Dr S. Langi Kavaliku who passed away on December 3 was put to rest at the Mamana Mau 'Aho Cemetery, in the grounds of Tonga College, overlooking the village of Ha'ateiho on Friday December 12.

The day-long ceremony started at 8 am when Dr Langi Kavaliku lay in state at the Methodist Church of Ha'ateiho. During the morning and early afternoon family members, relatives and friends visited the church to pay their last respect, to a person that they emotionally referred to as the Hu'akavameiliku, or "the rare kava from the liku".

HM King George Tupou V, Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho, Princess Pilolevu Tuita and other members of the royal family attended a funeral church service in the afternoon, along with the Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele, the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Viliami Tangi, nobles and community leaders. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Penisimani Fonua of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga of which the late Dr Langi Kavaliku was a member.

The coffin of Dr Langi Kavaliku, covered with a fine Tongan kie and the Tongan Flag, was carried on a catafalque led by the Tongan Police band.

Accompanying Langi on his last journey through the village of Ha'ateiho to the Mamana Mau 'Aho Cemetery were his wife Fuiva, and their children and grand children.

See also: Tonga loses leading scholar, Dr Langi Kavaliku [2]