Tonga High School Ex-students Newsletter Volume 4 Issue

Tonga High School Ex-Students Web Site Newsletter
Date: July 31, 2002
Volume: 4, Issue: 7

WORDS FROM THE WEBMASTER & OUR NEWSLETTER EDITOR:
Welcome to the THSESWS monthly newsletter for the month of July 2002. The celebration in New Zealand still lives in our memory but our attention is now turned to San Francisco. The ex-students who have called the "Golden Bridge" their own are now in full flight with their preparation for next year's birthday celebration. They have kick-started their preparation with a fabulous Aloha night held on the last Saturday of last month.

It is a great feeling to hear of the great work the San Francisco Chapter is doing in terms of their preparation for next year's celebration. The great work done by both the "Publicity Director and Assistant" are to be commended. They have accepted their new role with both hands and have promised to chanelled all their energy into making sure that the preparation for next year runs smoothly as intended. We will keep an eye on what San Francisco will be doing in terms of their preparation and of course we will update you all!

We are also pleased to finally receive updates on the current status of the Fijian Chapter. Many thanks go out to Mrs Saane Pongi and Mrs 'Utoikamanu for keeping a close contact with us so that others can share with them any news regarding our friends in Fiji.

We are also grateful to hear from Mr Emile Hons who have from time to time supplied us with news and pictures regarding Tonga High School and the former teachers of our great school. Emile has also written us some news regarding his recent trip to Tonga.

Faka'apa'apa atu
Loseli M Hafoka and Miss 'Amelia Piutau
NEWS FROM SAN FRANCISCO:
WELCOME TO SAN FRANCISCO, HOME OF YOUR 2003 AGM HOST.

Introduction:
The rumble, tumble, hustle and bustle that’s closely associated with the town we grew to adore and embrace, thus making it our Home away from Home, is a familiar background melody, found in none other than SAN FRANCISCO. Our world stood still. Is history making a brutal comeback? Thank heavens it’s not another earthquake, or a tornado nor the return of the infamous El Nino. Rather it’s the mere palpitating, rhythm of our hearts, as the news hit the telecommunication superhighways, and the media airwaves and frequencies. “SAN FRANCISCO TO HOST, THE THS EX-STUDENTS 2003 AGM.” W-H-A-T? (our impulsive reaction). Come again? Wooo..hooo Oh! yeah…!! Hearts were beating in accordance to the demand of its masters. Yes! San Franciscans were and are elated, and jubilant, lost in emotions, and are still in high heavens with delight. Literally our steps are with a spring these days. We proudly march in tune to the beating of our own drums, missing a beat here and there, but all is well. Different strokes for different folks, a happy-go-lucky bunch shared with one common bond, “‘Ofa lahi atu kihe Ako’anga Ma’olunga ‘o Tonga!” Long live Tonga High School.

San Franciscans spirit is overflowed with imaginations, visualizing, anticipating even unconsciously dreaming of the day yet to come, June 4th.2003. Like a groom pacing aimlessly, hoping and praying that everything will be executed exactly as planned, and dying to get a glimpse of his intended bride, is exactly our feelings and our future vision. We just can’t wait! June 4th , 2003 here we come. “‘Ofa ange ‘ae Otua kene taki ‘ae fononga!”

Master Plan:
Phone lines are burning off the hook, big time! The ringing tune is sounding like a broken record. Spontaneous reflex urges us, to reach for the phone even in our sleep. Clicking sound of the mouse is exceedingly in overdrive, beyond the speed limit (illegal). Hard drives are slow to boot at times, c-r-a-w-l-s and a crash is imminent. Information overload is a familiar occurrence with our PCs. E-mails, with its familiar notification chant, “You’ve got mail,” is ringing in our ears 24/7. A nuisance but convenient. Ideas and discussions are brainstormed, and exchanged via e-mail, to the still of the night. Events are quickly packed to capacity in our Calendars. List of things to do, and objectives to accomplish is endless, leaving very minimal breathing room, but our team of energized, invigorated, dependable, efficient and effective San Franciscans Committee, will not settle for less, but the BEST, and only for the Best. Besides that was our motto, Right? We’ll pledge to do everything, “Kihe Lelei Taha.” It will be abundant and rich to reflect our city’s diverse culture, with definitely a fulfilling hilarious “Big ’ol Tongan good time,” is our ultimate goal. Tentative plans are still in its early phase, in a cocoon per se, and you’ll be informed along the way. So stay tune, and marvel at the majestic wings of the EAGLE, as it elegantly spread, getting ready to take flight. “God Bless America, land that I love!”

