TONGAN YOUTH OF AMERICA - COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
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Honorary
Chairman:
President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Matapule:
Faifekau:
Media: |
Vai Sikahema
Siuaki Livai
Finau Hafoka
Siaosi Lautaha
Semisi Vakapuna (Ma’u)
Rev. Manako Kemoe’atu
Dallin Muti |
Coaches: |
Filipo Mokofisi
Kap Sikahema
Rich Kaufusi
Chris ‘Unga
Michael Fotofili
Alai Kalaniuvalu
Ula Lomu
Koini Latu
Chris Ma’umalanga
'Unga Kauvaka
Sione Mahe
Filipe Tuivai
Sonatane Pulotu |
AREA REPRESENTATIVES:
We have areas that still need representatives and
representatives who need assistants. Each of the Area-Rep.'s will select a committee in their area. If you have a passion to work with youths (especially Tongans)
and you are interested, please contact us. We need your help!
Here are some individuals who helped us with the first two KINGDOM BOWLS. They were either willing or forced to continue as an AREA REP. A very special
“malo” to all of them. We hope they will continue to support us.
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CALIFORNIA:
Los Angeles:
Pomona:
Sacramento:
San Francisco:
Oakland:
UTAH:
Salt Lake City:
Provo:
HAWAII:
Honolulu:
Laie:
Kahuku:
Maui:
Kona:
Hilo:
Kauai:
WASHINGTON:
TEXAS:
ARIZONA:
NEVADA:
ALASKA:
IDAHO: |
CHRIS ‘UNGA
Chris Ma'umalanga - Ph: (310) 678-6507
Nafitalai 'Unga Kauvaka /
‘Ofa ‘Unga
Michael Fotofili
Kawehi Fa / Sakopo ‘Ofa
SEMISI VAKAPUNA
Supi Mailei / Vei Vakapuna
Feleti F. Matagi - Ph: (801) 587-9570
'Anapesi Ka'ili - (801) 673-3034
Alai Kalaniuvalu
ULA LOMU
Ma’afu Wendt
Timote Fotu / Chris Pakalani
Likitoni Kauvaka
Finau Hafoka / Tolu Finau
TBA
TBA
TBA
FELIPE TU'IVAI
NGANA KATOA
LONI SIKAHEMA
AKI & NOLA ‘OTUAFI
FELETI MAKA
TBA |
MISSION STATEMENT:
To restore pride through our heritage by returning to our roots to
see, feel and affiliate with our ancestors.
To provide our youth with the opportunity to learn and understand certain values and traditions that are worth holding on to.
To appreciate the work done by the older generation which made us what and who we are today.
Each individual will be motivated to make a firm commitment to do their best in all that they do.
TYA VISION:
For each Tongan Youth in America to have an opportunity to participate in the organized programs and activities in Tonga every summer and
to visit our root, TONGA. We want the Tongan youths to earn a chance of going to Tonga as an honor or reward from their parents. Parents should use this opportunity
as a motivation factor to encourage youths to do good in school.
A chance to be on the "Back to the Roots" trip to Tonga will be a lifetime experience. Youths will get to meet other Tongan classmates from all over America,
New Zealand, Australia and Tonga. They will have a chance to compete with one another in any sport of their choice, boys and girls. Others, especially
underclassmen will have an opportunity to attend a school of their choice in Tonga for a week. We plan tours to school and historical places. We believe that upon
completing this trip, your son or daughter will learn to be more appreciative what they have here in the states.
They will also learn certain values and some important traditions that are worth holding on to. As they learn about their culture, they will understand more about us as
parents and why we do what we do. Through this understanding, families will work together effortlessly.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THIS PROGRAM:
In 1986 Vai Sikahema, the first Tongan Pro Bowl Football Player visited Hawaii. One night, Vai and I went
out to Laie Point located in Laie, Oahu, Hawaii and talked the night out about setting up a football game in Teufaiva, Tonga. This dream became real in July 5, 2002.
We shared this thought with many of our friends over the years. Most of us accepted the idea, but could not commit the time and funds needed to start it. The idea
came back strong in 2001, when Loni Sikahema found some Palangi friends to support the idea. We held a meeting at the University of Utah campus in June 2001
to discuss a possibility of putting together a Tongan All Star team to play an Arizona All Star Team. Present at the meeting were Steve Kaufusi, Rich Kaufusi, Fotu
Katoa, Loni Sikahema, Kap Sikahema, Vai Sikahema and myself. I was selected to be the Head coach for the Tongan team. When the Arizona team couldn't go,
I proposed that we should do it with an all Tongan Team, Hawaii Tongans vs U.S. Mainland. We prepared packets explaining the program and an application for
those who were interested. Rich Kaufusi, Vei and Semisi Vakapuna worked hard out of Salt Lake City, Utah while Kap Sikahema worked with the rest of the
States. I sent out 31 invitations to the Tongans in Hawaii, 28 agreed to visit their roots and started this annual event. About 25 players from the U.S. Mainland, 6
from New Zealand, 1 from Samoa responded and joined us in Tonga. Together we made history and enjoyed ourselves as we learned about our culture. |
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