Welding...what is that?

Here are some pics. of the holes in the back and sides of the Princess Ashika ferry that sunk with Makis brother on it. These photos taken just weeks before the accident. Here's a welder welding concrete to cover the holes. Bless him. How thoughtful! Huh?
What is that? I can understand why everyone is so angry about the whole thing. If families would have known this they would've never gone on that ferry....EVER! So sad and disappointing. What happened to Honesty and Integrity? It's always about the money. These poor people have no money they are poor. What a tragedy! Enough of my soapbox.
Just wanted to share!

Hooray we did it!

Princess Ashika Fundraiser

August 22, 2009

What a delight this was....I must say I've not

participated in an all nighter in many, many years.

It was worth it!

Here are some pics. to explain our day of fundraising for Limoni and his family..... what a turnout! It was so awesome! Thanks to all who participated, and helped in so many ways. I can't express my gratitude enough! Thank you!

Maki left this afternoon to leave fpr Tonga for 4 weeks. I was lonely before he even left. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself and 4 kiddos for that long. I'm so grateful to Maki for his moral support, and his help in all of this.

We raised $4200-$4500 in 1 day for this cause, I went to Walmart tonight to send over $3200 US Dollars and guess how many Pa'anga (Tonga mula) that was?

Drum Roll Please!
$6200 pa'anga!

Isn't that awesome?!

I'm so tickled!

Thank you again!

May God bless you all and to this I say to you and to ALL of my family, I LOVE YOU!!!

Take care for now.

--Tiff

The Final Count is out.....

