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Eve Coxon Induction | ||||||||
The University inducted Dr Eve Coxon into fellowship on 29 March 2010; she had been unable to attend the 75th birthday celebration of Institute founder, the late Dr ʻI. Futa Helu, where induction had originally been scheduled. Dr Coxon is senior lecturer in Pacific studies at the University of Auckland and co-editor of Polynesian Paradox, a stimulating anthology of essays commemorating Dr Helu’s 70th birthday in 2004. She and her son Luke are former instructors at ʻAtenisi, whilst Eve additionally was featured speaker at university graduation in 1997. | ||||||||
ʻIlaisa Futa-ʻi-Haʻangana Helu17 June 1934 – 2 Feb 2010 |
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Futa's physical and especially mental health had been declining for some years, which was accelerated with the death of his beloved wife Kaloni in April 2008. He was suffering from some version of Alzheimer's. The great feast and induction of university fellows for his 75th birthday just a half year ago, where he danced his famous tuʻulafale version, was the last time he appeared in a large public gathering. The institute expresses its condolences to his family and all others who have known him well. A short biography by Lose Miller-Helu1934 – ʻIlaisa Futa ʻi Haʻangana Helu was born to Siosaia Fatai ʻi Nganangana (Helu 4th) of loto Foa, Haʻapai islands and his mother, Sisiʻuno Lomu from Fotua, Foa, Haʻapai. He was the youngest child of Siosaia's children of 5 boys and only 1 girl, Susana, who is the only surviving sibling, currently in Australia. Futa's upbringing was different to his older siblings due to him being the only child left behind in Foa with the parents because the others had left to Tongatapu to attend High School and so his mother, Sisiʻuno and father, Helu devoted all their time to caring for Futa. 1939 – He started Primary at the Wesleyan church school and the governmentʻs Primary school when it was set up in Foa. By this very early age, Futa was a very keen reader of books like history of the world and so he was exposed to this academic values at a very early age. He was also tutored by his late father in Mathematics. 1947 – He passed the exam to the Matriculations (now Tonga High School) school founded by the late king Tupou IV who was the then Minister for Education. Futa was a founding student of Tonga's 12 brightest students. He left Foa by crossing the Causeway to Pangai then sailed on the Hifofua boat with his mother to the main island Tongatapu. Every christmas he would return to Foa to his father.
1951 – NZ School Certificate exam at Tonga High School and even though he topped every subject he was not given a scholarship to NZ because he had too many punishment duties through having long hair. However, his father was determined to send Futa privately to continue his education overseas. So, the extended family in Foa made copra in order to have the finance to send him to Newington College in Australia. 1953 – 1956 Passed with flying colours to the university from Newington and became the first Tongan to pass English with an A grade to the Sydney University. Sadly, whilst in Newington his father passed away in Tongatapu and this made financial support difficult. Nevertheless, he continued on to Sydney university in Philosophy and became an outstanding student under the guidance of his very notable Professor John Anderson. Futa was determined to study all subjects at the university particularly Philosophy in a manner of a Classist Education. He enjoyed the company of many Italian students and loved Italian music and opera of which he introduced to Tonga on his return. 1962 – He returned from Australia to Tonga and had a break during which he tutored many Public Servants in Mathematics, English, and other subjects relevant to their work at evening classes held at his home in Kau, Nukuʻalofa. 1963 – He married Pauline and there was no children. 1964 – founded the ʻAtenisi High School at its current site (Longolongo). 1966 - ʻAtenisi High School was registered with the government of Tonga as a school. 1970 – He remarried to ʻAna Kaloni Kakala Schaaft and there were 6 children (plus 1 adopted grandson). 1975 – Founded the University of ʻAtenisi as the first ever tertiary institution in Tonga and the South Pacific and graduates from ʻAtenisi are working locally in Tonga and in overseas countries as a result of ʻAtenisi and it will continue to prosper in the 21st century through the work of scholars from overseas, graduates of ʻAtenisi and Futa's family to keep his legacy alive and well.  1976 – 1980 He worked as a visiting Professor at the USP in Fiji and Continued with other universities in Australia (ANU) in New Zealand at Auckland University, in Wellington at Victoria University and in Christchurch at the Canterbury University. Futa had a lot of time for people, a lot of time for education and students and even had time with his family he loves reading for long hours all night until early mornings and he was very inquisitive and encouraged «critical thinking» philosophy in search for the truth. He also had time to publish a couple of books as follows:
