Master Toa

Artist in 1425 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96814 -

Tevita Sione Vaka'uta aka Master Toa is Master Traditional Tattoo Artist & Cultural Navigator at Polynesian Cultural Arts Institute (Founder) & Pacific Voyaging Alliance
I am Master Toa (b. 1975, Tonga), master tattoo artist & cultural navigator. I founded Polynesian Arts Institute to revive Pacific tatau & voyaging with proven expertise.

Education

  • PhD in Cultural Anthropology, University of California Berkeley (2008)
  • MA in Pacific Islander Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa (2004)
  • BA in Art History, Auckland University, New Zealand (2001)

Knows About: Traditional Polynesian tattooing (pe'a, malu, tatau), hand-tapping techniques, cultural symbolism in body art, traditional navigation methods, canoe construction, Pacific voyaging traditions, ceremonial practices, oral storytelling, cultural protocols

Awards

  • Pacific Islander Cultural Heritage Master Artist Award (2022)
    - Traditional Arts Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts (2019)
  • Tonga Cultural Ambassador Recognition (2017)
  • Master Navigator Certification, Pacific Voyaging Society (2015)

Contact:

  • Address: 1425 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96814
  • Mobile: +1 (949) 632-7810
  • Email: [email protected]