The stories and legends of Eua Tonga Island – Hau Pea Kui

This is a true story. This history goes back to the days when Tonga was made up of three dynasties: Tu’i Tonga, Tu’i Kanokupolu and Tu’i Ha’a Takalaua. They all fought each other (civil war) for supremacy, to determine who was the most powerful of all and consequently become the sole king of Tonga.

This civil war dragged on for years, until only two kings remained: the reigning Tu’i Tonga (Laufilitonga) of Tongatapu and the Taufa’ahau, the Tu’i Kanokupolu of Ha’apai. Tonga is made up of five main islands, namely Tongatapu, Ha’apai, Vava’u, Niua and ‘Eua. The Tu’i Tonga of Tongatapu whose name was Laufilitonga sailed to Ha’apai with his warriors in their battle-ready wooden war canoes to fight the Tu’i Kanokupolu of Ha’apai whose name was Taufa’ahau .

In those days, the best and bravest warriors were from ‘Eua and, in particular, among the best of ‘Eua were the fierce warriors of ‘Eua, who were two brothers, Kaufana and Puakatau. Taufa’ahau knew about them, so he went to ‘Eua to ask for his help in his war against Laufilitonga. Taufa’ahau went directly to Ha’aluma beach where Kaufana and his brother Puakatau lived. Like when two great warriors meet, they started by “meeting” each other, engaging in a wrestling match on Ha’aluma beach, where they soon realized that they were both not ordinary Tongans due to their strength and fighting skills. . .

Kaufana now realized that the man he had clashed with was Taufa’ahau the Tu’i Kanokupolu, he paid his respects and getting that out of the way they rested and properly introduced themselves and Taufa’ahau discussed with Kaufana why he came to ‘Eua. . Taufa’ahau wanted Kaufana and his brother Puakatau to come to his aid in his battle with Laufilitonga the Tu’i Tonga. Kaufana accommodated the Taufa’ahau by informing him that there was no need for both him and his brother to go into battle, as he believed that Puakatau would be more than enough to defeat Laufilitonga and his warriors. Kaufana also owned some guns and firearms, so along with his brother Puakatau, he also gave them to Taufa’ahau, but on one condition. He made Taufa’ahau promise him that whatever happens to Puakatau in the war, Taufa’ahau would bring him back to ‘Eua, even if he died, Kaufana would like to see his brother’s body because he wanted to bury it in his native land. , ‘Eua with his ancestors. Taufa’ahau sailed to Ha’apai with Puakatau and his warriors from Tongatapu and the firearms given to him by Kaufana.

When they reached Ha’apai, the battle was already underway. This war was called “Tau ‘o Velata” or “The War of Velata”. As the war progressed, it was obvious that Taufa’ahau and his Tongatapu warriors were winning over Ha’apai and Puakatau, the ‘Eua warrior easily leading the battle. As time passed and the battle drew to a close, Puakatau was just as fierce and unstoppable. He was so powerful and impressive with his leadership in battle that people and warriors looked up to Puakatau as a potential king of Tonga. This, of course, caused unrest in the ranks and jealousy in the king.

Now when Taufa’ahau was gathering men to fight on his side, he approached the nobleman of the island of ‘Uiha in Ha’apai, whose name was Malupo, for they are relatives, both hailing from the same island of Ha’ apai . Malupo had two sons, named Saulala and Haveapava. Malupo’s wife, Fatafehi, was Laufilitonga, the sister of Tu’i Tonga, so Malupo’s children were Laufilitonga’s nephews. Due to the connection, Malupo had no choice but to give his children to fight for Taufa’ahau against his own uncle, Laufilitonga! Before he left, it was said that his mother cried to his children, begging them to remember who they would fight against, his own uncle, and if anything happens, please save him (who is of course his brother).

They have now reached the last part of the battle, which was to enter the fortress of Velata and the final handover of Tu’i Tonga power to Taufa’ahau, Tu’i Kanokupolu. But when the warriors of Puakatau and Taufa’ahau entered the fortress, meaning that he will kill Tu’i Tonga, Malupo’s sons remembered what their mother asked of them, that they spare their brother Tu’i Tonga and that, of course, it was his own uncle. They turned around and stabbed Puakatau in the back with three spears and killed him instantly! With the fortress at Ha’apai taken and the battle won, Taufa’ahau el Tu’i Kanokupolu is now proclaimed King of Tonga. Taufa’ahau returned to Tongatapu victorious and as the realm of the new King of Tonga. He was later crowned King Taufa’ahau Tupou I, the first king from the Tu’i Kanokupolu lineage or dynasty. King George V is the fifth Tu’i Kanokupolu.

Back in ‘Eua, Kaufana learned of the victory at Ha’apai and how Taufa’ahau’s own warriors had killed his brother. Kaufana was very upset and sailed to Tongatapu to confront the new king. He reminded the king of his promise to his dead brother Puakatau, who led and fought the battle so bravely, giving Taufa’ahau victory over the Tu’i Tonga. Taufa’ahau, of course, did not honor his part of the bargain which was to bring Puakatau’s body to ‘Eua to his brother Kaufana. Instead, he ordered that Puakatau be buried in the royal tombs at ‘Uiha, Malupo Island, where only kings are buried. The king, of course, did not know what to say, but as Kaufana was being escorted away, Kaufana replied to Taufa’ahau: “Kuo ke Hau pe, pea ke Kui”, meaning you gave me your word, but your victory has blinded you. the promise you made to me In other words, you got what you wanted and forgot about our deal!

Kaufana sadly returned to ‘Eua, heartbroken that she will never see her brother Puakatau, the fearless warrior. Taufa’ahau wanted to reward his most outstanding warriors by knighting them with the high rank of “noble” or lord. He placed his nobles throughout the country and even in the outer islands, except ‘Eua. To this day, ‘Eua has never had a noble of his own people. And even to this day, nobles from Tongatapu or the other islands are appointed to be deputy nobles of ‘Eua, even if they are not from ‘Eua. This may explain why ‘Eua is the least developed of Tonga’s main islands. In fact, this may be because ‘America does not have its own noble representation in government and Parliament, to stand up, speak out and fight for what is best for ‘America and the people of ‘America.