Op. Ashika names 70 missing passengers and crew

20 Aug 2009, 21:00
Nuku'alofa, Tonga:

THERE were 128 persons on board the Princess Ashika when it left Nuku'alofa on its August 5 voyage, Operation Ashika confirmed on August 19. These have been established as:54 rescued2 bodies recovered72 confirmed names of missing persons (68 passengers and 4 crew).The names of the missing passengers and crew are:S/No, Surname, First Name, Gender, Age, Address 1. Aho, Sione Tali-kihe-Matoni, m, 29, Fasi 2. Aisea, Eva, m, 24, Popua 3. Aisea, Lisiate, Tovo, m, 26, Uiha 4. Alimoni Lima, f, 25, Anana 5. Alimoni, Mele, (Lima's sister), f, 22, Anana 6. Elone, Sione Valele, m, 43, Fasi 7. Elone, Sione Veuveuso, m, 34, Fasi 8. Fa'asolo, Sitiueti, m, 40, Fungamisi Vv 9. Falemei, Kepueli, m, 19, Houmakelikao 10. Fa'uhiva, Etuate, m, 21, Haveluloto 11. Fe'ao, Siuta Nikolasi Senituli, m, 23, Ha'ato'u 12. Fetu'u, Anitelu Uali, m, 23, Makaunga 13. Filiai, Liliani, f, 53, Mangia Vv 14. Finau, Ela, f, 33, Tofoa 15. Finau, Ioane, m, (c) 3, Tofoa 16. Finau, Paea-'i-Latai, f, 32, Ha'afeva/Tofoa 17. Hala Tahila, (nee Tauki'uvea), f, 41, Tatakamotonga 18. He, Tevita Vailahi Atu, m, 60+ Kotu 19. Hikila, Loseli Tupou m 35 Ma'ufanga 20. Kanongata'a, Barsin 'Ela, f, (c) 9, Fotuha'a 21 91 Kanongata'a, Paea 'i Faua, f, 39, Fotuha'a 22 96 Kaufusi, Salesi Havili m 26, Ha'ateiho 23. Kauhala, Fe'ofa'aki, f, (c), 6, Pahu 24. Kauhala, Hikifo'ou, f, (c) 3, Pahu 25. Kauhala, Manu Losaline Kaniata, f, 34, Pahu 26. Kauhala, Manukeu, m, 36, Pahu 27. Kofutu'a, Pelenaise 'Ioane, f, 56, Anana/'Uiha, Hp 28. Lavaka, Lavinia, f, 60, Ha'afeva 29. Lavalu, Ahokava, m, 20, Folaha 30. Lavemai, Simaima, f, 41, Mataika Vv 31. Lavulavu, James Newton, m, (c) 4, Talau, Vv 32. Loto'ahea, Taipe, m, 56, Feletoa Vv 33. Lutui, Simaima Taukifaleniu, f, 45, Uiha 34. Mafi, Sekona, m (c), 1, Matuku Hp/ Ha'ateiho 35. Mafi, Tatisi (nee Pole), f, 25, Ha'ateiho 36. Mahe, Fetaulaki, m, 24, Talihau Vv 37. Mahe, Filimone Moniti, m (c) 2, Talihau Vv 38. Mailangi, Atelete, f, 63, Feletoa Vv 39. Mailangi, Paula, m, 25 ,Feletoa Vv 40. Mailangi, Tapuaki, f, 28, Feletoa Vv 41. Mavae, Manase, m, 38, Tu'anuku, Vv /Vaini 42. Moala, Katilimoni Finau, m, 47, Kapa Vv (Maki's brother) 43. Ngahe, Esafe Kilikiti, m, 51, Tefisi Vv 44. Oto'ota, Melaia, f, 23, Holeva 45. Palanite, Mele Mateitalo, f, 31, Longomapu Vv 46. Pole, Senileva Taufa f 52 Ha'ateiho 47. Po'uha, Piutau m 31 Ha'afeva 48. Puleheloto, Sisiliah Rachelmana, f, 24, Niue 49. Samisoni, Kolianita, f, 60, Lotofoa Hp 50. Samisoni, Maamafo'ou, f, 30, Lotofoa Hp 51. Samisoni, Mele 'Ofeina, f, 19, Lotofoa Hp 52. Samisoni, Tukupa-kihe-'Eiki he Maamafo'ou Jr, f, 7, Lotofoa Hp 53. Talakai, Mele Kato Kakala, f, 46, Puke 54. Talakai, Mele Kato Kakala Jr f (c) 2 Puke 55. Talakai, To-e-pou-'i-Pouono f (c) 5 Puke 56. Taufahema, Siosifa, m, 28, Nautoka 57. Ta'ufo'ou, Fifita, f ,77, Kotu, Hp 58. Ta'ufo'ou, Meki,�m, (c) 2 ,Fo'ui 59. Tava, Malakai, m, 34, Popua 60. Tukitoa, Lio, m, 44, Feletoa Vv 61. Tukuafu, Poasi, m, 21, Fasi 62. Umeda, Hiroshi, m, 70, Japan 63. Uvea, Tevita Pola, m, (c) 9, Ha'afeva 64. Vaitohi, Tupola, m, 14, Kotu Hp 65. Vaka, Mosese (aka Kelly Valu), m, (c) 5, Kolonga 66. Valu, Christy, f, 28, Kolonga 67. Vave, Neti, m, 30, Nautoka 68. Langanke, Christian, m, 28, German 69. Gmeinder, Diana, f, 28, German 70. Henry, Pauline, f, France. The two deceased recovered were identified as:McMillan, Daniel m, BritainMahe, Vaefetu'u f, 22, Kolofo'ou.

Off to Kapa. Vava'u!!!!

Crown Prince holds Memorial Service
20 Aug 2009, 22:15
Nuku'alofa, Tonga:By Linny Folau

Relatives hold pictures of the Kauhala family of four who were lost at seaCROWN Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka and Crown Princess Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho joined bereaved families for a Memorial Service in remembrance of the Ashika victims this morning at the Sa Paula Free Wesleyan Church at Pea, Tongatapu. The church was filled with grieving families and before service began the Crown Prince personally met and hugged surviving crew members, and afterwards hugged and kissed family members.
Surviving crew members meet the Crown Prince and Princess
Sa Paula Free Wesleyan Church at Pea, Tongatapu, August 20, 2009The President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Rev Dr 'Ahio, led the memorial service, attended by the Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele, the Deputy Prime Minister Hon Dr Viliami Tangi, cabinet ministers and parliamentarians. During the service Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka delivered a heartfelt message, remembering those whose lives were lost on the Princess Ashika."At the same time we celebrate those who were saved, not all was lost," he said. "Memories are all we have of those loved ones and perhaps these memories show the fragility of life and that we should always treat those close to us as if we would never see them again."
End of operations The Crown Prince added that today's service also marked the completion of the search and rescue operation and he wished that God will give families the peace and strength during this difficult time and extended his condolences and sympathies to all.The Crown Prince commended the joint efforts of all aspects of Tongan society, the people, police, defence services and the New Zealand and Australian Navies who came together and helped each other in this time of crisis.


