A MULTIDISCIPLINARY ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF TONGAN STUDIES

Vol. 21, No. 2 July 2010

IN MEMORY

OF

PROFESSOR ‘ilaisa
FUTA-‘I-HA’ANGANA HELU

FROM

TONGA RESEARCH ASSOCIATION
(TRA)

THA/TRA PAST & PRESENT TRA COMMITTEE

PATRON: HRH Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita

Past Presidents:
Rev. Dr. Sione Latukefu (1989-1995)
Professor Futa Helu (1995-2005)

Past Vice-Presidents:
Professor Futa Helu (1989-1995)
Dr. Elizabeth Wood-Ellem (Besi Wood) (1995-2007)
Dr. Helen Lee (2007-2009)

Present TRA Committee (2009-2011)

President: Rev. Dr. ‘Asinate F. Samate (Tonga)
Vice President: Dr. Tangikina Steen (South Australia)
Secretary-Treasurer (Tonga) – Joshua Fonua (Tonga)
Secretary-Treasurer (overseas) – Fahina Pasi (Utah, USA)
Newsletter Editors – Dr.Tevita Ka’ili (Hawaii) and Ping Addo (from 2011) and
Nancy Drescher (USA) interim editor

Overseas Reps – Christine Liava’a (NZ), Fahina Pasi (USA& Canada) Martin Daly (UK& Europe), Australia (Fay Yule until a replacement is appointed.)

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO FUTA HELU

FROM THE PATRON OF TRA
Her Royal Highness, Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita

This is indeed a very sad day. Tonga has lost a favourite son, and a loyal father. Professor Futa Helu, was a Foundation Member of the Tonga History Association, and together with the late Dr. Sione Latukefu and others, who had similar interests in promoting the study of Tongan History, were instrumental in establishing the Tonga History Association, now known as the Tonga Research Association. He was President of the Association for a number of years, and his foresight and interest in Tongan History, is a fitting tribute to his integrity and dedication to the Association, and will be sadly missed by all the members. I will certainly miss him for his frankness and immense knowledge of Tongan History and Tongan customs and traditions.
I join all members of the Association and all those who had come into contact with Futa, in saluting a Tongan academic with immense gifts and talents.

‘Ofa atu Futa.

Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita
Patron
Tonga Research Association

Remembrances of Professor Futa Helu from TRA members & Tongan researchers

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF TRA
Rev. Dr. ‘Asinate F. Samate

It is indeed a great privilege, as current President of TRA, to join TRA members, researchers, students and friends of Professor Futa Helu, in acknowledging the loss of a ‘guru’ and a ‘magi’ for Tonga. I interviewed Futa as part of my PhD research in 1993 and his wisdom, great insights, sense of humour, deep reflections, thoughtfulness, foresightedness and vision of the future impressed me and made a great impact on me as an educator and a researcher.

I was very humbled when I was elected as President of TRA in 2005, knowing very well that I would never fit into the shoes of Futa Helu and Sione Latukefu as my predecessors. But I accepted the challenge knowing that with God’s help and the support of great historians like Besi Wood, researchers and TRA members will get me through.

May I relate a story by a 80-year old man, a relative of one of the FWC ministers, Rev. Siosifa Talakai, who was a Wesleyan minister in the village of Foa when Futa’s parents were still alive and had no children. The parents went to the minister and asked for help and advice. The minister called on them for fasting and prayer focusing on their concern for a child. In less than 3 months, Futa’s mother was pregnant and Futa was born. Yes, a son was born out of prayer and faith in a God who is All-powerful, All-loving and Ever-present.

Rest in peace Futa, a faithful one of God and a great scholar of Tonga.
Fakamalo atu Futa mo e ‘ofa,
Rev. Dr. ‘Asinate Fuakautuu Samate,
President of TRA

FROM THE FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT OF TRA
Dr. Besi Wood-Ellem

‘Ilaisa Futa-‘i-Ha’angana Helu,

Futa Helu was a loyal, devoted, and much-loved member of the Tongan History Association (now the Tonga Research Association) and was President of the Association from 1995 until 2005. He was an outstanding scholar and a wonderful example for others in his devotion to knowledge for its own sake.

Futa attended the first Tongan History workshop of 40 people in 1987 in Canberra, and hosted the conference at Foa in 1989 that led to the formation of the Tongan History Association with Sione Latukefu as President and Futa as Vice-President.

When Futa was President, he provided leadership by example and the force of his personality. His welcoming nature and inclusiveness led to his generously sharing with other members his insights, regardless of whether they were young students or older Tongans or palangi researchers.

The Association met every two years, alternately in Tonga and overseas. Not only were Futa’ s conference papers a pure joy to listen to but his knowledge was awesome, particularly about Tongan traditions, poetry, history. Futa was responsible for the collegial character of the THA/TRA in which people freely exchanged views and sources of knowledge.

He was always gentle, never critical, but also never backward in the discussions during the conferences of the Association. He was always encouraging, not seeking to scrutinise other people’s research, but delighting the members by drawing on his own store of knowledge, and adding his own comments and recollections during the discussion times. He was master of the humorous anecdote, which made the lifeless pages we had read come alive.

Futa was also a provider of entertainment, sometimes performing himself, at other times bringing members of his family to sing or dance or demonstrate rituals.

Futa’s death leaves a great blank in Tongan society, for there is no one who can match him in intellect or generosity.

From Besi Wood-Ellem,
Vice-President THA/TRA 1995-2007

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Dr ‘Okusitino Mahina, Auckland

The news of the passing of Professor Futa Helu is the saddest of news for me personally for 2010 as one of his older students… Professor Helu was indeed a great teacher, a great lover of knowledge; a great scholar who, by the very unique and heroic character of his education and training in philosophy, logic, mathematics, physics, classics and art and literature, crosses disciplinary boundaries across nature, mind and society, in correspondence to all forms of social activity, linking the natural, psychological and social realms. As a student and later a colleague, it was always refreshingly reflective, transformative and communicative to have a good Tongan laugh about the absurdities of life in general (and of scholarship in particular) with my old teacher, Professor Helu, who had a unique sense of humour, not to mention his social sense of humanity and cultural sensibility and sensitivity!