Objectives:
“Ha’u kau taki hao mamata!” Although separated by the vast blue ocean, from our homeland of Tonga, From the Mateialona Road to the Golden Gate Bridge, our tradition is alive and will live on. Our Tonga High School spirit meshed with the San Franciscan spirit, welcome you all, with open arms. Our home is your home! Come, make yourself at home! WELCOME TO SAN FRANCISCO! YOUR HOST FOR THE NEXT T.H.S. EX-STUDENTS AGM, JUNE 2003, The San Francisco Chapter, is ready to embrace you. “Malo’ e lava mai!”

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that we present to you once again, the President of the San Francisco Chapter, Madam Ma’ata Faiva’ilo Misinale and her committee, not to forget the overall patriots San Francisco members. Hola como`estas, Malo’ e Lelei, Welcome, welcome, welcome!

Mucha Gracias, Malo’ Aupito,Thank you.
Publicity Director, and Assistant;
Lucia Mateialona‘Olive and Kaneisi V. Cambridge.
NEWS FROM FIJI:
REPORT ON THE TONGA HIGH SCHOOL EX-STUDENTS, SUVA, FIJI - 2002
The nature and composition of the members of the Tonga High School Ex-Students in Suva, Fiji is unique in a way in that almost all the members are only in Fiji by virtue of their being employees of the many regional and international organizations located in Suva or are current students at the University of the South Pacific, Central Queensland University (Fiji Campus), Fiji School of Medicine, Fiji Institute of Technology and other educational institutions. This means that our membership is continuously changing depending on who has been posted to work in Fiji and the intake of students.

Over the past years, members have come and go and for that reason no formal mechanism has been set up for the existence of a THS Ex-Students in Fiji. However, this is not a deterrent, so when the need arises and depending on who is available, something will eventuate with the full cooperation of most ex-students. This "ad-hoc arrangement", so it seems, has worked well for us given the prevailing circumstances.
In 2002, we have about 80 members, 25% of whom are employees and 75% are tertiary students. We pride ourselves on this mix, and this will continue into the future. We know that the 75% of our membership are here as students, receiving further training and expected to return to Tonga to contribute in whatever way they can. The remaining 25% have come through the same road, some having achieved distinctions in their respective fields. The same serve in many fields from University professors and lecturers, to Chief Executives of Regional Organisations, United Nations Section Heads, and of course in the families. The common denominator being, we all came through Tonga High School and for that we owe a lot to our beloved school.

This year, for those of us who could not make it to the celebration in Auckland, we commemorated the THS 55th Anniversary with a Thanksgiving Service at our local Tongan congregation church on Sunday 2 June 2002. This was an opportune time for us to reflect and be thankful for all the blessings that God the Almighty has bestowed on us. May we remain to serve him with our utmost. God Bless you all.

NEWS FROM NEW ZEALAND:
Greetings everyone!
Malo e lelei pea malo mu'a e ngäue mei hena. 'Oku mau fakatauange 'oku toka lelei e me'a kotoa pea lave mo e ngaahi fatongia kehekehe foki.

