As a sculptor, he experimented with a diverse range of sculptural materials including steel, aluminium, fibreglass, bone, argillite, greenstone and limestone before turning to his preferred medium of stone.
[2] His sculptures incorporate both traditional Polynesian and contemporary patterns, symbols that are significant in Pacific Islands history and culture.
Le Folauga opened at the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts in Taiwan from 13 December 2008 to 5 April 2009.
In 2007, he was the recipient of the Macmillan Brown Pacific Artist in Residence at the University of Canterbury.
[5] In the 2009 New Year Honours, Penisula was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to art, in particular sculpture.