Professor Helu has left `Atenisi as a legacy for Tonga and the world, at the most as an intellectual movement. Professor Helu is now behind us in the past yet in front of us in the present. He is not dead, metaphorically speaking. Instead, he merely passed on from life to legend, joining the ranks of Maui, Lo`au, Rev. Dr Sione Latukefu and Professor Epeli Hau`ofa, who are very much alive in our common lores, legends and talanoa. Professor Helu is very much alive in the thinking of his students — He has a special place in the `Atenisi intellectual movement, where its past and future are constantly mediated in the conflicting, ever-changing present. Yes: “Neongo kuo mapaki pea to `a e fa, Ka `oku kei `alaha ngangatu hono tu`u`anga.”

`I he melino mo e hufaki, `Ofa atu fau mo e manatu ma`u,
Hufanga Dr `Okusitino Mahina, A student

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Dr Wendy Pond, New Zealand

The passing of Professor Futa Helu is a great personal loss to those of us who study and admire Tonga’s intellectual heritage. He was the person with whom we could most deeply discuss our researches. He would ponder what we said without rejection, and then come out with an observation, or a secret piece of information, that ushered us along a hidden track. He spoke of the “ravishing beauty” of Tongan poetry, the ability of Tongan language to express emotions and ideas; and his confidence in the contribution of Tongan minds to world intellectual debate. Alongside this earnest enquiry, there was always a sense of his humour and his love of exploration. A conversation with Futa was great fun.

At Victoria University in Wellington, he gave a never-forgotten series of lectures, during which he enchanted students with his demonstrations of dance movements. Even though his legs were stiff, his gestures were spirited. I often reflected that like Her Majesty Queen Salote, Futa led an overseas life unknown in Tonga but acclaimed in foreign circles. On the other hand, his Tongan students would say that Futa was never long away from his beloved institute.

When I came to Tongatapu with Dr Garth Rogers, around 1970, I heard of this social critic, a contemporary Lo’au, who turned out to be Futa Helu, founder of an independent university, Tonga’s first, established before government and overseas academics had thought it possible. Futa put Tongan scholarship on its feet and gave it a place in the world. Only a person with passionate conviction could have done this, and I have often wondered, where did Futa get such audacity and courage? ‘Atenisi was a venture way beyond my own reach. If only Futa had kept a diary!

Amongst his legacy he has left a collection of critical essays published at Australian National University, his satirical stories published in the journal “Faikava”, and his translations and commentaries on Queen Salote’s poetry published in the Tongan he spoke.

The greater legacy however is having known him in person.

‘Ofa atu fau,
Wendy Pond

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Dr Niel Gunson, Australian National University

I was saddened to learn of Futa’s death and send my condolences … I first met Futa in Canberra and remember being instantly impressed by this living example of socratic dialogue. Here was a born teacher who was immediately recognised as a fountain of knowledge and wisdom who could draw listeners to his side. I remember the group surrounding him under a tree in the grounds of the Tongan consul. I then met him on his own ground when he hosted the very successful THA conference in Ha’apai and was impressed by the way he championed his students and the ingenious nature of some of his historical theories such as the importance of digging wells in the archipelago. Although I met him on other visits to Tonga I regret I did not have more conversations with him and enjoy, at times, his wicked sense of humour.

Futa has been an inspiration to several generations of Tongan students and I imagine he will continue to be an inspiration to generations yet to come. He has taken the Tongan and Wesleyan intellectual traditions of his heritage one giant step forward to a Tongan enlightenment that celebrates both Tongan and universal values. He was a very special educationalist.

My thoughts are with you both in this sad loss.
Niel

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Heather Young Leslie, Hawai`i

I have just learned the sad news that Futa Helu has passed away. I don’t have any details as yet, just this lovely piece written by Wendy Pond (below). Her experience with Futa presaged my own.

Futa Helu was always fun, insightful and had a wonderful vision. He left a legacy of highly educated Tongans that is unsurpassed by any other, including the government and church-based education programs. And he did it from a swamp, with very little money!

I remember bringing him apples the first time I met him. It was 1992, and I was giving a paper at ‘Atenisi. He saw perfectly clearly the humour and respect implied in my small gift. With his famili connections to Foa, and my adopted ones in nearby Ha’ano, he was within my ‘kainga-fakafonua’ and was always very kind about that. Over the years, ‘Atenisi provided a venue for many a Tongan, and multiple anthropologists, historians, and others, to work, think and discuss intellectual matters. As Wendy implies (below), Futa was consumed by the poetry of thinking, by ideas, and most especially, ideals. Our last discussion was about the Democracy Movement and the protests that lead to the riots that damaged so much of Nuku’alofa. He predicted the demise of the monarchy then. People didn’t always agree with Futa — far from it!– and some ridiculed his love of the Greek classical thinkers, but they did pay attention, as they should have.

While Futa has been ailing for years, knowing that a loss is coming does not make that loss any less devastating. Tongans have just lost one of their greatest culture heros. Lo’au has crossed the horizon.

Heather Young Leslie
**********

Bryan & Mosiana Francis

It is always sad to lose a family member, particularly in this case, one so highly regarded internationally. Despite numerous offers of prestigious positions overseas, his interest and focus were always on helping Tongans. His remarkable achievement in founding and sustaining Atenisi University would have few parallels in the world today: and may well be unique. We may not see his like again.

