From Memory
to Movement
Liahona (Compass) Mana (Power) Vai (Water) by SPULU
SPULU’s Vision
Performing Arts & Creative Practice
As a multi-disciplinary performing artist, choreographer, and storyteller, SPULU creates work that blends Pacific Islander cultural movement with hip-hop, contemporary dance, theater, music, and multimedia. His performances explore identity, ancestry, resilience, and social justice while honoring Indigenous knowledge and elevating Pacific Islander voices. His work has been presented at the de Young Museum, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), and the San Francisco Hip Hop International Dance Festival. He has also collaborated with global brands including Levi's and Nike, co-creating the sold-out Nike OAK sneaker.
Arts Education & Community Engagement
For more than a decade, SPULU dedicated his career to youth development through UC Berkeley Cal Performances' AileyCamp Berkeley/Oakland, where he mentored hundreds of young people through dance, leadership, and personal growth. Today, he serves as the Community Engagement & Events Coordinator at Creative Arts Charter School and as an Events Specialist at SFMOMA, continuing to build inclusive learning environments where creativity, cultural identity, and community connection flourish.
Cultural Preservation & Creative Leadership
Rooted in his Tongan heritage and Oakland upbringing, SPULU develops projects that preserve, document, and celebrate Pacific Islander histories through performance, storytelling, digital media, and community organizing. Through his creative platform, Spulunism, he champions cultural preservation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and social impact. His long-term vision is to create sustainable spaces and innovative programs that empower artists, strengthen communities, and ensure future generations have access to their cultural stories and artistic traditions.