Happy Birthday Naisa & Vince

On Saturday, July 26th, many family members joined Tolina & Taniela Tausinga in celbrating the birthday's of their two son's Naisa and Vince. Tolina is the daughter of Valu Angilau, Grandaughter of Sione (lahi) Katoa. So...Naisa and Vince are the great-great grandchildren of Semisi Kakapu & Suliana Fatai Katoa.The children had fun playing in a bounce house, having a water fight, and busting open a couple pinatas. Sorry I didn't get a good picture of Naisa or Vince. If anyone has one email them to me and I will get them posted.

Pioneer Day

In Utah we celebrate July 24th as Pioneer Day with a parade and lots of fireworks. Many family members camped out at Liberty Park and reserved a spot for the parade.

Following the parade there were lots of activities in the park including rides and bouncers for the kids, food, and concerts. That evening several of us got together in the parking lot of Joe and Tina's sandwich shop to watch the fireworks. We had a great view of both the Liberty Park and the Bee's Stadium fireworks.

Joe (left), Misi (center), Tim (right), Naisa (long hair), Sione (yellow) & Soni (bald) enjoy the show, but not having their pictures taken.

But little Joe, little Hema, and Isaac don't mind the camera...as long as we weren't in the way of the fireworks.

Happy 4th of July!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Independence Day. I am grateful to live in the United States and for the sacrifices our mothers and fathers have made to get us here. Remember that the 4th of July is also a holiday in Tonga as they celebrate the birthday of the late king Tupou IV. My family usually has tons of family stuff over this holiday but this year we just relaxed and enjoyed time with each other. We took our kids to the Freedom Festival in Provo, Utah. Little Hema enjoyed the parade from his seat on dad's shoulders. It was too crowded to push our double stroller around so we just squished the kids into one stroller...they didn't seem to mind. There was alot to do there but little Hema enjoyed the kiddy rides the most.

We ended the day by setting off our family fireworks and then enjoying the fireworks show by Thanksgiving Point which is only a mile from our house and we have a great view from our house.

Fun at Family Camp!

Nearly 100 family members gathered in Lehi, Utah for our annual family camp. Hepi & Vake travelled with several of their kids from Texas & California to join us this year and it was great to see them. Others in attendance were:

• Grandpa Sione
• Grandpa Sioeli
• Grandma Saane
• Valu, Naisa, La'a, Soni & baby Naisa
• Tapenisi, Siale, Atu, Alani & Sitiveni
• Vake & Baby
• Hepi & Kids
• Mehi si'i & Kids, Toni & Camille
• Samiu, Angie & Kids
• Sione si'i & Kids
• Hema, Becky & Kids
• Fatai, Pita & Kids
• Milika, Mani & Kids
• Sio, Tina & Kids, Sister-in-law
• Salote, Lepeka, Semisi, None
• Semisi (Jimmy), Sara & Kids
• Moana & Monu, Diana
• Sia & Kids, Timote (Veti's)
• Kilifi, Daisy & Kids

I'm sure I am missing some but this is what I can name off the top of my head. The little ones had so much fun running around together, roasting marshmallows and everything else for that matter. The not-so-young ones had a blast playing games and just hanging out with each other. The women played cards all night and the guys played Guitar Hero III all night too. There was plenty to eat and on Friday night Grandma Saane hooked it up with the Tongan grub: Lu Pulu, Sapasui, all kinds of BBQ (they may have even snuck some dog in...JK!), Ota, Manioke, Hopa, Siaine, Kumala, Talo, and just to top it all off they threw in some American staples of Dogs & Burgers, and even potatoe salad. At night when things got a little nippy we busted out the Cocoa and....you guessed it some home fried keke, mmmmmm! Well the family had a wonderful time. It was great to see the little ones get to know each other, we are blood after all! We all agreed that we wanted to do it again next year, same time (second week of June), same place. Family Reunion was also discussed with most of us leaning toward every 2 or 3 years. Family camp will take place every year unless a formal reunion is planned...any questions?! Thanks to all who participated, hope to see more of you out next year. I hope this blog will help us keep updated. Any news or events please email me and I will post them. Ofa Atu.

Congrats to our high school grads!

Sorry this post is late, but we wanted to acknowledge and congradulate the families newest high school graduates, La'a Angilau and Lynn Katoa. La'a graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah and Lynn graduated from Cottonwood High School in Murray, Utah. La'a is the daughter of Valu (Katoa) & Maveni Angilau. Lynn is the son of Veti Katoa. Both are greatgrandchildren of Semisi Kakapu & Suliana Fatai Katoa. The family showed up in great numbers to support them both. La'a hopes to continue her education but is still undecided and Lynn will be attending the University of Colorado on a athletic scholarship (sorry but my photo's from Lynn's graduation were accidentally erased, so if you have some please email them and I will post them).

Happy Fathers Day!!!

Happy fathers day to all the fathers in our family. How grateful we are for wonderful men who have sacrificed and worked so hard to help our family grow and progress. We love you all!

Get well soon!

Pelenita has been in and out of the hospital due to issues related to diabetes that have effected her heart. Please keep her in your prayers! We love you Ta! Ta is one of Sione lahi's 3 daughters: Valu, Ta, Tapenisi.

