I was born to a proud Tongan father who was proud of who he was. He was proud of his name, his family, his Tongan heritage and culture. Though my physical make up is only partly Tongan, my blood, my soul and my heart are wholly Tongan. Though I don’t know a great deal of the Tongan language or about the Tongan way, I love Tonga and it’s culture. I consider myself TONGAN! and I am proud of this – to no end.

I was planning a trip to Tonga in early January 2007 with my partner and my daughter so we could all learn about the culture and language. For me, this trip was about discovering who I am and who I might have been and what my life might have been like. I knew it was going to be emotional, but now I fear it will be for all the wrong reasons.

If I could say something to the people who are responsible for the rioting, violence and destruction, I guess it would be something along the lines of…

FAKA TONGA… What does that mean to you?

Tongan’s have long been know as “The Friendly Islands” because the people are so friendly, caring, accommodating and easy going.

What people are seeing on the news is so disgusting and it’s so far from friendly that it makes the above statement almost a lie.

I understand people feel the need to make an unforgettable, strong point to government, but why does it have to be like this? Death of precious life and destruction of property that people have probably spent their entire lives building. This is NOT the Tongan way!!

Do you realise the world can see what you are doing? Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves? What kind of example are you setting for the younger generation? It looks to them that if you can’t get your way you can simply blow stuff up.

I’ve always felt proud to be Tongan and I know that the many Tongan’s who live around the world feel the same as I do. But how are we supposed to be proud and live up to our “friendly’ name at a time such as this?

What about our ancestors who are watching over us? What will they be thinking of this mayhem? This is not how we make our children proud and it’s certainly not the kid of future we want to carry on. Then there are the people who are just trying to live life, get by, survive, raise and family and be happy. What are you doing to their homes???

My daughter is only 1 and she has her whole life ahead of her. I want her to be a proud Tongan but how can I expect this of her now?

Here are a few characteristics that you may need to work on as well as a few words you might need to learn.

Peace (p?s)
n.
• The absence of war or other hostilities.
• An agreement or a treaty to end hostilities.
• Freedom from quarrels and disagreement; harmonious relations: roommates living in peace with each other.
• Public security and order: was arrested for disturbing the peace.
• Inner contentment; serenity: peace of mind.
These words relate to how you should be thinking/behaving in order to get what you want: Peaceful protest, tolerance, persistence, determination, diligence, negotiation, understanding, patience, acceptance, appreciation, resolve, strength of mind, resolution, positivism and the list could go on…

These words relate to how you should be thinking/behaving in order regain any respect or to receive forgiveness for what you have already done: love, consideration, thoughtfulness, sympathy, compassion, reflection, apology, self-respect, cultural awareness, tradition, pride, deliberation and the list could go on…

PS – Here it is for you in short “FOB” form for you…

SHAME! WAT UR DOIN’ IS STINK! GETTA LIFE N STOP THA RUBBISH! IF MY DAD WAS HERE HE WOOD GIV U’SE A HIDDING!

:'(