Alu aa Futa: “Ofa ange ‘a e ‘Otua ee ke Ne tauhi ho’o fononga”
Ofa atu
Mosiana Francis

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Pesi Weir

Hello ‘Aleki, Latu, Mosiana, Lute, Mele. I decided to forward Wendy Pond’s ‘reflection ‘ on Futa to some of my friends. In explaining to them, all these thoughts came up:
My mele-koula dance costume- All the concerts that we had to dance for, which triggered my dancing behind doors in Kolovai!– Our mum’s devotion to Futa and his education– How Dad and Mafi invited him home and had people come to hear him speak in Houma –When Futa first arrived back in Tonga, Mafi used to spend a lot of time at Kuli’s house so she could talk to Futa and Kuli– Then of course ‘Atenisi.

Futa will be sorely missed.
Ofa atu
Pesi
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Aleki Sisifa

The passing of an era, and one of our own!
‘Aleki

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Dr Steve Francis, Australia Red Cross

Hi fae and tamai
This is very sad –
Steve

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Fiona McCormack

I am very sad to hear of Futa’s death…. I have very many lovely memories of my time teaching at ‘Atenisi in between my masters and PhD, and Futa’s warmth and intelligence made my time there very special. Kind regards to you Fiona McCormack

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Dr Eleanor Rimoldi, Massey University, New Zealand

Oh what a great loss! He was a unique, beautiful human being. It was through Futa and his students – their intelligence, their artistic flare, their passion, that I came to know Polynesia.

Eleanor
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Dr Maika Poltorak, University of Kent, England

We are touched by recollections and tributes for Professor Futa Helu. Thank you for helping us to collect our thoughts and process our grief in a way that would lead to action that will best celebrate his considerable influence on us and his legacy in a way, that as you suggest, will keep him very much in the present.

For those of us far from Tonga, not able to be at the funeral or spend time with those who also knew Professor Helu well, this is perhaps all the more pressing. My own feeling, following Professor Helu’s inspirational pedagogy, is that any act that can expose our younger students and friends to his work and for them to be inspired by his wonderful combination of critical intellect, humour, scholarship and social commitment is a good start. I for one will never forget any of the conversations I had with him on the sofa at Atenisi.

My own small contribution, will be to give a seminar paper, drawing on his work and in his honour, at the University of Kent anthropology seminar next Tuesday, 9th February.
My thoughts go out to you all, and wish we could be could be together to celebrate Professor Helu’s life, in one of the ways I imagine he would have liked, in conversation and with much tearful laughter.

Ofa lahi atu,
Dr Maika Poltorak
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Fahina Tavake-Pasi, National Tongan-American Society

What a great idea Michael!! If you don’t mind, I believe I will do he same. I have to give several papers this year at different health conferences, and I will review Futa’s “Critical Essays” and take some of his insights and add it to my presentations allowing me to make mention of this great scholar and his work!

Thank you,
Fahina Fahina Tavake-Pasi
Executive Director National Tongan-American Society

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Tanusiakihelotu, Wellington

Hufanga:
Malo ‘a e tapa mai koe’uhi ko e to tau ‘a e Kanivatu ‘i he ako pea ‘oku ongo ki he kau muiaki ‘o e fekumi koe’uhi ko e fakataulama na’e fai ‘e Pahulu ma’a Tonga mo mamani ‘i he mala’e ‘o e ako mo e ‘ilo. Na’a ku talanoa faka’osi pe mo Futa ‘i Sanuali 2010 lolotonga ‘eku ‘a’ahi fakapilikimi ki ai, pea na’e ‘i ai pe mo e ki’i ‘efinanga na’a ne fakakoloa ‘aki au ‘i he’ema felongoaki faka’osi ko ia neongo kuo fakalulunga ‘a e la’a. ‘Oku ou lau ko e tapuaki mo e fakakoloa fungani ‘a e felongoaki faka’osi ko ia, ‘ou ‘inasi ai ‘i ha tukutukulaumea faka’osi mei he Peteliake ‘o Tonga ‘i he ‘ilo mo e fakatotolo. Fakatauange ‘oku ne toka ‘i he nonga mo e melino ‘a e ‘Eiki, he kuo ne lava’i ‘a e tau lelei. ‘Oku ou ‘ofa atu mo e manamanatu loto ki ‘Atenisi …
Tanusiakihelotu (Taniela H. Vao)

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Dr Tevita O. Ka’ili, Brigham Young University, Hawai`i

Aloha & Greetings to you all from Vaihi:

First, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all those (Robin, Maika, Pouvalu, Fahina, Hūfanga, Langitoto) who have shared their memories of Futa. It is an honor to read about the legacy – tukutukulaumea – of Futa. Unfortunately for me, I only met Futa once. It was at the THA conference in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2001. We only spoke for a brief moment. He asked me about my study of anthropology. We never had an intellectual exchange or dialogue.

My intellectual connection to Futa is through his writings, speeches, and mainly, his students (i.e., Hūfanga, Pouvalu, Langitoto). For me, Futa’s students – particularly Hūfanga – had the most influence in my intellectual and academic development. I see myself as a fourth generation. John Anderson (1st generation), Futa Helu (2nd generation), Hūfanga Dr. ‘Okusitino Māhina (3rd generation), and me (4th generation). Futa’s writings – his books Critical Essays, Fakaholo Talanoa, & Art of the Community – also had a great influence in my intellectual development. In fact, in my PhD dissertation, I referenced his books several times.

I think it is important for us who had no direct interaction with Futa to talk about our intellectual genealogical ties to Futa. May Futa’s laumālie return to Pulotu – our ancestral home – and always lead from the front (mei mu’a). Futa joins Hau’ofa and Lātūkefu in Pulotu.

‘Ofa afu,
Tevita O. Ka’ili, Ph.D.

