**THE HISTORY & REVIVAL OF TONGAN TATTOO (TATATAU)

A Timeline of Our Cultural Tattoo Journey — kingafa.com 

( photos subject to copyright credit to King 'Afa )

Most of our 200,000+ Tongan people today do not understand the full journey behind the revival of Tongan Tattoo TaTatau.

This cultural revolution did not happen overnight. It comes from decades of sacrifice, mentorship, cultural work, documentation, and advocacy carried out by specific individuals inside and outside the Kingdom of Tonga.

This is the timeline.

1. THE SAMOAN TATAU LINEAGE THAT SHAPED THE PACIFIC Islands Tattoo REVIVAL

The late Sua Suluape Paulo, the Samoan tatau legend, is one of the most important figures in the history of Pacific tattoo. Sua Paulo Suluape was responsible for taking Polynesian tattooing to the world stage—appearing in New Zealand media and European media in the 1980s and 1990s, teaching traditional Samoan tatau internationally, and inspiring hundreds of tattoo artists across the world.

Sua Paulo Suluape passed away tragically in 1999. Out of respect for his aiga Samoa and the Suluape name, we acknowledge his tragic death with dignity. His contribution must always be remembered with honor.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tattooists-death-manslaughter/F4SY7D3M3WOFOMNMWA2UH32WS4/

After Sua Paulo Suluape’s tragic demise in 1999 passing, his younger brother Samoan tatau master Sua Suluape Alaiva'a Petelo continued the Suluape tatau legacy.Sua Petelo Suluape later trained his son, Sua Suluape Peter, who carried this traditional Samoan tatau lineage into the modern era. https://skindigenous.tv/videos/season-1/episode-samoa/

Sua Peter Suluape was a guest tattoo artist at Kalia Tattoo when he visited New Zealand and in 2011 , and he gifted a tatatau to Carl Kalia, https://youtu.be/8O4DhXclU0Q?si=ei8sHuXVhQYI-EnT honoring the cultural relationship between Samoa and Tonga.

Papa George was introduced to Sua Peter Suluape by Carl Kalia in 2011 at the New Zealand Indigenous Tattoo Convention.

In 2019, the Sua Petelo Suluape + family invited George “Papa” Cocker and his wife to a feast in Samoa while attending Pacific Games in Samoa , honoring Carl Kalia’s friendship taking care of Peter Suluape in New Zealand, and cultural leadership and acknowledging our Tongan tattoo family’s contribution to the revival of Pacific Islands tattoo.

Their friendship, strengthened the connection between our two tattooing traditions https://www.kaliatattoo.com/media-press-polynesian-tattoo-artist-history-meaning

Historically, the Suluape family comes from Samoan aiga tufuga tatau who tattooed Tongans in ancient times. Records show Tongan men were still traveling to Samoa to receive tatatau into the 1800s and early 1900s. This is why the Suluape name is culturally connected to “ Tongan tattoo “ history.

2. THE BEGINNING OF THE MODERN TONGAN REVIVAL (1997–2006)

In 1997, Māori tā moko artist Inia Taylor, who was trained by Paulo Suluape, opened Moko Ink, the first Polynesian tattoo shop in New Zealand owned by a Māori tattoo artist.

Inia Taylor was the Assistant Art Director of the 1994 New Zealand Film Once Were Warriors https://youtu.be/N0-Q3ChKcfE?si=1fuG6z6wC0kJgQ5I

From 2002–2006, Carl Kalia Cocker trained mentored under Inia Taylor at Moko Ink, trained in both Māori tāmoko tattoo art, Maori carving whir art, Maori culture, Samoan tatau art lineage of the Suluape family. https://youtu.be/KQRyUtx9cy8?si=7lecJLio62uFHrDk

Carl Kalia Cocker 1st Tongan Tattoo news on Tonga NewsPapers 2002 Kalia Tattoo Auckland New Zealand

In 2005, I traveled to Auckland New Zealand, trained and mentored Carl Kalia and Inia Taylor at Moko Ink in Grey Lynn Auckland, becoming part of this cultural lineage and foundation for the revival of this cultural revolution “ Tongan tattoo” .

3. THE 2006 TAHITI BREAKTHROUGH — TONGAN REPRESENTATION BEGINS

In 2006, Carl Kalia Cocker represented Tonga at the Tattoonesia Tatau i Tahiti Polynesian Tattoo Convention —the largest tattoo event in the Pacific Islands region.https://youtu.be/OqqGVw2Y4Hs?si=84bnhLMsjOglwltz There were no other Tongan tattoo artists present.

