Kolonga

Coordinates: 21°08′S 175°04′W / 21.133°S 175.067°W / -21.133; -175.067
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the locality in Australia, see Kolonga, Queensland.

Kolonga is a village and the most populated settlement located on the northeast coast of

Kingdom of Tonga
. Kolonga is a hereditary estate of Lord Nuku.

The current population of Kolonga was recorded in the Tonga 2006 Census as 1,199.[1] Many people have left to go overseas for better opportunities. Many lands have been deserted or they leave it to the care of their relatives, sending money support back home. The majority of the residents owned two lands: one in town where they reside and one agricultural land in the bush.

Nearly 99% of the population are agricultural farmers, out of that population only 60% own some level of qualification to a degree. Only a few have government jobs, while the rest make money out of their farming supplies at

Nuku'alofa, the capital city of Tonga
.

History

The name Kolonga did not exist till later on, there were two names that were known; Ualako (old residence home of Lord Nuku) and the name Mesimasi.

Estate history

Kolonga village has always been the home and land of Lord Nuku and his people since the installation of Ngata,

Tupou I declared the Tongan Constitution
, Lord Nuku was elevated from being an ancient chiefly titleholder to established hereditary noble.

The title, Nuku, has always been passed from the oldest brother to the youngest, not from father to son. Before King Tupou I left for war to Fiji, he entrusted, Lord Nuku Momoiangaha, to be the King’s Guard at the Royal Palace. When he returned, he was very upset to hear that Moimoiangaha had granted permission for a catholic church in his land. Therefore the title was stripped off.

The title landed among the children of Finauvalevale Finefeuiaki, the youngest brother. His son, Fatanitavake Finefeuiaki, was called to the title but he refused. He along with his sister, Tu’inavu Finefeuiaki, journeyed with Prince

Henele Ma'afu 'o Tu'i Tonga to Lau Islands, Fiji
. Than the title was bestowed to his brother, Lord Nuku Nehasi Finefeuiaki, since then the title went from father to son.

Lord Nuku Nehasi Finefeuiaki died leaving no male heir. Than the title went to his brother, Lord Nuku Sosaia Finefeuiaki and his son, Lord Nuku Pulu Finefeuiaki. After he died, the title returned to the descendant of Lord Nuku Nehasi Finefeuiaki. Not long after the matter was taken to court. The investigation revealed, Lord Nuku Makoni Kailahi, was a descendant through the female line in three generations. The Tongan Constitution ruled him out and the title reverted to the descendants of Lord Nuku Sosaia Finefeuiaki.

There was also a dispute over the title during the time of Lord Nuku Penisimani Katavake Naufahu Finefeuiaki. Sione Vao (Illegitimate descendant of Fatanitavake Finefeuiaki) and his relatives arrive from Fiji to claim the title. The Tongan Constitution already ruled them out, due to his ancestor, Fatanitavake, signed away his birthright.

Origin of the name

One historical interpretation is that Kolonga was, at one time, a collection of huts. Kolonga got its name during the battle between the people from the

Hahake and Hihifo District of Tongatapu
during the Tu'i Tonga Empire. As the Hihifo people were winning the battle, the Hahake people retreated and escaped to the middle of the Hahake District. The Hihifo District people found the large hut, the people hiding in it and they burnt the hut down. As the people were crying, a Chief’s Representative (Talking Chief) Nifofa was coming from Nautoka and he asked a person, “What is that sound coming from?” the person answered, “Koe kolo ‘oku nga, ‘uhinga koe kolo ‘oku tangi”, translating “The town is weeping meaning the town is crying”. Once the large hut was burned down, the battle was over and everyone return to the villages where they came from. Therefore, the village was named Kolonga.

It is also said; the name Kolonga also had its origin from the Kanokupolu village, Hihifo District of Tongatapu and the Three Heads (‘Ulutolu). When Ngata was first crowned Tu’i Kanokupolu by the rebel people, he sat on the sia beneath the koka tree in the middle and both Niukapu and Nuku sat on the ground known as Kolonga.

Other names for Kolonga

The metaphoric reference to Kolonga is Lotopoha, Sialehaevala and 'Utulongoa'a.