He is survived by his 7 children and 14 grandchildren. | ||||||||
Graduands of 2009 |
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By decision of the senate on 26 November 2009, the following students have been honoured with graduation
but the graduation ceremony will not take place until 2010. |
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Eclipse observation | ||||||||
On 22 July 2009 a solar eclipse was visible in the Asia & Pacific region, but it was only partial as seen from Tonga (and clouded out being close to sunset). Associate dean Firitia (Kik) Velt travelled to Butaritari on Kiribati where totality would last almost 5 minutes. Butaritari is known as the garden island of Kiribati, being the one with the highest rainfall. Indeed intermittent showers ruled that day. But suddenly between the first and second contact the clouds gave away leaving a blue sky behind, which then turned grey because of a thin altostratus, but did not hide the sun until well after the third contact. Consequently the eclipse was beautifully visible, except that the outer corona was lost due to the nebulosity. Many eclipse chasers who had gone to other places on the central line, like India, China, Japan, Micronesia, had been much less lucky and sometimes completely rained out. | ||||||||
In memoriam — Dr Ron Crocombe | ||||||||
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Induction of university fellows | ||||||||
To commemorate the 75th birthday of the founder of ʻAtenisi Institute — Prof Emeritus Dr ʻI. Futa Helu – the university on 16 June 2009 inducted into fellowship six international scholars [*] who have been academically supportive of the institute. During the four-day event, the fellows attended classes on Dr Helu's philosophy and work, discussed the subject with university faculty, and, before royalty and the Hon Prime Minister, delivered testaments to Dr Helu's lifetime achievement.
From left to right: Drs. ʻOpeti Manisela Taliai [*], David Robie (AUT – formerly Auckland University of Technology)[*], Ian Cambell (University of the South Pacific)[*], Futa Helu, Prime Minister Feleti Sevele, Wendy Cowling (University of Waikato)[*], Ron Crocombe (University of the South Pacific)[*], Niko Besnier (University of Amsterdam)[*]
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Donation from the French Republic | ||||||||
 In 2009 the French Embassy in Fiji helped support a two-year faculty residency at ʻAtenisi University for a French scholar. The post was awarded to Dr Cécile Quesada-Moaeteau, a staff member at the Centre for Research and Documentation on Oceania in Marseille, who at ʻAtenisi instructs anthropology from a French perspective, as well as European culture and French language. On 16 May it was the university’s privilege to host His Excellency Michel Monnier, French Ambassador to Tonga et al. based in Fiji, the ambassador’s wife, as well as embassy vice-consul Jeremie Faucon and cultural attaché Karen Martin. ʻAtenisi served the delegation a Polynesian buffet, then its performing arts troupe presented, among other selections, a spirited rendition of the Meʻetuʻupaki, a traditional Tongan dance. In addition, music instructor ʻAtolomake Helu accompanied herself on the piano with an emotive interpretation of Paisello’s chamber song, Nel cor più non mi sento. Addressing the delegation, university dean Dr Michael G Horowitz remarked: Notre devise est "Petit mais Sage." Mais je peux dire que nous avons en commun avec la République Française de soutenir quelques grands idéaux: la liberté de penser, la liberté académique, et une culture intellectuelle sceptique et critique. Ce credo fut claironné par notre fondateur M. le Prof. ʻIlaisa Futa Helu il y a 45 ans et nous restons fidèles à son esprit … {Our motto is “Small but Wise.” May I say, however, that we share with the French Republic support for large ideals: freedom of thought, academic freedom, and a sceptical and critical intellectual culture. This credo was trumpeted 45 years ago by our founder Prof. ‘Ilaisa Futa Helu and we remain loyal to its spirit ...} Following the dean’s greetings, Dr Quesada-Moaeteau articulated her mission at the university, then Institute director Niulala Helu expressed ʻAtenisi’s gratitude to the French Republic whilst receiving a cheque from the Ambassador.
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Government validation of ʻAtenisi | ||||||||
In his speech during the 2008 graduation, the prime minister of Tonga, Dr Feleti Sevele, put to rest the rumour that ʻAtenisi's university degrees are not recognised by the government. Click on the controller to see and hear for yourself. (2.6 MB) | ||||||||
ʻAtenisi Radio | ||||||||
| An analysis of the political developments surrounding the coronation on 1 August 2008 of George Tupou V. Click to listen | ||||||||
A BBC television broadcast from the early 1970's | ||||||||
Futa's initial vision of ʻAtenisi (13.2 MB) | ||||||||
With sadness the institute announces the death of its founder, former director and professor-emeritus, doctor ʻI.F. Helu, due to a seizure (due to bronchiectasis) on 2 February at 14:45 at Vaiola hospital.
The burial took place on 12 February.
Class 1 & 2 of Tonga highschool, Futa standing in the circle
