LIHU‘E — Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. met with the Fofo‘anga Kaua‘i, a Tonga men’s group, Wednesday morning at the Mo‘ikeha Building. Sione Faupula, a Fof‘anga member, said this is the first meeting of the group with Carvalho to discuss how
LIHU‘E — Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. met with the Fofo‘anga Kaua‘i, a Tonga men’s group, Wednesday morning at the Mo‘ikeha Building.
Sione Faupula, a Fof‘anga member, said this is the first meeting of the group with Carvalho to discuss how the Tongan community can better embrace the Kaua‘i community and have the Kaua‘i community reciprocate.
“This is just the first meeting,” Faupula said, following formal photos of the group with the mayor. “Hopefully, we’ll have more meetings so everyone will become part of the family.”
Carvalho, recognizing a language barrier that kept the group apart from the mayor and his group, called on Economic Development Specialist Nalani Brun to break the barrier with her rendering of “The Queen’s Prayer.”
The music dissolved differences, and in return, Fofo‘anga reciprocated with a hauntingly powerful Tongan number, which drew out employees from their offices to see what was being sung.
The musical exchange clearly demonstrated the cementing of relations, Carvalho closing the exchange with an oli on Na Ali‘i.
The ensuing conversation led to the discovery that Amipeleasi Langi, a leader of the Tongan community, died on New Year’s Day, leading Carvalho to call on his staff to prepare a proclamation honoring Kangi’s accomplishments and achievements.
The honor will be done at a future date at one of the Tongan services, but Carvalho insisted on incorporating more music and song.
Sosefo Lefai is the president of Fofo‘anga Kauai‘ with Faupula and Nasili Liu sharing other leadership positions in the group.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
