PolyStrong Leadership Foundation

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PolyStrong Leadership Foundation This Non-Profit Organization was created to empower, educate, & unify our Pacific Islander community.

We are proud to recognize Doug Fiefia, Utah State Representative, technology leader, and a prominent voice for Tongan an...
09/29/2026

We are proud to recognize Doug Fiefia, Utah State Representative, technology leader, and a prominent voice for Tongan and Pacific Islander representation in public service.

Elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 2024, Doug currently represents District 48. In 2026, he won the Republican primary for Utah Senate District 18 and will appear on the November general election ballot.

Join us in recognizing Doug Fiefia as a 2026 Polynesian Days Gala Honoree and celebrating his achievements in leadership, public service, and representation.

Join us in celebrating Tamara Vaifanua, Emmy Award-winning journalist and a 2026 PolyStrong Honoree.A Samoan-American te...
09/23/2026

Join us in celebrating Tamara Vaifanua, Emmy Award-winning journalist and a 2026 PolyStrong Honoree.

A Samoan-American television journalist and news anchor at KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, Tamara has spent more than two decades in broadcast journalism, covering stories across Utah, Nevada, and California. Her reporting has highlighted issues affecting Pacific Islander communities, educational equity, Indigenous communities, public health, and other underrepresented voices.

In 2025, Tamara received a Regional Emmy Award for her coverage of the 2023 Maui wildfires. Her Samoan heritage continues to shape her approach to storytelling and her commitment to greater Pacific Islander representation in broadcast journalism.

Celebrate Tamara alongside an exceptional group of Pacific Islander leaders at the PolyStrong Global Leadership Charity Gala.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Garden Place at Heritage Park

Tickets are available at POLYSTRONG.ORG.

Sponsorship and donor opportunities are available.
For information, email [email protected].

Join us in celebrating Kamelia Lino Zarka, Commercial Airline Pilot and a 2026 PolyStrong Honoree.Born in Nukuʻalofa, To...
09/21/2026

Join us in celebrating Kamelia Lino Zarka, Commercial Airline Pilot and a 2026 PolyStrong Honoree.

Born in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, Kamelia built a remarkable career in aviation, beginning as a flight attendant with Hawaiian Airlines before pursuing her dream of becoming a pilot. She went on to become the first woman of full Tongan heritage to serve as Captain for a major U.S. airline.

Her aviation legacy continued through her family, with her daughter Maria joining her at Hawaiian Airlines, making them the airline’s first mother-daughter pilot duo.

Celebrate Kamelia alongside an exceptional group of Pacific Islander leaders at the PolyStrong Global Leadership Charity Gala.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Garden Place at Heritage Park

Tickets are available at POLYSTRONG.ORG.

Sponsorship and donor opportunities are available.
For information, email [email protected]

Join us in celebrating Macie Tuiasosopo Gaines, Probate Court Judge and a 2026 PolyStrong Honoree.A Samoan American serv...
09/18/2026

Join us in celebrating Macie Tuiasosopo Gaines, Probate Court Judge and a 2026 PolyStrong Honoree.

A Samoan American serving on the bench in Wayne County, Michigan, Judge Gaines was elected in 2024 to a six-year term beginning January 1, 2025. Her work centers on probate matters including estates, trusts, guardianships, developmental disabilities, and mental health cases, with a continued commitment to representation, legal education, and service.

Celebrate Judge Gaines alongside an exceptional group of Pacific Islander leaders at the PolyStrong Global Leadership Charity Gala.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Garden Place at Heritage Park

Tickets are available at POLYSTRONG.ORG.

Sponsorship and donor opportunities are available.
For information, email [email protected].

Join us in celebrating Henry Onesemo, internationally recognized Samoan chef, Executive Chef and co-owner of Tala, and a...
09/17/2026

Join us in celebrating Henry Onesemo, internationally recognized Samoan chef, Executive Chef and co-owner of Tala, and a 2026 PolyStrong Honoree.

Henry’s work has helped bring Samoan cuisine, traditions, and techniques to the global fine-dining stage. In 2026, Tala became the first restaurant centered on Samoan cuisine to earn a Michelin Star—an historic milestone for Samoan food and Pacific Islander representation.

Celebrate Henry alongside an extraordinary group of Pacific Islander leaders at the PolyStrong Global Leadership Charity Gala.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Garden Place at Heritage Park

Tickets are available at POLYSTRONG.ORG.

Sponsorship and donor opportunities are available.
For information, email [email protected].

