15 Dec Molimolitu’u – royal estate in Pangaimotu provide farmlands for smallholders
2021/09/27 – Molimolitu’u is an old Tongan word which is defined as somewhere one loves and likes to visit often. Therefore, the royal estate of Molimolitu’u is envisaged to attract the good folks of Pangaimotu be drawn to the farm to care for it as it will in turn care for the people of Pangaimotu by providing sustenance through harvests and even provide incomes.
Pangaimotu Community of Vava’u celebrate the successful set up of the demonstration and multiplication plot on royal estate September 15th, 2021. Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u visited the site, marking the expansion of similar sites in Vava’u that has increased land access to communities and encourages food and nutrition security at household levels.
Pangaimotu District Officer Mr Viliami Maka Latavao with support of his Town Officer Mr Tinitale Piukala were present to meet their Majesties as well as Leimatu’a District Officer Mr Paea Uasike and our ever present MORDI COO Agricultural Development expert Mr Tevita Tukia. The community members of Pangaimotu were jubilant and what a momentous occasion it has been for them all!
Their Majesties have been encouraging the philosophy of Sustainable Development through Sufficiency Economy that has various similarities to Tongan values and customs, and lays the foundation for what we now know as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Pangaimotu background
Pangaimotu is the largest community in the Pangaimotu District located towards the southern side of the Island. The community is the King’s estate. The community has a Keeper of Land or Hou’eiki Tauhi Fonua, known as “‘Aho Inukava”. Pangaimotu has 2 main talking chiefs that serves to represent the community and their Keeper of Land on functions and occasions in the Island. They are “Hala Taufu’i” & “Hala Inukava”.
The name Pangaimotu refers to an area in which the King has decided to reside or set up settlement. Years ago Vuna was in good favor with the royal family however, had caused a disruption within the house of the royals and was banished by the Tu’i Tonga. Vuna was told to seek solace (Pangai) elsewhere, it was upon his discovery of present day Pangaimotu in Vava’u did he finally find his pangai and name it Pangaimotu.
Pangaimotu is also known by the name ’Ā vai ‘o Vuna. The name was coined when Vuna created a moat around his new residence that would notify him of intruders or invaders. Through the movement and reverberations of the water picking up movement of people on the ground Vuna was able to stay alert of uninvited guests.
The total population of Vava’u is 13,738 and the total population of Pangaimotu District is 1,242 while Pangaimotu Community is made of 657. The community involved in agriculture will be the direct beneficiaries of the intervention however because of the social network and the way Tongans live – it is expected that the benefits derived from Molimolitu’u will also spill over to benefit non-beneficiaries of the project.
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