In the hot Samoan sun, a cool refreshing vaifala (pineapple salad drink) is simply just heavenly.

But for Tominiko Sanefili, from the village of Le’auva’a, the pineapple drink is more than just a refreshment; it is a way to take care of his family.

Tominiko explains that he earns quite a bit from sales and during the holiday season, he gets more customers which bring more profit.

“Right now this is the work that I do to earn a bit of money for my family,” he told the Village Voice.

“It’s best to sell this refreshing pineapple drink during the holiday season because there are many people who are travelling to and from Samoa and they want to taste some local specialties.

“Especially those who come from cold countries and have to deal with the Samoan heat, a cold refreshment like this goes a long way.”

By four in the afternoon, Tominiko says he sells out his refreshments and makes his way home with his hard earned profit.

“At this time, I have already made $30 from sales,” he said.

“By 11am there will be many people coming to buy a cup and then by four, it’s all sold out. I bring pineapples to sell along with my pineapple drink so I can make a bit more money.

“During the pineapple harvest season, we have to try and sell as much as the fruit as possible before they go to waste, there’s a small window for sales.”

Making the pineapple drink costs Tominiko about $30 but the profit he turns is much, much more.

“I mean, who doesn’t like a nice, cold and refreshing drink on a hot Samoan day,” he said.

“I spend a little bit of money making the drink and the profit is pretty decent. I can make an average of $100 a day and that helps my family a lot.

“But when sales are really good then I can make about $130. The only items I need to spend money on are coconuts and ice but the rest is grown.

“But that money I make is so much more compared to what I spend on the items I need; it’s very much worth it.”

But during the holidays, that money went up a significant amount with tourists looking to have a taste one of Samoa’s famous refreshing drinks.

“The profit I made during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays was quite good,” he said.

“That’s why I said before, I love the holiday season because it brings a lot more customers than I usually get when I sell during the year.”