Akauola

'Akau'ola, also known as Mapa Faletau is the Noble (Matapule) of Taunga in Tonga. Taunga is located in the south 'Akau'ola or more commonly known as Ahovaleamoemapa Faletau is the Noble (Matapule) of Taunga in Tonga. Taunga is located in the south Vava'u Group in the far north of the country.

Background

Mapa Faletau is the eldest son of the late Hon. 'Akauola (Inoke Fotu Faletau) who was appointed the Governor of Vava'u in 2002 by His late Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV after a distinguished career in the civil service, which amongst his many governmental posts, he was the Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and the Director of the Commonwealth. Faletau was educated in the United Kingdom but graduated from Massey New Zealand.

After the death of his Father (Inoke Faletau) late 2005, Faletau's official name was changed to Akauola inheriting estates in Vava'u in which included Taunga and Ngau.

On 2 March 2007, 28 acres on Taunga and Ngau were leased by 'Akau'ola to the "Warwick International Group of Hotels & Resorts" for the construction of a 4 to 5 Stars hotel resort and spa, which was celebrated as a major achievement for the tourist industry in Tonga. A celebratory lunch was hosted by the people of Taunga, providing succulent roast pigs and an enormous array of seafood.It is envisioned that this development will provide for the peoples livelihood as well as allow them to utilize their natural agricultural/fishing and sea skills. This is seen as an enormous boost to tourism and will provide for the people of Taunga as well as the people of Vava'u and the Kingdom of Tonga as a whole, economic prosperity. This is the first foreign investment by a major international hotel chain within the Kingdom.The building of the actual hotel has yet to be confirmed by the Warwick group.

Akauola currently resides in the Kingdom of Tonga with his wife Vangana Cowley Faletau and their four children.

Notes

[Akauola's Background parliament.gov.to/ministers1.htm] [Coronation involvement www.vavau.to] []