Sialehaevale (

Tu'i Tonga Fefine arrived in Kolonga and climbed up the gardenia
tree. As she climbed up the tree to pick a flower, her clothes torn apart, this gave rise to the name.

'Utulongoa'a (shore/cliff; noisy) Kolonga was that loud and noisy during the night, the

Tu'i Tonga
at a later date.

Tongan proverb

The word Kolonga features in the Tongan proverb, Ala-i-sia-ala-i-Kolonga (Mahina 2004),[2] translated as, skillful at the mound, skillful at the hut. This indigenous proverb derived its meaning from the pigeon trappers’ practice of heu lupe, the snaring of pigeons. The mound on which the pigeons were trapped was called sia, and the temporary huts where the men resided and stored the captured pigeons were called kolonga. The proverb in vernacular language would be written as, Ala 'i sia, ala 'i kolonga. The meaning thus paid tribute to the trapper who was not merely skillful in snaring pigeons, but also skillful at storing and preserving the birds. The proverb referred to individuals who possessed the ability to successfully function in multiple contexts, a trait held in high regard by early Tongans. Relevant to the village characteristic of Kolonga and present day descendants, the proverb captured an element of wisdom known to the early Tongans. That is, humans have greater success at surviving if they are adaptable, skillful and functional in more than one environment.[3][4]

Commercial area

Kolonga has small numbers of shops and sometimes special events occur at Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga or the

LDS Church
. Kolonga features the following landmarks:

  • The Cinema of Finefeuiaki; where all the special events are held such as traditional dances, birthdays and celebration events.
  • Kolonga Community Health Centre (Kolonga Hospital)
  • The Hall of Talikaepau Club
  • Mo'unga'olive College
  • The Library of Mo'unga'olive College

Transport

According to Tonga 2006 Census, the most common way of getting to work at

Nuku'alofa
and back, was by car (87%) and public transport (13%).

Schools

There's one private college known as Mo'unga'olive College, is run and owned by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. And one government school known as Kolonga Government Public School (GPS).

Churches

There are seven distinctive churches in Kolonga;

Lord Nuku and his descendant

Lord Nuku's bloodline had descended into more than twenty traditional chiefly titleholders, eventually reaching to

House of Tupou
.

Royals

  • King
    Tu'i Pelehake
    Filiaipulotu and maternal grandmother Fifita Vava'u, he is a descendant of Tangikinatofetofe, daughter of Lord Nuku Hape
  • Queen Sālote Tupou III. Through her mother, Queen Lavinia Veiongo, she is a descendant of Lord Ve'ehala (Lord of Fahefa) and Tangikinatofetofe, daughter of Lord Nuku Hape.
  • Queen Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe, she is the queen mother of King Tupou VI. Through her mother, Heu'ifanga Veikune, she is descendant of Tangikinatofetofe, daughter of Lord Nuku Hape
  • King
    Tupou IV, King of Tonga and oldest son of Queen Sālote Tupou III
    .
  • King George Tupou V, King of Tonga and oldest son of King Tupou IV.
  • King Tupou VI, is the current King of Tonga and the grandson of Queen Sālote Tupou III
  • Queen
    Tupou I
    )
  • High Commissioner to Australia
  • Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala (17 September 1985), eldest son of King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho
  • Prince Taufaʻahau Manumataongo - Taufaʻahau Manumataongo Tukuʻaho (born 10 May 2013, Auckland). Oldest son of Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala and Princess Sinaitakala Fakafanua.
  • Princess Sinaitakala Fakafanua, through her father, Lord Fakafanua of Maufanga, she is a descendant of Tangikinatofetofe, daughter of Lord Nuku Hape.
  • Prince Ata, second son of King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho

