Born in Samoa on January 30, 1946, Tauamatu Marrero (Matu) was named after her grandmother. She grew up in a large family—one of fourteen siblings, the second oldest

When Austin TeNgaio opened a box from his grandfather, he discovered photos, stories, and an original Johnny Lingo script. His great-grandparents, Joe and Millie TeNgaio, helped build the Aotearoa Village at the Polynesian Cultural Center and preserve Māori culture. Joe’s unexpected role in Johnny Lingo became part of their legacy of faith, service, and cultural pride.

Timmy Mocodompis, from Tangerang, Indonesia, (a city of about 2 million people on the western border of Jakarta), exemplifies resilience and determination.

Senior Polynesian Cultural Center missionary Hella Lunnen—still spry at 89 years old—pulls her weight with the “younger” senior missionaries at the Mission Settlement, an area consisting of three buildings dedicated to honoring contributions of early Christian missionaries to Laʽie.