Editor,

Kataki mu'a 'o anga lelei ke fokotu'u 'eku tohi ma'ulaloni ke fakahoko atu 'eku kau mo e tokolahi he fiefakaha 'e mau loto mamahi 'i hono ngaue hala 'aki 'e tau ngaahi ouau toputapu ko e Hu Louifi.

I must first honor my Cultural Leaders with respect and ask that I may be able to speak my mind on this issue of Hu Louifi.

I am very sad and concerned that the Hu Louifi, one of our most sacred cultural ordinances is being trashed with "Dog and Pony Shows".

Hu Louifi follows the Lord's Principle of Forgiveness. Asking for forgiveness, must be done and directly involve the person or persons committing the infractions. It involves these elements -

1. Remorse: must understand their crime; admit their involvement and others who may have been involved, feel bad enough about their involvement.

2. Restitution: must try to return situation to where it was before crime was committed; this may include but not limited to, paying for the damage, return of stolen property, paying for hospital bills, etc.,

3. Accept any and all punishment as per law or culture.

4. Admit it won't happen again.

The biggest farce on this recent Hu Louifi is the absence of those who committed the crime. Generally speaking, King George Tupou V and the rest of Tonga for that matter, have no problem with the people of Mu'a. However, there is an issue with the people who burned down Uoleva Royal residence. They must be brought to justice. This is the real Hu Louifi.

I fail to see how anyone could be justified asking forgiveness for crimes committed by those they are hiding or refuse to identify. Should King George accept this Hu Louifi, it will set a precedent for future deliberation. Can you imagine the same forgiveness extended to those who burned down Nuku'alofa. This will be a slap and spit on the face of those in Nuku'alofa whose businesses and livelihoods are forever affected Kolofo'ou and Fasi.

The people of Mu'a know who these criminals are. They should have been in the front row of the march to the Vila last week. Then the Dog and Pony Show becomes the Tongan Sacred Traditional Hu Louifi.

With Due Respect

Mafi 'o Amerika Samoa