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Sione Tu’itahi, Massey University, New Zealand

‘Oku ou faka’apa’apa mo fakahoko atu ‘a e popoaki fiekaunga mamahi koe’uhia ko e pekia ‘a Palofesa ‘Ilaisa Futa Helu.

Kuo hiki atu ‘a e taha ‘o e kau tu’ukimu’a he mala’e ‘o e ako ‘i Tonga mo e Pasifiki pea na’a ne taa ‘a e ‘uluafi he fokotu’u ‘a e fuofua ‘univesiti Tonga ke kaunga langa e fonua he fofoa’i ‘a e maama ‘o e ako mo e fekumi faka’atamai ma’a Tonga mo mamani.
Kuo lauita’u ‘a e fengaue’aki ‘a e ‘Univesiti ‘o Massey mo e Ako’anga ‘Atenisi tu’unga he fetakinima ‘a hona kau ako tutuku ‘o kaunga ako mo kaunga fekumi mo kaunga ngaue. Ko e taha pe ia ‘o e ngaahi fua ‘o e ngaue ‘a Palofesa Helu kuo mafola ‘i mamani.
Hange ko e faiako he ngaahi ta’u lahi ‘a ‘Okusitino Mahina, ko e taha ‘o e kau fuofua polopolo ‘o ‘Atenisi ne ngaue he ‘Univesiti ‘o Massey, pehe kia Sione Tu’itahi, kae’uma’a ‘a e kau ako hange ko ‘Opeti Manisela Taliai mo Koli Vanisi. Ko e ngaahi kalofiama mei he tuhulu ‘o ‘Atenisi.

Fakatauange ke foaki atu ‘e he ‘Otua ko e Poto-Aoniu ‘a e nonga mo e fiemalie kiate koe mo e famili, pea hifoaki mo e maama ke hoko atu ‘aki ‘a e fatongia he fonua mo e ako.

May I convey this message of love and condolences to you and the House of Helu on the passing of Professor ‘Ilaisa Futa Helu, Founder of ‘Atenisi Institute, and one of the finest intellects to have emerged from Tonga and the Pacific.

Like several other universities around the world, Massey University has benefitted over the years from the service of some of Professor Helu’s students who were/are staff members of this university such as Dr. ‘Okusitino Mahina, and Mr. Sione Tu’itahi, not to mention some of his other scholars who were also students of Massey such as Dr. ‘Opeti Manisela Taliai and Mr. Koli Vanisi.

May the Omnipotence and Almighty continue to provide peace and confirmations upon you and the family, and may Professor Helu’s outstanding legacy live on.

Faka’apa’apa Atu
Sione Tu’itahi
Talekita Pasifiki Le’ole’o/Acting Director Pasifika
‘Univesiti ‘o Massey/Massey University

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Meia Dr. Melenaite Taumoefolau

“‘UNALOTO-HE-VAHAFOLAU KI HE FALA-‘O-FUTA”
Fatu ‘e Kakala Taumoefolau

Futa-‘i-Ha‘angana ho‘o fietangatá
Fakauoua‘i ‘o Tāufá
Fokotu‘u ako ke teu‘i e fonuá
‘Ilo ‘e Tonga toe tapa ki tu‘á
‘Isa, ‘atā mu‘a ke u sani mo vikí
Taha‘i koloá ni ‘oku tonu ke hikí
Sioloto ki he kie ko Fala-‘o-Futá
Tā e ‘uluafi ‘ene a‘u ki Tongá
Hao fokololo taau ki tanu‘angá
He ‘aho ho‘o tatau ka ke holá

Tuenoa e Maka ko Pauliné
Fonua lahi feleoko e Fo‘i ‘One‘oné
Hala‘āhanga e ‘Otu Felenité
Ne li‘aki kae fai e ‘āuhē
‘O lata i Tonga‘eiki kae fēfē
‘Ofa he folau ‘a e matangi fakatētē
Hangeé ni lofa laukau he vahamohé
Fe‘ekenaki e tama na‘e faitangané
‘Uli mo tafoe e kau‘i fohé
‘Ilonga ‘ene ‘ofa‘i si‘i Tonga fua pē

‘Eku nofo tokua ko e fakalau
‘Ikai makupusi ‘e he manamanatu
Ofo hake tā koā ko e valelau
Mo e faka‘amu kuo fakaloloma fau
Ki ha manupuna siu ‘i hakau
‘A e fakafe‘ao fononga ‘o e taha pau
Ko e misi ia kuó ne fanguna au
Ho‘o lomekina e peau ‘o e vahafolau
Ka ke taufonua hili e feingatau
Si‘o kalauni he ‘aho e fetau

He palā tavake ‘apē ko ho sei
Houmatala e hisitōlia ‘o e taukei
Laukau e fānau mo e makapuna he lelei
‘Ilaisa, ho‘o tukutala ‘ikai lava ke le‘ei
Mo‘ua ‘ikai huhu‘i ‘oku kei tali mai
Tuku ai ā kia Sātai fe‘unga mo e vaivai
Nonoa ‘a e laulotoa mo e mamahi
Si‘i le‘o na‘e ongona ka ai ha tangi
Mo‘o fakalelu ha tu‘atamaki
‘Uteifuiono, folau ā, kae muimui atu ‘a e ‘amanaki

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2009 Conference for the Tonga Research Association (TRA)/ Kautaha Fekumi ‘a Tonga

SIU`ALAIMOANA: VOYAGING THROUGH THE OCEANS OF TONGAN THEORIES AND PRACTICES
(“Siu`alaimoana” refers to the long-distant flight of birds across the ocean in search of food.)

The 13th TRA Conference was held at University of California, Berkeley, and was a great success. Many thanks go out to the committee members for putting on an excellent conference.

