Mokiana Tauteoli

3.19.23

Mokiana’s full name is Mokiana Kamisese Tauteoli. She was born and raised in the Bay Area (San Bruno, CA) and currently lives in Utah.


Her father is Late Lisiate Kamisese from ‘Uiha nad her mother is Seluvaia Manoa from Nuku’alofa. She is married to Chris Tauteoli from Pea/ Ha’ateiho. She has three kids Fifita who is 4, Mapeli who’s 3 and Simaima Letele who is just a year old.


Mokiana is a self-publisher and a Stay at Home Mom. She got a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from San Francisco State University. Her favorite Polynesian foods are Pele sipi, lupulu masima, ota ‘ika, manioke, kumala, puteni and faikakai topai.



"Embarking on the journey of becoming a self-publisher has been a transformative experience for me, and I believe it will inspire the next generation of Polynesians. At first, the idea of publishing my own children's book in Tongan seemed unattainable, as there were no other Tongan children's books in circulation. However, after receiving confirmation in a dream from my late grandmother, I knew that this idea was significant and had to be pursued. Throughout the publishing process, I felt supported by our ancestors and family members who have passed away, making it a truly unique and meaningful experience.


At My Little Tongan, we make it a priority to represent our culture and inspire children to take pride in their heritage. “



How has being of Polynesian descent and culture shaped who you are today?


“Growing up as a Tongan Polynesian, the values instilled in me by my parents have been instrumental in shaping my character. Our culture places significant importance on family, religion, tradition, community, respect (faka’apa’apa), humility (loto tō), and the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next. These values have instilled a deep sense of pride in me for my heritage and identity.”


What advice do you have for the upcoming Polynesian generations?


“Embrace your culture and strive for greatness. It’s crucial to preserve and celebrate our culture, which will enable it to thrive. Take the initiative to learn about your ancestors, their history, and sacrifices, and ask yourself how you can contribute to building a better future for your posterity. Don’t allow fear to hold you back from achieving your full potential. So, go out there and take action!”





"Take the initiative to learn about your ancestors, their history, and sacrifices, and ask yourself how you can contribute to building a better future for your posterity."