Pacific Magazine > Magazine > October 1, 2004

Samoa

The Rock’s Royal Homecoming

Hollywood Star Finds His Roots

By Afamasaga Toleafoa


When Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson of World Wrestling Federation and Hollywood fame landed in Samoa in July on a homecoming visit, Samoans gave him what can only be described as a royal welcome fit for King Kamehameha himself, the Hawaiian monarch the Rock is soon scheduled to portray on film.

Samoa's Minister of Tourism, Joe Keil, the Police Commissioner and an official reception party was at the airport to greet The Rock. As it happened, his arrival coincided with the official opening in Apia of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting, which sees deliberations on weighty issues of state affecting the countries of the region.

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In the event, all 16 heads of governments and numerous other official luminaries gathered in the Samoa at the time, faded in the glare of Hollywood, which followed The Rock to these tiny islands. So much so that one prime minister was heard to plaintively ask, "Who is The Rock?"

The Rock is one of the brightest stars of big time professional wrestling and has also now moved on to starring on