Nellie Bly

Since moving here, I've always known how huge History Day is in our community. Mainly because Tevita would get phone calls from kids wanting information about Pacific History and Pacific people in history.

What I didn't know is what a truly HUGE undertaking it is for the tweens in the community. I didn't know this until the History Day project of one of our super smart nieces, Camille, was chosen as a finalist in Laie.

I went to look at the display in the library and my eyes began to water at how much she's grown and how her thinking has broadened about the world around her and especially about those who came before us. We're just so proud of her.

Here is her display. In taking pics, I was more focused on sharing the information she researched with the readers of this blog than capturing the details of her awesome display.



I love the symbolism of the typewriter and the lace. Perfect reflection of Nellie's life.

This display looks a bit hammered since it had been in one of the busiest parts of the library for the last week. Students, teachers, and parents had been through here. I wanted to put some of the fallen parts back up on the board for this blog, but the judges were hanging out and I didn't want to look like I was an obsessed Auntie trying to cheat for her niece!! (Even though I completely felt like it at that time).


Do you know who Nellie Bly was??? If not, then read on!!




At the time of writing this post, we have no idea what the judge's final decision was. But we also don't care because this was such an inspiring piece written by an inspired young girl. We are proud that our niece is the one 6th grader that chose to discuss a courageous woman who spoke for those who could not speak for themselves.

Other History Day Displays

When I went to the library to see Camille's display, I ran into the judges. ! I was telling them how awesome these displays were and they said that it gets harder and harder every year to judge!

They were talking about how some students do their projects by themselves and others get help from parents and still others get A LOT of help from parents, so it's hard to determine who should be chosen. I totally empathized with their plight and wished them much luck and aloha before I left.

Here are some 6th grade displays that I thought were fun, new, and interesting.

Gordon B. Hinckley, 1910-2008

He is resting in peace.

Our Beloved Prophet, President Hinckley passed away.

Here are some excerpts from the CNN report. He is the headline story on CNN.com:

Hinckley became president of the Salt Lake City-based church in 1995, at age 84, and had been a member of its top leadership since the 1960s. Mormon church presidents serve for life.

The church has about 13 million members worldwide and has experienced five percent annual growth in recent years.

He died about 7 p.m. Sunday (9 p.m. ET) with his family by his side, church officials said.

"His life was a true testament of service, and he had an abiding love for others," said U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican and fellow Mormon. "His wit, wisdom, and exemplary leadership will be missed by not only members of our faith, but by people of all faiths throughout the world."

Hinckley married Marjorie Pay at the Salt Lake City temple in 1937. They had five children, 25 grandchildren and 38 great-grand children. Marjorie Hinckley died in 2004.

"I've been blessed so abundantly that I can never get over it," Hinckley told CNN's Larry King in 2004. "I just feel so richly blessed. I want to extend that to others, whenever I can."

Hinckley was the 15th president in the 177-year history of the Mormon church. President Bush awarded him a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004.

According to a church statement, Hinckley was the most-traveled president in the church's history, visiting more than 60 countries. He also oversaw a massive temple-building program, doubling the number of temples worldwide to more than 100.

Hinckley spent 70 years working in the church and is considered the architect of its vast public relations network. He worked to diffuse controversies over polygamy and to promote full inclusion of non-whites


Gosh, this man was our prophet. He's gone now. He's so much happier, I'm sure, but it's still sad for those of us behind.

We loved Gordon B. Hinckley and his teachings will be with us always.

Cutest. 16 year old. Ever.

This is our adorable niece Pulotu. We love love love her and can't believe she's growing up so fast! Seems like yesterday when Tevita came back from baptizing her in Texas, she was 8 yrs. old then! Oh my, how time flies. She gave a really beautiful speech at Grandpa's 'Apo. She is the oldest of his great grandchildren and serves as a great example to the rest. We just adore her. There were times during our week in Utah that Tevita would come home and tell me something fun that Pulotu said. He would tell me the story while smiling from ear to ear. And we both would be just laughing at how clever she is becoming.

We love that we were able to spend time with her and can't wait to see her in June since she chose to come to Hawaii over having a big sweet 16 party!! YESSSS!

Her birthday is tomorrow Jan. 25th so we wanted to give a shout out to
Ms. Wonderfulness.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PULOTU!!!

Grandpa and His Grandchildren

Grandpa was 64 yrs. old when he and Grandma 'Ana began raising four of the nine Ka'ili children in Salt Lake City. Tevita is on the right side of the photo. So cute. Eliza (left) was 11, Orson (on Grandpa's lap) was 6 and Tevita was 7 yrs. old when they left their parents and moved from Tonga to Utah.