Family Camp in Lehi, Utah

This is a map to Willow Park. Just click on the photo and zoom in or go to http://www.utahcountyonline.org/Dept/PubWrks/Parks/ParkDetails.asp?IDNO=11 for a more detailed map.

Congrats Diana!!!

Diana graduated from Salt Lake Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice on May 2, 2008. Way to go!!! What a great example for our kids! Diana hopes to continue her education at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. She is the youngest daughter of Inoke & Lelu Katoa.

Vela Amelia

On April 25,2008 we finalized the adoption of our little Vela Amelia. She was sealed to our family that evening in the Mount Timponogas Temple in American Fork, Utah. The next day we celebrated in typical Katoa fashion...lots of food!! About 250 of our family and friends showed up to support us and it was great to see and spend time with so many of you. Vela was blessed the next day by her dad Hemaloto. We are so grateful for all those who helped and worked so hard to make this occasion so memorable. Malo and Ofa Atu.

Family Camp 2008

Just wanted to let everyone know that family camp this year is scheduled for Thursday June 12 - Saturday June 14. It will take place in Lehi, Utah at the same location as last year. If you are planning to attend please contact me.

Fishing with my dad!

Yesturday little Hema and I went fishing.

Here he is with some of his fish.

He struggled with the bigger ones...so dad had to hold the rod while Hema reeled them in.

Happy Easter!

Last Sunday we got together for a little Easter egg hunt at the Alusa home. The weather was a little chilly so we had to stay indoors...it wasn't quite a "hunt"...more like a "free for all". The grandkids had lots of fun together, tons of candy, and of course the food was great. We hope all of you had a great Easter and wish to express our thanks to our Heavenly Father for His Son and the great gift of the Resurection. Happy Easter!

Welcome to the family!

We would like to introduce two new little ones to the family.

Jody Inoke Katoa was born December 30, 2007 to Kilifi & Daisy Katoa, pictured hear with his older sister Lelu. Jody Inoke is the the grandson of Inoke & Lelu Katoa.


Maveni Teinasio Isaione Angilau was born February 17, 2008 to Inoke and Kalo Angilau. Inoke is the son of Valu (Katoa) & Maveni Angilau. Which makes baby Maveni the great grand son of Sione Katoa and great-great grandson of Kakapu & Fatai.

Uncle Vili Oto

This is a picture of Inoke, Sioeli, Sione, & Vili at the funeral of Salote Lavulo. It was great to see uncle Vili who flew in from Hawaii. Uncle Vili is currently undergoing treatment for cancer of the liver so please keep him in your prayers.

Congrats Tilesa!

Tilesa Fiana Fotu was baptized February 16, 2008. She is the daughter of Milika Lolohea (Katoa) & Falamani Fotu. They wish to express their love and thanks for all the support. Congrats "Lesa"! We love you!

Salote Niumoefanga Lavulo

We are saddened by the loss of our dear family member, Salote N. Lavulo. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 8 in Bountiful, Utah. Salote is the daughter of Mele Vaohingano "Vao" and Piuleini Taufa. Vao is grandma Fatai's older sister. Salote and her family spent alot of time in Hautu with Grandma, Grandpa and our mom's and dad's. Many of the family attended her funeral including Vili Oto who flew in from Hawaii, Sione lahi, Sioeli & Saane, Inoke & Lelu and many of us younger generation brothers and sisters. Salote will be missed greatly! Our condolences, best wishes, and love go out to her siblings, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ofa lahi atu!

Hema & Becky Katoa

Well I hope this blog becomes a place where our family can keep up with each other. I know several of you have visited but as of yet we have not had the interaction I have hoped for. So...let me begin with my little family. I am Sioeli & Saane's second oldest. I currently reside in Lehi, Utah. My wife Becky and I have two wonderful children, Hema and Vela. I work for a local school district as a specialist providing couseling for at-risk students and training teachers and administrators about at-risk behaviors and other "safe schools" issues. I also provide mental health services part-time for another private angency, specializing in services for Pacific Islanders.
I hope that with all this technology we are blessed with we can continue to keep the strong family ties that I have experienced since I was a child. When our family first migrated to the USA they struggled together to survive. Now that we have all managed to established ourselves let's not let the strength of our family ties weaken.
If you would like to participate please e-mail photos, videos, and messages to me at melinomoeofa@live.com and I will post them. If you have any questions you can e-mail or comment on this post. Also please spread the word to other family members. Malo.

Ofa Atu

Family Christmas in Utah

Family members in Utah celebrated Christmas together on Saturday, December 22 in Tooele. We had more than 60 people attend and we were pleased to have Sione (lahi), Sioeli & Saane, and Inoke in attendance with us. The festivities were scheduled for 12:00 noon but most of the family didn't show until abou 1:30 to 2:00 pm...as usual. Some things never change! The kids had lots of fun playing basketball and there was tons of food with plenty to pack and take home. The old folks shared some Christmas thoughts with us and then we played a family game of BINGO. We had lots of fun prizes for both children and adults. It was awesome to see everyone playing together. We want to thank Jody, Tapenisi & Siale Havili and their children for hosting the party this year. Everyone had a wonderful time.