ʻElisiva Fusipala Vahaʻi

Princess Fusipala Vaha'i
Princess of Tonga
Born	12 June 1949 Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
Died	2 October 2014 (aged 65) San Francisco, California
Spouse	Hahano-ki-Mala'e Kula-'a Sione Ngu Namoa, Lord Vaha'i
Full name 'Elisiva Fusipala Tauki'onetuku Tuku'aho
House	House of Tupou
Father	Prince Sione Ngu Tu'i Pelehake
Mother	Melenaite Tupou-Moheofo Veikune
Religion	LDS Church

Royal Family of Tonga
HM The King HM The Queen HRH The Crown Prince HRH The Crown Princess HRH Prince Taufaʻahau Manumataongo HRH Princess Halaevalu Mata'aho HRH Princess Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho HRH Prince Ata HM The Queen Mother HRH Princess Salote, Princess Royal The Hon. Lord Siosa'ia Tuita Extended royal family

Princess 'Elisiva Fusipala Tauki'onetuku Tuku'aho Vaha'i of Tonga (12 June 1949 – 2 October 2014), normally referred to as Princess Fusipala or even just Fusipala, was a daughter of Tu'i Pelehake (Fatafehi). Fusipala was one of the Tuʻi Pelehake's six children, four of whom were girls.

On the occasion of her marriage to Hahano-ki-Mala'e Kula-'a Sione Ngu Namoa, Lord Vaha'i (1936–2005), the Vahaʻi of Foʻui, a member of the Tongan nobility, John H. Groberg, then the mission president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Tonga, gave Fusipala and Hahano a copy of the Standard Works of the LDS Church as a wedding present. This was in 1968.

In 1989 Fusipala joined the LDS Church. ʻIsileli T. Kongaika, who was president of the Tongan Mission at the time of Fusipala's baptism, said that she was the first member of Tonga's royal family to join the LDS Church.^[1] Her main period of learning about the denomination was while visiting Sepiuta and Larripotoa Fehoko in Santa Ana, California. The Fehokos took Fusipala to church with them at the Santa Ana 6th (Tongan-speaking) branch. Her instruction in the gospel was done by branch president Heilala T. Finau.

Marriage and descent

Princess 'Elisiva Fusipala Tauki'onetuku Tuku'aho married at the Chapel Royal, Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu, 13 March 1968, The Hon Hahano-ki-Mala'e Kula-'a Sione Ngu Namoa, Lord Vaha'i, of Foui (b. at Kolosi'i, Fo'ui, Tongatapu, 1 May 1936; d. at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand, 22 May 2005), sometime MLA, eldest son of The Hon Vilisoni Fahitaha Namoa, Vaha'i, of Foui, by his wife, The Hon Vika Kaufusi Vaha'i, daughter of Tevita 'Unga Taufu'-i-'aevalu, of Koulo, Lifuka.^[2]

She has issue, two sons and two daughters:^[3]

• Hon. Nikotimasi Fatafehi Laufilitonga Kakau Vahaʻi (13 Septembre 1971 — ) m. Amelia Vaetuikoloa Tuita-Vaha'i. They have 2 children, The eldest a girl, Fusipala Tukuofo Kihe hau and a son, the heir to the Vaha'i title Nikotimasi
• Hon. Siosifa ʻAlematea Vahaʻi m. Dr. Veisinia Matoto Vaha'i and they have one daughter, Jordan Lavinia Veiongo Matoto Vaha'i
• Hon. ʻElisiva Taukiʻonetuku Vete, née Vahaʻi. oo Semi Vete Jnr. She has 3 children, 2 daughters and a son Melenaite, Simone and Hirohito.
• Hon. Sinaitakala ʻOfeina Leanahola Vahaʻi

Honours

See also : List of honours of the Tongan Royal Family by country

Orders

• King George Tupou V Royal Family Order (1.8.2011) ^[2]

Medals

• King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Coronation Silver Jubilee Medal (4.7.1992) ^[2]
• King George Tupou V Coronation Medal (31.7.2008 ) ^[2]

Sources

1. "Tongan princess finds joy in Church", Church News, March 17, 1990
2. Royal Ark, Tongan Genealogy details - Page 10
3. Royal Ark, Tongan Genealogy details - Page 3

• Groberg, John H. The Fire of Faith. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996) p. 122. ISBN 978-1570088773
• "Tonga Marks LDS Centennial with Nationwide Celebrations", Ensign, November 1991: 106–07