From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 3, November 2002.

If you believe enough in yourself you can do anything, says 29-year-old ‘Alo Fe‘iloakitau, who set up his own business when he was only 25.

He established Kool Tonga Ltd. in October 1998, a supplier of refrigeration and air conditioning spare parts, and offering services in the installation, design, sales and repair of air conditioners and refrigerators.

‘Alo, who originates from ‘Uiha in the Ha‘apai islands, is not your typical island boy, because he had his eyes set keenly on the field of mechanical engineering, in which he did a correspondence course with the International Correspondence School in Australia for four years.

‘Alo started his career as a mechanical fitter working for Royal Beer and the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Limited, before setting off to start his own business. He says he was tired of working for other people and the dream of making more money was far too irresistible.

‘Alo started out with $4000 pa‘anga and could afford to buy only small equipment. He convinced his younger brother to come and work with him, and there were just the two of them to start with. Today ‘Alo employs eight workers and has hired a manager from New Zealand to run the business, and he says he enjoys providing jobs for young Tongans.

‘Alo says that their work is hectic because there is lots of demand from the market, but there are not enough workers to meet that demand.

Apart from work ‘Alo likes to indulge himself in sports. He is a triathlete who likes cycling and swimming, and when he’s not doing that you might find him taking a cruise on his Harley Davidson Softail, which gives him an open fresh mind for the day ahead. ‘Alo bought the prestige 1350cc motorbike in Auckland, and it’s the only one in Tonga. He says that this is “the motorbike” to have, “ it’s the King of Motorbikes, and it is just so cool, that’s why I chose it.”

 ‘Alo is thinking about a small expansion for the Kool Tonga Ltd., in future.