Well it has officially hit me. While reading this news my heart is full of gratitude of those who did all they could in this search, but my heart is aching with sadness that no bodies were recovered.
Maki will be leaving Sunday evening to head over to his birthplace Kapa, Vava'u for the memorial service and 10 day wake for his brother and best friend Katilimoni Finau Moala. He will spend the next month there doing funeral stuff and enjoying being with his family, along with taking care of some other business. He's looking forward to going but is also very nervous. It'll be great for him to go. I sure wish the kids and I were going. It's going to be an interesting time without having him here.

Well it is Thursday and we're down to two days until the MAIN EVENT, our Fundraiser. THANK YOU to everyone who has been so kind and generous in taking part in this wonderful cause. I pray that we can make enough money to help those who are in need. I'm grateful to have known Limoni. What a wonderful man he was. We will miss him and look forward to the day when we will see him again. May God continue to shine upon all of you. I'm grateful to you once again and thank you.
-Tiff

Reality has sunken in.....

http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/outerislands/20090819_ashika_rov_navy_images.shtml


Well, we were hoping that we'd have some better news today. It looks like NZ has called off the search. Take a look at the link above and you will see the pictures that the ROV has taken of the Princess Ashika on the bottom of the sea. Hello Reality!

We understand that going down that deep would be putting others lives in danger which of course we don't want, with the images that we put in our heads it seems easy to just go down and get the bodies. Once looking at these images on the screen 360 ft. down it really isn't that easy.

Now the memorial services begin.....so we now are in a crunch for time.

Please help us at our Fundraiser Garage Sale. We're down to 3 days!! 3 days!! We've gotten some really nice things from people. We're hoping for a huge success. Thanks for all of those who have already helped in so many ways. I couldn't have done this without any of you!

Take care!

--Tiff

An ODE to our loved ones...our lives have been changed forever.

ODE to the Princess Ashika

A ship set sail On its usual course

Towards the setting sun

Its passengers stood

Upon the deck

And waved their last farewell

As evening drew

And night unveiled

Its clouds of darkness strew

A fitting frame

Of bordering came

For a tragedy no one knew

The seas in tempest

Rose and curled

Its waves They grew in size

The shipIts precious cargo tossed

Was thrown from side to side Abandon ship!!!

The captain cried

Tell all to come outsideAlas!

The waves in anger rose

And cast the ship aside

The women, Children Young and small

Never had the time

To cast thier fears

And flee the ship

But neptune heard their cries

He rose and sang his lullaby

A song he sings with glee

And carried ship and all aboard

Below the raging sea

Loved ones wait upon the shores

Their hearts are heavy laden

Always scanning looking out

For signs of what is happening

Dear neptune King of tempest seas

You ride the waves with ease

Return to us our loved ones all

Hear our sighs

Our pleas Tell us where you sang your song

That night when you went walking

You rule the sea

So vast and wide

Your fearsome voice commanding

We pray to god

Each day, each night

Our hope is never fading

That somewhere O'er the ocean blue

Our loved ones are still waiting

A ship set sail On its usual course

Towards the setting sun

Its passengers stood upon the deck

And waved their last farewell.

By Vaimoana Faka'osiOcean of Light International School,

Hofoa, Tongatapu

That says it all! I'm so grateful for good people who can express themselves so well. Please help us, get Maki home, and help all of these families whose lives have been changed forever. Thank you!

HELP HAS ARRIVED!

Take a look at what's going on now....even as we speak!

http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/outerislands/20090815_ashika_manawanui.shtml

The KIWI's have stepped in to help. They've got a HUGE ship to pull out the Princess Ashika. Now the waiting continues. Will they find our loved ones? We can only HOPE and PRAY!
We down to 6 days until our fundraiser. We've rec'vd some awesome donations! Thanks to all who've donated! You light up my life! What a blessing everyone has been. Maki is growing anxious and hopeful that he will go to Tonga. His desire is to be with his family!

Thank you again for everything.
Take care!

--Tiff

Wondering who Limoni is?

This is Maki's brother and Best Friend growing up in Kapa.

Katilimoni Finau Moala and his mom Ana Moala.

