A memorial stone wall for the 74 people who died in the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika, a year ago on 5 August 2009, was unveiled by Crown Prince Tupoutoa Lavaka in an emotional ceremony at the Vakataumai Cemetery, on Vuna Road, Ma'ufanga on Sunday August 8.

The 12m by 2m stone wall built through a private initiative is faced with granite marble plaques inscribed with the names and photographs of the 74 passengers and crew who lost their lives in the sinking.

Following the unveiling of the memorial, a wreath laying ceremony was led by Crown Prince Tupouto'a, Princess Nanasipau'u and Princess Siu'ilikutapu and followed by family members of the deceased. Some families were still dressed in mourning and carried pictures of their family members, while others were in tears as they touched and laid their wreaths at the wall.

Crown Prince Tupouto'a in his address thanked Melie Mei Langi, the Pikipiki Hama kae Vavaemanava Committee and SDE Memorials for erecting a memorial to remember the victims. He said that the tragedy should not take away hope but was a chance for everyone to work together, to support each other, and encourage the development of our life, family and country.

Noble Fakafanua said Vakataumai, which literally means "the boat has arrived", is his ancestral cemetery. He offered to keep the cemetery open for the families to visit at any time, a gesture that was greatly appreciated by the relatives of the Ashika victims.

Steven Edwards of SDE Memorials said that he, the Melie Mei Langi Money Transfer and the Pikipiki Hama kae Vavaemanava Committee had been working on the idea for a memorial for the Ashika victims for some time but they could not get an appropriate public spot for such a memorial. They approached Princess Pilolevu, the Ministry of Lands, and the Lord Chamberlain but there was no luck. He said that about two months ago Samiu Fangaloka, the manager of Melie Mei Langi told him that he had approached the Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka and it was only very recently that he was informed that they could build a memorial at the Vakataumai Cemetery, Ma'ufanga.

The Crown Prince in his speech at the unveiling ceremony said that he had requested government for a memorial to be established at the spot opposite the entrance to the Fa'onelua Garden, but it was turned down because government had a plan for that particular spot of land.

Steven said that SDE Memorials planned the memorial, and with the help of a few private businesses the project became a success. "Reef Shipping shipped over the granite marble from New Zealand free of charge, Tevita Puloka and his construction company constructed the wall, Tania and Steven Edwards from SDE Memorials designed and inscribed the name of the deceased, and the Melie Meilangi and the Pikipiki Hama kae Vavaemanava Committee organised the occasion."

'Akilisi Pohiva is the Chairman and Samiu Fangalokia is the Deputy chairman of the Pikipiki Hama kae Vavaemanava Committee.