DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Spearheading the Tongan relief project after pro-democracy rioters recently caused turmoil in the nation's capital, Tiala Toetuu, left, Ongo Koli, the Rev. Alan Mark, Sima Fine-Atualevao and Tupou Seini Kelemeni and her husband, the Rev. Eddie Kelemeni, met yesterday at First United Methodist Church.
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Church hui comes to aid of Tonga
The local relief effort includes a benefit luau set for Dec. 30
An organization of island churches has joined the Tongan community in Hawaii in launching a relief effort to help victims of a Nov. 16 riot in Tonga's capital.
To Help
Donations for the Tongan Relief and Reconstruction Fund should be directed to Faith Action for Community Equity.
They may be sent to the office of FACE, 1352 Liliha St., Room 2, Honolulu, HI 96817. Donations may also be made online at the Web site www.facehawaii.org.
Contributions to the nonprofit organization are tax-deductible.
Tickets for the Dec. 30 Benefit Luau, $20 for adults and $10 for children, will be available at:
» FACE office, 1352 Liliha St., Room 2, 522-1304.
» First United Methodist Church, 1020 S. Beretania St., 522-9555.
» Kilohana United Methodist Church, 5829 Mahimahi St., 373-3373.
» First Tongan United Methodist Church, 41-510 Flamingo St., Waimanalo, 259-5522.
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Faith Action for Community Equity, an advocacy group involved in grass-roots social justice issues on Oahu, will collect money to aid small businesses that were destroyed and about 2,000 people left unemployed. Donations made to the nonprofit organization are tax-deductible.
Tongan government officials said about 80 percent of the businesses in the capital city of Nuku'alofa were destroyed in the turmoil generated by leaders of a political movement seeking democratic elections in the country, which is ruled by a monarchy. Six people were reported killed.
There are about 50,000 Tongans in Hawaii, said Sima Fine-Atualevao, one of the organizers of the relief effort. "People in Tonga will have to rely on their families overseas for help."
Representatives of several Tongan churches met yesterday to plan relief fundraising efforts that will include a Dec. 30 benefit luau and a January concert by Hawaiian musical groups.
"My heart went out to the owners of small businesses who lost everything and more than 2,000 employees whose jobs are lost," said the Rev. Langi Fine, Fine-Atualevao's father and the pastor of First Tongan United Methodist Church in Waimanalo.
Fine was on vacation with family members in the capital city when the rioting flared. "I looked downtown and saw high flames and smoke." He said he was not threatened or frightened by the violence, which, he said, "targeted people who were against the democracy movement."
"It took me three days to sort it out in my mind and heart. I would never expect that would happen in Tonga," Fine said.
The Rev. Alan Mark, president of FACE and pastor of Kilohana United Methodist Church, said there is no international relief effort under way for Tonga and that "FACE will be careful to funnel money to benefit people without taking political sides." He said four East Honolulu Methodist churches including his own raised more than $1,000 in a Thanksgiving Day collection to benefit victims.
"It is a good thing that FACE is stepping in as a neutral body," said Tupou Kelemeni, of the planning committee for the Tongan Relief and Reconstruction Fund. The political issues have divided families, friends and neighbors, she said. Her family home is close to the burned-out zone but was not damaged, she said. "My niece told me, 'Our little town looks like the bottom of hell.'"
Members of local Tongan churches will prepare a luau on Dec. 30 to benefit the Tongan Relief and Reconstruction Fund. There will be a variety of Polynesian entertainment during the feast, which will feature foods similar to the Hawaiian tradition. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. For information call the FACE office at 522-1304.
