A wannabe musician tribute to Futa Helu [1]
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - 11:45. Updated on Sunday, May 25, 2014 - 22:14.
Editor,
I was a young student at 'Atenisi when it was in Kolofo'ou. I have been a great admirer of Futa since Atenisi Institute was relocated to a block away from my family's resident in Kolomotu'a. I was a "wannabe musician" student of the late Sofele Kakala in 1973 when Dr. John H. Appleton visited Tonga High School. Futa blessed American Samoa Tongan Community with his Afo Koula Group a few years ago.
Farewell great teacher,
a friend to all ages,
revered and admired,
by many from all walks of life
forever in our hearts
we will meet again, my friend
till we meet again.
Mafi 'o amerika Samoa
In the words of a real poet:
Under the wide and starry sky,
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you grave for me:
Here he lies where he longed to be;
Home is the sailor, home from sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.
Robert L. Stevenson
Faka'apa'apa Atu
Mafi 'o Amerika Samoa
Sione Lousiale Kava