Moana Manuo is 33 years old, born and raised in Honolulu Hawai’i, and a proud Samoan! Her Father Laulusa Feti’iti’imaileumu Nofoatolu Manuō, hails from the villages of Faleapuna, and Lufilufi. And her Mother Rita ishihara Manuo, from Vaimoso, Sala'ilua, Manono, Fagaloa, Leulumoega, Fasito'o Tai, Falelatai, Solosolo, Alamagoto, and Utulei. Learning how to dance at a young age, Moana’s passion for p
erforming, teaching, and creating authentic choreography has given her opportunities to perpetuate the Samoan culture through song and dance. Although dancing is her passion, it is also her way of service back to her people. At age 3 Moana started her first dance lessons from her late aunt, Aunty Lolita Achica, and has been dancing
ever since. Continuing to enhance her craft Moana competed and won the title of Miss Tausala Samoa Hawaii 2003, and Miss Taupou North Shore 2010. In Moana’s teen and young adult years she continued performing with elite groups and entertainers such as, Maota O Alii, and the United Samoan Organization of Hawai’i, also known as USOH. With these groups she was given the opportunity to travel the South Pacific to islands such as Tahiti, Samoa, and American Samoa. Complimenting her passion for dancing was her love for teaching and choreography. Working in conjunction with her teaching and choreo skills was her deeper love for Gagana Samoa/ The Samoan Language. Being that Samoan is one of the most poetic & complex languages in the South Pacific, it is very difficult to translate, especially through poems, sermons, and most of all music lyrics. Moana’s mother, Rita Ishihara Manuo played a big part in mentoring her through gagana Samoa, and translating the deeper message in Samoan music/lyrics. Hence why Moana’s style of choreography is surely one of a kind. Moana’s videos of her distinct choreography has gone viral reaching many pacific islanders across the world, thanks to social media. With this exposure Moana choreographed and taught countless individuals, family, and church items for the Waipahu 1st Samoan Ward, Vai Masima Methodist Church, Kananafou Hawai’i EFKS, and the list goes on. In 2005 Moana then instructed and taught the ausiva Mitamitaga O Samoa, under the direction of head Instructor Aunty Lolita Achica. Years later, Moana took over the group as head instructor in 2011. From 2011-2012 Moana’s teaching and choreography skills allowed for her to work with professional entertaining groups, such as the award winning Malu Productions in Waikiki Hawai’i, and the Malofie Dance Group who represented Samoa in the annual Pacific Arts Festival, hosted in Solomon Islands. In 2014, Moana made her debut and finally started her own dance group, Measina A Samoa, also known as MAS. MAS was based out of Honolulu, Hawai’i first servicing their local communities, by performing for parties, weddings, and community events. In a short period of time, MAS was given the opportunity to perform for larger events such as the Samoan Heritage Week, Pacific Ink and Art Expo, and the Teuila Festival, which was held in Apia Samoa. In 2016 MAS also traveled to Los Angeles to perform for the Marks of Polynesia Tatau Exhibition, and the 2016 Carson Samoan Flag Day. With many years of teaching experience and countless students, it is a blessing to see a handful of Moana’s former students advance to the next level of their dancing careers. Moana’s list of students consist of many pageant crowns, and Taupou title holders for the We Are Samoa Festival, held annually at the Polynesian Cultural Center. As fierce as Moana is as a Siva Samoa instructor, Moana is more fierce in the role as a Mother to her trio: Amira, Peter and Paul Jammie Manuo. In 2019 Moana and the trio started their new life in West Jordan, Utah taking a break from the busy life of an entertainer. Now she is happy to announce the launching of her new dance school, Siva Moana that will primarily provide private lessons for individuals. Entering into this new chapter she wishes to teach from a fresh perspective, share what dancing has done for her, and how it changed her life. Her favorite saying is “Siva Is Life” or “Siva O Le Ola”. Pageant Title Holders:
- 1st Runner up Miss Samoa Hawai’i 2006, Melissa Kelly
- Tali Letuli Goes Miss Polynesia 2010
- MIss Vaitupuna Taupou 2013, Matauaina Toomalatai
- 1st runner up 2015 Miss Heilala , Lina Pooi
- Miss Samoa LA 2016, Tiony Ana Laupapa
- Former Miss American Samoa 2017, Matauaina Toomalatai
- Miss Pacific Islands 2017, Matauaina Toomalatai
- 2018 Miss Samoa Sonia Piva
WASF Taupou Title Holders
- Melissa Kelly (2007 Kapolei Poly Club Taupou)
- Jacklyn Selesitina Reid (2012 Kapolei Poly Club Taupou)
- Ta’isha Petersen-Mason (2012 Radford Samoan Club Taupou)
- Sisilia Mahina Wolfgramm Tokotaha (2015 Waipahu Samoan Club Taupou)
- Ruta Seiuli (2016 Waipahu Samoan Club Taupou)
- Tiony Ana Laupapa(2017 Kapolei Poly Club Taupou)
