Results for People

Beryle Wolff encourages people in Tonga to wear sunglasses to protect their eyes. “Pacific islands have a high incidence of sun-related eye disease caused by exposure to UV rays,” she said. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 4, December 1998.

Ms Prue Townsend, (pictured second from left) from the Whitireia Polytech Institute, New Zealand visited Tonga in November to run a workshop on paper-making, in what was a joint project with the ‘Aloua Ma‘a Tonga Association. Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 4, December 1998.

The noble title Tuita was bestowed on Captain Ma‘ulupekotofa Tuita on December 11, following the death of Baron Tuita of ‘Utungake in Nuku‘alofa on November 8. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 4, December 1998.

Tevita Vaikona, the British Super League star player was in Tonga for 17 days during November. He did not waste any time getting home to ‘Uiha, in Ha‘apai, “where as soon as the sun sets, the only thing to do is to go to sleep, there are no night clubs and no bars.” Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 4, December 1998.

The musical works of Queen Salote Tupou III are being revived by four guardians of Tongan history and culture, Dr Melenaite Taumoefolau, Dr Adrienne L. Kaeppler, Princess Nanasipau‘u Tuku‘aho, and Dr Elizabeth Wood who are compiling all the poems and songs that were written by the late Queen.

A special Kava Ceremony was held at the Royal Palace, Nuku‘alofa on June 30 to honour the Hon. Salote Lupepau‘u Tuita, for her 21st Birthday.

The evening concerts of the Tonga Music Association's Annual Music Festival from June 14 to July 4 held at various venues, brought crowds into Nuku‘alofa to enjoy the free entertainment.

HRH Princess Sālote Pilolevu Tuita (46) is the chairperson of Tongasat, a private company which is the agent of the Tongan government, for managing its satellite slots in space. Tongasat is responsible for negotiating with organizations to launch and operate communications satellite systems in the orbital arc positions held by the Kingdom of Tonga. Princess Pilolevu granted this interview to the Matangi Tonga in early February, and talked about the operation of Tongasat, their initiative to form a new satellite communications consortium for the Asia Pacific region, and the new Pacific Asia Global Holdings company that she has established with its headquarters in Hong Kong. The Princess also talked about her other business interests, as well as her views on the status of Tongan women in modern Tonga. Story & pictures by Pesi Fonua