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Pacific Empowerment Podcast was founded by a Tongan woman entrepreneur, Akanesi Kaufusi, to uplift and inspire Pacific Island people to take bold action, chase their dreams, and dream as big as they dare. This podcast challenges the limitations of traditional thinking and cultural expectations that often hold our people back. It’s a space to break free from fear, take risks, and rewrite what’s possible - no matter your background or environment. Your situation doesn’t define you. Your vision does.
27 Episodes
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⚠️ Disclaimer This episode is for awareness and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified doctor before testing or taking any medication. In this week’s episode, Kori Tameifuna shares her Tongan husband’s journey with chronic Hepatitis B - a silent health issue affecting many Pacific families. We talk about how the virus is passed down, why those born in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s should get tested, and the serious impact it has on the live...
This week, I sit down with Lizzie Wong to break down 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and what it means for Pacific Island people. We talk through this year’s theme on ending digital violence and why online abuse is now one of the biggest threats facing Pacific women and girls. I also share my own experience with cyberbullying, and together we unpack the different forms of online harassment that many Pacific women face today. We discuss real solutions, practical safety tips, ...
In this powerful episode, Akanesi dives deep into how God has been speaking through Scripture - revealing that not all traditions passed down through generations come from Him. Using the recent Catholic shift away from the belief that Mary is “Co-Redeemer” as a starting point, she explores how even long-held religious traditions can change when they don’t align with biblical truth. Akanesi shares a personal testimony about how God has been speaking through the exact same Scriptures again and ...
In this powerful new episode of Pacific Empowerment, host Akanesi dives into the truth behind the release of the Epstein Files, and why this moment matters for our Pacific communities. In this episode, we uncover who Jeffrey Epstein really was, what happened behind the luxury and influence, and the links to presidents, royalty, and elites. Most importantly, we confront the dangerous similarities in our own Pacific communities, especially in faikava spaces where some men believe culture and co...
In this week’s episode, I discuss academic research on the role of the tou‘a - the woman serving kava, and what these studies reveal about women’s experiences inside faikava spaces. I focus on the work of Hilda A. Port, author of the doctoral thesis How Do Evolving Kava-Related Practices Impact the Role of Tongan Women Living in Aotearoa? Her research highlights the realities faced by tou‘a, including the cultural expectations, the vulnerability in certain kava settings, and how evolving...
Episode Description: In this episode, I analyze Dr. Apo Aporosa’s article of the University of Waikato, "De-mythologizing and Re-branding of Kava as the New ‘World Drug’ of Choice” - a paper that defends kava as safe and culturally misunderstood. But here’s the real question: Can studies done on kava tablets in laboratories truly represent the reality of Pacific Island men drinking bowl after bowl every night? I also share real testimonies from wives in Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, women whose hus...
Kava addiction has become a silent epidemic in the Pacific, breaking homes, stealing time, and blinding our people to their God-given purpose. In this episode, I read the first testimony from a Samoan wife of an addicted 'ava man. The response to my kava videos was overwhelming, hundreds of voices from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, PNG, and across the Pacific opened up about the pain and destruction caused by kava addiction. I share those heartfelt comments, stories of healing, and warnings from f...
Many believe kava is safer than alcohol or drugs, but is it really? In this episode, we take an honest look at the hidden effects of kava, alcohol, and drugs on our Pacific communities. We begin by comparing their impact on addiction, health, families, and spirituality - exposing what’s often disguised as “culture.” We also receive our first testimony from a Fijian wife of a grog man (the Fijian version of a faikava man), sharing the real pain and struggles of families living with kava...
In this powerful episode, I dive into two major conversations happening right now - one global, one close to home. First, we look at the historic peace deal between Israel and Palestine that was signed this week - a moment the world has waited decades for. I break down what this agreement means, the background behind the conflict, and why this event is being called one of the most significant milestones in modern history. We’ll also explore how this peace deal connects to us here in the Pacif...
In this week’s episode, I talk about the first-ever policy on social kava use introduced by Otago University - a bold and necessary step toward bringing structure, safety, and accountability to kava practices. I also continue with Part 2 of the testimonies from wives of faikava men, sharing raw and emotional stories that reveal the damaging effects of kava abuse - on families, marriages, and the wellbeing of Pacific women. These stories are a reminder that while kava holds deep cultural ...
