Island and Ocean Ecosystems
With the ongoing work we undertake at SPREP to protect our marine biodiversity and oceans, we end this week remembering the Aliki Faipule Foua Toloa, the former Ulu of Tokelau who passed away last month after a long battle with cancer.
Image courtesy of the Global Ocean Commission Website
Foua was well-known throughout the region as a passionate advocate and champion for the ocean and the conservation of its living resources and iconic species. With an EEZ the size of the United Kingdom, a land area of 10 sq km and a population of 1100 people, Tokelau is not only highly dependent on the ocean, but also grossly under-resourced to monitor activities in the waters under its jurisdiction. Foua was a champion of his beloved country, and through his tireless commitment, his determination, his knowledge and his eloquence, he brought Tokelau to the global stage of marine conservation.
This was not his only passion. He worked hard to raise the profile of Tokelau in their endeavor to seek support to make the island nation the first country in the world to produce 100 percent of its electricity from the sun – taking this ambitious vision to the Durban Climate Conference in 2011, seeking financial support to make this possible. By October 2012 Tokelau had achieved this goal.
The delegation from Tokelau at the Durban Climate Conference - Aliki Faipule Foua Toloa in middle
Foua was a big man in every respect - a champion of sport, a leader of people, and a sentinel for our oceans. Perhaps his most important legacy is the Tokelau Sanctuary. His wish was for all whales, dolphins, turtles and sharks to be protected not only in Tokelau waters, but throughout the world. In 2011, he was appointed as a Global Ocean Commissioner and for several years represented the conservation ethic of our region. Attending Commission meetings showed real commitment from Foua, as he had to travel over 500 kilometres by boat to Samoa from Tokelau, before he even caught the first of what would always be many flights. Despite the distances he travelled away from his home, and his deteriorating health, he attended all the Commission's meetings, rubbing shoulders with some of the world's most powerful and influential politicians and diplomats. He presented a Pacific perspective at the release of the Commission's report in June 2014.
All those who knew Foua have special memories - while some recall his contribution to the Global Ocean Commission, others recall his commitment at the international negotiations to establish the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, where his eloquence and determination resulted in Tokelau being represented in its own right at the Commission, rather than being represented through New Zealand, opening the way for other Pacific island countries.
In 2010 Foua declared the Tokelau Whale Sanctuary at the Ocean Voices event in 2010 before a packed house at the Auckland Museum. Although he was joined on stage by a number of Pacific Island dignitaries, it was Foua who commanded all attention and brought so much Mana to the event. Although he spoke entirely in Tokelauan that night, his passion and commitment was conveyed at such a deep level that everyone in the audience understood exactly what he was talking about. Introducing the finale of his presentation, Foua said:
This is an ancestral prayer. Tokelauans recite this prayer when they do their monthly offerings to our god Tui Tokelau in the past. This is a short version of just part of the ocean resources from the least to the most important species in the ocean category.
Oooo Tui Tokelau e! Oh Tui Tokelau e!
Fanaifo la ki to Moana, Come down to you Oceans
He tai paala A season of wahoo
He tai kakahi A season of yellowfin
He tai atu A season of skipjack
He tai, he tai, he tai A season, a season, a season
He tai hakula, A season of marlin
He tai mago A season of sharks
He tai tuaniu A season of sailfish
He tai, he tai he tai A season, a season, a season
He tai fonu A season of turtles
He tai takaga A season of dolphins
He tai tafola A season of whales
He tai, he tai, he tai A season, a season, a season
Oooo ko Ioa! Oh ko Ioa
Tui Tokelau e! Tui Tokelau e!
Tui Tokelau e! Tui Tokelau e !
He tai, he tai, he tai A season, a season, a season
May He Rest in Peace
Image courtesy of the Global Ocean Commission WebsiteFoua was well-known throughout the region as a passionate advocate and champion for the ocean and the conservation of its living resources and iconic species. With an EEZ the size of the United Kingdom, a land area of 10 sq km and a population of 1100 people, Tokelau is not only highly dependent on the ocean, but also grossly under-resourced to monitor activities in the waters under its jurisdiction. Foua was a champion of his beloved country, and through his tireless commitment, his determination, his knowledge and his eloquence, he brought Tokelau to the global stage of marine conservation.
This was not his only passion. He worked hard to raise the profile of Tokelau in their endeavor to seek support to make the island nation the first country in the world to produce 100 percent of its electricity from the sun – taking this ambitious vision to the Durban Climate Conference in 2011, seeking financial support to make this possible. By October 2012 Tokelau had achieved this goal.
The delegation from Tokelau at the Durban Climate Conference - Aliki Faipule Foua Toloa in middleFoua was a big man in every respect - a champion of sport, a leader of people, and a sentinel for our oceans. Perhaps his most important legacy is the Tokelau Sanctuary. His wish was for all whales, dolphins, turtles and sharks to be protected not only in Tokelau waters, but throughout the world. In 2011, he was appointed as a Global Ocean Commissioner and for several years represented the conservation ethic of our region. Attending Commission meetings showed real commitment from Foua, as he had to travel over 500 kilometres by boat to Samoa from Tokelau, before he even caught the first of what would always be many flights. Despite the distances he travelled away from his home, and his deteriorating health, he attended all the Commission's meetings, rubbing shoulders with some of the world's most powerful and influential politicians and diplomats. He presented a Pacific perspective at the release of the Commission's report in June 2014.
All those who knew Foua have special memories - while some recall his contribution to the Global Ocean Commission, others recall his commitment at the international negotiations to establish the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, where his eloquence and determination resulted in Tokelau being represented in its own right at the Commission, rather than being represented through New Zealand, opening the way for other Pacific island countries.
In 2010 Foua declared the Tokelau Whale Sanctuary at the Ocean Voices event in 2010 before a packed house at the Auckland Museum. Although he was joined on stage by a number of Pacific Island dignitaries, it was Foua who commanded all attention and brought so much Mana to the event. Although he spoke entirely in Tokelauan that night, his passion and commitment was conveyed at such a deep level that everyone in the audience understood exactly what he was talking about. Introducing the finale of his presentation, Foua said:
This is an ancestral prayer. Tokelauans recite this prayer when they do their monthly offerings to our god Tui Tokelau in the past. This is a short version of just part of the ocean resources from the least to the most important species in the ocean category.
Oooo Tui Tokelau e! Oh Tui Tokelau e!
Fanaifo la ki to Moana, Come down to you Oceans
He tai paala A season of wahoo
He tai kakahi A season of yellowfin
He tai atu A season of skipjack
He tai, he tai, he tai A season, a season, a season
He tai hakula, A season of marlin
He tai mago A season of sharks
He tai tuaniu A season of sailfish
He tai, he tai he tai A season, a season, a season
He tai fonu A season of turtles
He tai takaga A season of dolphins
He tai tafola A season of whales
He tai, he tai, he tai A season, a season, a season
Oooo ko Ioa! Oh ko Ioa
Tui Tokelau e! Tui Tokelau e!
Tui Tokelau e! Tui Tokelau e !
He tai, he tai, he tai A season, a season, a season
May He Rest in Peace