We're down to 1 week until our fundraiser. If you're able and willing to help with donations, please do. You can reach me via email mtvuki@gmail.com or send monetary donations to

And Good Works

6420 Trajan Drive

Orangevale, Ca 95621

Thanks for all of the help that's already been given! We appreciate it!!

Take care!

---Tiff

The Princess Ashika ferry on the bottom of the ocean floor 360 ft. below.

Isn't this Incredible?

MV Princess Ashika

August 5, 2009 11:00 pm

FERRY SUNK.

93 PEOPLE MISSING

http://www.matangitonga.to/home/ads/ashika/20090813_missing.htm

Look for the name Katilimoni Finau Moala/ number 27 ( age47) Kapa Vv. This is Maki's brother in who we are honoring. If you notice this is only 37 names out of the entire 93 missing, not yet recovered.

Please notice the ages of the many people still missing. There is even a brand new baby 3 months. Man!

We're down to 1 week and 2 days until our FUNDRAISER, I'm getting excited for this and am hopng that we will have a large crowd. Please continue to spread the word. Any donation for our yard sale, bake sale, or monetary donations are appreciated. Let us all rally together and make a difference for our brothers and sisters in another country.

One other thing, I'd like to end with. Did you know that every $1 USA is between $2-$3 Tongan pa'anga(money). We can all make a difference! Hope it's a great day for you. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED AND THOSE THAT ARE WILLING. IT IS MOST APPRECIATED.

Letter from Limoni's Wife!

(This is an email that we rec'vd this morning from Limoni's wife, Oh I feel so sad for her. There are other families who are in the same situation that she's in except they've lost a couple of people to even losing all of their family.)
Please keep these people in your prayers. Let's rally together and help them too!


Hi Makiteli

Although we didnt meet before but we did because you are good buddy and cousin of Limoni. Maybe you heard what happen now but I wish the body will be recovered and its very hard to me like the arrow put into my heart. I tried to accept it but it very painful, no one knows just myself. Me and my other daughter will come to tonga on monday and i hope i meet you anytime with your wife and kids. My other daughter will stay because they just came from tonga we will keep in touch at the future. Love to all the family over there even the wife and kids.

Love from Ofa, Deborah, Manuhili jr and Nunia jr.

They've located the Princess Ashika!!!

Hooray! They've found the ferry down 360 ft. Now if the Gov't can get down that deep, hopefully they can recover these bodies of all of our loved ones.

This news just makes me want to work even harder to get Maki there. Please if you live within the area and have anything that you could donate to our Yard sale, will you please help us? Even a few bucks will go a long way! This is today's news article. The number of missing is still at 95.


Tonga News : Outer Islands
Last Updated: 12 Aug 2009 - 18:51 GMT+1300

Sonar detects missing ship at 110 metres (360 ft.)

12 Aug 2009, 17:25

Nuku'alofa, Tonga:AN underwater search team has this morning, August 12, located what appears to be the sunken vessel Princess Ashika, lying upright in 110 metres of water, at the position indicated by the emergency beacon and final radio call, 11 nautical miles south southwest of Nomuka in the Ha'apai Group."It is important to realize that nobody onboard could still be alive," Tonga Police Commander Chris Kelley said, in announcing the find at a 4:00 pm press conference today.The vessel is too deep for the New Zealand and Australian navies to conduct recovery operations.Sonar detectionHe said that at about 11 am today, a combined Tonga, Australia, New Zealand Naval Dive and Underwater Search Team, operating from the Tonga Defence Service Voea Pangai, using the REMUS sonar system had detected a vessel, "which fits the general size and shape of the missing ship.""The position identified by the REMUS system coincides with the positions given by both the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon and by the Master in his final radio call."The position is also corroborated by the presence of an oil slick, various debris and a mooring line."One of the two bodies was also found [earlier] at this location," said Cmdr Kelley.He said that also the onsite team had not visually confirmed the identity of the vessel, "but we have a high level of confidence it is the Princess Ashika," he said.In deteriorating weather conditions, the combined Navy Team have suspended operations, and bad weather is forecast throughout the next few days.Identification imagesCmdr Kelley said that the HMNZS Manawanui is due to arrive in Nuku'alofa on Saturday morning and will support the naval team in conducting further reconnaissance operations on the Princess Ashika, using a remotely operated vehicle to take images and ascertain the identity of the vessel."It is important to understand that neither the New Zealand or Australian navies have the capability to conduct recovery operations beyond 60 meters."Mapping"Our next step is to use HMNZS Manawanui with the ROV to explore the wreck site and map the debris field around the vessel."The weather condition on the site do not allow the navy team to deploy the ROV vehicle until we have very suitable very calm conditions," he said.Exclusion zoneCmdr Kelly emphasized that there is an exclusion zone in place. "No members of the public can travel to the area without authority from the Police Commander."

