Bobby Holcomb

**Bobby Holcomb** was a vibrant artist and musician whose life and work became deeply intertwined with Tahitian culture. Born in Hawaii in 1947 and raised in California, he later settled in French Polynesia in the 1970s, where he embraced the islands’ traditions, language, and spirituality. Holcomb’s music blended Polynesian rhythms with folk and soul influences, often featuring poetic lyrics in Tahitian that celebrated nature, ancestral wisdom, and social unity. His album *Bobby* (1985) remains iconic, with tracks like “Paeore” and “Ohipa” becoming timeless anthems in the region. Beyond music, he was a painter, activist, and cultural revivalist, passionately advocating for Tahitian identity and environmental stewardship. Holcomb’s legacy endures as a symbol of Polynesian pride, though he passed away far too young in 1991, leaving behind a treasure trove of art and aloha.