Alega, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a remarkable journey spanning nearly two decades, Tisa’s Tattoo Festival proudly marked its 18th anniversary, achieving its mission with flying colors. Founder Tisa Faamuli expressed deep gratitude to the countless individuals and organizations that have made this extraordinary dream a reality for American Samoa.

"I am thrilled to have endured and survived this long journey to help revive our beautiful Tatau Cultural Art. It warms my heart to see so many Samoans making the ultimate trip of their lifetime to reconnect with their roots and culture," said Tisa.

Tisa’s Annual Tattoo Festival has become a cornerstone for the revival and promotion of the ancient skin arts of the Samoans, both locally and on the global stage and the results are impressive.

In 1993, Tisa's Barefoot Bar and Tisa hosted the first-ever Tattoo Festival on Tutuila Island, a venture undertaken without sponsors, a budget, or employees. Tisa was the owner and sole operator of the famous barefoot business she established in 1989, despite the criticisms from her small island community.

Bars were stigmatized for questionable activities in earlier years, and opening a bar business faced criticism on a small island paradise. Gossip about Tisa's venture spread among Samoan communities off the island. However, the Barefoot Bar quickly gained attention from travel magazines in the region, with negative and positive rumors proving to be great for business. Tisa's interaction and support from the media led to the establishment's recognition.

The Pō Ula Night event became a pivotal success and helped put American Samoa's tourism on the map. Tisa's unconventional approach to creating activities and attractions eventually led to the birth of the Tattoo Festival.

"I had no idea I needed sponsors or a budget to put on an event. I relied heavily on my controversial image to carry the new barefoot business and create activities to attract tourism to American Samoa," Tisa recalls.

The inaugural Tattoo Festival event received coverage from Samoa News, making it big news. Exposing the dormant art was considered taboo, but the festival set the stage for its revival. Tisa's vision was to restore the art so Samoans could be proud of their Tatau.

Tisa expresses her gratitude to the sponsors who played a pivotal role in achieving the mission of reviving the Tatau Art. KHJ 93.1 FM radio station and Samoa News were among the first media platforms to support the event, and they continue to be annual sponsors to this day. GHC Reid Ltd & Company, Vailima, Neil's Ace Hardware Company, Tool Shop, and Industrial Gases have been reliable annual sponsors, sharing the vision of preserving Tatau Art for future generations.

The American Samoa Visitors Bureau and the government of American Samoa have also provided crucial sponsorship to promote the Tattoo Festival and cultural tourism internationally. In-kind donations from Tropic Traders, Skyview, and others have further enriched the event.

Notably, the community's collective efforts have rekindled the Tatau art among Samoan youth, with young men dominating the Tatau fest stage this past weekend.

As Tisa’s Tattoo Festival reflects on 18 years of success, Tisa eagerly awaits and looks ahead for the 20th Anniversary celebration in 2025.

Tisa’s Tattoo Festival has not only celebrated Samoan cultural art but has also become a symbol of resilience, innovation, and cultural reconnection. This 18-year milestone marks a powerful testament to what can be achieved when a passionate dream is pursued against all odds.

Special thanks go to Traditional Tufuga, Su'a Tikeri Loli, his incredible team, families, friends, off-island guests, and Tatau enthusiasts for their unwavering support and for sharing the event online.

Tisa thanks the dedicated Seff, Dorothy, and Candyman team for their incredible contributions to this fantastic weekend.

ABOUT TISA’S TATTOO FESTIVAL

The Tisa’s Tattoo Festival is an annual event in American Samoa dedicated to celebrating and reviving the traditional Tatau Cultural Art of the Samoans. Established in 1993 by founder Tisa Faamuli, the festival has grown over the years, becoming a significant platform for preserving and promoting Samoan cultural heritage through tattoo art. The event has garnered substantial support from sponsors, media, and the community, contributing to its enduring success and impact.