Ngaahi ngäue na'e lava fakahoko he mahina ni:
Na'e lava lelei 'a e Executive Meeting he 'aho 2 Siulai. Koe me'a lahi na'e fai ki ai 'a e laulea ko e teuteu e AGM 'a ia 'e toki fakahoko 'ihe 'aho 6 'o 'Akosi. Ko e ngaahi fakaikiiki, vakai ki he fanongonongo.
1985 - 'Oku fakahoko atu ai pë 'a e fakataha faka-mahina 'a e to'u ako ni, 'aia 'oku taki ai 'a Lavoni Matoto, Mele Veikune mo e toenga honau to'u ako 'i Aotearoa ni.
1986 - 'Oku kei hokohoko mafana atu ai pë 'a e feinga pa'anga fakamahina 'a e to'u ako ko'eni, 'oku 'iai mo 'enau ngaahi tokoni ki he falani 'akapulu ki he ako lolotonga.
1978 - Na'e lava foki ha get-together 'a e to'u ako ko 'eni 'i he uike ua 'o Siulai, 'a ia na'e fai 'eni ki Rotorua. Ko e tu'unga 'eni 'iha fakaafe mei taha honau to'u ako 'oku lolotonga ngäue mo nofo Rotorua ko LAUTALA LASIKE. Ko e taha 'eni ha feohi mafana, 'i he weekend ko 'eni. Ko kinautolu na'a nau lava atu ki he get-together ko, Viena Pole, 'Eleni Koloi, Telusila Vea, Tura Tovi, Gary Lavaki, Maiala Tu'inukuafe pea pehë foki ki honau ngaahi hoa mo e fanau. 'Oku 'amanaki foki 'e toe fai 'a e get-together ko'eni ki Rotorua 'ihe taimi Summer 'oe ta'u ni.
Na'e lava foki mo 'enau fakataha fakamahina 'ihe Tokonaki kuo 'osi ki he fale ngäue (Warehouse) 'o e taha 'o honau to'u ako ko SAIA MOEHAU. Ko kinautolu na'e lava mai ki he fakataha mo e feohi'anga ko Saia Moehau, Gary Lavaki, Tu'ipulotu Finau, Maiala Tu'inukuafe, Lautala Lasike, Viliami Lavulo, Filisi Savieti, 'Ana Pome'e, 'Eleni Koloi, Telusila Vea pea mo Viena Pole. Na'e fai 'a e ngaahi alea mo e fokotu'utu'u ki he teuaki 'o e 'aho 'oe ako ki he ta'u 2003 mo e 2004.

'Oku fiefia foki 'a e to'uako ni koe'uhi ko e taha honau to'u ako ko SAIA MOEHAU, 'aia na'e lava lelei hono fakaava 'o 'ene Pisinisi 'i Auckland ni, 'i he efiafi, 'aho 17 'o Siulai, 'e he ta'ahine ko Pilinisesi Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita pea pehë foki kia Nopele Tuita. 'Oku 'oatu heni ha talamonu heni kiate koe Saia mei ho to'uako, 1978 koe'uhi ko e ngäue mamafa 'oku ke fuesia, kae tautautefito ki ho'o tokoni'i hotau kainga Tonga ngoue mo e toutai 'i Tonga pea pehë foki ki hotau kainga Tonga 'i Nu'usila ni.

Kia kimoutolu hotau kainga Tonga 'i 'Okalani ni, ki ho'omou ngaahi fiema'u ki ha fa'ahinga katoanga pë ki hono teuteu 'o ha me'atokoni, koe ISLAND FRESH COMPANY 'oku ma'u atu 'a e ngaahi me'atokoni, hange ko e 'ufi, talo etc, pea pehë foki ki he ngaahi me'atokoni mei tahi. Kataki mou fetu'utaki mai pë kia:

