Editor,

My Utah neighbor Mr Joe Smith should have read Loketi Niua Latu's letter again before accusing Latu of making racist remarks (Letters, Nov. 12, 2006).

For Mr. Smith's information, I believe Latu is quoting (within quotes) from an early 1800s speech by Chief Finau '‘Ulukalala II, recorded by his adopted son, English lad William Mariner in his book 'Tonga Islands' (1820).

Of course, modern Tongans no longer hold that misconception (that palangis are selfish with their money), 200 years later. But I'm getting an ugly gut-feeling that Mr. Joe Smith still thinks that most Tongans "“are lazy and leach off one another".”

That was also the palangi opinion of early American Indians, Hawaiians, and any non-Western culture or race that rejected Western colonialism. I wonder if Mr. Smith still subscribes to this 500-year- old misconception?

Additionally, Chief '‘Ulukalala chastised Mr. Mariner's fellow sailors who complained of starvation. He reminded them they didn'’t have to be invited to dinner at a Tongan home.

Of course, he also mocked their English culture when he found out that people were allowed to starve on the streets of London while the chiefs, and the rich eat and live comfortably in huge mansions. Another Tongan leader, King Siaosi Tupou I visited Australia in the mid-1800s and witnessed the same scenario.

He was appalled with so many homeless people in Sydney living and sleeping in public parks. He vowed never to allow the same to happen in Tonga; hence, the current Tongan Constitution prohibits the sale of land to foreigners.

I meet homeless people everyday here in Utah, Mr. Smith. When they ask for a bus fare, or some change for food, I gladly give if I have change on me. I don'’t expect anything back from them; and mind you, most of them are palangis.

I wonder how often Mr. Smith has helped a homeless palangi right here in Utah? And we Tongans don'’t leach off one another, Mr. Smith. If a Tongan is in dire need, other Tongans will not allow him to be "tuenoa" - without kins, or leaching off the Government welfare system.

I'm glad Mr. Smith has made it all by himself. I'’m sure he did not need help from anyone.

Yours truly,

Sione A. Mokofisi