She was Tonga’s most well known composer and singer that was still living, but Tu’imala Kaho having suffered from a long illness died last week in Nuku’alofa at her home ‘Api ko Loloniu, Kolofo’ou.
Born on 17 April 1939 to parents Sioeli ‘Aloko’ulu Kaho and Anamalia Veiongo Kaho, Tu’imala grew up in a family that was well known for composing traditional dances. She started singing at a young age, and her mother and uncles taught her Tongan dancing.
Tu’imala’s first composition was called “Taumaia ke ke ‘iloa” when she was 18. She was a student at St. Joseph’s Catholic School. Her composition and singing elevated her to become a star performer in Tonga. Her love songs and deeply moving melodies usually accompanied by acoustic guitar, were not only popular on radio but recorded and distributed throughout the Tongan community in Tonga and elsewhere.
A collection of her compositions was published with notations for the piano, “Songs of Love, by Tu’imala Kaho” (Vava’u Press 1998). Today, her musical recordings are published widely on YouTube and Facebook.
In 2008, she was the instructor for the dance of the women’s Lakalaka of Kolofo’ou, who performed at the coronation of the late King George Tupou V. She was recognised in his coronation honours, receiving the award of Member of the Order of Queen Salote Tupou III.
A close relative described Tu’imala as a woman of great patience, and a soft voice. “She was a people person, and most importantly, she was family oriented. She always wanted her children and grandchildren to be close.”
“She used her gifts to connect with Tongans all over the world.”
Tu’imala is survived by children Longoaamee, Talivulangi, Tautalatasi, Tevita, and Pierson, and grandchildren. Her daughter, Heimata’ula, with a Tahitian High Chief, Matagialalua Tavana Anderson, died in 1985 after an illness.
The funeral service was held Thursday 19 October, at their home ‘Api ko Loloniu, in Kolofo’ou, with the Fasi Wesleyan Church presiding.
