Meet Tui Asau: Actor Producer Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tui Asau and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tui, what principle do you value most?
Integrity. Hands down. It’s a driving force and the cornerstone that all other pieces can be worked from. The simplicity of giving your word and keeping your word reverberates throughout the rest of your being and throughout your work. A person who keeps their word — especially to themselves — and will do anything and everything to do so is worth their weight in gold. At least, to me.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
This doesn’t really answer the question, but I am most excited about the stories being told from where I am from in Hawai’i and the South Pacific. There has been a surge in films and TV series coming from home and that means that more local people, more indigenous storytellers — amazing storytellers– are working and getting an opportunity to tell our stories. For so long it has been an Outside/In storytelling process and it’s beginning to go the other way — from Inside/Out. Indigenous stories add good medicine to the world. I think the biggest lesson that I have learned is to just do it. To not let your mind or others minds get in the way of what you are called to do. Just do it and then move on to the next. Keep your head down and create.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would first take them to Lee’s Tofu in the South Bay right off of Redondo Beach Blvd. Literally the best food on the planet. Then down to Long Beach for Cinnamon Rolls at Sweet Jills cause why not? They’re on vacation. Then I would take them up the coast a little to the border of Ventura and LA County to the beach. We would probably hit Home Depot a couple of times and then finally tacos for dinner from Guisados and then we would go to a show or something at the bowl. This, all day, everyday for a week. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people that have blessed me their time, energy, love and wisdom on this journey. I think the most important people to honor are my dear ones — my family, who have always been supportive of me and anything I do, my closest friends and business partners Richard and Allison at Lineage Entertainment Group and Anthony Gilardi who has been like a big brother. But I think the ones who have had the most profound impact on my life are Keo Woolford and Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero. They gave me back my most profound gift — the connection to my ancestors. And for that I owe them everything and more.

Website: www.lineageentgroup.com

Instagram: @tuiasau @lineageentgroup