At only 25 years old, Carl Kalia Cocker won 1st Place Overall, bringing global attention to Tongan tattoo culture for the first time in the tattoo industry. https://youtu.be/KQRyUtx9cy8?si=2EIahQtxy8EoQct5

This is the moment that helped establish Tongan tattoo as a respected style worldwide.

Carl Kalia Cocker founder of Kalia Tattoo in New Zealand on Tonga's Newspaper 2002

4. CREATING CULTURAL & ECONOMIC VALUE (2000s–2010s)

Carl Kalia attended dozens of tattoo conventions across New Zealand and Australia, winning numerous awards and lifting the cultural and commercial value of Tongan tattoo.

In 2010, Carl Kalia revived Fijian tattoo by winning the Sydney Tattoo Expo with a Fijian masi chest tattoo.This was the first time modern Fijian people (Kaiviti and Indo-Fijians) saw a Fijian masi tattooed on a Fijian person.This moment became the beginning of the modern Fijian tattoo renaissance.

The first ten years (2000–2010) were pure groundwork. I created a new price structure, introduced cultural tattoo protocols, refined traditional art styles, and educated clients on the differences between authentic Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Māori, Micronesian, and Melanesian art.

In 2006, I became the first Tongan tattoo artist in the United States of America to officially work in a professional tattoo studio with a W-2 paycheck, earning USD$200 an hour at Zulu Tattoo in Hollywood/Beverly Hills Los Angeles area https://www.kingafa.com/polynesian-tattoos/media-podcast —at a time when every other Polynesian tattoo artist was still charging garage-sale tattoos.

The value of a Tongan tattoo artists in Tonga was box of cigarette and case of beer.

I had to create value from the garage sale market and my pricing forced the entire Polynesian tattoo market in the US America to rise.

We now have a price point for Polynesian Tattoo market and Tongan Tattoo market. https://www.kingafa.com/polynesian-tattoo-artist-tonga-pacific-islands

While I was building value in the Northern Hemisphere, my brother Carl KĀLIA Cocker was doing the same work in the Southern Hemisphere. Together, we built the Tongan Tattoo Renaissance.

Today, Tongan tattoo artists in Tonga charge TOP$200–TOP$1,200 for forearm sleeves—prices that could never exist without the 20 years foundation we built.

Tattooing has become a real career in Tonga, supported by tourism, Tongan diaspora clients, and Tongan cultural demand. But in the early 2000s, none of this existed.

The negative stigma was strong, there was no local market, and nobody believed tattooing could be profitable or respected.

5. THE FIRST TONGAN-OWNED TATTOO SHOP IN NZ, AUSTRALIA & THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE (2009)

In 2009, Carl Kalia officially founded Kalia Tattoo in Papatoetoe, Auckland—the first Pacific Island Polynesian tattoo studio in New Zealand, Australia, and the entire Southern Hemisphere owned and operated by a Tongan tattoo artist. https://www.kaliatattoo.com/

This legal tattoo studio became the center of Tongan tattoo innovation, training, and mentorship for years to come.

George Papa Cocker & Sitiveni Fehoko in Popua 2008 during our 1st attempt to start Tongan Tattoo Documentary.

6. MAKING TATTOO Business LEGAL IN TONGA — THE FIRST LICENSED TATTOO BUSINESS (2011)

Tongan Tatatau and all tattoo was outlawed in Tonga in 1839 under Taufaahau King Tupou I’s first Kingdom of Tonga legal law code.For 160+ years, Tongan tattooing existed underground.

Tongan Tattoo History research studies at Tonga Museum at Tonga National Center 2007 by King 'Afa

In 2011, for the first time in Tongan history, a tattoo business was officially registered.

George Papa was operating a tattoo from home in 2009 but the tattoo business was never registered as a business in Tonga Govt.

Carl KALia told George Papa to pay TOP$600 to register Kalia Tattoo in Tonga in 2011 with his Kalia Tattoo business license from New Zealand and George Papa was hesitant, he did not believe that “ Tattoo “ would be a career and a viable business in Tonga.

King 'Afa and Carl Kalia we’re able to see the market in Tonga and we believe there is a market and we can build an economy of tattoo in Tonga, but local tattoo artists in Tonga did not know how to create value of tattoo in Tonga.