Flyer for the Garage Sale.... Please pass around!

Tongan Ferry Sinks! Ninety five Missing Or Dead.

Mostly Women And Children.

NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga (AP) -- Giving women and children the comfort of cabins while men stayed on deck may have doomed them to be trapped inside an overnight ferry that capsized in heavy seas off Tonga, officials said. Dozens are missing and feared dead… [including a family member of ours – father of four.]

HUMANITARIAN FUND RAISER TO

HELP THESE FAMILIES

*Will You Help Us, Please?

Bake Sale, Costume Jewelry and Garage Sale

Saturday, August 22, 2009

7441 Windjammer Way, Citrus Heights, Ca 95621

Bake Sale Items To STEPHANIE ELKINS 916.390.3877

“Cookies, Cakes, Pies, Breads, et al”

Garage Sale Items To TIFFANY VUKI 916.677-6919

“Any valuable item/goods, furnishing, et al”

Financial Contributions Also Most Welcome!

To: Good Works!

6420 Trajan DriveOrangevale, CA 95662

Check out our blog!

PrincessAshika.blogspot.com

* U.S.A. -- One Family Member (Maki) Flying To Tonga For September Memorial Service

(Pics. to come soon)

The search continues....

As of today the count for unaccounted is 95 and still rising we fear. Maki has been on the phone a few times to Tonga and it is very somber there. Many people on edge just waiting for some news. We understand right now that this is a search and rescue, but boy the waiting sure is nerve racking. We feel like our whole life has been turned upside down. In the back of our minds we know that it is very LIKELY that Limoni's body will never be recovered. We are still holding out hope that he is in the ferry, locked up untouched. This is the newest update from the matangitonga.to website.

BAD WEATHER
We tried to go out this morning at 5:30 but the weather condition was very bad and we haven�t been able to conduct that second mission. In the meantime the vessel returned to anchor and the forecast weather for today and tomorrow are strong winds. "So it is unlikely that we will be able to conduct further operations today or tomorrow. We expect that we would not be able to deploy for the continued search mission until tomorrow night." Cmdr McMillan said to give people an expression of how difficult the task is "just imagine four or five rugby fields with a car there at night and use a torch to shine to try to find it. And then put 60 to 100m of water on top of that, with uneven ground where the vessel can hide behind a hill, is very challenging," he said. "The depth limitation for the sonar equipment is a 100m, if the wreckage is deeper, we do not have the capability to reach beyond that depth. The divers cannot go beyond 50m in depth."He said the alternative is there are other international organisations that are able to go deeper and it is of the Tongan Government to decide that.We are still in the very early days of the underwater search operation the environment we are working on is not a search and rescue mission, it takes time and it has taken all this time to search, he said.

So as the search continues for our loved ones so does the search continue here for donated items to be sold at our Fundraiser. Please if you have ANYTHING that you're no longer using and would like to donate we'd love to have it. We can pick it up or you can drop it off to us. We're just under 2 weeks until this event. Monetary donations are greatly appreciated too. Thanks for all those who are so willing to help. I couldn't do this by myself. You can reach me at 916-677-6919.

Oh my gosh!

One of our nephews(Mak's baby sister Paea's son) Siua Mahina survived! We didn't know he was on board as a crew member! This is so exciting! What a wonderful life! This boy is an amazing person, when we were in Tonga in 02 he would run up the coconut tree and swing himself like a monkey barefoot! What a sweet boy he was too. He's now 18 yrs old and is a survivor! What a blessing!

Hooray! Hooray! I'm dancing...imagine that!

Latest news on Limoni.

