MASILAMEA, TONGA'S MOST AWARDED VILLAGE…
BY TAKAFLY BROWN
PIX http://www.igooglemaps.com/oceania/tonga/tongatapu/masilamea/
This Saturday the 24th June ex patriots Masilameans in Aotearoa are celebrating "Masilamea Day" at the Lotofale'ia Methodist Church, Mangere starting at 10.30am.
They are celebrating because they have 3 Queen of Britain medal awardees to supplement the already acknowledged fact of producing the highest number of Professors, doctorates, Masters and Bachelor degree holders and other academic achievements of all villages and towns in the Kingdom of Tonga, if not the Pacific islands?
The late Molimea 'Ilolahia of Sandringham was awarded the RVM and QSM. His niece Violani 'Ilolahia Wills of Wellington and Professor Dr.Sitaleki Finau are also QSM recipients.
Appropriately representing Molimea who served both the royal households of UK and Tonga is Julia 'Ilolahia, Molimea's youngest granddaughter who is also celebrating her 21st birthday on Saturday 26th. She will give a commemorative speech about her grandfather at Lotofale'ia
Their family name 'Ilolahia literally means, "Too know a lot". This name was bestowed on Molimea's grandfather by King Tupou II for protesting his academic rights to be awarded the Atele and Tupou College's Dux and later created the Tongan language shorthand.
According to awardee Professor Dr.Sitaleki finau of Massey University of the 8 medals been awarded to Tongans. 50% of those are to Masilameans. The late Molimea 'Ilolahia was the first Tongan to receive a QSM in 1977. He received th RVM just a few weeks before he passed away
In 1989. The then Governor General Sir Paul Reeves presented Molimea with his RVM at the later's home in Sandringham. Said Sir Paul Reeves " I took tips from the man who knows. Mr.Molimea was not just another butler but a legend in his field"
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For more info or Interviews.
Professor Dr. Sitaleki finau Massey University 4140800 xtn9766 or priv. 5244430
Violani Ilolahia Wills mob 0276030438, priv 043886014
Will 'Ilolahia (sulia's father) mob 0276368359
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