The Conference Committee:
• Dr `Asinate Sāmate, asinates@yahoo.com President, Tonga Research Association
• Fahina Tavake-Pasi, fahina36@hotmail.com National Tongan American Society
• Dr Tēvita O. Ka`ili, tkaili@byuh.edu Brigham Young University – Hawai`i
• Dr Helen Lee, h.lee@latrobe.edu.au La Trobe University
• Mataele Finau, foimanaia@yahoo.com, National Tongan American Society
• Fuifuilupe Niumeitolu, fuifuilupe@berkeley.edu University of California, Berkeley

AWARDS AND EVENTS

His Majesty King George Tupou V has conferred on Martin Daly the honour of Commander of the Order of Quen Salote Tupou III for his publications on Tonga.

Pacific Contemporary Art Exhibition in California
The C N Gorman Museum at the University of California-Davis will host Niu Pasifik¬: Urban Art from the Pacific Rim, 6 April-13 June 2010. For information, e-mail CNGorman@ucdavis.edu

Call for Entries: 8th Pacific International Documentary Film Festival
The 8th Pacific International Documentary Film Festival (FIFO) will take place in Papeete, Tahiti, 24-30 January 2011. The deadline is 1 October 2010. Documentaries produced or directed in the South Pacific region during the last three years are eligible. For information or an entry form, see http://www.fifotahiti.org.

‘JAMES COOK AND THE EXPLORATION OF THE PACIFIC’

A magnificent and fascinating exhibition, ‘James Cook and the Exploration of the Pacific’, is currently touring Europe. It opened in Bonn in August 2009, transferred to the Museum für Volkerkunde, Vienna from 10 May to 13 September 2010, and then moves finally to the Historisches Museum, Bern, Switzerland, from 7 October 2010 to 13 February 2011. It brings together what must be the largest ever display of artefacts from the Pacific collected by Captain Cook on his three voyages, now scattered through museums and collections in Britain, Germany, The United States, Australia and other countries, some seldom seen in public before. The exhibits are displayed by country. Nearly one hundred of these are from Tonga, and include drawings by the explorers, flywhisks, kava bowls, neckrests, baskets, carved figures, ornamental items, combs, mats, barkcloth, noseflutes, panpipes, arrows, clubs and fishing implements. Adrienne Kaeppler was the principal curator.

The published catalogue, James Cook and the Exploration of the Pacific (London: Thames & Hudson, 2009) illustrates every exhibit in colour, with full description, and also contains sixteen introductory essays on general aspects of Captain Cook and the Enlightenment, and will serve as a remarkably comprehensive record of Tongan material culture at the time of Cook. As HRH Princess Pilolevu says in her message of welcome in the catalogue, one may be sad that these pieces are not in their homelands, but ‘it is important to recognize that if these pieces had not been collected during these voyages of exploration, they would have been used and finally worn out at home and discarded.’

Martin Daly (TRA Europe representative)

RECENT AND FORTHCOMING PUBLICATIONS

De Fontenay, P. and Utoikamanu, S., Tonga: economic survey 2009, Pacific Economic
Bulletin, 24, 3 (2009), 1-18.

Fraenkel, J., Options for the election of people’s representatives in Tonga, Pacific
Economic Bulletin, 24, 1 (2009), 197-208.

Poltorak, M. 2010. ‘Traditional’ Healers, Speaking and motivation in Vava’u, Tonga:
Explaining Syncretism and addressing Health Policy. Oceania 80, 1: 1-23

(can be downloaded for free at : http://www.kent.ac.uk/sac/department/staff/poltorak/45014_Oceania_1-23.pdf)

Powles, G., Accommodating monarchy and representative government: Tonga’s political
reform process, Pacific Economic Bulletin, 24, 3 (2009), 140-7.

Tavake-Pasi, F., Ralls, B., Ivoni Nash, Stinner, W. F., Taulanga, K., Kaisa Lui, S.,
Bullough, R. (manuscript). Soft drink consumption and obesity among Utah
Tongan Americans.

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Readers of the TRA newsletter may appreciate knowing how to place footnote numbers and endnote numbers on the line, instead of having them suspended in the air. Thanks to Wendy Pond for contributing this information

TO PLACE FOOTNOTE AND ENDNOTE NUMBERS ON THE LINE.
Using Microsoft Word, the spacebar across the top of the screen reads from left to right:
Normal / Times New Roman / 12.
After inserting a footnote or endnote, highlight the number of the note that appears at the foot of the page or at the end of the article. As the number is highlighted, “Normal” automatically changes to “Endnote Reference”. Click on these words and a drop-down menu will appear. Click on “Clear formatting”. If you are using a different font size for notes, return to the endnote number while it is still highlighted and change the font size.

This process will leave the endnote or footnote number in the body of the text as superscript.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

“Islands of History,” the 25th anniversary conference of the Professional Historians Association (NSW), will be held on Norfolk Island, 18-25 July 2010. For information, see http://www.phansw.org.au/documents/conference2010.html.

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The 18th annual Hawai’i Conservation Conference, “Pacific Ecosystem Management and Restoration: Applying Traditional and Western Knowledge Systems,” will be held 4-6 August 2010, in Honolulu. For more information, see hawaiiconservation.org.

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“Pacific at the Crossroads: Reflecting the Past, Adjusting the Present, and Directing the Future” will be held 12-16 September 2010, in Goroka, Papua New Guinea. For information, see http://www.pacifichistoryassociation.com.

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“Oceanic Conference on Creativity and Climate Change – Oceans, Islands, and Skies” will be held 13-17 September 2010 at the University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji. For information, see http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=9020.

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“Future Challenges, Ancient Solutions: What We Can Learn from the Past about Managing the Future in the Pacific” will be held 29 November-3 December 2010, at the University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji. For information, see http://www.usp.ac.fj/conference.