Please! Will you help us? We will be holding a garage sale/bake sale/and custom jewelry on August 22, 2009 8am-5pm 7441 Windjammer Way Citrus Heights, Ca 95621. Looking for donations! Any used sellable items would be appreciated! If you'd like to donate please give me a call @ 916-677-6919 and I'll give you the info.to do so. Money donations are greatly appreciated too. Thanks so much for the help, love and support! Below is the current update. I've high lighted Limoni in this article.
--Tiffany


Tonga News : Outer Islands
Last Updated: 09 Aug 2009 - 17:14 GMT+1300
Text Size:
93 missing, Ashika toll rising
Email this article Printer friendly page
09 Aug 2009, 17:07
Nuku'alofa, Tonga:THE number of missing from the MV Princess Ashika ferry continues to grow, with 93 persons unaccounted for today, and only two bodies recovered. Navy divers returned to the location today in a continuing search for the sunken vessel on a hilly seabed at depths of up to 100 meters in Ha'apai waters.On Day 4 of Operation Ashika, 82 hours after the MV Princess Ashika sank around midnight on Wednesday, the police have confirmed the names of 149 persons on board. "It is quite possible it will be more," said Tonga Police Commander Chris Kelley this morning. "The figures are changing by the hour."There are 54 known survivors, and two dead. (The names of the survivors are listed at the end of this article).Today, 93 persons remain unaccounted for, and these include 37 males, 33 females, 10 children, and 13 of unknown gender.Commander Kelley said the process of reconciling the passenger figures was a difficult one because of the need for information from family, relatives and friends of persons on board the sunken vessel."It is important to ensure only accurate identity information is realeased," he stressed.Police and government support teams are continuing their visits to families throughout Tonga "to try and confirm the exact number and identity of people on board."Foreign NationalsThe commander said that inquiries were also underway in an effort to identify foreign nationals on board."We know that there was one Japanese crew member, with two French and two German passengers missing - four people who were working in Tonga, and there may be more."There are also two police officers missing: a Tongan police officer who was returning to Vava'u after attending a court case in Tongatapu, and a Niuean Police officer, woman who was on holiday in Tonga.The body of one British national has been recovered. The body of an unidentified Tongan woman aged about 25-35 has also been recovered, and police are trying to match her to descriptions given by relatives."We thought we had found relatives to view the body but they have confirmed that it is not their relative," said the Commander. "We will release a detailed description tomorrow.""we have recovered only two bodies which is unusual in the circumstances," he said. "As time goes on the chances of finding more survivors is less, but it doesn't mean we will give up."The RNZAF Orion has completed its aerial search, he said but other searches are continuing.Survivor listThe known survivors are 54 males, aged between 10 and 70 years old. Their names released by Chief Inspector of Police Sokopeti K. To'ia, of Operation Ashika this afternoon are:S/No, Name, Sex, Age, Address Crew 1 Sitiveni A. 'Ali, m, 26, Ma'ufanga2 Filipe Tau'ataina, m, 25, Ha'ateiho3 Fisi'inaua Vea, m, 20, Hihifo, Ha'apai4 Halatoa Maamaloa, m, 35, Longolongo5 Kalipeno Lolohea, m, 19, Fasi 6 Kainga Ta'ufo'ou, m, 20, Kotu/Fo'ui7 Lino Sakalia, m, 37, Ma'ufanga 8 Lotu Kalu, m, 21, Popua/Niuafo'ou9 Alifeleti Malu Mafi, m, 18, Tofoa/Hala'ovave10 Manu 'Utumoengalu, m, 19, Popua11 Metui Satini, m, 20, Fangaloto12 Penisimani Losaki, m, 22, Tofoa13 Penisimani Tupou, m, 22, Ngele'ia14 Po'oi Lolohea, m, 24, Lapaha/Nukuhetulu15 Samisoni Palu, m, 25, Fangaloto/Hala'ovave16 Semisi Ve'etutu Pomale, m, 25, Houmakelikao17 Siale Kapeli, m, 10, Ma'ufanga/Lapaha18 Sili Kalu, m, 34, Longolongo/Popua19 Simote Mapu Taufu'i, m, 18, Tofoa20 Siosiua Mahina, m, 18, Fasi/Tefisi (he is our nephew, Mak's baby sisters son) He's a survivor!!! Vv21 Solomone Havili, m, 27, Fasi22 Uasike Tupou, m, 34, Tofoa23 Unaloto Finau, m, 31, Anana24 Unaloto K. O. Uata, m, 26, Fangaloto 25 Vilai Haukinima, m, 21, Ha'afeva/Havelu 26 Viliami Tu'akoi, m, 28, Popua27 Viliami Makahokovalu Tuputupu, m, 42 Niutoua/Tu'atakilangi 28 Siaosi Lavaka, m.Passengers 1 Eti Fetuani, m, 27, Tu'anekivale2 Fatui Manu, m, 32, Ha'afeva 3 Halaliku 'Epenisa, m, 26, Ta'anea Vv 4 Halatoa Puafisi, m, 70, Nukuleka Tt5 Hiva Taukei'aho, m, 19, Ha'afeva6 Kelepi Tau, m, 25, Kameli Vv7 Lea'asi 'Otuafi, m, 29, Ma'ufanga8 Mafi Moala Taufa, m, 25, Matuku9 Manoa Tu'ivailala, m, 31, Feletoa 10 Mesui Lemoto, m, 22, Ha'ateiho11 Pau Tupou12 Pelenato Pome'e 13 Sosaia Tone, m, 31, Ha'afeva14 Sekona Fatafehi, m, 16, Kotu15 Sifa Kafa, m, 53, Talafo'ou16 Sione He'ehau, m, 21, Ha'afeva17 Sione Ngalu, m, 29, Ha'ateiho 18 Sione Uasi, m, 26, Pangai Hp19 Viliami Tatofi He'ehau, m, 33, Ha'afeva20 Tevita Lotaki Kanongata'a, m, 70, Fotuha'a21 Tongia Lemoto, m, 26, Ha'ateiho22 Tu'imeli Luani, m, 25, Puke23 Sekonaia Tuituiohu Pekipaki, m, 30, Uiha Hp24 Vili Tulikihakau, m, 21, Koloa Vv25 Viliami Mohenoa, m, 21, Ngele'ia26 Kailata Fotu, m, 22, Ha'atou Hp

