter] >> Tonga is lovely, but then they'll look that way and be like, "She Yeah, Fiji's man, they're just I don't know. I guess Fiji means a lot to me, too, cuz that was like >> I think my starting of life was trying to find my feet. M >> so a lot of like a lot of my first happenings in life happened in Fiji. Um >> so Fiji always holds a special place. As much as I'm proud to be Tongan, but Fiji is is pretty up there too.

[00:06:37]>> Far out. You must have heaps of um not fans but family there. Like do you still have family there today?

[00:06:42]>> Not really. Not so much family, but every time we go back, man, the love we get there is >> honestly every time I go Tonga, the love I get in Tonga is way massive. But Fiji is is pretty up there. Yeah, they're they're are proud people. Um, >> I wanted to talk about your dad though because I know that you mentioned that he was a rock wall rock wall builder >> and I feel like in the tongen culture that is a very niche artwork like that's an art to have.

[00:07:09]>> Talk about us um talk about your your dad and what he >> Yeah. So dad was um or still lives. He's a very hard worker.

[00:07:17]>> But I remember when we were in Hawaii um that was the industry that they got into.

[00:07:21]>> Um they call it amaka >> and it's like so they go knocking on like rich people's doors and be like oh do you guys want a rock wall?

[00:07:28]>> Wow.

[00:07:29]>> And they explain like oh we can build this and make it look like this.

[00:07:33]>> And I used to tag along um every day after school or like on the weekends. Um >> and it's hard work. day. Like at my age, we were just helping moving the little rocks and stuff, but >> just to see them beat their body up like standing in the sun building that >> or when it finishes, like you said, it's art and not many people think of it. To be fair, when I was growing up, to me it was just like they were just trying to get a job done.

[00:07:55]>> Yeah.

[00:07:55]>> But when you sit back and look and >> nowadays when I drive past some houses and I see rock walls, >> you appreciate it a bit more.

[00:08:03]>> 100%.

[00:08:04]>> Um nowadays they cheat cuz they just cement it and they draw on it. But back then, man, it was rock for rock. Pour the cement and all that work put in, >> but also chipping it down to a >> Yeah. to a specific shape. Yeah. To make it fit in. Yeah.

[00:08:17]>> It's beautiful.

[00:08:18]>> It is. I don't think it's beautiful on his bones and stuff, but [laughter] >> Yeah.

[00:08:24]>> That was that was the job they used to do. Him uh and his brothers and like all my uncles and stuff. And we kind of grew up on that.

[00:08:31]>> Yeah.

[00:08:32]>> And it's funny cuz I always thought that would be where I would be 20 years from now.

[00:08:37]Well, >> so >> where were you before you became Javier 676? What what did you actually do for a career?

[00:08:44]>> Well, so I've been everywhere. Um, my first ever job in Australia, I was like a trolley boy.

[00:08:50]>> Oh, yeah.

[00:08:50]>> I used to collect trolley, but I was like 20 or something.

[00:08:53]>> Yeah.

[00:08:53]>> Um, but I was in university, so I graduated with a bachelor of psychology >> and then I got into the school industry.

[00:08:59]I was like a school counselor.

[00:09:01]>> Oh yeah. Um but I was working like out regional uh Western Australia and I was working a lot with like the Aboriginal kids which is really really cool like >> but it's you you need thick skin for that kind of role um >> and like a good outlet for your mental health.

[00:09:15]>> So I was doing that uh when I moved to Queensland I was bit in the youth youth system um and then but all this time probably from 2020 I was still doing my job. I was making content.

[00:09:26]>> Yeah.

[00:09:27]>> Um and I was making content because I I love making videos. I just love doing funny stuff and just recording it. And so it wasn't until 2024, I think, or 23 um I got nominated for comedy creator of the year.

[00:09:41]>> Yeah.

[00:09:41]>> And I took that one out. I was already I just signed with the agency, but after I took that one out, >> um I was starting to make coin off my videos.

[00:09:50]>> And so I realized I was like, "Oh, I can actually like do this for a job."

[00:09:53]>> And so I kind of stepped away from my degree job and started doing videos and making content.

[00:09:59]>> Oh. Is that was that the first point where you actually realized you could make a living out of it? Was that >> n that first point was like a leap of faith? E >> like I didn't even tell my wife. Um >> so I was working from home >> and then one day I had to return my laptop to the office >> and I was like oh just go return it. And then she's like oh can I come for a ride? I was like ah shucks. I was like oh I just got to go take my laptop to um for to make uh it issue.

[00:10:24]>> Yeah. And so we ended up driving to the um to the office and I I was like freak, I got to tell her. She's going to find out. Yeah.

[00:10:30]>> So [snorts] I was like, I quit my job.

[00:10:31]>> And mind you, we have a mortgage. We have kids to feed.

[00:10:35]>> We have and I'm the main bread winner.

[00:10:37]And like even my parents, it took them a time to like get it wrapped around their head. Especially my dad, >> of course.

[00:10:43]>> So dad coming from like that labor background and that hardworking, >> his mentality is like if you're not sweating for your money, then it's it's not well earned money.

[00:10:50]>> Yeah. And so when I told my wife, she was obviously she backed me.

[00:10:55]>> Yeah.

[00:10:55]>> But I and I I know I was causing stress too cuz I was like freak >> now I got to like pump out content and now there's a business aspect >> opposed to like just making videos for fun. I have to change my mentality >> and try to get monetized in this and that and hoping.

[00:11:10]>> But to be honest, so far so good. Um that's life.

[00:11:13]>> So far so good.

[00:11:14]>> So far so good.

[00:11:16]>> That's a bit of an understanding. I know you can tell by my physical, but uh there's no lack of bread on the table.

[00:11:21][laughter] >> Hey, what kind of bread? White bread.

[00:11:25]Yeah, that's my favorite.

[00:11:26]>> Gluten free. Gluten-free. [laughter] >> Well, I want to talk about your wife because, you know, to make it this far, to be this successful, you have to have a great support system.

[00:11:35]>> Yeah.

