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ʻIlaisa Futa-ʻi-Haʻangana Helu17 June 1934 – 2 Feb 2010 |
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His body will remain in state at ʻAtenisi until Thursday evening around sunset. The ʻā pō will be Thursday on Friday night at the FWChurch of Tufuenga (near the entrance of ʻAtenisi). The funeral service will start on Friday 12 February at 9:00 at Saione (Kolomotuʻa FWChurch), after which the burial in Telekava cemetery will take place. 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. Futa hailed from Foa, Haʻapai, he was the son of Fatai and Sisiʻuno Helu. He attended the then newly established Tonga highschool in 1947, continued study in Australia at Newington College (1953-56) and the University of Sydney. His favourite topics were philosophy, English literature, mathematics and physics. Back in Tonga he started ʻAtenisi nightschool, which was fully expanded to a highschool in 1966 and university in 1975. Since that time up to 2006 Futa and ʻAtenisi have been indistinguishable. His second marriage with Kaloni Schaaf was a lasting one; the couple is survived by six children and numerous grandchildren. The institute expresses its condolences to his family and all others who have known him well. | ||||||||
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 |
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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 |
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| An analysis of the political developments surrounding the coronation on 1 August 2008 of George Tupou V. Click to listen | ||||||||
