Moana Wolfgramm

Moana Wolfgramm (born 13 October 1973; Salt Lake City, Utah), also known by her married name Moana Wolfgramm Feinga, is an American vocalist, keyboardist, and percussionist who rose to international fame as a founding member of the Tongan-American family group, The Jets.

As the youngest member of the pop/R&B sensation that dominated the charts in the late 1980s, she contributed distinctive harmonies, keyboard lines, and percussion to hits such as "Crush on You", "You Got It All", and "Make It Real".

Following the group's initial commercial peak and a period of family-focused hiatus, Wolfgramm has returned to the music industry as a central figure in the band’s legacy, driving recent reunion tours and recording independent gospel projects that honour her heritage and faith.

Early Life

Born into the musical Wolfgramm family in Salt Lake City, Utah, Moana was immersed in performance from her earliest years. Her parents, Maikeli "Mike" and Vake Wolfgramm, were Tongan immigrants who eventually relocated the family to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to pursue professional opportunities for their children.

As one of the youngest of 17 siblings, she joined the family act while still a child, navigating a rigorous schedule of rehearsals and club performances that honed her multi-instrumental skills. Her childhood was effectively synonymous with the rise of The Jets; she was barely a teenager when the group signed with MCA Records and released their platinum-selling debut album in 1985.

Career

Wolfgramm’s career is defined by her tenure in The Jets, where she played a vital role in the group's "Minneapolis Sound" aesthetic. Between 1985 and 1990, the band scored five top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with Wolfgramm providing key instrumental support on synthesisers and percussion alongside backing vocals.

After the group's mainstream dominance waned in the early 1990s, she stepped back from the relentless touring circuit to prioritise her personal life. She later re-emerged as a recording artist in the niche gospel market, collaborating with her sisters—Elizabeth, Kathi, Hinalei, and Jennifer—to form The Wolfgramm Sisters. The ensemble released the album My Sisters, which featured a blend of hymns and original songs that found success in independent Christian and Polynesian markets.

Personal Life

Following her departure from full-time touring, Wolfgramm married Haunga "Junior" Feinga on 4 September 1999. The couple settled in Hawaii for a decade before returning to Utah, raising a large family that she cites as her proudest achievement.

A devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her faith has remained a cornerstone of her life and music. She has frequently spoken about the challenges of navigating fame at a young age and the grounding influence of her marriage and religious convictions during the years she spent away from the spotlight.

Current Activities

Moana Wolfgramm is currently engaged in several projects as a primary driving force behind the reunification of The Jets' original lineup. After years of the band operating as fractured entities, she has been instrumental in bringing the siblings back together for 40th-anniversary shows and residencies in Las Vegas and Utah.

She is also a visible ambassador for the group's history in modern media, recently appearing on Shawn Stockman’s podcast On That Note to discuss 1980s R&B culture. Additionally, she continues to write and record independent gospel music, balancing these creative pursuits with her role as a mother and grandmother.