[00:11:36]>> Um and I know this because I'm the best wife to my husband. Wow. Yeah. Are you nodding in the booth? [laughter] That's what I thought. Um but you know, talk talk to us about Peta. I know that she is the behind thescenes lady, but I'm sure she is she's the real >> super. She's Yeah, she's a rock.

[00:11:53]>> Peta. Yeah. So, everything my mother told me not to bring home was better.

[00:11:59][laughter] >> The girl with tattoos, the girl with child, the girl that party life, balangi. Um, I was bad. So, I was I'm the oldest. Uh, so much expectations on me. even to a point where my mom used to stand up at like tong and functions and like speak to the pastor if you had a daughter and I was like if your daughter's the same age as my son let's arrange a marriage when they graduate school. It was like that.

[00:12:23]>> Yeah.

[00:12:24]>> Um cuz you know there was so much I'm the one that graduated university and my mom had this whole life set up for me to be the pastor. I was expected to be a pastor as well, >> right? And then because I was living the uni life, I was away from home >> and I met Peta and um when my parents found out, my dad was all right, but my mom was just like why? Why?

[00:12:44]>> She's got a child. She's not she doesn't um have a faith.

[00:12:50]>> She looks like she's a all these tattoos. She looks like a criminal. All this stuff. But like now the relationship that my mom and Peter have, man, they're like unbreakable. And it's crazy cuz my mom always says like, "Oh, Peta got sent to me by God to humble me." [laughter] I'm like, "She humbled me, too." But she's Yeah, she's a rock. Um, obviously you guys see my stuff on social media and you guys see where I'm at, >> but like you said, she's behind the scenes, but >> she's she's seen me before everything.

[00:13:20]She She knows >> the real Java.

[00:13:22]>> Yeah.

[00:13:23]>> And so that's something that I don't know. I get emotional when I talk about it, but that's something that um >> no one else will ever see, but it's only her.

[00:13:32]>> Yeah.

[00:13:33]>> Um she's seen sides of me that no one else will probably ever see and uh yeah, she's still here.

[00:13:39]>> What a blessing.

[00:13:39]>> So, yeah, she's um she's she's my corner and I'm grateful that she's in my corner.

[00:13:46]>> Well, we're all grateful that she's in your corner, too, because she's doing a great job. Hey, she's patching you up well.

[00:13:52]>> Oh, very well. And then of course you together you have three beautiful girls.

[00:13:57]>> Yes, we have three. Um and Peta's oldest. Uh >> oh yes, four. Sorry. Yes.

[00:14:03]>> But it's it's the three that you guys see in my content.

[00:14:05]>> That's right. Um those girls are hilarious.

[00:14:10]I love watching them. They bring so much joy.

[00:14:13]>> Yeah, they're a handful way. In a good way. [laughter] >> Talk to me about them. What what have they been up to? you know, like, oh, how have they handled this fame that they've they've gotten through Dad, actually, cuz you've you've made all these, you know, you >> Yeah. this platform that we've built.

[00:14:29]Yeah. Um, >> in a sense, they handle it pretty good.

[00:14:33]>> They don't have social media. They don't have iPads.

[00:14:35]>> Yeah.

[00:14:36]>> They don't do phones. The only >> exposure they have is when we sit down and watch YouTube shorts on on TV. But >> so, I guess in a sense, that's good because they don't read the comments.

[00:14:46]They don't know. The only reason why they know that they're famous is when we're out in public >> and people say what's up to them and stuff, but to them it's just like someone comes, "Oh my gosh, I love your content." They're like, "Oh, thanks.

[00:14:58]Cool." And then they just move on. They just continue being a kid. And I love that about that. Like it doesn't >> they don't realize like how much exposure they actually do have.

[00:15:08]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:15:09]>> Um but in terms of >> being famous, man, they're just your same kids. They I've raised them not exactly the same way I was raised, but a lot of the values that I was raised with and Pet was raised with >> is the same way these girls are raised with. Um, you guys will watch my content. Majority of my stuff is like what you see is what you get. It's it's the way we raise our girls.

[00:15:29]>> Yeah.

[00:15:29]>> So, there'll be moments where it's all laughs, but as soon as dad turns that voice on, >> they already know.

[00:15:35]>> I know. I know that voice, too.

[00:15:36]>> Yeah. So, they they mock me. They we tease each other and we have a great relationship, but when that voice comes out, they're like, "Oh, f around and find out."

[00:15:44]>> Yeah.

[00:15:45]>> Like, "Oh, okay." Yeah.

[00:15:46]>> That's the real square. [laughter] Yeah.

[00:15:47]That's when you really need.

[00:15:48]>> So, yeah, they're they're good. We have I think I feel like we have a great balance.

[00:15:51]>> That's good.

[00:15:52]>> Um they know when to make jokes and they know when it's time to like >> sharpen up. Um, and now that content is in that that aspect, especially in my older one, cuz she's in high school >> and um, we we we do paid ads and collaborations.

[00:16:06]>> And so she knows when it's time to do like a ad and stuff. It's like, "All right, no funding games." Yeah.

[00:16:10]>> But this is a job lock in.

[00:16:12]>> Yeah.

[00:16:12]>> Um, it's a chat that we've had cuz at one stage it was like she was like, "Oh, this is hard."

[00:16:17]>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:16:18]>> And I was like, "Bro, yeah." I mean, you haven't seen hard. you know, I was throwing rocks around with my dad, so there's different, >> but you know, if you were able to compare, you'd probably choose this kind of hard.

[00:16:29]>> Yeah.

[00:16:30]>> So, yeah, I think they take it. Yeah.

[00:16:32]>> Yeah.

[00:16:33]>> It is a different time though now. Like, >> yeah.

[00:16:36]>> Um, with what we teach our future generations and >> 100%.

[00:16:39]>> Yeah. Like you said, there's different levels of hard, but I think what is really admirable about you guys is um obviously as a Pacific brother, seeing you take out things like the Tik Tocker of the year in 2025. Um it was such a it was such a moment for our community, not just Tonga, >> to be honest. I'm going to claim it too.

[00:17:01][laughter] Yeah, what about it? Um, but you know, but for for Pacific Islanders, um, because Tik Tok is relevant to every single person. It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from. Um, but the coolest thing, um, when you received the Tik Tok of the year is you reverted to the Tongen language.