In this powerful and deeply moving episode, I read out the testimonies of women who have served as tou‘a in faikava circles and bravely shared their experiences of sexual abuse. These are stories that have been silenced for too long - stories of pain, exploitation, and trauma, but also of courage in speaking out. By giving voice to these women, we confront the darker side of faikava that many in our community would rather ignore. This episode is not about shaming culture but about protecting ...
In this episode, I dive into the stories of fierce women throughout history - biblical heroines like Deborah, the prophet and judge who led Israel into battle, and Queen Esther, who risked her life to save her people. I’ll also share the stories of world changers like Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Malala, and Oprah, along with Pacific women like Queen Salote Tupou III of Tonga, Dame Whina Cooper of Aotearoa, and Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands, the first female head of state in Micronesia. Th...
In this episode, I begin with the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk and explore his powerful views on marriage, family, and faith. From there, we shift closer to home, sharing raw, real testimonies from the wives of faikava men. These voices uncover the hidden struggles behind the bowl, from emotional pain to cultural silence. We also look at the deeper impact of the tou‘a role in marriages and the quiet but destructive reality of kava addiction. Together, these stories highlight the urgent nee...
In this episode, we dive into the history and role of the tou‘a - women who serve kava in Tongan faikava circles, and why Tonga’s practice is different from other Pacific regions. We explore how the role connects to kinship, culture, and power, and how it has shifted over time with church influence, migration, and modern kava clubs. Most importantly, we share real testimonies from women who have served as tou‘a, bringing to light their lived experiences of dignity, pressure, and in some ...
In this episode, I sit down with Laki Mafi, founder of Legacy in Motion, to dive deep into men’s mental health and healing. We begin with an open conversation about the faikava culture and tou‘a issues from a man’s perspective — a side of the discussion we don’t often hear. Laki also shares his personal healing journey, the importance of breaking stigma around men opening up, and the mindset shifts needed for growth. To wrap up, Laki offers marital advice for couples, drawing from both his pe...
In this powerful episode of Pacific Empowerment, Akanesi Kaufusi opens up about facing online bullies after speaking out on faikava and the harmful customs that silence women. Instead of letting the attacks win, she transformed the experience into fuel for growth and empowerment. Drawing wisdom from books like Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements, Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly, and Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle Is the Way, Akanesi shares practical strat...
In this episode, I sit down with domestic violence survivor Lizzie Wong as she bravely shares her personal story. Today, Lizzie works in a Domestic Violence Center, supporting survivors and strengthening services across communities. She is also the founder of the non-profit Fijian Diaspora, dedicated to empowering Pacific women survivors of domestic violence. Together, we talk about resilience, healing, and creating a future where both men and women are safe, healed, and becoming better human...
In this powerful episode, we tackle three big topics that are shaping conversations in our Pacific communities. First, we address the growing issue of sexualising women in modern kava sessions - how a respected cultural role is being distorted, and what this means for our traditions and values. Next, we look at church donations: the heart behind giving, what the Bible actually says about generosity, and how manipulation from the pulpit can hurt families and communities. Finally, we dive in...
What does it really mean to be rich the right way? In this episode, we dive deep into the truth about money, success, and faith. From Shannon Sharpe’s recent downfall to the story of Job’s unshakable faith, and even the billion-dollar journey of YouTube’s MrBeast - we’ll explore how wealth can either build you up or break you down. You’ll hear how the Bible warns against the love of money, why poverty can push people into desperate choices, and how laziness and poor mindsets have held back ou...
In this heartfelt episode of Pacific Empowerment, we honor the life and legacy of George “Fiji” Veikoso, whose journey from humble beginnings in Fiji to becoming the voice of the Pacific is a true testimony of persistence and passion. We dive into the powerful lesson of Napoleon Hill’s Three Feet from Gold — a story that reminds us why so many give up just before success. I’ll also share my own journey of building Siuhuu and the struggles that test me daily, plus the inspiring story of...
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