Tacoma, WASHINGTON— The 1st Annual Northwest Polynesian Tattoo Festival that was held in Tacoma, WA earlier this month (July 2-3) was a huge success, thanks to dozens of artists from all over the globe who flew - and drove - thousands of miles to part of the momentous occasion.
Held at the Tacoma Convention Center, the two-day event included live tattooing by young up-and-coming artists, and performances by Polynesian Clubs representing different high schools in the area.
Samoan comedian Nicey Malauulu played host and Polynesian superstars Tenelle and Fiji highlighted an event that culminated with lots of newly formed friendships.
Members of the large Samoan community in Washington came out to show their support. Some drove from California, Utah, and Oregon while others kept up with the festivities via posts on social media.
The most attractive section of the Festival was the booth that was manned by Master Tufuga Ta Tatau, Su’a Sulu’ape Alaivaa Petelo who traveled all the way from Samoa for the event. Su’a demonstrated the traditional Samoan hand tapping method of tattooing when he completed two malus during the event. (Requests for Su’a to tattoo the pe’a for several interested men could not be honored because of time constraints).
Flashing lights and cameras surrounded the area where Su’a and one of his protégés, Sulu’ape Riccyboy Lamositele Novera Jr. of Avaio and his wife Lilia Fonoimoana were assisting in a ritual that takes about 3-4 hours to complete.
Other young women received their malus in the days following the Festival.
Timing couldn’t be more perfect for the event, as the celebration of the Samoan Flag Day in Washington was held a week following the Festival. Some of the artists were able to attend the festivities alongside military retirees, and servicemen and women serving in the US military bases in the area.
Local Director of Education and Congressional candidate Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau made a special appearance during the event.
As for the Festival itself, those in attendance told Samoa News that it was a great way for Samoans — and Polynesians — to come together and share one of our most sacred cultural treasures: ta tatau — tattooing.
Prior to the event, some people had never even heard of hand tapping, let alone seen it done live. Even some Samoans who stopped by got their first glimpse of a malu being tattooed.
Opposite from Su’a’s booth was another one of his protégés, Su’a Sulu’ape Angela, believed to be the first — and only — woman to ever be bestowed the Sulu’ape title in the art form’s 5000 year history. She currently owns and operates a tattoo shop in Southern California.
Perhaps nobody traveled farthest than Gideon Schory, a promoter of tattoo fests who flew in all the way from Amsterdam and brought with him an upbeat attitude that everyone welcomed.
And while tattooing is often considered a man’s thing, women were well represented during the Festival, thanks to Marlo Lualemana, Megan Jones, and Leilani Pedreira who all took advantage of the chance to showcase their skills, talent good enough to rival any male competitor.
Steve Ma Ching, known to be one of the first to open a tattoo shop in New Zealand was also in attendance, along with industry pioneer Larry Hanks, credited for being one of the front-runners in the tattoo business in Hawai’i. He was accompanied by his son Jacob, who has a ton of awards under his belt, to the event.
In addition to tattoo artists, island-inspired clothing manufacturers, jewelers, florists, and other vendors were part of an event that — believe it or not — became a place where families were reunited and friends reacquainted after years of not seeing each other.
New friendships were formed, business contacts were made, and most importantly, the Polynesian — and modern — art of tattooing were put on a pedestal and those in attendance were able to leave with a deeper sense of appreciation for body ink.
Promoters of the event are already gearing up for next year’s event, expected to be bigger and better than this year’s endeavor.