[00:17:21]>> Um, first and foremost, what made you want to do that? Um, when you had such a that's a huge platform when you had that moment.

[00:17:31]>> I don't know.

[00:17:34]Not planned.

[00:17:35]>> No. [laughter] >> Damn, you guys got me in my feels, man.

[00:17:41][clears throat] >> You know, it's funny. I've never thought about that award until now.

[00:17:50]>> Um, sorry.

[00:17:51]>> No, go for it.

[00:17:52]>> If you've watched my previous podcastes, I'm a crybaby. [laughter] >> That's allowed. We welcome that here. I honestly um I honestly haven't thought about that night like until you brought it up.

[00:18:07]>> Take your time.

[00:18:08]>> I guess you bringing it up [snorts] just made me realize like um how big of a deal it was. Hey, >> huge.

[00:18:17]>> Yeah. I never Not that I'm trying to be humble or anything, but to me I was like, "Oh, cool." Like I want it. Sweet as >> life goes on. Chip away. But like when you put it in that the way you just articulated it, I was like, "Oh, shucks." Like that's that's actually massive. Um I don't know. My speech just came out.

[00:18:39]Now that I think back to my speech, I'm really grateful because my opening line, which kind of went very viral, um it basically summed up who I was or who I am >> cuz I with that one line, I hit up religion, culture, and family just all in that one line.

[00:18:58]>> Um that saying I said in tongen, >> that saying is a saying that my mom always says, and so it's something that stuck in me. And um the fact that I said it in tong and I don't even know where that came from. It's just it just came out and like I guess in a sense it just showed everyone that that's who I'm all about and that is who I'm about is you know it's my faith, it's my family and it's my culture that matter to me. But I guess I'm getting all emotional cuz like I said man I never I'm one to not dwell on on things. say like even videos when I talk with other creators and stuff and they're like, "Bro, those numbers on that video."

[00:19:34]>> I just once my content's up, I move on.

[00:19:37]I'm like, "Onto the next." And it's kind of like everything I do with life. And so literally the next morning after I woke up with that awards, I was like, "Okay, on to the next."

[00:19:46]>> And like everyone I'm grateful that everyone is like, you know, congratulating me. But even till this day when I meet people and they're like, "Bro, congrats on the awards." I'm like, "Yeah, freak, man. Sweet. Cool." And it's not that I'm not grateful for it, but it's just like >> there's moments for everything.

[00:20:02]>> And so when you just brought it up and you put it in that, I was like, damn, I didn't realize like how how much it like not only tonggins, but like other islanders and stuff looked up to it and definitely hit me in the field. Well, yeah, it's I I think it's I need to Yeah, I must commend you on on your work because it's it's it is like a it's one of those things where, you know, one of us make it >> and everyone, you know, >> we've all made it.

[00:20:33]>> Yeah.

[00:20:33]>> So, cuz you made it, I've made it, too.

[00:20:35]You know what I mean? Like, we all work as a community. Um, we all take the wins and, you know, of our people. But no, I just wanted to make sure that you knew exactly how proud we were um to see you receive that.

[00:20:50]>> Thank you.

[00:20:51]>> Um I know that with all the positive though comes a a very hard side of it.

[00:20:59]>> Yeah, 100%.

[00:21:00]>> Um how have you handled that side of it as well? Because I to be honest I would be squaring up at every corner if um that was me. I cannot not look at the comments, but I know, >> you know, you're you're actually you're sharing your life and you're sharing your family with people, >> but it opens it up to everyone's opinion.

[00:21:18]>> Exactly. How how how do you handle that?

[00:21:20]>> To be fair, I handle it how it is on that day.

[00:21:23]>> Some mornings I wake up and I turn the other cheek.

[00:21:25]>> Yeah.

[00:21:25]>> And then other mornings I wake up, I'm like, "Bro, >> your cheeks need to be clapped [laughter] right now."

[00:21:33]>> I can clap [laughter] these cheeks, too, bro.

[00:21:36]>> [snorts] >> And not in a good way. E, so watch out.

[00:21:39]>> Like my great, you can catch these ends, too, bro. [laughter] >> No. Yeah, it's bro, >> we're all human at the end of the day.

[00:21:46]>> That's my mom's name being [laughter] Mar.

[00:21:52]>> Hey, edit that. Sorry, Mar. Sorry, Auntie. [laughter] >> Deborah.

[00:21:57]>> Yeah, Debbra Spiller. [gasps] No one's related to Debra. Yeah, Malo, [laughter] >> so sorry.

[00:22:04]>> Sorry. Right, there's your opening hook.

[00:22:07][laughter] >> And that right there, the excerpt. Yeah, it's going to get us all the clicks.

[00:22:12][laughter] >> Oh, yeah.

[00:22:13]>> Sorry. Yeah. Back to what we're saying, >> man.

[00:22:17]>> The downside. Sorry. The critiques.

[00:22:20]>> It gets it gets there's days there's days where I wake up and I'm like, "Whatever, man. Say what you want to say." And then there's other days I could I could literally have a bad sleep that night >> or I could be doom scrolling. I'm like you. I I >> I read the comments. I have to read the comments. E >> have to.

[00:22:37]>> And so there's some comments that just hit you and you comment and then when you finish commenting, you're like freak. Like this person dropped this comment and then they leave and enjoy the rest of their day >> and you're sitting then you're like nah.

[00:22:51]>> So I don't know. I'm still learning how to navigate it. Um, in terms of meeting people in public, I've never had a negative.

[00:22:58]>> The only negative experience I have in public is when people can't read the room >> and like, you know, I'm trying to bite into my breakfast and people are like, some people just take the photo like right there, not even acknowledging me or my wife and stuff >> and then you look up like, "Oh, hey, bro." And they're like, "Oh, yeah, man.

[00:23:13]I just wanted to love your work." And then walk off.

[00:23:15]>> Yeah.

[00:23:15]>> Stuff like that. But no one's ever >> said what they've typed on the keyboard to my face. Yeah.

[00:23:21]>> And I'm not saying that I'll bash them and stuff, but it's like if you can't say it to my face, then why should it matter if you type it out?

