Tongan composer and singer, Tu'imala Kaho (84) also known as 'the Nightingale of Tonga', passed away on 14 October, at her home 'Api ko Loloniu, in Kolofo’ou, Nuku’alofa, her family has confirmed.

‘Anaise ‘Anaukihesina Tu’imala Tautala-ki-mamana Kaho was born on 17 April 1939, to parents Sioeli ‘Alukuoʻulu Payne Kaho and ‘Anamalia Katoʻone Veiongo Lata’ihōlevafoʻou Kaho. Tu'imala grew up in a family that has great knowledge of composing traditional dances. She was a niece of the composer Vaisima (Hopoate). From a young age, her mother and uncles taught her dancing.

Tu'imala was among the Tongan dancers who would perform for important visitors to the Kingdom in the mid and late 1900s, including visits by the British Royals.

Tu'imala composed her first song called “Taumaia ke ke ‘Iloa” when she was just 18, and still studying at Saint Joseph's Catholic School. Later on, she continued composing and singing, and became a star performer in Tonga. Her love songs, touching melodies accompanied by acoustic guitar, were popular on the radio and are still sung and played by many other singers. A collection of her compositions was published with notations for the piano, “Songs of Love, by Tu'imala Kaho” (Vava'u Press 1998). Today. her musical recordings are published widely on YouTube and Facebook.

In 2008, she was the instructor for the dance of the women’s Lakalaka of Kolofo’ou, who performed at the coronation of the late King George Tupou V. She was recognised in his coronation honours, receiving the award of Member of the Order of Queen Salote Tupou III.

Nightingale of Tonga

Tu'imala was loved by many for one of her gifts, her voice. She was called the Nightingale of Tonga (Naitingikale 'o Tonga) and her talents in singing and dancing took her around the world, to make performances at festivals.

A close relative described Tu’imala as a woman of great patience, and a soft voice. "She was a people person, and most importantly, she was family oriented. She always wanted her children and grandchildren to be close."

“She used her gifts to connect with Tongans all over the world."

Tu'imala is survived by children Longoaamee, Talivulangi, Tautalatasi, Tevita, and Pierson, and grandchildren. Her daughter, Heimata'ula, with a Tahitian HIgh Chief, Matagialalua Tavana Anderson, died in 1985 after an illness.

The funeral service will be held this Thursday 19 October, at their home 'Api ko Loloniu, in Kolofo'ou. The family's failotu will start at 6:00am, and the church service at 8:00am, before proceeding to the Wesleyan Church at Fasi, at 11:00am.

- Obituary by Katalina Siasau, et al.