Saia Moehau
Island Fresh Company
731 - 737 Great South Rd
Shed 4
Otahuhu
Telefoni: (09) 2706092
Mobile: 0256678713
1968 - 'Oku lele mafana ai pë 'a e ngaahi fakataha 'o e to'uako ni, 'a ia 'oku taki ai 'a Nuku mo Le'ota Tahaafe, Kalolo Fihaki, 'Inoke Kalauta, Siva Kinahoi mo e toenga 'o e to'uako ko'eni. Ko e to'uako ko'eni 'oku nau sponsor 'a e Koniseti 'ae:
KAMI KIDS
ONE AND ONLY CONCERT
31 JULY, 2002
THE LAKESIDE CONVENTION CENTRE
6.00 PM TIL 12 MIDNIGHT
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY CLASS OF 1968 - TONGA HIGH SCHOOL EX-STUDENTS OF AUCKLAND
Wellington Ex-students -
Kuo ki'i ma'uloloa mai foki e holiday 'etau Kolisi Tutuku, fakataha pe mo e lahi e ngaahi femou'ekina, talu e lava atu hotau fatongia ki he 'aho 'i
Auckland. 'Oku 'oatu heni 'a e fakamanatu ke fai ha'atau fakataha & barbecue he uike 3 'o e mahina ni 'a ia ko e 'aho Tokonaki 31 'o 'Aokosi ki
he Community Hall aipe 'i Alicetown. Ko e fakataha ni ke ale'ai 'etau ngaahi me'a'ofa, pea ko e tu'utu'uni ko e me'a maheni aipe. 'Oku fakaafe'i
atu foki mo homou ngaahi famili ki ai.
Ongoongo fakafiefia
Tau fiefia kotoa foki he fakatokolahi mo'ui kuo hoko ki he famili 'o 'Alisi & Sione Manu he Sapate kuo'osi. Koe ki'i tamasi'i foki 'eni pea 'oku mo'uilelei pe 'a 'Alisi mo 'ene tama 'i Upper Hutt.
Palmerston Ex-students - Ko e kau ako tutuku ko'eni 'oku taki mai ai 'a Lesieli Tongati'o, pea ko e tokolahi foki 'o e kau ako tutuku ai ko e tamaiki ako.
Other Activities:

Tupou High School - 39th Anniversary - Na'e fakahoko 'eni 'i he falelotu, Siasi Metotisi Tonga 'i 'Otahuhu, he 'aho Tokonaki, 20 Siulai. Na'e lava atu 'a e kau fakafofonga mei he kolisi tutuku ke poupou ki he 'aho, 'aia ko Fitalika Kula, Nehu Palu, Selu Ma'asi, 'Ala Folaumoetu'i, 'Esita Finau mo 'Eseta Finau. Fakamalo atu ki he kau ako tutuku ko'eni ki he poupou mai ki he tau'olunga mo e li pa'anga, kia Fangaafua Hala'unga mo Sela Takau.

Fakamalo atu ki he Komiti Ngäue, Tupou High School, (Fotofili Namoa) ki he fakaafe na'e fai mai pëa mo e green basket.

FANONGONONGO AGM – TONGA HIGH SCHOOL EX-STUDENTS (NZ) ASSOCIATION
Hou’eiki Kolisi Tutuku
Malo e ngaue pea malo ‘etau toe lava ki he ngaahi ‘aho ni. Ko e fakamanatu atu ‘etau AGM:
Taimi: 6.30pm
‘Aho: Tusite 6 ‘Akosi 02
Feitu’u: Langimalie, 29 Hill Street, Onehunga
Ko e faingamalie eni keke fili ai ha kakai ‘oku ke loto kenau fakahoko hotau fatongia ki he ta’u ‘e ua ka hoko . ‘Oku fiema’u foki ke maau ho’o totongi joining fee & annual subscription ka ke toki kau ki ha ngaahi paloti ‘e fai. Ko ia ko e ni’ihi ‘oku te’eki kau mai, kataki ‘o to’oto’o mai ai leva ki he AGM ho’o $20 pe $40.