[00:23:28]>> But with that being said, yeah, we're all human. There's days where you read it and you're just like, nah, I got time to like be petty as well.

[00:23:34]>> 100%.

[00:23:35]>> Um, and it's it's funny cuz I always get comments like, oh, you um you put your life out there, so you should take it.

[00:23:42]>> Yeah.

[00:23:43]>> Like that's that's that's wrong, right?

[00:23:44]like that that wasn't whether I have a big platform or not, you know, it doesn't give you the right to jump on and like abuse or like say negative stuff about people.

[00:23:52]>> Exactly.

[00:23:53]>> But it's it's also something that I have to understand as a content creator >> that everyone is open to their opinion and >> whatever they want to say.

[00:24:03]>> Um >> I love when I get negative comments and it's a real page.

[00:24:07]>> Oh yeah.

[00:24:07]>> The trolls I I don't even sometimes I delete the trolls cuz that's their whole aim and they rage bait to to get people.

[00:24:13]>> Yeah. But when I click on the profile and it's a real profile, I'm like, >> I'm like, I love writing up my thing while I can look at your photo.

[00:24:20][laughter] >> We love it, too.

[00:24:24]>> Um, well, I wanted to I I wanted to talk about, um, obviously you being Tongen and being a very proud Tonga at that.

[00:24:32]Um, and now that you've made it where you've made it, um, what it's like to have this kind of respect, but then walk into, I guess, um, rooms or situations where you've had to navigate your tongginess.

[00:24:49]>> Um, have you ever felt like you've needed to, I don't know, dim it down or >> balance it, be respectful, but then also have a voice, um, you know, like stand up for yourself? Has it have you ever had to do that? Navigate that?

[00:25:03]>> Yeah. Um I find myself in [clears throat] that mentality a lot of times.

[00:25:07]>> Um being in spaces where I was just sharing outside with the boys earlier like being in spaces where I sometimes catch myself thinking I don't belong in that space.

[00:25:16]>> Um thankfully I I guess it comes with age and maturity and experience. I always catch myself thinking like that, but I always pull myself in >> and be like, "No, bro. like the same reason you're here is the same reason as everyone else that deserves to be here.

[00:25:31]>> But I can see especially for like young ones uh and us islanders that you know whether you're an athlete content creator or you get a promotion at work or something like that and you get pushed into a space where you feel like you may not belong or you feel like you have to dim it down as you say. M >> um I wouldn't say it's a place where you kind of like just fully be the proud tong and you are but it's it's all about balance and trying to >> I don't know how to explain it. Not not be fake and kind of like fit into the room but at the same time still know >> your place >> you know know who you are and know what you bring to the table. Yeah.

[00:26:09]>> Um, and I'm I'm so big on like that negative talk, that selft talk, like don't even, you know, don't be like, nah, or I'm a fog, man. I don't I don't know if I should be here, or am I wearing the right outfit here?

[00:26:20]>> Um, the night of the awards, I got hit up by the TV um crew >> to like jump on the morning show the next morning to get interviewed.

[00:26:29]>> Yeah, of course.

[00:26:29]>> And I got up that morning and Peta was like, "Oh, you should have gone to like get like a proper >> um outfit for the TV cuz it's going to be on national TV and stuff." And I was like, "No, man. My ass shorts and my shirt." And I was like, "I'm cool with that. That's me."

[00:26:43]>> And I jumped in and I got comments on thing and like you especially the old tongen ladies of course like wear something more formal and stuff cuz everyone sitting on that interview and stuff was all like >> but and I'm not saying like, "Oh, you guys are too fancy."

[00:26:56]>> I'm just saying that's not me. Like I I I can't be up there and like be comfortable in myself >> if I'm not going to dress comfortable in myself. I understand there's formal requests when you go to like certain places.

[00:27:06]>> Yeah. But it's just it goes back to the identity thing and I was like this is who I am. Um >> but I can understand why especially the young ones e um >> if you get chucked into a place where you kind of have to feel like you don't belong or you have to change everything to feel like you belong.

[00:27:21]>> Um always draw back to to you and who you are and what you stand for. And always know that if you're sitting at the table there's a reason why you're there >> and you got something to offer. Not just >> flooked in there.

[00:27:34]>> Yeah.

[00:27:34]>> Yeah. Well, talk to me about your fluency as well. Like, um, as far as the tongue and language goes, do you consider yourself fluent?

[00:27:42]>> Yeah. When I look at my other cousins that grew up overseas, yes, very fluent.

[00:27:46][laughter] >> Yes, I am. Um, >> uh, we'll probably get into it later, but like I a lot of people attach language to identity, >> but from my perspective, I attach language to connection. It's more. And when I say connection, it's because every time we have a family reunion or every time we have something back in the islands, I'm one of the few that can connect >> the people that come from overseas and the people in Tonga.

[00:28:16]>> That's so good.

[00:28:17]>> Um and I'm like that bridge.

[00:28:18]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:28:18]>> And um I don't say that in like a oh I'm I'm better but like I feel grateful at those times because >> I can sit in the lounge and gossip with the old ladies and I can go out and like meet up with the cousins that came from the states and all they know is what up and I'll be like oh bro this this and then come in and I'm the merging one cuz like >> my nana will say something and my cousin from my cousin from Salt Lake City will be like I have no idea what she said.

[00:28:42]But like not only do I translate it, but the reason why I'm grateful is because >> when my nana says something meaningful to my cousin, >> I translate it and he takes the English version of it. Yeah.

[00:28:52]>> But because I understand tongen and she says it to me, >> it hits me in a different field. You know what I mean? Because I understand >> fully like how much she says she's so happy to see me.

[00:29:01]>> Yeah.

[00:29:01]>> But like when she says it and I translate, I'm like, "Oh, she's really happy to see you, bro." And he's like, "Oh, thanks." No, no. Like that.

[00:29:05]>> Yeah. Yeah. So in terms of that connection, um I think um yeah, I can sound pretty fluent. Yeah.

[00:29:13]>> Um do you think that there are things that you can express in actually tongen and Fijian because you can speak Fijian too, but uh do you think there are things that you can express in those languages that you can't express in English?