I saw the market from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia in 2001 and I created the value since then kingafa.com

King 'Afa circa 2006 designed and tattoo a Tongan Tattoo on Eric Kavapalu in a motel in Inglewood Los Angeles, California U.S A

Carl Kalia's wife Janet Hopoi Cocker paid the 1st Kalia Tattoo business license in Tonga for George Papa to operate the 1st Kalia Tattoo business in Tonga.

Janet Hopoi and George Papa's wife Samantha Moala registered the 1st tattoo business with Tonga Ministry of Labor & Commerce and that stigma “ tattoo “ became a legitimate private-sector business.

This breakthrough was made possible by:

• Janet Hopoi Cocker – who paid the first tattoo business license fee TOP$600 in Tonga• Samantha Moala – who assisted in registering the business• George “Papa” Cocker – who operated the 1st licensed tattoo business Kalia Tattoo brand in Tonga 2011 • Carl Kalia Cocker – who provided the original Kalia Tattoo brand NZ license certificate and cultural leadership to George “ Papa ” Cocker

Papa George initially hesitated from 2001 - 2008 because tattooing was not seen as a viable career in the Kingdom of Tonga. Carl Kalia and myself, however, saw the market potential and the cultural responsibility to bring tattoo business and tattoo culture back into the Kingdom as a legal private sector and fine art.

George Papa later met with the Tonga Ministry of Tourism to recognize tattooing as cultural tourism.

As a result, Kalia Tattoo has been featured in the Tonga Visitors Bureau brochure for over several years.

King ‘Afa and Carl Kalia both supplied tattoo ink, needles, knowledge and supplies for Papa George Kalia Tattoo Tonga since 2009 - 2022.

Carl Kalia Cocker and King 'Afa 2005 at Moko Ink in Grey Lynn Auckland New Zealand.

7. THE FIRST TONGAN TATTOO WEBSITE (2002)

Carl Kalia registered TonganTattoo.com in 2002—the first Tongan tattoo website in the world, and King ‘Afa registered PolynesianTribalTattoo.com in 2006 - 2023 then developed, designed and launched Kalia Tattoo websites kaliatattoo.com and kingafa.com in 2024 This platform preserved, archived, and shared Tongan Tattoo history, art and culture.

8. TRAINING & MENTORING THE TONGAN TATTOO COMMUNITY (2008–2022 )

George “Papa” Cocker’s Training (2008–2009)

Carl Kalia paid and sponsored, trained and mentored Papa George to train at Kalia Tattoo in New Zealand after the 2009 official launch of Kalia Tattoo in New Zealand.

Papa George later mentored:

• Tongan tattoo artist ʻOfa Tupou ( Happy Sailor Tattoo Nukualofa Tonga. )• Britain visitor resident tattoo artist James (founder of Sailor Tattoo) rented our home in Houmakelikao Maufanga 2016 - 2017 Dm for bookings: WhatsApp +6767756777 or +6767735131 Instagram: @happysailortattootonga, @tupouofa

Golden State Tattoo Expo 2017 Pasadena California with Samoan Tattoo Pe'aMan

King ‘Afa Contributions to Tongan Tattoo : Tattoo Artists Inspired, Mentored, or Trained supplied free tattoo supplies + free tattoo training.

trained twice, mentored, and gifted a tattoo machine and equipment—free of charge—to Tongan tattoo artist Vili Ngata 2009 - 2010 He later worked at Frost City in Salt Lake City, Utah, Vili Ngata passed away in 2022 from a drug overdose.

Taki Vea aka Fala-o-NiuVakai - Salt Lake Utah 2007 https://www.falaoniuvakai.com/

King ‘Afa and Carl Kalia mentored and tattooed equipment for Tongan tattoo artist Fautasi Vea (Tasi Waiouru Tatatau ) - Melbourne Australia https://www.instagram.com/nukualofatattoo/ , founder of Nukualofa Tattoo Shop (2017)

now operated as Otu Felenite Tattoo and Barbershop by Tongan tattoo artist Taleta Maka https://www.facebook.com/taletamaka.jr

Willy Foketi 2009 https://www.instagram.com/yamz5700/ - Humble Beginnings Tattoo San Jose Oakland Bay Area North California