Lords

Notable people of Kolonga Ancestry

  • Chief Tu'itufu of 'Eueiki, descendant of Havea Tu'anuku, son of Lord Nuku Hape
  • Chief Momotu, descendant of Papa, daughter of Lord Nukufo'iva'e.
  • Chief Tamale of Niutoua, descendant of Chief Siosifa Tamale and Kalolaine, daughter of Lord Nuku Moimoiangaha Finefeuiaki
  • Chief Kapukava of
    Holonga
    . Through his mother, Mele 'Otufelenite, he descendant from Mo'unga'ulufeholoi'olotopoha, daughter of Lord Nuku Moimoiangaha Finefeuiaki. Also descendant from Tangikinalahi, daughter of Lord Nuku Hape.
  • Chief's Representative (Matapule) Fusitu'a of Niua. He descendant from Tangikinatofetofe, through both ancestors,
    Tu'i Tonga Laufilitonga
  • Chief's Representative (Matapule) Motu'apuaka, descendant of Tangikinatofetofe, daughter of Lord Nuku Hape
  • Chief's Representative (Matapule) Nifofa, descendant of Tangikinalahi, daughter of Lord Nuku Hape. He also descendant from Mo'unga'ulufeholoi'olotopoha, daughter of Lord Nuku Moimoiangaha Finefeuiaki
  • Ratu Sir
    Tui Nayau.[8]
    Through his mother, he descendant from Tu’inavu, daughter of Finauvalevale Finefeuiaki, son of Lord Nuku Finefeuiaki
  • Adi Ateca Moce Ganilau (born 1951), is a Fijian public figure. She is the oldest daughter of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
  • Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau, a lawyer who served as a diplomat and politician; current First Lady of Fiji. She is the second daughter of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
  • Ratu Alifereti Finau Mara (born 1960), a politician, lawyer and diplomat. He is the oldest son of Ratu Kamisese Mara
  • Ratu Tevita Kapaiwai Lutunauga Uluilakeba Mara, a Fijian soldier who later succeeded from being an army chief to a becoming a colonel. He is the second son of Ratu Kamisese Mara
  • Tupou II
    , he is a descendant of Tangikinatofetofe, daughter of Lord Nuku Hape
  • Ratu Viliame Dreunimisimisi (1937–2000), former Minister for Tourism and Agriculture. He is the oldest son of Ratu Sir Edward Tuivanuavou Tugi Cakobau. Through his mother, he is descendant from Tu'inavu, daughter of Finauvalevale Finefeuiaki
  • Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (born 5 July 1941),[9] the current President of Fiji since 2009. The second son of Ratu Sir Edward Tuivanuavou Tugi Cakobau. Through his mother, he is descendant from Tu'inavu, daughter of Finauvalevale Finefeuiaki, son of Lord Nuku Finefeuiaki
  • Ratu Tu'uakitau Cokanauto, Cabinet Minister. The third son of Ratu Sir Edward Tuivanuavou Tugi Cakobau. Through his mother, he is descendant from Tu'inavu, daughter of Finauvalevale Finefeuiaki, son of Lord Nuku Finefeuiaki
  • Lord Sevele of Vailahi (1944 – present), was the thirteenth prime minister of Tonga from 30 March 2006 – 22 December 2012. He earned Bachelor of Science/Maths, Bachelor of Arts, master's degrees and Ph.D in Economic Geography [10][11]
