On February 29, Tongatapu produced all of Tonga's 2012 Leap Year babies, with the arrivals of five boys and two girls.

Of eight babies who were born at Vaiola Hospital on Leap Day one passed away, and the other seven were reported to be doing well with their mothers.

The two baby girls are Lesieli Vaha'i from Nukunuku, and Jane Bernadette Kourtney Tutoe from Vaini. The boys are: Taniela Samiu, Malapo; Tevita Selupe Hopoi, Tofoa; 'Epalahame Kolopeaua Lauti, Haveluloto; Maka Finau Fo'i'akau, Kolofo'ou;  and a boy from Kahoua who has not been named.

Babies born on Leap Days, February 29 can look forward to a real birthday only every four years. This means they might celebrate their 21^st birthdays when their friends are 84 years old.

Someone born on leap day may be called a leapling. They usually celebrate their birthdays on February 28 or March 1.

In some cultures to be born on a Leap Day could mean good or bad luck.

Some people believe that on a Leap Day a woman may propose marriage to a man, with her wedding ring already on her finger. But if the man turns her down, then he is supposed to buy her a supply of gloves to hide her finger with the ring for a very long time.

According to science, having a Leap Year every four years is needed to keep our calendar in alignment with planet earth as it revolves around the sun. Apparently it takes the earth 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes and 46 seconds to circle around the sun once.

If we do not add a day, February 29, every four years to our calendar, we would lose almost six hours every year, and after 100 years, our calendar would be off by approximately 24 or 25 days.

The inquiry about Tonga's Leap Day births, gave us an interesting glimpse into Tonga's daily birth rate.

None of the outer island hospitals recorded any Leap Day births.

Ngu Hospital, Neiafu, Vava'u did not have on hand a report of when the last baby was born at Ngu this year. 

The last birth at at Niu'ui Hospital, Pangai, Ha'apai, was two weeks ago.

'Eua Hospital staff could not remember when was the last birth at Niu'eiki Hospital.

At Niuafo'ou there was no Leap Day baby, and the last birth there was in early January.

There was no telephone connection to Niuatoputapu.