Upolu Lumā Vaai is Principal and Professor of Theology & Ethics at the Pacific Theological College (PTC) in Suva, Fiji. He holds a PhD degree from Griffith University in Australia. He held board director positions in Samoa government ministries and also chair and member of many regional and international boards. He joined the faculty staff of PTC in 2014 as Senior Lecturer and Head of Department for Theology and Ethics. Dr Vaai is a decolonial educator, theologian, and indigenous philosopher. A renowned international scholar and regional leading voice in reclaiming Pasifika ‘whole of life’ philosophies, theologies, and ethics to underpin a new development story, he is regularly invited by international forums to speak on Pasifika relationality, relational philosophy, relational hermeneutics, relational theology, and relational ways of knowing and being, which are ideas scattered throughout his many publications and research projects. His publications are mostly in the intersection of theology, development, and indigenous philosophies and how these contribute to reaffirming the ‘whole of life’ vision of development. His recent book co-edited with Aisake Casimira is titled: The ‘Whole of Life’ Way: Unburying Vakatabu Philosophies and Theologies for Pasifika Development (2024).