Leadership has the power to inspire generations.Join us for the 2026 PolyStrong Global Leadership Charity Gala, an eveni...
09/10/2026

Leadership has the power to inspire generations.

Join us for the 2026 PolyStrong Global Leadership Charity Gala, an evening celebrating Pacific Islander leaders and trailblazers whose achievements, service, and leadership are making an impact across industries and communities.

2026 Honorees:
• Macie Tuiasosopo Gaines – Probate Court Judge
• Tamara Vaifanua – Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, KSL
• Henry Onesemo – International Michelin Chef
• Kamelia Lino Zarka – Commercial Airline Pilot
• Doug Fiefia – Utah State Senator
• Pene Pati – International Opera Singer

📅 Wednesday, September 30
🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 The Garden Place at Heritage Park

🎟️ General Admission: Individual, Couple & Table options available
🤝 Sponsorship opportunities are limited

Tickets available at POLYSTRONG.ORG

Join us as we celebrate Pacific Islander Leadership Excellence and help inspire the next generation of leaders.

03/13/2026

POLYSTRONG 2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKER!

We are fortunate and excited to have Tamara Vaifanua. She brings with her wealth of knowledge and experience that she can share with the youth and future leaders of the Polynesian community. We look forward to having her with us and look forward to her, helping the future leaders navigate their careers.

2026 Entrepreneurship Workshop HostAlex Kuresa is the founder of Woodn Grail, a collegiate streetwear brand known for it...
03/13/2026

2026 Entrepreneurship Workshop Host

Alex Kuresa is the founder of Woodn Grail, a collegiate streetwear brand known for its unique and highly detailed headwear designs. A former college football player at BYU and Portland State, Alex started the brand alongside his wife, Madison, turning a creative hobby into a fast growing business.

Together they have built Woodn Grail into a multi million dollar brand working with universities, athletes, and fans across the country. Through creative design, storytelling, and social media marketing, Alex has grown the company into one of the fastest growing brands in its space.

Alex is passionate about entrepreneurship, creativity, and helping young people see that their background, culture, and personal story can become powerful tools in building something meaningful.

Find more info at: Polystrong.org

2026 Workshop Host -Sete Aula'i currently serves as a Captain in the investigations division at the Utah Attorney Genera...
03/12/2026

2026 Workshop Host -

Sete Aula'i currently serves as a Captain in the investigations division at the Utah Attorney General’s Office. He oversees the AG evidence department, agency policy, and serve as the Commander of the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Sete began his career in 2010 with the West Valley City Police Department. During his tenure at West Valley PD, Sete served in various capacities including patrol officer, field training officer (FTO), Special Victims Unit (SVU) detective, School Resource Officer (SRO), and SWAT Operator.

In May of 2016, Sete joined the Utah Attorney General’s Office as a Special Agent in the ICAC unit. He was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) for the Utah ICAC Task Force in 2021 and ascended to the rank of Captain (and Commander of the Utah ICAC Task Force) in April 2023.

Under Sete’s leadership, the Utah ICAC Task Force has expanded to include 96 affiliate law enforcement agencies (federal, state, and local) across Utah, with over 200 investigators. Utah's ICAC task force is recognized as one of the most proactive in the country, executing several residential search warrants weekly and apprehending numerous offenders involved in the demand for child sexual abuse material (CSAM), while rescuing and identifying over 100 children annually.

Sete holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology (2008) and a Master of Public Administration (2015) from Brigham Young University. Sete has been honored twice as ICAC Investigator of the Year (2017 & 2018) and as Special Agent of the Year for the Utah Attorney General’s Office in 2020. Additionally, Sete is a recipient of the FBI LEEDA Trilogy award in 2025. Sete resides in Saratoga Springs, Utah, with his wife and three children.

Sete will be joined by Vaifoa Lealaitafea Jr & Mark

📊 Did you know? The high school graduation rate for Pacific Islander students in the U.S. is 75-80%, falling below the n...
02/20/2026

📊 Did you know? The high school graduation rate for Pacific Islander students in the U.S. is 75-80%, falling below the national average of 86%. 🎓💡

This gap highlights the urgent need for more support, mentorship, and resources to help our youth succeed in education and beyond. When we invest in education, we invest in the future of our people! 🌺✨

That’s why the PolyStrong Leadership Foundation is dedicated to empowering Pacific Islander students through scholarships, leadership programs, and career development. Join us at the 2026 PolyStrong Summit on March 16 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center as we work together to close this gap! 💪🏽🚀

Address

Orem, UT
84043

Telephone

+13852045983

Website

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