Planet Tonga

Raw peanuts from the market, still fresh with dirt.

Soldier at the Taliai Military Camp.

A popao on the lagoon in Nukuleka.

Vegetables at the market.

America has the Crips, Tonga has the Cribs…LOL

Political protest slogans in town.

I can’t remember what village this was taken in but it was in the Hahake side.

Yes, Shoreline workers actually work! haha….

This was a recycling campaign initiated by the Tongan National Youth Congress. You’ll see thise recycling bins in almost every village. As you can see, the people are actively recycling.

When I first saw this sign, I didn’t get it…I thought maybe someone in Tonga had something against curry…haha…well, turns out that people buy curry which comes wrapped in foil and usually served with manioke, and they eat it and throw the trash on the grounds. This tree is in Mala’e Kula.

School’s out…one of the Government Public Schools, near town.

I can’t remember where I took this…I think somewhere near Tokomololo.

I will probably get a lot of crap for this because I know that as Tongans, we like to put our best face forward, think positive, even in the most dire of circumstances. But, I have to share one of my most memorable experiences in Tonga.

I think a dose is reality is a good thing. I could have easily blogged about the beautiful beaches and resorts in Tonga, and there are many, but this particular experience left an impression on me.

I heard of the landfill at Patangata from various people in PT and through news stories on the internet. I wanted to see it mostly because I was intrigued that Tonga, an island so small with an equally small population, could actually have a landfill. But mostly, I wanted to see the people who have moved next to it and depend on the landfill to provide them with their everyday needs.

So, one day, I went with my driver, Verna Tukuafu, to Patangata. As we pulled up, a truck had just arrived and unloaded its contents. There was a family sitting across the street, anticipating the next garbage delivery and sure enough, they raced across the street and sorted through the garbage, looking for anything they could use.

I saw two ladies examine a monomono and then fold it and put it aside. They continued to rummage through the trash, this time other family members came to join in. I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures, but I don’t know what came over me…I felt like I was intrusive, even though I was at a far distance, and I felt sorry for them so after a few shots, I tucked my camera away. I guess in my own naive way, I wanted them to retain the little dignity they have left.

We drove past the scene and I looked over to my left and saw a woman there holding her baby. She made eye contact with me, and I felt this immediate uneasiness, but then she smiled at me! It was the biggest smile I saw in Tonga, very sincere, warming, inviting and happy. I smiled backed and as we drove away, I was so touched by this experience - that in Tonga, even the poorest of the poor can still manage to smile and make your day.

Before I forget, I was asked by several Miss Heilala contestants to put in my blog that they don’t appreciate being groped, grabbed, molested by men during the Heilala Block Party.

So, to all you nasty men out there in Tonga, LOOK BUT DON’T TOUCH!

On the other hand, all the Miss Galaxy contestants said it was perfectly already to grope, grab and molest them, as much as you’d like.

(Elsie found one of her many men in front of this Chinese store)

You know, I wanted to conduct this experiment and compare the level of service I get from a Tongan store vs. a Chinese store.

I am amazed at the Chinese stores - they are everywhere, even in the most remote villages, they stay up all night, they open first thing at midnight on Sunday night and they live in the cramped up space behind their stores.

However, they still give courteous prompt service. Well, except for this one Chinese man…when I said to him “Can I get a large water?” He said, “‘Ika’i! Lea Faka Tonga!” hahaha! He sounded like my grandfather.

(Anapesi and Melenaite Uata, in front of our favorite Chinese Store, one of many on Taufa’ahau Road)

As time went on, I abandoned my experiment when it became clear to me that, except for a few stores like my aunty Latai’s store in Veitongo, the Chinese excelled the Tongan stores consistently in prompt, friendly customer service and common courtesy.

Hopefully, someday, more Tongan storeowners will realize that good service means repeat customers which translates to more money for them.

(What did Sina do after she won Miss Heilala? She cooked and served us burgers at Kaimai Burgers! haha!)

Did the right girl win?

YES!

Folks, Sina Nauahi is the real deal. Many have dismissed her simply because of her young age or that she isn’t Tongan enough, therefore, she wouldn’t make a proper representative of Tonga. I think before we try and impose our definitions and expectations on a Miss Heilala winner, let’s really look at the mission of the Miss Heilala pageant.

According to the Miss Heilala pageant website, the mission of the winner is defined as:

“……to act as a roving ambassador for Tonga’s tourism industry, joining delegations to overseas trade shows and promotions. She will also participate in the promotional activities of the Festival’s major sponsors. She may also be required to represent Tonga at other international pageants.”

That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Sina, a promotional dancer for the world renown Polynesian Cultural Center, may be young but she has many years behind her as a cultural ambassador for PCC, traveling all over the world.

(Sina, exercising with the locals at the waterfront, near the spot where my bread and butter were stolen)

As a matter of fact, I believe Sina is due for a promotional trip to Japan soon. PCC’s promotional team don’t just dance, they also interact with many people worldwide, from leaders to average folks. She has a sound understanding of the tourism industry and that was reflected in her speech.

I believe her experience at PCC will greatly add to the mission of Miss Heilala, as outlined by the Heilala committee and to Tonga.

If we are looking for someone who fits our own definition of what it means to look or act Tongan, you are barking at the wrong pageant. If we are looking for a Tongan historian who can recite legends and Tongan history, again, wrong pageant. If we are looking for the next Rhodes Scholar to represent Tonga in worldwide tourism expos, wrong pageant again.

(Hanging out at Cafe Escape)

I think it’s important that we think globally here, think beyond our sandy shores of our small island. Today, a Miss Heilala winner must be sophisticated, eloquent, savy, educated, able to communicate the mission of Tonga’s tourism sector with the rest of the world.

Personally, If it were up to me and I had a budget of 10% of Bill Gates earnings, I would fly all three all over the world to promote Tonga. That’s how good they are.