Nukunuku/en

From the roadsigns by Tourism Tonga

Twin waters

Peka was the name of the settlement where Tuʻivakanō Viliami and the first christian converts of Hule resided.

Tuʻisoso, a high chief from Lakeba in the Lau group in Fiji chose the son of the third Tuʻikanokupolu Mataele Tuʻapiko and his wife ʻUmukisia, the daughter of the Tuʻihaʻatuʻunga as the first Tuʻivakanō. The Tuʻikanokupolu gave his son to Tuʻisoso to become the first Tuʻivakanō as a sign of gratitude and good relations for Tuʻisoso's gift of a kalia (double hulled canoe) which was the first Hifofua. The villagers moved further inland later on and called their village Nukunuku, meaning «lots of sand» and named after one of Tuʻisoso's land in Fiji. Peka was where the Tuʻivakanō and his people began worshipping at christians. Two wells were dug for the baptising of new converts and were named the Vaimāhanga meaning «twin wells». Tuʻivakanō built a church here in 1835, where they would have morning and evening services every Wednesday and Sunday. Christian converts from the Sia-ko-Veiongo (now known as Kolomotuʻa), Matahau and Masilamea would also join.

Hule fortress

Hule was built around 1797 by Tuʻivakanō Vaea-mo-Mataele-ʻAokātoa (the chief of Nukunuku) for his people's protection. Since the construction of this fort, it has only been overpowered twice. The first time was in 1808, by the warrior Teukava from the village of Kolovai. In under 12 hours, Tuʻivakanō won back the fort. William Mariner (known as Toki Ukamea by Tongans), wrote about Teukava's defeat after his return to England in 1811. He was a teenage English castaway who was adopted into Tongan royalty in 1806. Mariner wrote that Teukava was killed because he did not know a secret code that the people of Nukunuku used when escaping the fort. He was killed at the exit as he tried to escape.

Tuʻivakanō ʻAokātoa was converted to christianity in 1829, even though his clan, the Haʻa Havea Lahi and his brothers did not support him. He was baptised as Tuʻivakanō Viliami, which is the Tongan version of «William», and was then known as Tuʻivakanō Viliami. He was the first chief to be converted to christianity in all of Tongatapu. He invited the missionaries into Nukunuku and his two sons Vaea Mataele and Tēvita Tuʻumotoʻoa built the first christian church on the western side of Tongatapu at the fanga ko Peka. The opening ceremony for the church was held on the 20 August 1835. Tuʻivakanō Viliami encouraged the teaching of christian beliefs in Nukunuku, and many of his people were converted as a result. This angered his clan, the Haʻa Havea Lahi, so they exiled him from Nukunuku and replaced him with Uhi who took over the title Tuʻivakanō.

Tuʻivakanō Viliami stood on the same side as Aleamotuʻa (the Tuʻikanokupolu at the time) and Tāufaʻāhau (later known as Tupou I) as they tried to convert more people into christianity. Tuʻivakanō Uhi later agreed with Tāufaʻāhau's plea for conversion, but one of the commanding warriors, named Kafoa (also known as Ikahui) suggested they fight to the death. Tāufaʻāhau, his warriors and the converted people of Nukunuku and Kolomotuʻa surrounded the fort. The battle caused the death of Tāufaʻāhau's brother Siosaia Lauaki [sic!], which led to Tāufaʻāhau completely destroying the fort in January 1837. There were approximately 300 casualties at this battle, with the remaining people surrendering and converting to christianity.

FOKI