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“The Transmission of Scientific and Technological Knowledge in Everyday Life and at School in the South Pacific,” will be held in Noumea, New Caledonia, 4-8 July 2011. For information, please contact Eddie Wadrawane, at mailto:wayuone-eddie.wadrawane@univ-nc.nc; Pierre Clanche, at mailto:pierre.clanche@sc-educ.u-bordeaux2.fr; or Pierre Chaillan, at mailto:pierre.chaillan@univ-nc.nc.

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The seventeenth annual conference of the New Zealand Studies Association will be held in Vienna, Austria, 1-3 July 2010. For information, see http://www.nzsa.co.uk/conferences.htm.

The eighth conference of the European Society for Oceanists, “Exchanging Knowledge in Oceania,” will be held in St Andrews, Scotland, 5-8 July 2010. See the Web site at http://www.besite-productions.com/esfo2010 for more information and panel titles.

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The Pacific Arts Association Tenth International Symposium, “Pacific Art in the 21st Century: Museums, New Global Communities, and Future Trends,” will be held on Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 9-11 August 2010. The conference Web site is http://www.pacificarts.org.

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The 2010 Talanoa Oceania gathering, “Niu Locals,” 28-30 August in North Parramatta, Australia, will “shift the lines of thinking from migration and diaspora toward becoming locals.” For information, see sites.google.com/a/nomoa.com/talanoa.

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The 2010 annual meeting of the American Society for Ethnohistory, “Creating Nations and Building States: Past and Present,” will be held in Ottawa, Canada, 14-16 October 2010. For information, see ethnohistory.org.

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The fifteenth Berkshire Conference on Women’s History, “Exploring Race, Sexuality, and Labor across Time and Space,” will be held at the University of Massachusetts, in Amherst, 9-12 June 2011. For information, see http://www.berksconference.org).

SCHOLARSHIPS

Postgraduate Grants for Tongan Students
Students born in Tonga of Tongan parents, who have already taken a first university degree and who wish to engage in postgraduate study at any university in the world, are eligible to be considered for an award to cover the cost or part of the cost of such study. Awards are made from the Arthington-Davy Fund, which is managed by Trinity College, University of Cambridge. Application deadlines are 31 May and 30 November. For further details, see http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/admissions/graduates/studentships.

New Zealand Development Scholarship
The New Zealand Development Scholarships scheme offers people from selected developing countries the opportunity to undertake development-related tertiary-level studies in New Zealand. This may include study related to education, health, rural livelihoods, governance, human rights, or economic development, depending on the human resource development training needs of the home governments. For more information, see http://www.nzaid.govt.nz/scholarships/nzds.

Postdoctoral Research Positions for Maori and Pacific Scholars
Te Wheke a Toi Maori and Pacific Fellowship Programme will enable two new Maori and Pacific scholars to develop their academic skills at the University of Waikato. The appointees to these two-year fellowships will develop their skills under the guidance of senior academic mentors and will participate in a multi-institutional training program during three one-week residencies each year. For information, see jobs.waikato.ac.nz.

CALL FOR PAPERS

PUBLICATION IN SECOND ISSUE (2010) OF JOURNAL OF PACIFIC STUDIES (JPacS)

The Journal of Pacific Studies welcomes scholarly articles on a wide range of Pacific Studies topics. For information or to submit papers, ocntact Dr. Gurmeet Singh (singh_g@usp.ac.fj) or Prof. Vijay Naidu (naidu_v@usp.ac.fj).

Notes for Prospective Authors
• Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere
• All papers are refereed through a peer review process.
• Deadline for receipt of manuscripts is: 4th of June 2010.

CALL FOR BOOK CHAPTERS

Various island societies today face the common challenges of severe depopulation and loss of indigenous culture. In some cases, where the value of indigenous knowledge, nature and culture is valued and widely recognized – as in the case of islands that are designated as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves or World Heritage Sites – these challenges could be overcome; but they are often replaced with excessive tourist visitations, and the resulting ecosystem degradation and cultural commodification.

How best to manage and conserve the natural and cultural beauty, identity and diversity of islands?

The Futurability of Islands: Beyond Endemism and Vulnerability (Tokyo, Springer Books, 2011) is an edited publication that will critically examine cases of such ‘special island places’ from around the world.

A set of papers, originally presented at a 2008 symposium organised by the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature – RIHN (Kyoto, Japan) are now lined up for publication. But the current material is not substantive enough for a full-length manuscript. Moreover, so far, the case study material is largely drawn from South-East Asia and the Pacific (Galapagos, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, Jeju, Okinawa ….) As editors, we would first wish to consolidate this Asia Pacific dimension; if not, we would then go for a wider and more global representation and treatment of ‘special island places’ in this text.

‘Island Studies’ Scholars interested in each contributing an additional book chapter – of hitherto unpublished material, and of approx. 6,000 words each – to this publication within the next few months are welcome to contact us.

All submissions received will be double peer reviewed and are not guaranteed publication unless they meet the expected quality standards and fit within the manuscript’s contents template.
Godfrey Baldacchino gbaldacchino@upei.ca
and Daniel Niles dniles@chikyu.ac.jp

THE ONLINE BIBLIOGRAPHY OF TONGA
The online bibliography of work on Tonga is located at: http://coombs.anu.edu.au/Biblio/biblio_tonga1.html
The site contains published and unpublished work, dissertations, collections in the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, and more. TRA members can assist with keeping the bibliography updated by sending any information they have about their own or others’ publications, theses, etc, to site manager Helen Lee: h.lee@latrobe.edu.au

UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE TONGA RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

Held at Laurel United Methodist Church Hall, Oakland Ca.USA
Commencing 6 p.m.5 December 2009

Opening of Meeting
The meeting was chaired by the President, Dr ‘Asinate Samate,
18 financial members were present at the meeting.

Apologies
Heather Young-Leslie, Uani Havea, Christine Liava’a, Martin Daly, Josh Fonua

Minutes of the General Meeting 12 July 2007
Approved.

