Tonga's King George Tupou V will visit each of the outer islands of Vava'u, Ha'apai, 'Eua and the two Niuas following his coronation in August.

The outer islands will hold their own celebrations, a week after the main celebration concludes in Tongatapu.

The Contract Officer for the Coronation at the Prime Minister's Office, Lupe 'Ilaiu, said today that it is the king's consent that the people from the outer islands remain at their island home instead of travelling down to the capital.

She said each island will hold his own festivity for the king, but at this stage no formal program has been submitted through.

It is expected that the king will first travel to Vava'u before going to Ha'apai then to 'Eua and the two Niuas.

Feasting

Kepueli 'Ioane of the Governor's Office in Ha'apai said they are planning to hold a celebration of traditional dancing and feasting.

"We have a Ha'apai Organising Committee who is working on the program and I hope that by next week a program for the festival will be released," he said.

The king's coronation will be held on August 1 at the Centenary Church in Nuku'alofa, and celebrations will begin on July 26 with various sports activities.