Three Samoan Villagers help Hōkūle’a

Tapusoa Tumu Purcell was skilled not only in carving, but in other traditional Samoan building arts as well.

Tapusoa Tumu Purcell, one of three Samoans sent to help finish the Hokulea sailing canoe, was skilled not only in carving, but in other traditional Samoan building arts as well.

Brent Malolo: Canoe dancer, night show performer

Aiolupo Brent Lafoga-Tonumaipea Malolo is originally from Samoa, but now lives in Mesa, Arizona.

Malolo grew up in a small village on the Samoan island of Savai’i, and went to school in the capital and near Wellington, New Zealand, before attending BYU–Hawaii and working at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Center, BYUH forge closer ties to Iosepa

The Iosepa crew at Kahana Bay, with training crew members from the Makali'i (in Kawaihae, Hawaii Island).

The Polynesian Cultural Center and BYU–Hawaii have recently entered into a new agreement in which the PCC will take a bigger role with the BYUH’s 57-foot traditional sailing canoe, the Iosepa.