Raʻatira Pupu/Co-Owner

Originally, from the South Pacific island of Guam, Jacinta Ma'ae first started dancing as soon as she could walk.  She danced with halau in California, Guam, and Texas. She first started dancing professionally in 2007 based in Central Texas.  Seeking more opportunity, she created her group in San Antonio with her husband Gabe, before moving to the Space Coast, where the company is currently based out of.

Jacinta has taken numerous workshops from Masters of Polynesian dance, such as Tiana and Riki Liufau of Nonosina and Moena Maiotui.  In 2019, she lead her pupu ʻori in their first few competitions at Hoʻike Hawaii and Heiva Maʻohi, where she and her group won several awards.  

Jacinta is a current member of Pupu Here Solo Competition Team under the direction of Kanani Lokelani Asuega.  She is immersed in culture and is a current student of Moenau Rivera of Poly-Lingual, an online Polynesian langauge program she became a part of during the pandemic.  She was even named one of the top Reo Tahiti students of 2020.

Today, Jacinta implements the South Pacific island cultures in her life daily.  She is dedicated to her craft and enjoys sharing her manaʻo with her students.

Gabe Tualua Ma'ae is the siva afi (fire dance) instructor, musician, and co-owner of the pupu 'ori and dance company. 

 Being of Samoan descent, he grew up immersed in his Polynesian culture, with both of his parents being from Western and American Samoa.  He learned his roots in his family church, Samoa I Texas, where they embedded fa'a Samoa.  He also joined his church choir where he was taught Pese Samoa, where music is a big part of Samoan culture.

He studied Tahitian drumming in his latter years, picking it up through his pure passion and respect of Ma'ohi culture.  He took workshops under the direction of Tiana Liufau of Nonosina, and Tahiti-born master drummer, Uncle Tuko Mapuhi Tekurio.  

To expand his knowledge in Siva Samoa, he also was blessed to learn from Albert Tupuola and Tatau Manaia of Auckland, New Zealand.  

To this day, Gabe is immersed in Polynesian culture and is truly passionate about sharing his heritage and knowledge with others.