Posted at 03:23 on 03 February, 2010
Tonga's first Professor and academic Prof. 'Ilaisa Futa Helu, founder of Atenisi Institute, dies aged 75
Tongan academic Dr Futa Helu, the founder of the Atenisi Institute, died last night.
The 75 year old had been ill for a number of years.
The Institute, which opened in 1966, initially provided night classes for public servants, but it became a secondary school and later a university.
Dr Helu was also a critic of the semi-feudal society which had developed in Tonga, as our correspondent, Mateni Tapueluelu, reports.
“He is seen as someone of academic background who is uncompared in Tonga. He knows classic history and he has been able to provide a philosophical and sociological justification for democracy in Tonga.”
PROFILE:
Full name ʻIlaisa Futa-ʻi-Haʻangana Helu
Born 17 June 1934
Era 20th-century philosophy
Region Western Philosophy
Main interests Political philosophy, Ethics
Futa Helu (born 1934) is a Tongan philosopher, historian, and educator whose influence is felt throughout the Pacific. He studied philosophy under the Australian empiricist John Anderson and in 1963 launched an educational institute named ʻAtenisi (Tongan for Athens, to pay homage to the ancient Greek philosophers, Herakleitos in particular). The institute began as a continuing education programme for civil servants, then initiated a high school in 1964 and university in 1976.
Life
Helu was born on 17 June 1934 in the village of Lotofoa on the island of Foa in the Haʻapai archipelago in the (Polynesian) Kingdom of Tonga. Helu, in fact, is a minor chiefly title, carrying the task of managing both the people and land of the village. In Haʻapai, Futa was a bright, although headstrong, student. In 1947 he was selected to be part of the founding class of the newly established Tonga high school sited in Tonga's capital, the school being a project of a promising Crown Prince who would accede to the throne as Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV in 1967.
Helu studied in Australia at Newington College (1953-56) [1] and the University of Sydney. At Sydney he focused on philosophy, English literature, mathematics and physics. Back in Tonga he did not become – as one might have expected – a government bureaucrat, but held himself out as tutor to those having trouble keeping up at school. His way of teaching soon became famous, and many Tongans who are now important figures claim he instilled a love of learning that impelled their careers.
ʻAtenisi Institute was initially a downtown night school providing continuing education for civil servants, evolving into a secondary school in its second year. In 1966 Helu registered ʻAtenisi's high school with the government and a year later leased a 16-acre (65,000 m2) parcel in Halaano, a western district in the Tongan capital of Nukuʻalofa. The parcel is, in fact, below sea level and students often speak of the swampus instead of the campus. In 1976 a small university joined the high school on the site, its first bachelor of arts degrees being awarded in 1980, followed a few years later by bachelor of science degrees. By the 1990s, some Master of Arts – and even a Ph.D. degree – were awarded in collaboration with universities in Australia and New Zealand.
Dr. Helu not only administered his institute but – like Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia in early 19th century America – designed its classrooms, laboratories, and libraries, often in classical style. Whilst small contractors were, of course, employed in ʻAtenisi's construction, in the early days its director was not above roofing a new building after class.
In 1992 Dr. Helu joined Tonga's Catholic bishop, Patelisio P. Fīnau, in sponsoring a conference that advocated Tonga's transition from a feudal to parliamentary monarchy. Not only did the Government resist this call but it punished 'Atenisi for its advocacy by thenceforth refusing to employ its university graduates, a severe penalty in the developing world. The boycott was lifted after the accession of a commoner prime minister in 2006 and the Government's concession to democratic principle.
Until her death in April 2008, Dr. Helu was married to Kaloni Schaaf; the union produced six children and numerous grandchildren. Two daughters have distinguished themselves in the performing arts – Sisiʻuno Helu, founding director of ʻAtenisi's performing arts troupe and orchestra, has staged Tongan faiva and spirited excerpts from Italian opera on tours of the Pacific and the U.S., ʻAtolomake Helu has sung soprano in noted international venues, such as Sydney and Auckland Town Halls. A son, Niulala Helu, is a former lecturer in Tongan culture at the University of Auckland.
Dr. Helu is the author of several books, most importantly two books on Tongan culture, a monograph on Herakleitos, and a collection of essays regarding South Pacific culture. In 1999 the University of the South Pacific awarded him an honourary doctorate in literature. The scholar retired as institute director and dean of its university in 2007, replaced in the former post by his daughter Sisiʻuno (in 2008 and currently) and son Niulala (in 2009) ... and in the latter by Dr. Michael G. Horowitz, a U.S. sociologist who served as associate dean in the late '90s. Dr. Helu retains the title of Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Tongan Culture.
In retirement, Helu remains an authority on Tongan history, tradition, and education, and although not a politician himself, retains an influential voice in Tongan politics due to the vindication of his democratic advocacy.