[00:29:26]>> Yes.

[00:29:28]>> Um because language is not just words.

[00:29:30]>> Mhm.

[00:29:31]>> There's there's there's meaning behind the words.

[00:29:34]There's um especially island language e >> there's so much more if you say something empathetic there's so much more empathy >> and it's not because of what's been said but the way it's said the way I'm not an English teacher or anything but the way the I don't know the verbs [laughter] the way the verbs verbs I don't know the word for it >> be the wrong person too [laughter] >> I don't know the word for it but like um you could you could say in tongen like this meal was good.

[00:30:09]>> Mhm.

[00:30:10]>> But the way you say it could mean so many more things, >> right?

[00:30:13]>> It could be like this meal was good. Or >> in a time of mourning and you say this meal was good and it's a different meaning.

[00:30:21]>> Yeah.

[00:30:21]>> Um in a time of wedding and celebration of love, you say this meal was good and it has a different kind of meaning.

[00:30:26]>> So I don't know what the English word is for it, but it's the way the words are said and the same thing in Fijian. Yeah.

[00:30:32]um you could say like a oneliner but it means so many different things depending on the situation >> and I think we have that in in English language as well.

[00:30:41]>> Yeah.

[00:30:42]>> But when you understand that in tongen and it's tied to the culture tied to the the relationship and the ties and everything >> it just me personally in my experience it hits pretty deep.

[00:30:52]>> Yeah.

[00:30:52]>> Yeah.

[00:30:53]>> Um and even tone >> tone everything tone frequency uh availability.

[00:31:00]>> I'm just chucking in words. [laughter] adjectives uh and the verbs are verbing.

[00:31:07]No, that's such a cool thing. And I think for me who doesn't speak, you know, sour um fluently, it is very interesting because I I mean I spoke it till I was five, I've said this over and over again [laughter] cuz I just that's my claim. That's my claim.

[00:31:22]I did once know it. Um but you know even now being um not being able to speak it being able to understand it um makes me feel almost this like you know are we enough like am I smon enough even though I'm full s >> um born and bred here but like you said it's connection for you right >> so I guess for the future generations what would you say to them that are navigating their language journeys and you know trying to get back, whether they should get back.

[00:31:56]>> Yeah. Um, hearing your story, >> it makes me worry because I'm a dad of half cast girls.

[00:32:02]>> Um, and before I had my kids, uh, after, sorry, after I had my kids, I hate the term plastic, >> especially when it comes to like calling, you know, oh, the balangis or, you know, the plastic uh, tongans, plastic s ones.

[00:32:17]>> Yeah. And like I get I don't get offended, but it just it hits me because I'm like one no one has the right to dictate how much of a nationality. If you got sour in your blood, no matter what, whether you know the language, whether you know the culture, whether you you're still sour, no one's going to change that. This is my perspective.

[00:32:36]>> And so I think about my girls and if like anyone says like, >> "Oh, you're not tongen enough."

[00:32:41]>> I'm like, "Bro, there's no there's no level to this to be." Yeah. There's no measure. Um, Tongan's in their blood. As long as Tongen's in their blood, they're Tongan. Whether the passport or the birth certificate says otherwise >> in terms of language, in terms of understanding the values, the culture, and all that, I feel like they're just all I wouldn't say missing pieces, but they're all part of the puzzle.

[00:33:03]>> And like, if you have it and you put your puzzle together and it starts to look good, then it works. But if you don't have it, I think that puzzle still is beautiful and it doesn't change the fact that you're not the whole picture of that puzzle.

[00:33:16]>> Um, that's me and that's how I look at it for my girls. Um, and to be fair, I I as much as I I believe yes, language is a key piece to that puzzle, I will put my hand up as well and say that I'm probably not doing enough for my girls >> to teach the language only when I'm pissed off and I say stuff cuz my girls can say fluently.

[00:33:40][laughter] >> For the English viewers, we're not say that before we get a >> get a whack. [laughter] >> But yeah, I I feel like um I'm grateful.

[00:33:49]That's why I'm grateful for my oldies >> and like you know when I drop the girls off to mom and dad's they pick up tong and words and stuff like that. But as a dad um I think there is more I can do in terms of language culture and values.

[00:34:04]It's something I'm very strong on.

[00:34:06]>> Yeah.

[00:34:07]>> My girls are raised very tongen >> um selective tongen. Some of the tongen stuff that I was raised I don't agree with. So I don't put that into my girls.

[00:34:15]like a lot of the values that I learned growing up is is instilled, but I think in language I kind of fall short on that despite the fact that I speak fluent fluent tongen.

[00:34:25]>> Yeah.

[00:34:25]>> Um but for the younger generation, man, um I think it's good to go back to it, >> especially that connection side of things. Okay. Um, and you don't want to be that person sitting there where the family's chatting and you're just like [laughter] e >> Well, I I do want to go back cuz you did say there were some things that you'd like to change about the tong culture that maybe you grew up with.

[00:34:49]>> Well, I wouldn't say change, but I just say I wouldn't.

[00:34:53]>> And still.

[00:34:53]>> And still.

[00:34:54]>> Yeah.

[00:34:54]>> Yeah.

[00:34:55]>> Yeah.

[00:34:55]>> Um, change. Well, that's uphill battle for me. [laughter] >> You need to go to the royals. Hey, take it up with them. Everybody, man, that's generations of change right there, man.

[00:35:05]>> Yeah.

[00:35:06]>> Yeah. But still, >> it's Yeah. And it is hard. I mean, um we live in a very fast-paced generation right now.

[00:35:12]>> Um and reclamation of language is great, but it's also >> it's hard like like you said, um you trying to instill that in your kids, you could do a better job of. Is it because it's like what they know outside of home >> is, >> I guess, normal from where you live? You know what I Like is that is that where I wouldn't say lack of effort but like you know where you're saying that you could probably be better. Is it because it's easier for the girls to just converse with them in in English or you know what I mean? Like in the society that we >> that we're in.

[00:35:46]>> Yeah. Do you think it's because of that?

[00:35:48]>> To be fair, I think it's just pure lazy end.