‘E teuteu atu ‘e he Komiti ha ki’i Supper.
Ko e ngata ia 'o e ngaahi ongoongo mei Nu'usila ni.
Malo, tu'a'ofa atu
'Eseta Finau & Telusila Vea
NEWS FROM MELBOURNE:
The Melbourne Chapter's AGM rescheduled for Saturday 13, 2002 was held at Janet Rollo's residence, 5 Rose St, Gardenvale. It was good to see those who turned up which was an encouragement for those die-hard Melbourne committee members to continue on with the fine work that they have done to date. During our AGM, office bearers were elected and here are the positions and name of those holding those positions:

President: Janet Rollo

Treasurer: 'Aneti Puamau

Assistant Treasurer: Sinipata Vaa'ivaka

Secretaries: Loseli Hafoka
Finau Palu
Lavinia Pongi

Committee Adviser: Rev. Jason Kioa

PR Officer: Loketi Latu Heimoana

Committee Member: Meleseini Quach

As you can all see, we have created a new position(PR Officer) for our chapter and we are glad to welcome Loketi to her new role and we are confident that she will do an excellent job. Well done Loketi.

It was also decided that a meeting to be held in October will allow us to start preparing for next year's celebration in terms of what to do and who will represent us during the celebration in San Francisco. Therefore, we urge all members of the Melbourne Chapter to come forward and support our work so that we continue to move forward and grow as an organisation.

Faka'apa'apa atu
Loseli, Finau & Lavinia (Secretaries)
NEWS FROM TONGA: An Encounter with a former student & few memories!
I returned to Tonga once again in July to meet up with a few old friends and take a few more pictures. The winter temperatures were wonderful for me, although I did see more then a few folks in winter garb. For many reasons, I particularly enjoyed this visit

While in there I was approached by two individuals who brought up the same story. Both recognized me without introduction, which was a real surprise to me. The first gentleman, I’m afraid I don’t remember his name at this point, came up to me at the Nuku’alofa Club one evening and said he remembered me. He said his brother took my art class and kept trying to get him to take it because he enjoyed it and learned a lot (this surprised me a little because I always felt I was never able to make things particularly interesting because of lack of supplies). He said he never was able to take a class, but remembered one this in particular…the portrait of His Majesty I did for the July 4th birthday celebration. As many of you will remember each year a bunch of you would build a huge archway across Taufu’ahau road that wished His Majesty a happy birthday and long life (the long life wish seems to have worked out well). I had painted the King’s portrait in a fashion called pointillism. Many teachers and students did not realize that pointillism needs to be seen from a distance and that when viewed close up just looked like a bunch of dots. There was a hum of concern in the air, but I knew it would look fine when hung 30 feet up in the air in the archway. This gentleman liked it a lot and remembered it after all these years…do you?

A couple of days later I was walking down the road and was taking one more picture of the old Tonga Club. Just as I took the picture a polisi car pulled up next to me and asked why was I taking a picture of this club? At first I thought perhaps I did something wrong, but then simply told the truth…”I used to get drunk here”. He said he knew that…he was a student of mine at Tonga High…Taniela Faletau…Now the Deputy Commander of the Polisi in Tonga. This all came by because of his art teacher…OK hard work, dedication, a good education might have had something to do with his position, but a little art work never hurt.

He mentioned that one thing he remembered was the portrait of His Majesty I did for the July 4th holiday celebration…you got it…the pointillism one. He said that every time he heard a student complain about why I used all those dots and why I didn’t paint the King like a normal painter would, he would tell them (you) that each dot represented a good deed the King had done…very clever words for a young lad his age. One can see why he is where he is now. As I earlier mentioned once that painting was hung high in the air most people agreed that it looked pretty good (I believe it was oblong and about 3-4 feet high and painted in a sepia tone…all I had to work with at that time). I didn’t get a thank you note from His Majesty, but I bet he liked it!

Another interesting tidbit about Taniela, He played the lead in one of the Tonga High plays that I did all the backdrops for. Pygmalion, I believe those pictures were in an earlier newsletter. He played Professor Higgins. Rave reviews, he got, as well. Were any others of you part of the cast? That was a very good play, with good acting and backdrops that we would turn around when the lights went out, after each scene, to make it look like a different room or house.

It was truly wonderful to be remembered, complimented and, for that matter, recognized after all these years. The kava is white and the head hair is leaving for the floor daily.

Emile Hons
Tonga High
1974-1976
Until Next time, so long!