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Media Release
Government of Tonga

TONGA: “HIS MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT REACHES OUT TO NEIGHBORING SAMOAS”

The 8.3 Earthquake that rocked the Independent State of Samoa, American Samoa and also Tonga, which then triggered the tsunami that completely destroyed whole villages in these three Pacific countries, has left behind 190 deaths and thousands of islanders homeless. Australia, France, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the United States of America have promptly responded with assistance in money and in kind. Aircrafts and ships have quickly brought in food, clothing and medical supplies to these islands where most of the survivors are still stunned and emotionally shaken from the tsunami that had wiped out their homes and villages.

Our ties and relationship with the Samoas date back way before 1250.There had been notable immigration of Samoans and Tongans between their two countries before that time, and there were further immigrants at various times afterwards, and the inter-marriage of the most noble families from the two countries secured the strong and enduring blood ties between the rulers.

The first Tu`i Kanokupolu, Ngata, was the son of the 6th Tu`i Ha`atakalaua and a Samoan lady Tohu`ia, the daughter of Ama from Safata in Upolu. The Tu’i Kanokupolu is the current Royal Dynasty of Tonga The title “Tu`i Kanokupolu” shows the Samoan connection of the line…. “Kanokupolu” means “The Heart of Upolu”. This very strong tie has been further strengthened with the marriage of the late Prince Ma`atu (His Majesty, King George V’s younger brother) to `Alaileula, a grand-daughter of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II, the late Head of State of Samoa.

In this time of devastation and destruction of property in the millions and the mourning of the loss of lives in all three countries, His Majesty’s Government feels that the brunt of this whole tragedy is with the Samoas. The latest toll in deaths is 150 lives in Samoa, 31 in American Samoa and 9 only in Tonga.

In these circumstances, it is a time to share and a time to show our cousins and neighbors the true Polynesian spirit of love, `ofa (Tongan) and talofa (Samoan). There is a Tongan saying: “Si`si`i kae femolimoli`i”, meaning, “We have very little but are so eager to share”. Those are the sentiments of His Majesty’s Government. Our local needs are much but our resources are meagre, but our ties and conscience tell us that this is a duty that must be done.

The Tongan Government is sending His Serene Highness, Prince Tungi, the son of the late Prince Ma’atu and ‘Alaileiula, and Honorable Noble Vaea, as special emissaries to the Samoan Governments with $500,000 to the Independent State of Samoa and $100,000 to the Government of American Samoa as our modest contributions to the tragedy that has fallen upon all our countries.

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