Feasting and dancing follows Ha'apai's first Military Parade [1]
Friday, August 15, 2008 - 18:15. Updated on Sunday, April 13, 2014 - 23:34.
By Linny Folau
The Coronation Military Parade at the Mala'e Lea'aetohi, Pangai, on Tuesday, August 12 was the first to be held in Ha'apai, and marked the second day of celebrations there.
This historical event was attended by the Queen Mother, Halaevalu Mata'aho, HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita and other members of the royal family.
Soldiers and marines from the Tonga Defence Services and its Royal Corps of Musicians travelled to Ha'apai on August 5 on a TDS patrol boat, and the inter island ferry Olovaha.
The soldiers began the program with a parade march on before the officers took post to wait for the king, who traveled to Lea'aetohi on his inspection vehicle dressed in a white military uniform. The parade began with the king's inspection before the Royal Corps of Musicians Troop Pass, a March Past in Slow and Quick time, and concluding with the Advance in Review Order march.
Feast
The celebration continued in the afternoon with a Royal Feast and the performance of 10 different traditional dances including Lakalaka, Ma'ulu'ulu and Tau'olunga and a special cultural display by the Royal Corps of Musicians.
A Lakalaka by the Ha'apai High School was followed by a 'Otuhaka dance by Ha'apai Middle school, a group Tau'olunga by Tailulu College, the Me'etu'upaki by St Joseph's College, a group Tau'olunga by GPS Koulo, a colourful Fijian Meke by Koulo, a Lakalaka by Ha'ano and a Ma'ulu'ulu by 'Uiha.
The final dance the Lofia lakalaka performed by Tongaleleka and the GPS Hihifo/Pangai had Hon Lupepau'u Tuita as the vahenga.
The king departed Ha'apai on the morning of Wednesday, August 13 for Niuatoputapu, the second leg of his coronation tour of the outer islands of the Kingdom. The king spent one night in Niuatoputapu before travelling to Niuafo'ou on August 14. He is scheduled to leave for Vava'u on Saturday afternoon, August 16.
Due to transportation difficulties, Matangi Tonga Online is not able to show our readers pictures from the coronation celebrations in both Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou.
The Vava'u coronation program will start with a church service on Sunday, August 17.