I love this picture of Grandpa. He was old enough to retire but instead chose to raise these little ones. I think about these three now; the choices they have made as adults and what kind of people they have become. It's amazing how far reaching Grandpa Tonga's influence is. I know he is proud of them.

A Tribute to Grandpa

Our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather Tonga Poteki Malohifo’ou, son of Sione Pota Uaine and ‘Anapesi Lakalaka Ratu Umu passed away peacefully on Friday, January 11, 2008 at the age of 94. He was born on April 21, 1913 in Neiafu, Vava’u, in the Kingdom of Tonga, where he met and married the love of his life ‘Ana Tamutamu Toki on March 03, 1937, and were later sealed for time and all eternity in the New Zealand Temple on December 29, 1966. Tonga dedicated his life to the things he cherished most, which were his family, his membership in the LDS church, and the opportunities to be in the service of his fellow beings. His greatest treasures were the moments shared with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the unconditional love he shared with wife and children, and his many church callings, but especially the blessing of serving as a sealer in the Salt Lake City Temple for 30 years. We will miss his gentle voice, his caring spirit, his acts of kindness, and his tender smile. Although he has left this world his legacy will always be imprinted in our hearts!

He is survived by his children: ‘Anapesi Lakalaka (Tevita) Ka’ili, Ngaluafe Fa, Fatafehi Ongoalupe Prescott, Ivoni (Michael) Nash, Simione Nau (Regina) Malohifo’ou, Peni Tonga (Shelly) Malohifo’ou, Joseph (Bernice) White, 25 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by his beloved wife ‘Ana Tamutamu, sons Ratu Umu, Finau Fisi, Kuli Ha’apai, both parents, and two brothers Sione Tu’iniua Pota Uaine and Saia Avala-i-Vanua.

The funeral viewing will be held on Friday, January 18, 2008 from 7-10pm at the Granger North Stake Center 3450 West 3100 South in West Valley City, Utah. The funeral service will be held at the same location on Saturday, January 19, 2008 from 11-12noon. His burial will be held at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 N. St. (4th Ave.) in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Family and friends may offer their condolences by calling 801-***-**** or visit at 3876 ****** ******, Salt Lake City, Utah 84*** starting Wednesday (01/16/08) thru Friday (01/17/08).

Farewell our dear father, grandfather and great grandfather until we meet again “in those mansions where perfection dwells and sin never comes…in that day which shall never cease!” (Pearl of Great Price)

This tribute was written by 'Anapesi Ka'ili, a grand daughter of Grandpa Tonga and also one of Tevita's younger sisters.

Grandpa Is Laid to Rest

Photos taken by Richard Wolfgram.

Grandpa's 'Apo

On Friday night, we had Grandpa's 'Apo (his wake). It is estimated that over a thousand people came to pay respects. Each left with a plate of food that the family had spent hours cooking (see last post).

Grandpa's place of rest was the most beautiful I have ever seen. The Salt Lake City temple along with the Rocky mountains were painted beautifully on the outside and photos of him and Grandma were framed inside...

It was quite an emotional experience for us to see him. We are still in mourning.


This is the only photo we have of us at the 'Apo. It was taken with a long time friend of ours, Richard Wolfgram. Richard also provided many of the funeral, 'apo, and burial photos used in this blog. Kia Ora Richard.

Grandpa's Funeral, Days 2, 3, 4

Many people, relatives and friends alike spent days cooking and preparing for all the folks that would come and pay their respects to the family of Grandpa Tonga. He is a great loss to the community. Thank you to our Uncle Simi for working so hard for Grandpa. We love you.

Grandpa's Funeral, Day 1

Tevita did get to read the poem he wrote (see 1.14 post). We arrived at Salt Lake City on Tuesday Jan. 15th in the afternoon and Tevita went on Tala Koula, the Tongan radio show, that evening. He was asked to take part in announcing Grandpa's passing and did so with the poem. Here is a photo of him in the studio.

He's with Mata Finau. A long time friend of the family. Also, one of many who worked hard for the funeral.


Fahina Tavake is one of those amazing women that exist once in a lifetime. She was tireless in organizing and making Grandpa's 'apo (wake) and funeral services the most beautiful we've ever seen. Her love for Grandpa Tonga and the family was quite evident in the hours of labor she performed for the family.

We wish we had more photos of her in action but our camera had a bit of a glitch during our stay in Utah. We are working on getting pictures from other sources.

