Tongan Cultural Ambassador “Graduates” from the Polynesian Cultural Center

Former Tongan Village manager and Theater dance instructor Fakasiieiki “Fasi” Tovo, one of the Polynesian Cultural Center’s most senior employees, retired at the end of December 2014 after working here for the past 45 years.

Family, friends and other PCC villagers honored him at a special “graduation” party on December 26.

Tovo, who is originally from Tonga, came to Laie in 1970 to attend BYU-Hawaii; and like many students then and since, he soon began working at the Polynesian Cultural Center, eventually making it his career.

PCC Islands Director Seamus Fitzgerald said of him, “He is one of our great, long-serving employees.

Mele Ongoongotau said it’s good Tovo was retiring now because he would probably be busy next year with preparations for the coronation of the new king in Tonga.

Another peer honoring Tovo that morning reminded everyone that he was a tremendous tennis and racquetball player. Others recalled his talent as the Tongan night show instructor for many years, and a few presented him with golf paraphernalia as he pursues another of his favorite sports in retirement.

“Many of our alumni adore Fasi,” said Delsa Moe, PCC Director of Cultural Presentations. It did not matter to him where you were from. If you had a desire to dance Tonga, he would take the time to teach you. He would take pride in the non-Tongans who danced, and would put them in the front when they were ready.”

(Left-right): Logo Apelu, PCC Chief Operating Officer; Mele and Fasi Tovo; and Delsa Moe, PCC Director of Cultural Presentations (photos courtesy of Delsa Moe)

“We’re going to miss seeing you around the PCC everyday,” she added.

“You’ve touched many lives.” 

Story and pictures by Mike Foley

Mike Foley, who has worked off-and-on

at the Polynesian Cultural Center since

1968,  has been a full-time freelance

writer and digital media specialist since

2002, and had a long career in marketing

communications and PR before that. He

learned to speak fluent Samoan as a

Mormon missionary before moving to Laie

in 1967 — still does, and he has traveled

extensively over the years throughout

Polynesia and other Pacific islands. Foley

is mostly retired now, but continues to

contribute to various PCC and other media.