June 28 and July 2 - Book Signing Events with Kalafi Moala

Event: Reception, Book Signing and Tonga Talk-Story
When: Sunday, June 28 2009
Time: 3-5 p.m.
Venue: Native Books/Na Mea Hawai’i, Ward Warehouse, Honolulu

Event: Reception and Book Signing
When: Thursday, July 2 2009
Time: 7:30 – 9 p.m.
Venue: Laurel United Methodist Church Hall, 3525 Kansas St, Oakland

Tongan publisher and broadcaster Kalafi Moala’s new book exploring the major cultural, philosophical, political and social dilemmas of modern Tonga was launched in New Zealand and Tonga last month, and two more book signing event are scheduled early summer; June 28th in Honolulu and July 2 in Oakland, California.

In Search of the Friendly Islands is a sequel to Moala’s earlier book, Island Kingdom Strikes Back (published in 2002). In his new work, he explores many of the paradoxes and challenges facing the kingdom today. One chapter of the book deals with the fateful day that shook Tonga to its core on 16 November 2006 – known in Tonga as “Black Thursday” – and left eight people dead and a trail of arson and looting through the capital of Nuku’alofa.

Moala is one of Pasifika’s most well-known and beloved media freedom fighters. He was jailed unconstitutionally in 1996 for alleged contempt of Parliament because his newspaper, the Taimi o Tonga, had irked the government with its calls for accountability and transparency. He was set free after 26 days, and the turning point of Moala’s campaign for democracy and social justice came eight years later in October 2004 when he won a court case overturning a government ban on his newspaper.

Ironically, and reflective of the changes that have taken place in Tonga in the last five years, in March of this year, Moala’s Taimi Media Network took over management of the government’s own newspaper, the Tonga Chronicle.

This book reflects on Moala’s long crusade. The message is inspirational and positive but is also tempered by the warning that while Tonga is becoming much “friendlier,” the campaign for reform of the system alone is not enough for real change to come.

Moala maintains that the solutions to Tonga’s problems are going to involve more than just a system reform. As is the case throughout the world, reforming into a democracy does not solve problems of poverty, crime, and social injustice. There’s much more to be done than just a change to the system. As major changes are currently taking place in the structure of Tongan government, Tongan communities and individuals must, he urges, look within for the deeper transformations that will lead to true reform.

“Are there things in our culture that can offer us guidance for our future? Can there be solutions embedded in our social structure that we can dig out and apply to problems that perplex our modern minds? What can journalism’s mission to enlighten offer us as answers in this regard? With 19 years of trying to provide piecemeal snippets on a weekly basis in Taimi ‘o Tonga, and decades of life as a Tongan, both in Tonga and overseas, I have stories – and some insights – which may add to our collective wisdom as a people.

“It is often said that you can only discover what is really best in a culture when you also make provision to look at what may be its worst aspects. This notion is what has characterised my search for the Friendly Islands.”

Writing as a Tongan and as a journalist, Moala examines recent events in Tonga and the future in the context of his own experiences and insights. His book is not only a fascinating and insightful read, but also offers many lessons too for the rest of Pasifika.

The Hawaii reception, book signing and talk-story session will be held at Native Books/Na Mea Hawai’i on Sunday, June 6th, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Native Books/Na Mea Hawai’i is located at the Ward Warehouse, 1050 Ala Moana Blvd., in Honolulu.

In Oakland, California, a book event will take place at the Laurel United Methodist Church Hall, 3525 Kansas St. (off 35th), from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

For more information, email Ana Currie