1. Reports from the Overseas Representatives.
1. USA/Canada: Fahina Pasi noted that up to the commencement of the conference there were six new memberships with a total financial membership under 30. Membership dues of approximately $400 had been received and applied to meet conference expenses. A fuller accounting was not possible until the finalisation of the conference costs. A report will be provided for the next newsletter.
2. New Zealand: Christine Liava’a provided a written report (attached)
3. UK/Europe – Martin sent his apology with a copy of the latest edition of his Bibliography
4. Report of the Tongan Secretary/Treasurer
Josh Fonua was unable to attend the conference due to commitments in Tonga. His report will be provided for the next newsletter.
3. Report of the overseas Secretary/Treasurer
Fay Yule provided a written report (attached)
She also indicated that she was unable to continue in this position..

Fahina and the conference committee were formally thanked for their planning and hard work to bring the conference to fruition, despite having to overcome many difficulties.
There was also an expression of thanks to the Overseas Secretary Treasurer for the hard work done for the Association and it was the instruction of the meeting that comments in her report relating to her inadequacies be removed/ignored.

Sione Tu’itahi moved acceptance of the reports, seconded Tangi Steen
Approved.

4. Conference Publication Report from sub-committee
Tangi Steen reported for the sub committee.
By June 1998 only 9 papers had been received from presenters at the 2007 conference. There were a further 12 papers from 1992/93 but it had proved difficult to contact all the authors, however It has been possible to fit them all into a theme “Tonga – Its Lands Seas and People” to be published in 2011.A first edit was completed and returned to the authors for approval. Martin Daly has been very helpful and will now do the final copy edit. . It has been a lengthy process and complicated in part by the fact that the Association did not have accepted publication criteria and it had been necessary to establish a style guide.
Acceptance of the Report was moved by Sandy, seconded by Fahina.
Approved.

5.Publications Committee
Proposals received:
(a) An elected Publications committee establish publication criteria to be made available when the call for papers is made
(b) (b) Consideration be given to 2 tier publications in the future (i) the conference proceedings and (ii) academic journal
It was likely that this would ultimately reduce the costs for the TRA.
Other issues for consideration are the feasibility of an E-journal (possibly for the conference proceedings, and the question of ownership of publications when the editors are likely to change.
Publications Committee elected. Tangi Steen, Nancy Drescher, Malia Talakai
(consultant adviser- Bess Wood-Ellem)

6.TRA Membership fees and fee structure.
Two proposals were put:
(a) to change fee structure so there a no one-year memberships, given that conferences are held every two years.
(b) to increase fees to $30 for two years ($15 for students), $50 for four years (no student reduction).
It was noted that membership was always boosted by new memberships around the conference and because many were one year memberships there was always a substantial fall in membership in the interim year.
Acceptance moved by Fahina and seconded by Sandy

7.TRA Communication
A proposal that at least two members of the Executive have access to the full email and address list of all TRA members, was unanimously approved

There was considerable discussion about how better use may be made of the web site
Website committee elected: (US based)Tevita Ka’ili, Fahina Pasi and Mataele Finau

8. TRA Conferences
Proposals received
(a) Future calls for abstract submissions and clear guidelines about what is required for an abstract
(b) Future TRA conference functions to celebrate achievements of TRA members, such as publications, research grants, new appointments, etc.
Tevita Ka’ili agreed to send out draft guidelines for the consideration
It was agreed that there needs to be further discussion about how TRA based publications can be best acknowledged.

Further suggestions about the structure of future conferences, for the consideration of conference planners:
• Possibility of parallel sessions or alternatively one day when there is a smorgasbord of papers and 2 days for the longer more serious/academic papers. (We need to be conscious that funding for people to attend the conference may depend on them giving a paper.)
• Tighter moderation to prevent time over-runs.
• The link with the Community that occurred at this conference was valuable and it would be good to continue that in the future.

9.Executive Committee
Proposal received
A graduate student representative be appointed to the committee to encourage student participation and develop TRA student activities.
Following discussion it was agreed that this could be best achieved by ensuring that one of the two members co-opted to assist with conference planning, was a student.
It was also agreed that each country be encouraged to report a student representative, who would report to the executive student member. Each country should be encouraged to coordinated activities that would attract people.

10.Election of Committee members for 2009-2011
President: ‘Asinate Samate (reappointed).
Vice President: Tangi Steen (Helen Lee had indicated that she was no longer willing to continue.)
Secretary-Treasurer (Tonga) – Josh Fonua (re-appointed)
Secretary-Treasurer (overseas) – Fahina Pasi
Newsletter Editor – (Helen Lee requested to be relieved of this responsibility) Tevita Ka’ili and Ping Addo (agreed to do it from 2011) Nancy Drescher to be asked to do it in the interim period.
Overseas Reps – Christine Liava’a (NZ), Fahina Pasi (USA& Canada) Martin Daly (UK& Europe) (all re-appointed) Australia (to be advised – Fay Yule will continue until a replacement is appointed.)

11. Next Conference – to be held in Tonga in July 2011 (close to Heilala week)

12. Other Business
• Particular acknowledgement of the loyal and committed role Helen Lee has made to TRA with involvement since 1987. A member of the executive throughout and for most of that time she has edited the newsletter. The Association is enormously indebted to her.
• Future planning of conferences should plan the cost structure so that some subsidy can be offered for the costs of attendance for the President and Keynote speaker. Every attempt should also be made to find sponsorship for students.

Signed Fay Yule (retiring overseas sec/treas.).
Asinate Samate (president)

TONGA RESEARCH ASSOCIATION;
Report of The overseas Secretary/Treasurer to 2009 AGM

MEMBERSHIP

Over the years the ebb and flow of membership around the Conference has been very apparent however over the last two years there has been a disappointing renewal of membership. 57 members whose membership expired at the end of 2008 have not renewed. Only one of these indicated that due to ill health he did not wish to renew his membership.

