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