Healers of the Moana

Empowering Pasifika Voices in Health & Biotech

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower a future where Pasifika communities have equitable access to healthcare, culturally responsive research practices, and representation within the sciences. Healers of the Moana exists to amplify Pacific Islander voices, advocate for health justice, and build pathways for future generations to thrive. Together, we honor the wisdom of our ancestors while shaping a healthier future for the Moana.

A woman with long dark hair wearing a green leafy lei and a white flower necklace, standing on a black sand beach at sunset, looking out at the ocean with a rocky hill in the distance.

Healers of the Moana Mentors

Healers of the Moana is a community-centered Pasifika health initiative uplifting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voices in healthcare, biotech, clinical research, and healing practices. Through intergenerational talanoa, cultural knowledge-sharing, and evidence-based discussions.

Through storytelling, science, and community dialogue, Healers of the Moana reclaims the narrative surrounding medicine, clinical trials, biotechnology, and healthcare access for Pacific Islander communities.

PasifikaMed Talanoa Series

Rooted in talanoa, the PasifikaMed Talanoa Series creates space for Pasifika professionals, patients, and caregivers across the Moana and global communities to share knowledge, unpack data, and advance disease prevention through culturally grounded, community-led dialogue.

Talanoa is a relational practice of knowledge-sharing grounded in trust, reciprocity, and lived experience, where stories, data, and insight are exchanged to deepen collective understanding and care.

Advisory Council

  • Sidney Puni

    Founder of PasifikaMED and a Pasifika health leader with ancestral ties to Sāmoa, China, and Aotearoa. While studying Biology at the University of California, Riverside, her research on disease susceptibility revealed how Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities are often underrepresented and aggregated in medical data, erasing critical distinctions.

  • Roberta “Becca” Taufailematagi Meafua

    A proud Samoan leader whose life is rooted in faith, family, and service, balancing her role at Genentech as a Senior Quality and Compliance Specialist and procedural expert supporting global clinical trials with a deep commitment to uplifting others and honoring her heritage. Beyond her corporate work, she is a passionate advocate who co-chairs Empowering Communities of Oceania and serves as Program Manager for Pacific Islands Together, advancing healthcare, education, arts, wellness, and cultural preservation for Pacific Islander and marginalized communities.

  • Abigail Utulaina Tilo-Tautala

    A values-driven leader committed to serving her community through integrity, accountability, and purposeful action. Grounded in cultural respect, humility, and collective responsibility, she believes in honoring the voices, wisdom, and lived experiences of Pasifika people while staying rooted in the mission to uplift communities and create meaningful, lasting impact.

  • Naomi Talo

    A Samoan and Native Hawaiian advocate, mother, and leader whose work is grounded in faith, family, and service, with a focus on uplifting communities through cultural respect, connection, and access to vital resources. Passionate about grassroots impact, she is dedicated to meeting people where they are, empowering families with knowledge and support, and helping build stronger, healthier, and more resilient future generations.

  • Nalene Mesa

    A proud Guamanian and Northern Mariana Islander leader who serves as a Senior Bioanalytical Manager at Genentech. She brings scientific expertise, innovation, and strong cultural pride to her work while championing representation, community empowerment, and greater visibility for Pacific Islanders in STEM and healthcare.