History
Tafesilafa'i started in 1997 as a conversation about meaning making in the Samoan community, and it has grown into an inquiry into ways of being in the urban Pacific Islander communities in California. The Festival is an integration of indigenous, cultural, and religious values in ways that accentuate the importance of family, community, and others. These values are expressed through music, dances, narratives, and rituals. Participants in Tafesilafa'i deepen their faith, hone their talents, and heighten their cultural awareness as they commune with others, reaffirming respect for God, family, self and the greater community.
Specialties
There is something for everyone at Tafesilafa'i. This year's 14th annual festival is no exception. The week long celebration of cultural diversity among Pacific Islanders start July 25 and end August 1, 2010. Admission to the Festival is free; participating youth groups will be given discounted tickets to the Aquarium and there will be other fun things to do in Long Beach that week. Please carpool. Paid parking is available at nearby parking structures and metered parking at the Marina. FREE shuttles are available from nearby churches and hotels. Discounted hotel accommodations are available throughout the city. Last year we recorded over 31,000 visitors to the Aquarium during the last 4 days of Tafesilafa'i.