Next Goal Wins, a film by Taika Waititi, follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamously known for their brutal 31-0 loss in 2001
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Kaimana
BrowsingKaimana is what locals of Hawaiʻi like to call a “mixed plate”, a typical mashup of many different ethnicities: she is of Samoan-Hawaiian-Maori-Tongan-Tahitian-Japanese-Irish-Scottish-English descent. But for simplicity’s sake, she usually just says “Polynesian”.
Kaimana was born as what is known in Samoan as fa’afafine—fakafefine in Tongan, whakawahine in Maori, and māhū in Hawaiian and Tahitian—an anciently respected gender liminal or “third-gendered” individual recognized traditionally as embodying both male and female gender traits, revered for their specific roles as healers, teachers, mediators, spiritual guides, keepers of the arts, guardians of culture and tradition, and fierce protectors and caretakers of their families.
Kaimana was raised predominantly in her cherished island home of Hawaiʻi on the island of O’ahu, which is also home to the ancient roots of her most direct matrilineal line, of which she is deeply proud. As a child, she spent a small handful of years living in and around California and Utah as well.
Prior to making her acting debut in Taika Waititi’s NEXT GOAL WINS, Kaimana was living true to her nature as a free-spirit galavanting across the globe. Making her way throughout not only the States, but Europe, the Middle East, South America, the Pacific and Asia too. Having nine siblings spread out across the country—all of whom have been her best friends since childhood—has given her that much more of a reason to always be traveling.
Press release from Searchlight Pictures.