Nia Raas aka Sinitalela - Sacramento California 2010

Tomasi Manuatu ( Moreno Valley California ) 2010

Samoan Tattoo artist Pe’a Man ( American Samoa - Oceanside - Dallas Texas) 2017

Sam Taungakava https://www.instagram.com/sam_tattoo/ - Seattle

Bou Bully - Seattle

Maika Vaeno Tava - Inglewood Los Angeles

Feti Unga - Rancho Cucamonga Southern California - Las Vegas

John Vamanral - Utah

Mathaias Vanisi - Utah

San Diego Tattoo Convention 2013 with Feti Unga + Siaosi Mafile'o TuiHalaMaka

Tattoo Artists Carl Kalia Mentored in NZ & Australia

• Tongan tattoo artist Tali Houma - Frost City Utah• Tongan tattoo artist Vitolio Ongolea - Kingdom Tattoo • Togan tattoo artist Sani Tatatau (Sani Tapueluelu)• Tongan tattoo artist Kuli Mafile’o• Tongan tattoo artist Geoff Teddy Tattoo• Pat Morrow Samoan Tattoo artist - True Marking Brisbane Australia• Willie Nixon (Cook Islander) - Nesian Tatt ( Sydney NSW Australia ) • Tongan tattoo artist Maikolo Mafi 2009 – Culture Ink Sydney Australia - Carl Kalia gifted Maikolo a Mickey Sharpz tattoo machine and tattoo supplies • Mana Fifita & Jedi Fifita - Doko Ink in NZ (2009–2014)• Langi + Solo Hopoi aka King Salaman & Tau Soakai - NZ • Pip Hartley - Karanga Ink NZ

> Sold first tattoo machine to tattoo artist Kiti Vailea in New Zealand ( San Diego California )

> Inspired Tongan tattoo artist Stanley Lolohea - New Zealand

King 'Afa designed Tongan Tattoo leg sleeve in 2010 in his private studio in Hawthorne LA after work at Zulu Tattoo in West Hollywood Los Angeles

Tongan Tattoo Artists Who Inspired King ‘Afa and Carl Kalia (1990s)

• Piliote Vea (Haʻateiho Tongatapu ) https://www.facebook.com/piliote.vea

Taitusi Lautaha - Los Angeles - gifted a tattoo machine to Carl Kalia • Duke " Tiuke" Tukuafu ( Houmakelikao, Maufanga Tongatapu ) https://www.facebook.com/duke.tukuafu • Vilisoni Kaivelata (Kanokupolu Hihifo Tongatapu) https://www.facebook.com/sesi.l.ruby – tattooed King 'Afa in 1999 in Halaleva TongaTapu with childhood friend Soni Vaka.

9. INTRODUCING TONGAN ARTISTS from Tonga TO THE TATTOO INDUSTRY (2011)

George “Papa” attended his first tattoo convention at the Kalia Tattoo booth in New Zealand in 2011, alongside Car Kalia.This was his first exposure to the global tattoo industry and convention culture.

10. THE IMPACT OF THIS MOVEMENT

This revival:

• Opened the tattoo market in Tonga• Created economic opportunities for Tongan artists Tonga• Reestablished Tongan cultural pride• Connected Tongan tattoo to Samoan,Fijian, Māori and Micronesian lineages• Restored Tongan Tattoo not Tongan Tatatau after 160 years of suppression• Built a new generation of Tongan tattoo professionals• Established legal and commercial pathways never seen before in Tonga

This is the genealogy of influence:

Sua Paulo Suluape ( Suluape Tatau ) → Inia Taylor ( Moko Ink ) → Carl Kalia ( Kalia Tattoo NZ & Australia ) + King ‘Afa ( Kalia Tattoo Los Angeles ) → George Papa ( kalia Tattoo Tonga + Mana Fifita ( Doko Ink - Germany ) + Maikolo Mafi ( Culture Ink - Sydney NSW Australia ) + Tasi Waiouru ( Melbourne ) Australia + Vili Ngata ( Frost City Utah USA → the next generation.

This is how Tongan tattoo returned to the world.

King 'Afa at Zulu Tattoo staff on 3rd St & Crescent Heights West Los Angeles 2010

FOR EDUCATION & CULTURAL REFERENCE

Authentic Polynesian Tattoos, Tongan tattoo, Pacific Island art, and contemporary tribal art:

🌐 kaliatattoo.com – Brisbane & Sydney, Australia

🌐 kingafa.com – West Los Angeles & San Jose + San Francisco Bay Area, California

Our mission has always been to preserve the integrity of Polynesian Tattoo art , create value and market for Polynesian Tattoo, Tongan Tattoo, Micronesian Tattoo, Fijian Tattoo, and now refined Tongan tattoo cultural art without practice of the traditional ancient Tongan Tatatau and leave that sacred ritual tradition for Samoan Tufuga Tatau artists.