In 2008 3 student memberships were received (one Australian and 2 in USA)
2 new memberships(6 year)
2 renewals (6 year0
In 2009 3 new memberships (1×6 year and 1×1 year – both European;1 Australian)
5x 6 year renewals (Australian)
1 student membership (Australia)

Current membership totals 84
Expires 2009: 7
Expires 2010 13
Expires 2011 19
Expires 2012 7
Expires 2013 24
Expires 2014 11
Expires 2015 + 3

IT technology has brought us many advantages and the production and distribution costs of the newsletter have been greatly reduced, however email works only where addresses are kept current, and with every sending we seem to have new “bounced messages” where members have failed to provide new addresses. I have prepared a separate list of subscribed members who have been “lost’ to us. If anyone can provide us with addresses it would be very much appreciated.

Keeping current lists across Tonga, USA/Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Australia is not easy. Accuracy has been dependent upon our communication and those of us who act as country reps are human. We need you to tell us if you think we may not have your details and situation correctly recorded. I am grateful to Asinate and Josh, Fahina, Martin and Christine for keeping up their ends and for the work Helen has done in getting out the newsletters despite her already full-time professional responsibilities.

My own inadequacies over the past two years have been considerable and for that I apologise.

I count it a privilege to have served the Association and I will continue to maintain my interest in its activities, but it is time for me to hand over the records to someone better placed to maintain them.

FINANCES :

Following the finalisation of the 2007 conference finances, there has been little financial activity in the Australian account.

EXPENSES
In September 2007, as agreed at the AGM, $2000 was paid to Elizabeth Wood-Ellem for the costs she incurred for the publication of the book she edited of the 2005 Conference papers. A further $60.00 was transferred for the cost of a rubber stamp purchased for the use of the Tongan treasurer. The account then stood at $1420.44

There were no expenses in 2008
In 2009 to assist the funding of the current conference $816.50 was transferred via Helen Lee on 18 November.

INCOME – derived entirely from membership subscriptions (with a few dollars of interest)

2008 Total $160.00
New members 6
Membership renewals 1
(Memberships expired) 58 (mostly one year memberships paid at the 2007 conference)

2009 Total $245.00
New members 1
Membership renewals 6
(Memberships expired) 7

BANK BALANCE (as of 3 December 2009) $931.52
Cash in hand $40.00

Fay Yule
O’seas Secretary/Treasurer (Retired)

Report from New Zealand to Tongan Research Association Conference 2009.
Since the last Conference the major activity of the New Zealand section has been the sale of the previous Conference book- Tonga and the Tongans. All copies were eventually sold and the monies remitted to Elizabeth Wood – Ellem in Australia.
Two copies were paid for and donated to Mailefihi College in Vava’u, to help them in their History and other studies.

The death of Ron Crocombe of the Cook Islands was a shock, as was that of Roger Green, whom some of you may have known. Both were of great importance in the world of Pacific Studies.

Semisi Potauaine was awarded a Commonwealth Arts Connections residency at Cambridge University, England.
“Semisi Fetokai Potauaine is a Tufunga (highest level of practitioner/custodian of knowledge) of a number of the Tongan high arts with an extraordinary capacity to translate these to contemporary forms of creative expression appealing across Western countries and the Pacific. He is planning to study the Pacific Collections at Cambridge University Museum and Trinity College in the UK, and to pass on knowledge of Tongan traditional geometric designs.”

Several members’ subscriptions have expired this year, and a couple of people have joined, one being Lois Webster, who organized and curated the exhibition Siu Ki Moana in 2006, part of which is now permanently in Tonga at the Museum in Nuku’ alofa.

There are at present 15 financial members of the Tongan Research Association in New Zealand; – Christine & Sione Liava’a; Alice Hunt; Wendy Pond; Hugh Laracy; Hillary Scothorn & Filipe Tohi; Paula Latu; Sosefo Havea; Opeti Tali’ai; Hera Toutai; Sylvia Tongotongo; Aliitasi Toleafoa; Warren Burge; Lois Webster, as well as several whose memberships have recently expired and who may still rejoin.

It is not known how many, if any, New Zealand participants there will be at the San Francisco Conference in December 2009. December is not a good time for New Zealanders to attend overseas events, as it is the end of the academic year, which affects many of our members.

Christine Liava’a

THANK YOU to all the members who sent in items for the newsletter: The deadline for items for the next newsletter will be the end of November 2010. Special thanks to Asinate Samate and Tangikina Steen, who collaborated in the production of this newsletter.

THA/TRA PAST & PRESENT TRA COMMITTEE

PATRON: HRH Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita

Past Presidents:
Rev. Dr. Sione Latukefu (1989-1995)
Professor Futa Helu (1995-2005)

Past Vice-Presidents:
Professor Futa Helu (1989-1995)
Dr. Elizabeth Wood-Ellem (Besi Wood) (1995-2007)
Dr. Helen Lee (2007-2009)

Present TRA Committee (2009-2011)
President: Rev. Dr. ‘Asinate F. Samate (Tonga)
Vice President: Dr. Tangikina Steen (South Australia)
Secretary-Treasurer (Tonga) – Joshua Fonua (Tonga)
Secretary-Treasurer (overseas) – Fahina Pasi (Utah, USA)
Newsletter Editor – Dr.Tevita Ka’ili (Hawaii) and Ping Addo (agreed to do it from 2011) Nancy Drescher (USA) interim editor.

Overseas Reps – Christine Liava’a (NZ), Fahina Pasi (USA& Canada) Martin Daly (UK& Europe), Australia (Fay Yule until a replacement is appointed.)

REST IN PEACE

FUTA HELU

Printed at:
Dr.Moulton Center
P.O.Box 57
Nuku’alofa
Tonga