  • Milika Taufa,[12] is a professional basketball player in the USA representing Ohio State in the Women's Sport. She is the grand-daughter of Milika Finefeuiaki, the oldest legitimate daughter of Lord Nuku Penisimani Katavake Naufahu Finefeuiaki of Kolonga.
  • Tēvita Orson Kaʻili, earned a doctorate of philosophy, PhD, in anthropology from the University of Washington, Seattle, U.S.A. He is a professor of anthropology at Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi. Tēvita Orson Kaʻili is the grandson of Soakai Pulu. [13][14]
  • Sione Junior Kite,[15][16] was a High Commissioner for Tonga in London. He is the son of Sione Senior Kite and Finau 'Emeline Finefeuiaki, daughter of Lord Nuku Sunia Finefeuiaki
  • 'Akilisi Pohiva, is a Tongan politician and a leader of the country's pro-democracy movement. He was a Minister of Health from 4 January 2011 – 13 January 2011.[17][18][19]
    He is a descendant of Lord Nuku Moimoiangaha Finefeuiaki.
  • Dr T.J. Brown Pulu, earned a doctors degree of philosophy and PhD in Anthropology.[20][21] He descendant from Mo'unga'ulufeholoi'olotopoha, daughter of Lord Nuku Moimoiangaha Finefeuiaki
  • Sione 'Aleki,[22] a well known musician throughout the world for his ukulele performance. He performed at the annual New Zealand Ukulele Festival for the past 30 years, and received the nickname, Tongan King of Ukulele. He is descendant from Pakofe Finefeuiaki, son of Lord Nuku Sosaia Finefeuiaki
  • Sione Finefeuiaki,[23] is a rugby league footballer in Australia. his The son of Sione 'Ofa Finefeuiaki, son of Lord Nuku Penisimani Katavake Naufahu Finefeuiaki
  • Seminati Pulu (1969),[24] an athletic who represented Tonga at the Third South Pacific Games, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. He won a Silver Medal and participated in 100 Metre Sprint, 11.0 Seconds; Silver Medal, 200 Metre Sprint, 22.1 Seconds. He descendant from Mo'unga'ulufeholoi'olotopoha, daughter of Lord Nuku Moimoiangaha Finefeuiaki
  • Soakai Pulu, undefeated Tonga Heavyweight Boxing Championship Title from 1934 – 1953 [25] The adopted son of Lord Nuku Pulu Finefeuiaki. his The great-grandson of Mo'unga'ulufeholoi'olotopoha, daughter of Lord Nuku Moimoiangaha Finefeuiaki
  • Sione Pulu, in 1974 he represented Tonga as a Heavyweight Contender at the Commonwealth Games, Christchurch, New Zealand.[26] He descendant from Mo'unga'ulufeholoi'olotopoha, daughter of Lord Nuku Moimoiangaha Finefeuiaki
  • Tony Pulu, from 1970 -1985, he was a Heavyweight Boxer: Won 19 (KO 10), Lost 14 (KO 10), Drawn 1; Total of 34 Fights in 15-Year Period Located in Nuku'alofa Tonga, Los Angeles California, San Diego California, Las Vegas Nevada, Salt Lake City Utah, Dallas Texas.[27] He descendant from Mo'unga'ulufeholoi'olotopoha, daughter of Lord Nuku Moimoiangaha Finefeuiaki
  • Viliami Pulu. 1984. Represented Tonga: Super Heavyweight Contender. Olympic Games, Los Angeles, United States of America.[28] He descendant from Mo'unga'ulufeholoi'olotopoha, daughter of Lord Nuku Moimoiangaha Finefeuiaki
  • Douglas Charles Howlett, a rugby player, from 2000 – 2007 he played for New Zealand and represent them at 62 All Black International Caps.[29]