[00:35:50]>> Oh yeah.

[00:35:51]>> Um but >> I spoke to John earlier outside and he said he wasn't allowed to speak English at home >> and that's how I was raised.

[00:35:58]>> Yeah. Um, but I feel like because being my parents being the first generation to go overseas, I think that was very important for them not to lose that and instilling that to their kids. But us being the generation growing up overseas, >> we know it's important and it's a connection and stuff, but I guess it wasn't important as the fact that my mom and dad left Tonga.

[00:36:19]>> Yeah.

[00:36:19]>> And was like, the only thing we have now in Hawaii, in Fiji, is our tongan language. That's the only thing we can pass on to our kids. Yes. the values and stuff, but in terms for them to carry on would be the tongen language. I think with my girls now, yes, English is just a common thing.

[00:36:35]>> But I think also the fact that we live overseas, we're not always going the tonga. We're not, you know, I feel like it'd be a different story if I was always going to see my nana.

[00:36:45]>> Yeah.

[00:36:45]>> And I'd want to teach my girls because I want to say when you speak to Nana, I want her to understand you and I want them to to you understand them.

[00:36:52]>> Yeah. But like the fact that we only see her like once or twice a year and stuff like that and the family in Tonga and the cousins and all that >> English is just the norm here and it's just like >> it becomes like not a necessity to learn a it's just like oh it's fine like you know >> it's like what's the point of me studying how to swim if I'm not going to be a pro alete swimmer >> and it's the same thing if we're not going to be going to Tonga all the time or you're involved then >> why should I teach you? Yeah, >> it's I guess now that I'm talking to and reflecting on I'm like that's a pretty bad mentality. But >> yeah, but I mean like it's different cuz like my my dad who was second no first well he was actually first gen um but when he was raised as well there were things like he had to speak English in the home >> um when he came from sour because in their heads that was going to get them ahead.

[00:37:42]>> Um and obviously he he held on to the language. Unfortunately, he's now passed on, but um I was telling Val before as well, like it felt like the language went with him.

[00:37:53]>> Um and he held on to his language as well. How do you hold on to your language? Like it I mean are you do you have family members that you speak with?

[00:38:02]Are there like >> So mom and dad and like my >> siblings and stuff, they're still very involved and >> still in the picture.

[00:38:10]Um, >> I think it's just that. It's just that and my external family.

[00:38:15]>> But like after you've mentioned your dad, it kind of scares me. I'm like, "Oh, shucks."

[00:38:19]>> Yeah.

[00:38:20]>> Like what about my great grandkids that >> were saying tong and is just Do you know how you meet someone and they're like, "Oh, I'm quite a German." And it's like, "My great great grandfather was German, but there's nothing German about them right then and there."

[00:38:33]>> Yeah.

[00:38:34]>> Now after hearing what you said about your dad, I'm like, "Damn." Like imagine my grandkid one day being like or my great grandkid saying like, "Oh, um I have a little bit of tongen in my blood."

[00:38:42]>> Yeah, that's crazy.

[00:38:43]>> And then that's it. Like that's all I know. I know Marlo Lelay [laughter] you're in the grave like shucks.

[00:38:50]>> Damn it. [laughter] >> Oh my gosh. Well, no, honestly, a lot of what you've said has been so valuable.

[00:38:58]Um, and I really hope that our next generations, including myself, um, can really look into reclaiming our language because it's so important, um, as who we are, >> but also it doesn't define us.

[00:39:11]>> Yeah. 100%.

[00:39:12]>> Right.

[00:39:13]>> Um, we have a little segment where we It's called One for the Village.

[00:39:19]>> Yeah.

[00:39:20]>> Um, where our previous guest has written you a um >> a question. It's just right there. Yep.

[00:39:29]So, [gasps] [sighs] Valerie Adams has written you a question. I have no idea what it is.

[00:39:34]>> Oh, true.

[00:39:35]>> Yep. So, you'll be reading that and answering it for us.

[00:39:42][laughter] >> Here we go.

[00:39:45]>> Um Oh, >> yeah.

[00:39:47]>> I read out the question.

[00:39:48]>> Yes, please.

[00:39:49]>> Do you reckon you can throw a short further than me? No. [laughter] >> And the answer is yes.

[00:39:55]>> The answer is hell no.

[00:39:57]The question, the reason why I giggled cuz the question is, the answer I'm going to give is going to be pretty bold and pretty honest.

[00:40:05]>> Yeah.

[00:40:05]>> But it goes, "What's one advice you'd give your younger self?"

[00:40:09]>> And my answer is don't eat so much, bro.

[00:40:11]>> Really?

[00:40:12]>> Yes. Um, a lot of my health and a lot of like obviously my health and like now I'm getting into this place where like I'm traveling and I'm doing all this stuff >> and health is like caught up on me. Um, and it's just every time I think back like the way I was raised and stuff, not only food, but like even in the young years of like all that drinking and stuff.

[00:40:34]>> Yeah.

[00:40:35]>> And if there's anything I always people always think I'm going to go deep and be like, "Oh, I would have told myself to like stay locked in and this." I was like, "Nah, man. Just don't eat that much." [laughter] Um, a lot of >> That's part of who we are as well, don't you?

[00:40:47]>> Yes. And no. Well, it is. It is. M >> but a lot of not trying to say my life is better than anyone but I'm pretty happy with my life but if there's anything I would change it's just all the health complications that I deal with now and if there's anything that I tie it and relate it back to >> it would all be linked back to like the food I eat and the the poor health decisions I made. M.

[00:41:09]>> So that's why I giggled at that cuz I assume a lot of the viewers were expecting like a motivational thing, but >> put that fork down, bro. [laughter] >> Damn it.

[00:41:19]>> As much as I uh joke around KFC, do not stop by KFC all the time. [laughter] >> No, you're all good. Um, I would like you to write >> She had a question.

[00:41:29]>> Yes, please. I >> I don't know if my handwriting will be that nice.

[00:41:32]>> Don't worry about it. It's okay. It's only um >> She wrote this.

[00:41:35]>> She did.

[00:41:36]>> It's another thing with this generation.

[00:41:37]Hey, >> they can't read cursive or write cursive.

