The Polynesian Cultural Center welcomed Queen Nanasipau‘u Tuku‘aho of Tonga on Friday, March 28. The visit to the PCC was her first as queen since her husband King ‘Aho‘eitu ‘Unuaki‘otonga Tuku‘aho Tupou VI ascended to the throne in 2012. Queen Tuku‘aho was greeted by PCC President Alfred Grace and presented with a special ‘oli (chant) from PCC Cultural Director Cy Bridges. Hawai‘i village dancers also performed a hula kahiko, an ancient style of hula, to welcome the queen. Fijian warriors then escorted Queen Tuku‘aho on a canoe to the Tongan Village for a special cultural protocol from each of the six managers representing the island nations at the PCC. Every village presented gifts to the Queen along with their performances, signifying the unity in Polynesia, said Tade Karrati, a senior studying elementary education from Utah who served a mission in Tonga.“I am grateful to see a culture I grew to love being persevered and honored,” Karrati said.As customary in Tongan culture, the queen prepared a statement that was read by her talking chiefs, according to Karrati. She thanked the people for doing their duty to the throne and for representing Tonga throughout the United States, he said. Matt Duffus, a senior studying social work from Australia, was one of the performers honoring the queen in the Tongan village. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only be in the presence of the queen, but to also perform for her.” Duffus, who also served a two-year LDS mission in Tonga, continued, “I was a little nervous, but I wanted to make sure I took advantage of this opportunity because I know one day it will be a story I can share with my children.” Guests in attendance consisted of Queen Salote College alumni, Tongan community members from throughout the island, PCC employees and performers, and media covering the event. Mele Ongoongotau, a retired Tongan professor at BYU-Hawaii, paid respects to the queen on behalf of the Tongans on the North Shore of Oahu. Nania Maka, a Queen Salote College alumna now living in Salt Lake City, Utah, said, “This is an exciting time. Every year we have this reunion and it is so fun. This is our third time seeing the new queen.” Maka noted the event was also a celebration of the all-girl school’s 80th anniversary. For those in attendance, the Queen’s visit meant more than just a celebration. With tears filling her eyes, Olivia Avea, a resident of Laie, said, “It’s so special. It’s a real blessing. For the Queen to come to Laie and for those of us Tongans who grew up in America to see her, it is amazing.” Avea added, “Laie truly is a gathering place.”Following the conclusion of the cultural ceremonies, the Queen attended a private lunch hosted by the Queen Salote College Alumni in the newly renovated Gateway Restaurant.
Writer: Greg Erickson ~ Intern
