In Polynesian cultures, tattoos are an ancient custom used to signify rites of passage. In Polynesian cultures, tattoos are an ancient custom used to signify rites of passage and milestones in life.

Across the Pacific, tattoos are etched into the culture. Finding meaning in your own ‘story on skin’ helps honor the tradition. A young man in Oahu, Hawai‘i, gets a tattoo the traditional way, with a ...

Tattoos in places like Samoa, Tonga, and Hawai‘i can signify a sacred oath to protect and honor one’s community. Audiences are buzzing with anticipation for another rich adventure through Polynesia in ...

Each year, Butter adds new ornament designs to her exquisitely made ‘Nei Hua’ ornaments. “As every year, Butter told this reporter, we’ve added seven new Hawaiian ornament designs just in time for ...

The word ‘tattoo’ comes from the Polynesian ‘tatau’. The highly visible and confronting, tattoos of Polynesians inspired early European sailors of the 18 th century to undergo the procedure and thus ...

Receiving a tattoo in the traditional Samoan way was an excruciating experience. As a rite of passage, men were expected to undergo up to three or four months of inking. During a session, which lasted ...

As AAPI month comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to highlight the rich culture and achievements of Pacific Islanders with our Heart of the Pacific series. From celebrities to fashion designers to ...

The Aranui 5 is a passenger-freighter vessel that makes 14-day voyages between Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands. James D. Morgan/Getty Images Born on the 40-square-mile island of Ua Pou in the ...