Tonga Malohifo'ou, 1913-2008

Grandpa has passed away. Ti has not slept since he found out 3 days ago. Finally, tonight he fell asleep and now I'm the one awake at 2:00 a.m. What finally helped Ti sleep is this poem he wrote about his Grandpa Tonga. He was able to retrieve comforting memories of the man who loved him and raised him. I hope he has the opportunity to read it to his family members during our stay in Utah.

Tukulaumea 'ae Kui 'Ofeina

Tapu moe 'Olovaha 'afio 'i Langi
Moe Ongo 'Apa'apa 'oe Tolu'i Fungani
Pea tulou moe kau taula'eiki 'oe 'Alofi
Kae 'atā keu 'a'apa mo fakalāngilangi
Ki si'i poutuliki moe taufatunga-e-fāmili

Tu'akoloa ē kuo lea mo ifi matangi
Pea 'ao'aofia e Matapā Kaho 'a Maui
He kuo folau hola e kauvai moe taki
Kia Toa-kuo-'i-'Eua, ko si'emau kui

Ano Māsima moe Pununga Tesaleti
Kuo pulonga mo langi 'ume'umesi
He tōtau 'ae 'eikivaka moe toutai
Mei he lolo tasilo 'oe Puatalefusi

'Io, na'a ne toutaiola 'i 'uta mo tahi
Pea ne siuola 'i fonua moe vā'ilangi
'O tu'uloa ai e kāinga moe fāmili
He fuo-moe-uho 'o 'ene talafungani

Si'i 'ene tou'anga talu mei 'anefi
Koe tokonaki ki 'a pongipongi
Tukutala mo tukulaumea ke 'osi
He koe kaha'u ia 'oe 'api masani

Lotu moe ako, ongo katea ne fili
Potupotutatau ai e folau tō mo hiki
Ngaholo ai e tuli kaveinga kupesi
'O taufonua ai e fononga he vaha fihi



Matakāinga na'a ne mo'ui'aki
Tufunga mo faivalea ko hono tavi
Tokamālie ai si'i kāinga ofi
He ko hono tufakanga mei tuai

Ka koe 'Otua e kāpasa 'ene mo'ui
Moe uhonga 'oe 'ene tauhi
Lavemonū ai si'i tautonu moe vūlangi
Moe hako 'e toki muiaki 'a mui

Tau:
Nofo ā si'i taulanga Puatalefusi
'Alo-i-Talau mo hono masani
Hala Pasiva'e 'oua e tangi
He kuo ne kelekele'aki e kolo fili
'O tatali ki ha toe fetaulaki
'I he 'alofilangi 'oe 'Otua mo'ui

Folau ā si'i kaivai 'o Lau mo Viti

Republicans Going Native??

While I was surfing the net looking for a pic of McCain (which I found and put up on my last post), I came across this photo. Totally looks like Giuliani and McCain are greeting each other with a hongi.

While other members of their party would probably be mortified at the thought of greeting by rubbing noses, I'm pretty sure these two would be cool with it. They both seem open to unfamiliar cultural practices. Especially McCain who gave a shout out to Navajo people in Arizona during one of the debates.

This is one of those posts . . .

where we're giving an opinion. Scroll down for entertainment if you're not in the mood to read.

Barack Obama for President.

After watching all the pundits and the endless amounts of debates, after all the reading and discussing and reading and discussing some more, Barack is the one.

We are certain he will:
Unify America
Balance our Budget
End the war
Build international allies
Increase National Security
Meet the needs of people who have experienced the effects of natural disaster
Repair our broken health care system
Provide solutions to the environment crisis
End the joke of all programs: No Child Left Behind

But most of all:
He is righteous and he will lead.



On the Republican side:

I heart John McCain. Ti likes him too. It disappoints us that, at times, he is hard pressed for support from his party. We believe he is also a righteous man. Unlike the front runners in his party, he is honest, forthright, insightful, and an American hero. He deserves the nomination.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Day was quite fun and super cold.

Started out by going to see Camille and Celeste open presents! When you're an adult watching children open gifts, it is sooooo much better to give than to receive. I get that now.

Then potlucked with a few fun families.

This was my favorite dish of the day:

Yummiest. Salad. Ever.

Made by my friend and the photo was lifted from her family blog.

Ingredients:
Asian bitter lettuce
Sliced Starfruit
Chopped walnuts or macadamia nuts
goat cheese crumbles
lilikoi
dried cranberries
clenentine slices
she had vinegarette on the side but i didn't need any dressing.

Delish.

Then we went home and took naps.

Perfect.