[00:41:41]>> They can't or they can't.

[00:41:42]>> They can't. Like my kids wouldn't be able to read that. They'll be like, "What the hell?"

[00:41:45]>> They'll be like, "What in the um Elizabethan times?"

[00:41:49]>> Yeah.

[00:41:50]>> Um >> you can write Take your time. This is for >> uh Joe. Yeah.

[00:41:56]>> Yeah, it is. Joe. Yeah.

[00:41:58]>> If you made it this [music] far, you probably like what you're watching. So, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe. My lot. I kind of wanted to touch on your way of learning language.

[00:42:06]Yeah. If that's okay. We've got a few um minutes left.

[00:42:11]>> Um but you know when you went to Fiji back in Fiji when you first landed you didn't understand Fijian, right?

[00:42:21]>> Um what was the key component there to I guess how did you pick it up so quickly?

[00:42:27]Was it a choice or did you actively learn?

[00:42:30]>> No, it wasn't actively. I think um I think it was just the environment. E >> true.

[00:42:35]>> Um that's a hard one because I grew up well I was a baby when I went to Hawaii and so English was like first language and like >> I didn't actively learn English. It just kind of and so was tongen cuz you speak >> tongen at home so I didn't actively learn it.

[00:42:54]>> Yeah.

[00:42:54]>> Same thing in Fiji. It wasn't like actively learning.

[00:42:57]>> So I can't really relate to someone that's actively trying to learn a new language.

[00:43:02]Um, but that was more so the environment. Um, like I mentioned, everyone that lived in that dometry, they were they weren't kids in the city because the city kids could come to school >> and go back.

[00:43:13]>> These were kids that came from like bush, >> came from the outer islands. And some of these kids never read English in their life until they came to like school.

[00:43:22]>> And so they couldn't they couldn't speak the language. Um, and because I was in a situation where majority rules and they all spoke Fijian, but I didn't speak Fijian.

[00:43:31]>> True.

[00:43:32]>> And then I spoke in English and they wouldn't understand it.

[00:43:35]>> It's not like I I went in there and I was like just trying to learn the but you just pick it up and just being around >> I don't know how it works but you always learn the swear words first and they kind of stick >> when it comes to language. And so I'm pretty sure it was swear words first >> because soon as I heard tonga mention in the conversation, my first reaction was a Fijian swear word and it was like boom. And then like you start learning, you know, you say a swear word and they reply or they say something in Fiji and like say don't swear >> and then you just start picking up these phrases and >> I don't know, man.

[00:44:06]>> Start stringing things.

[00:44:07]>> Yeah. Start stringing things together and they just >> I mean I can relate to that because you know being married to a tongen.

[00:44:12]>> Yeah. And you >> Yeah, I know a lot of swear words.

[00:44:16][laughter] >> Yeah.

[00:44:17]>> Wow.

[00:44:18]>> That is actually the nature of learning a language it seems. Hey, >> it is with language.

[00:44:23]>> Swear words. How dare these Pacific Islanders? [laughter] >> But you know, now that you mentioned it, it makes me interested to like see it from someone else's perspective. Yeah.

[00:44:32]>> That they had to learn like you and your husband. Like obviously you'd have to learn a few tongen words >> and you have to learn sour, >> you know, me being I've been a proud sour all my life. Yeah.

[00:44:42]>> Okay. Then I met him and the kind of people that tonggins are are just my kind of people. And now I have an identity issue because honestly the way that you guys celebrate each other >> is such a beautiful thing like as a people.

[00:44:59]>> Yeah.

[00:45:00]>> Um and then even you know the mafana side of it you know like >> it's a whole another touch of >> energy. Some will go we're pretty conservative you know we'll go to the family function they'll play a cool ass beat and where everyone's sitting >> but you go to a ladies on top of a table.

[00:45:16]>> Exactly. That's my kind of vibe man. and jump off the table, smash your head on a watermelon, >> you know, that's the kind of vibe. So, do you consider yourself being one of those mafongans?

[00:45:27]>> No, I'm I Yeah, my mom is.

[00:45:29]>> Oh, yeah.

[00:45:30]>> It makes me gives me anxiety every time we go to a family function cuz she's one of those ladies that'll be up there, hey, I'm more [snorts] like my dad.

[00:45:36]>> Oh, yeah.

[00:45:37]>> My dad's quiet, sit in the back.

[00:45:38]>> Yeah.

[00:45:39]>> And just doesn't talk to anyone. I talk.

[00:45:42]I'm more social. I talk, but like in terms of mafana now >> and it's crazy cuz like because of my videos and stuff and I do MCing and stuff, people expect me to bring that energy.

[00:45:52]>> That's true.

[00:45:52]>> I'm going to keep it real, man. Every time I bring that energy, it's all a front. Like I'm like, I got to bring it.

[00:45:57]It's like work for me now. Like I got to bring it.

[00:46:00]>> But if you ask me to bring that energy or choose to sit in the corner and relax, I'd be in the corner just chilling out.

[00:46:05]>> Yeah, cuz I saw recently you MCED something.

[00:46:08]>> But you look >> Yeah, that looks natural. [laughter] That's a good buddy front. Gosh.

[00:46:14]>> No, man. Yeah.

[00:46:15]>> No, that was like Was that a wedding?

[00:46:17]>> It was a wedding. Yeah, it was my cousin's wedding.

[00:46:19]>> Oh, that's nice.

[00:46:20]>> That's another thing now um with my platform, all the families.

[00:46:24]>> That's true.

[00:46:24]>> You reckon you're going to MC this wedding next week? [laughter] >> You just get dragged in. And you have certain family members that know the hierarchy.

[00:46:31]>> Yeah.

[00:46:32]>> So, they're the ones that's always ringing up my phone. They're like, "Oh, yeah. He can't say no to us." [laughter] >> Well, I love that about you. Um, we are getting Well, we're getting to the end of our podcast. Boo, unfortunately. But, um, >> quick.

[00:46:47]>> I know, right? Man, maybe we should make this 3 hours. [laughter] Who's got time?

[00:46:55]What does the booth say? Um, but we do have our final segment, which is quickfire questions >> straight off the dome.