References

  1. ^ Tonga Department of Statistics. 2006. Tonga 2006 Census. Population Distribution By Division, District, Village By Population Change, Tonga: 1996 and 2006.
  2. ^ Mahina, 'O. 2004. Reed Book of Tongan Proverbs: Ko E Tohi 'A E Reed Ki He Lea Tonga Heliaki. United Kingdom: Reed.
  3. ^ Malimali, S. 2005. Trochus Resources: A New Fishery in Tonga? In Pacific Voices: Equity and Sustainable Development in Pacific Island Fisheries, edited by I. Novakzec, J. Mitchell, and J. Veitayaki. Suva, Fiji: Institute of Pacific Studies, The University of the South Pacific, pp. 137–152. (See Section: 'Kolonga Village and Its Fisheries,' pp. 142–152).
  4. ^ Ruhen, O. 1963. Minerva Reef. Auckland, New Zealand: Minerva Bookshop Limited.
  5. ^ See The Affinal Politics of the Twentieth Century, http://epress.anu.edu.au/austronesians/origins/html/ch12s04.html. Retrieved 2013-3-4
  6. ^ See Radio New Zealand International, http://www.rnzi.com/newflagsflying/fiji-int.php. Retrieved 2013-3-6
  7. ^ "Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  8. ^ See Commonwealth of Australia, http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2004/fa053_04.html
  9. ^ "Fijian president sworn in for three more years" (See Australia Network News, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-13/an-fiji-president-sworn-in-again/4368648). Retrieved 2013-3-8
  10. ^ Sevele, F. V. 1973. Regional Inequalities in Socio-Economic Development in Tonga. Unpublished PhD Thesis in Geography, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. Retrieved 2013-8-2
  11. ^ Sevele, F. V. and Petelo, H. 1989. Agricultural Export Marketing Institutions in Tonga: An Assessment of the Role and Consequences of Government Involvement. Honolulu, Hawai'i: East-West Center. Retrieved 2012-12-14
  12. ^ Women's Basketball (see All Sports, http://iuhoosiers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2805#). Retrieved 2016-3-1
  13. ^ Ka'ili, T. O. 2008. Creating Beauty Through the Art of Socio-Spatial Ties. Unpublished PhD Thesis in Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America.
  14. ^ Ka'ili, T. O. 2005. Tauhi Va: Nurturing Tongan Sociospatial Ties in Maui and Beyond. The Contemporary Pacific 17 (1): 83-114. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  15. ^ "Court circular". The Independent. 1992-07-09. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  16. ^ "Tongasat's Flawed Genius" by David Mendosa (See Mendosa, http://www.mendosa.com/tongasat.html). Retrieved 2013-3-8.
  17. ^ "Parliamentary 'Games' Distract From Tonga's Economic Woes" by Pesi Fonua. (See http://pidp.org/pireport/2012/November/11-02-co.htm). Retrieved 2013-3-8
  18. ^ (See Tonga Government Portal, http://www.mic.gov.to/ministrydepartment/14-govt-ministries/prime-ministers-office/2000-fakafisi-akilisi-pohiva-mei-he-lakanga-minisita-moui). Retrieved 2013-3-6
  19. ^ (See Taimi Media Tonga, http://www.taimionline.com/articles/1110, "Pohiva Disappointed"). Retrieved 2013-3-6.
  20. ^ Brown Pulu, T. J. 2007. Kakai Tonga 'i 'Okalani Nu'u Sila: Tongan Generations in Auckland New Zealand. Unpublished PhD Thesis in Anthropology, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. (See external link for the digital copy of the Doctoral Thesis at The University of Waikato Research Commons: http://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz//handle/10289/2584). Retrieved 2013-3-1
  21. ^ Brown Pulu, T. J. 2002. Turangawaewae/Tu'ungava'e: Echoes of a Place to Stand and Belong. He Puna Korero: Journal of Maori and Pacific Development 3 (2): 14-30.
  22. ^ 'Tongan King of Ukulele', Sione Aleki by Craig (see http://www.ukulelia.com/2009/12/tongan-king-of-ukulele-sione-aleki.html)
  23. ^ See Rugby League Project, http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/sione-finefeuiaki/summary.html. Retrieved 2012-3-7
  24. ^ Pulu, Seminati. 1969. Represented Tonga: Silver Medal, 100 Metre Sprint, 11.0 Seconds; Silver Medal, 200 Metre Sprint, 22.1 Seconds. Third South Pacific Games, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. (See External Link for South Pacific Games Track and Field Medalists: http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/spg.htm). Retrieved 2013-3-6
  25. ^ Pulu, Soakai. 1934 - 1953. Undefeated Tonga Heavyweight Boxing Championship Title.(See Ruhen 1963, p. 48). Retrieved 2013-1-1.
  26. ^ Pulu, Sione. 1974. Represented Tonga (See Tonga at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games for Athlete/Event Description; See Also External Link: http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=2-3338-0-0-0&sID=32718). Retrieved 2013-1-2
  27. ^ Pulu, Tony. 1970 - 1985. Heavyweight Boxer (See External Link for Athlete/Event Description: http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=22658&cat=boxer). Retrieved 2012-12-14
  28. ^ Pulu, Viliami. 1984. Represented Tonga (See Tonga at the 1984 Summer Olympics for Athlete/Event Description; See Also External Link: [1]). Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  29. ^ Howlett, Douglas Charles. 2000 - 2007. Represented New Zealand: 62 All Black International Caps. (See Doug Howlett for Current Biographical Detail). Retrieved 2012-12-14.

21°08′S 175°04′W / 21.133°S 175.067°W / -21.133; -175.067

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kolonga&oldid=1203954828"