Tonga's Land, Sea and People, focus of new book [1]
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - 15:36. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 09:54.
Cultural Heritage
HRH Princess Pilolevu, the TRA Patron of Honour, contributed her speech entitled 'Ko Hou Tofi'a: Defining and Interpreting Tonga's Cultural Heritage,' as a backdrop for the papers and discussions in the book.
Princess Pilolevu also wrote the Foreword, marking the 14th conference of the TRA, stating that the association's objectives include promoting research on Tongan studies.
"It is our hope that Tongan people should make the best use of what they are blessed with - land, sea, people, culture, traditions, art, music and many more - through research they could be able to explore the potential of their given resources and ensure maintenance of their unique cultural heritage and traditions," stated Princess Pilolevu.
Small printing
The books co-editor, Dr Tangikina Steen is a senior Lecturer at the David Unaipon College of Education at the University of South Australia in Adelaide. The co-editor Nancy Drescher lives in the US and the copy editor Martin Daly lives the United Kingdom.
"Putting an academic book together becomes complicated when the two editors, the copy editor and the book designer are globally located in three countries with different time zones," she said.
The Tonga Research Association President Rev Dr 'Asinate Samate said the book is dedicated to the late Prof 'Ilaisa Futa-ki-Ha'angana Helu, who was president of the association and its forerunner the THA from 1995-2005.
The Tonga Research Association (TRA) formerly known as the Tonga History Association has provided a forum for scholars interested in Tongan History for the past 20 years and has expanded its interests to include a wide range of fields with a mutual interest in the Tongan people, their lives, and that which affects them - past, present, and future.
The new book has a small print run and is currently available in Tonga.