[00:47:02]>> All right.

[00:47:03]>> Okay. Um, no thinking allowed. All right. And, um, yeah, we're just going to hit it. Are you ready?

[00:47:10]>> Let's go.

[00:47:11]>> Okay, first question. Who's funnier, Tongans or Sams?

[00:47:15]>> Sans.

[00:47:17]>> Finished. [laughter] >> We [gasps] finished it.

[00:47:20]>> But like name name one successful tong and comedian.

[00:47:24]>> Uh Jav 676. [laughter] >> I wonder.

[00:47:30]No, you guys are funny ass though.

[00:47:32]>> Yeah. No. Next question.

[00:47:35]Um, one island feed you could eat forever.

[00:47:38]>> Lucipi.

[00:47:39]>> Oh. Uh, what's a very Pacific problem people outside don't understand?

[00:47:44]>> Go. [laughter] >> That's 100% the answer I was thinking when I read this question.

[00:47:50]>> You Palangis don't know, man. [laughter] >> You'll never know the >> We can We can tell it's going to rain tomorrow just by the tingling in our ankles.

[00:47:59][gasps] >> Are you a victim of g?

[00:48:02][laughter] >> Wait. I was no it's it's probably g but I always do those ones. Oh, it's old injury. A >> but it's funny cuz I feel my knee that day and I'm like bro it's going to rain tomorrow. [laughter] >> It's that glass feeling. E is it?

[00:48:15]>> I wouldn't know.

[00:48:16]>> You wouldn't know island only certain islanders are um blessed to know that feeling.

[00:48:22]>> That is actually hilarious. You answered girl. Um who in your family would humble you the fastest?

[00:48:28]>> Uh my daughter Nini. [laughter] Favorite word from another Pacific language?

[00:48:37]>> Oh my god, [laughter] >> that was actually spells as well.

[00:48:41]>> Oh, was it?

[00:48:42]>> But hers was sh. [laughter] [gasps] >> That's crazy.

[00:48:46]>> Yeah, what we were just about to say.

[00:48:47]>> No, I was going to say cuz I went to school with like um a bunch of Son boys, like my close mates.

[00:48:51]>> True.

[00:48:52]>> And that was something that was just always thrown around a lot.

[00:48:55]>> That's so true, man. That is Yeah, that is a household bloody thing. Um, [snorts] who runs the house really? You, your wife, or the girls?

[00:49:02]>> My wife. My wife.

[00:49:04]>> Period. What's a tongen habit you didn't realize was tongen until you got older?

[00:49:10]>> Um, that's one of the thing. What's a tongen habit I didn't realize?

[00:49:17]>> Was tongen until you got older?

[00:49:21]>> I don't know. I have to think on that one.

[00:49:23]>> Do you scratch the back of your head?

[00:49:24]>> What? Oh, I thought that was a dad thing. When you get angry, you >> Yes. So, see, >> that's probably one thing.

[00:49:31]>> That's an island thing.

[00:49:33]>> Yeah, that's that's Did everyone that's watching this?

[00:49:37]>> Now I think of all my Palanga mates.

[00:49:38]I've never seen them scratch the back of it.

[00:49:40]>> 100%. [laughter] >> What's one thing you should never do in a poly household?

[00:49:45]>> Wear shoes in the house.

[00:49:46]>> Nice. Something you change about the tongen culture?

[00:49:51]>> This whole how much uh money you have to give to like certain things.

[00:49:55]>> [laughter] >> What's a moment where you felt extremely proud to be a Pacific Islander?

[00:50:00]>> Now that you talked about it, that Tik Tok awards night. Um, >> yeah.

[00:50:04]>> Yeah, that was probably >> 100% >> for the books. Yeah.

[00:50:08]>> And our final question on all of our episodes is what makes you feel close to home?

[00:50:15]>> Truly my extended family.

[00:50:19]>> Cool.

[00:50:20]>> Yeah, because I think they're literally my only link back to Tonga. M >> um that's the only reason why I go back to Tonga and visit. That's the only reason why I send money through Western Union to Tonga. [laughter] Everything relevant back to Tonga.

[00:50:33]>> Yeah.

[00:50:33]>> Is my extended family. They're literally my bridge back there.

[00:50:37]>> Wow.

[00:50:37]>> Um cuz my wife is Australian. My kids are here.

[00:50:41]>> My parents [clears throat] want to build a business in Tonga, but I don't. Not that I got anything against it. I just don't see the purpose because I'm like I have built a life in Australia and I want to live there. But >> because my nana and my aunties and everyone in Tonga is >> literally my link back there.

[00:50:56]>> Yeah.

[00:50:56]>> Um >> they're my connection.

[00:50:59]>> That's cool as >> Yeah.

[00:51:01]>> Usually people say like, >> you know, they're well, everyone has closer family that lives in the islands, but extended family is cool. I guess it takes a village, right?

[00:51:09]>> Yeah, 100%.

[00:51:11]Some of these questions you're asking, I've just been reflecting like, oh, damn.

[00:51:14]>> That's cool. Yeah. No, I'm also a counselor, so if you'd like to see me afterwards, I pay about $3,000 an hour.

[00:51:21]Um, but yeah, no, honestly, having you on Close to Home has been the best. I I say this with every guest, but I really can't believe you you said yes to me.

[00:51:30]>> Um, and please give my love to Peta Peta and the girls. Huge fan of yours.

[00:51:36]>> Um, but yeah, we wish you all the best on your journeys >> back. enjoy this weekend with your family and uh yeah, we'll catch you on the on the rebound. Maybe maybe next year when we have all the best with this >> extended version. Is there anything you'd like to say to the community of Tonga?

[00:51:52]>> Oh, thank you guys for watching. Um stay tuned for the party and stay tuned for what's next for both of us.

[00:52:01]>> Thank you.

[00:52:03]>> Woohoo.

[00:52:06]standing ovation even [laughter] >> shut man.

[00:52:09]>> Any red flags from the culture advisor?

[00:52:12]Thank you for that. [laughter] >> We're cutting out a whole segment there.

[00:52:16]>> Yeah, we're just going to take 15 minutes.

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