Thank you again, and please spread the word to all your friends and family. Every little bit helps!

A letter from Limoni's wife...

My dear husband
09 Aug 2009, 10:32
Auckland, New Zealand:
THANK you guys for the news online about the huge lost in Tonga. I am 'Ofa Moala wife of Katalimoni Finau Moala the policeman who was traveling in the Ferry that sunk. I lived in NZ with one daughter, 4yrs old next month, and my eldest daughter who came from Tonga with her husband, and one son, our grandson to visit mum. Limoni rang me on Tuesday that he would take a flight back to Vava'u, suddenly his sister rang from Tonga that my husband went on the Ferry because he didn't have a plane ticket, it was fully booked. Hope is not fading yet, but believe he is still there.
'Ofa and the kids

The last voyage on Princess Ashika

On Wednesday August 5, 2009 many people on the island of Nuku'alofa Tonga boarded the ferry Princess Ashika to head back to their homes in Ha'apai, Ha'afeva, and Vava'u not knowing this would be the last time they'd see their loved ones.

Wednesday night Princess Ashika sunk within just minutes and has taken the lives of many. Mainly women and their children. 85 people are still missing and bodies are still to be recovered. One of them is my husband Maki's brother Limoni.

This blog which is being made in his honor. I'd like to tell you a little about our friend and brother. Limoni is a man I would say is about 6 ft. tall in height and 10 ft. tall in personality! He is a man of strength, compassion and love. One who would laugh with you all of the time.
He was a handsome man who would always have a smile on his face. Fun to be around kind of guy. He was a police officer in Neiafu Vava'u, and a very popular one too. He knew everyone on the island and was loved by all. He was the guy that gave you his clothing, his home, his vehicle and anything he had he would share. We know that because we had the great pleasure of using all of his stuff while visiting. And most of all he LOVED his family. His mother was everything to him. His children who he has left behind were his life. He will be missed!

We will be holding a garage sale on Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 8am to 5pm, at 7441 Windjammer Way Citrus Heights, Ca 95621 in honor of those who have died and their families. We will be using the proceeds from this event to fly Maki over to Tonga and then the leftover proceeds will go to those families who are suffering. Will you please spread the word around and come help us? We are looking for any kind of donations or sellable items that would help at the garage sale, any monetary donations, or even your time would be appreciated. I make custom jewelry and will be selling that as well. Please spread the word to all of your friends and neighbors. Thanks again.

One more thing....please pray for those people who may be mourning, and those divers of the search and rescue. Everyone could use it!

Pics. to be posted soon.

-Tiffany