Annual Friendly
Island Festival

Po Hiva Kilisimasi

Tonga - Peace
Garden Park

      We host an annual cultural festival, "The Otu Fekaite Festival" or "Friendly Islands Festival", each summer, which promotes cultural appreciation and awareness, at our new location at Pioneer Park in the heart of Salt Lake City, Utah. We have implemented a special focus on the homeless population as part of the festival. In Tonga we have no homeless and we take care of each other. That is what we strive to do here in American. There are cultural food booths, traditional dances, demonstrations and artwork at the festival. The highlight of the festival is the traditional kava ceremony and ta'o vala (tradition attire) couple with chiefly protocol and music performed by the authentic sounds of music only found in paradise.

     The annual Po Hiva Kilisimasi Music Festival, held at the State Capital Rotunda in December, has attracted community folks from all denominations celebrating the spirit of Christmas. "I hope Tongans will continue these annual festivities, it's a great way to celebrate Christmas," state Consulate General Emeline Tuita. "It's great to see the Tongan community come together in such a wonderful way," states the Honorable Ma'atu honored guest of this event.