ʻAtenisi institute
High school
In the 1960s there were not many high schools in Tonga, and the few there were catered to either an economic or academic elite. To fill the gap, ʻAtenisi's high school assumed a populist stance, offering inexpensive and innovative education. Yet academic standards were high – for example, whereas other schools settled for the modest New Zealand syllabus, ʻAtenisi choose the more challenging syllabus of New South Wales, Australia.
The 1970 and ʻ80s were the school's heyday, at one point attracting some 800 students; however, enrollment began to fall in the '90s in the face of diverse competition. By 2005 the situation became so pressing that school fees were no longer sufficient to cover costs. The school was, in fact, forced to close in 2006, but reopened in 2007 under revitalised leadership.
[edit] University
ʻAtenisi's university is unique in being the only privately founded university in the Pacific, and therefore autonomous from any church or government. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The advantage is that the university can freely train critical thought, rather than compel students to conform to bureaucratic obedience or religious dogma. The disadvantage is that the university rarely receives funding from either source, which has usually condemned it to an austere budget solely supported by modest tuition fees.
Because the university regards method of thought to be its pedagogical priority, philosophy has always been considered its most important course; facility with the English language and appreciation of English literature remains a second key objective. In addition, the university continues to offer core courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Because of its reputation for rigour, most ʻAtenisi students have always found it relatively easy to obtain scholarships to graduate schools in New Zealand, Australia and the U.S.
[edit] Performing Arts Foundation
As part of its arts curriculum, the institute offers courses in music performance, e.g., piano, violin, and voice. Many students also join AFPA: the ʻAtenisi Foundation for the Performing Arts. A small but well-equipped orchestra was established in 2000. AFPA regularly tours overseas performing European classical and operatic excerpts side by side with traditional Tongan music and dance. This cross-cultural approach is typical of the 'Atenisi ethos and is consistent with the Heraclitian sentiment of 'one world, many things, an everlasting fire, common to all'. AFPA has thus astonished audiences from Australasia to Europe and the United States.
[edit] The university's uncertain future
In the early years of the university, its emphasis on methodology was popular with Tonga's independent farmers: their sons might return to their modest plantations and display classical learning at weekend faikava (traditional kava circles). Yet with growing pressure for vocational success among Tonga's urban middle class, only the most talented students remain attracted to ʻAtenisi's classical credo. This has led to a decline in enrollment which, in the face of increasingly more viable tertiary training in Tonga and overseas, threatens the prospects of the small university that Futa Helu built.
setita@tnews.co.nz
Oku ongo mo'oni kihe loto oe tonga kotoa pe ihe kolope ae mole atu ae helo ko eni ihe mala'e oe ako Palofesa Futa Helu tangata na'ane fk'ilonga'i ae foi piliote ihe kolope,,heikai ngalo ihe mou'i ae tonga kotoa pe a ho'o tasipinga lelei kihe hakotupu oe fonua pea fielau pe mo mo'oni ae Lea moe lau kihe Tui ko Solomone koe LAULOTAHA koe tatau oe tokotaha ni.....oku oatu ae fiekaunga mamahi kihe famili moe fanau ihe taufa kuo to i hotau fonua 'Ofa ke kei hoifua Mai ene aloofa mo ene pule maonioni fktauange pe e mau ehe taulaeiki ni ha malolo nonga moha fiemalie.... Osi Taimi ke hoko e Aho pekia oe tokotaha ni koha Aho malolo fkpule'anga I Tonga..
lol lol Kava Lahi 'oku ou faka'emeni atu 100% ki ho'o fokotu'u. Koe mole lahi 'eni 'ae fonua 'ihe mole atu 'ae kakai mahu'inga faufaua ko'eni 'ihotau ki'i fonua tupu'anga. 'Oku ou fie kaungakau fakataha foki mo koe 'ihe fakakaukau koia ke fakamanatu 'ae 'aho pekia 'o Futa koe 'aho maloloo fakapule'anga ia 'i Tonga. Ko e kau tangata 'eni 'oku totonu ke 'ange ha'anau 'aho maloloo fakapule'anga:
1. Mahe'uli'uli Tupouniua
2. Siosiua 'Utoikamanu
3. Dr. Hu'akava mei Liku Langi
4. Prof. Futa Helu
5. Dr. Sitiveni Halapua
6. 'Akilisi Pohiva
7. 'Apolosio Toki
8. Kava Lahi
9. Kehekehe
10. Holoivi moe kotoa 'etau kau tamaa eee!
Hihihihihihihihiihi lol lol lol
Kehekehe Wrote:lol lol Kava Lahi 'oku ou faka'emeni atu 100% ki ho'o fokotu'u. Koe mole lahi 'eni 'ae fonua 'ihe mole atu 'ae kakai mahu'inga faufaua ko'eni 'ihotau ki'i fonua tupu'anga. 'Oku ou fie kaungakau fakataha foki mo koe 'ihe fakakaukau koia ke fakamanatu 'ae 'aho pekia 'o Futa koe 'aho maloloo fakapule'anga ia 'i Tonga. Ko e kau tangata 'eni 'oku totonu ke 'ange ha'anau 'aho maloloo fakapule'anga:
1. Mahe'uli'uli Tupouniua
2. Siosiua 'Utoikamanu
3. Dr. Hu'akava mei Liku Langi
4. Prof. Futa Helu
5. Dr. Sitiveni Halapua
6. 'Akilisi Pohiva
7. 'Apolosio Toki
8. Kava Lahi
9. Kehekehe
10. Holoivi moe kotoa 'etau kau tamaa eee!
Hihihihihihihihiihi lol lol lol
Kehekehe koe monomono pe 'eni ia feefee ke fika 11 'aki mu'a ho'o lisi 'emau ki'i motu'a 'oku hoko koe fai fele'i kihe Palemia 'oe 'Otu Tonga ko PILA FETI kapau 'oku kei 'iai ha fo'i ava 'oku 'ataa 'i ho'o lisi.
A rare Tongan scholar whom in my humble opinion cultivate these two paradigm shifts among others new ways perception & school of thoughts :
1. thinks outside the box as an academician, while he preserves our social values.
2. innovative about changes in stimulating academic studies and attracting constructive public debates.
May Futa rest in peace and deepest sympathy & condolence to family, relatives & friends.
May the love of our Heavenly Father comfort mourners.
Faka'apa'apa & 'ofa lahi atu,
Kumete
Hot dog Wrote:Kehekehe Wrote:lol lol Kava Lahi 'oku ou faka'emeni atu 100% ki ho'o fokotu'u. Koe mole lahi 'eni 'ae fonua 'ihe mole atu 'ae kakai mahu'inga faufaua ko'eni 'ihotau ki'i fonua tupu'anga. 'Oku ou fie kaungakau fakataha foki mo koe 'ihe fakakaukau koia ke fakamanatu 'ae 'aho pekia 'o Futa koe 'aho maloloo fakapule'anga ia 'i Tonga. Ko e kau tangata 'eni 'oku totonu ke 'ange ha'anau 'aho maloloo fakapule'anga:
1. Mahe'uli'uli Tupouniua
2. Siosiua 'Utoikamanu
3. Dr. Hu'akava mei Liku Langi
4. Prof. Futa Helu
5. Dr. Sitiveni Halapua
6. 'Akilisi Pohiva
7. 'Apolosio Toki
8. Kava Lahi
9. Kehekehe
10. Holoivi moe kotoa 'etau kau tamaa eee!
Hihihihihihihihiihi lol lol lol
Kehekehe koe monomono pe 'eni ia feefee ke fika 11 'aki mu'a ho'o lisi 'emau ki'i motu'a 'oku hoko koe fai fele'i kihe Palemia 'oe 'Otu Tonga ko PILA FETI kapau 'oku kei 'iai ha fo'i ava 'oku 'ataa 'i ho'o lisi.
masii Hot tuku a hoo pau'u koe foi Ava fe ena ke hu ai ae Feti...hahaha,ofa lahi atu Hot,
Ke sii fkau atu pe ae kii popoaki fie kaunga mamahini kihe Uitou moe kii fanau....fktauange ke hifo mai ene alo ofa...o sii nofoia ihoomou loto fale...ihe taimi oe faingataa ni,pea fktauange ke sii toka a siomou ofa anga...Palofesa Futa Helu ihe nonga moe ofa a hotau Eiki...tua ofa eiki atu,Salesi 'Apolosio Toki.
kou 'osi maau au moe malalaa ke teuteu tunu 'aki 'a Pila Feti hotau 'aho maloloo.'E toki hu vala manifi mai pe 'a liana moha hikinga ua,tene tui mai hono talau mutu koee 'oku fo'i filo taha pee koee 'a muii.
Ko ho'o maau pe 'au hotdog pea ke kamo mai kau tafu 'e au ha fu'u afi 'e ulo pe 'o a'u kihe loloo.
Mahalo 'oku sai keu toe 'alu 'o okooko fefie ke moho lelei e fu'u tapa'i kete 'o Pilaa.
'Oku 'oatu 'ae fie kaunga mamahi kia Kaloni moe fanau hono kotoa ki Tonga.Tau fakafeta'i pee kihe 'Eikii 'ihe 'ene kei 'alo'ofa mai pea fakatauange pe kene kei hokohoko lelei ai pe 'ene tauhi 'ofa 'oku fai mai ma'a kitautoluu.Koe pekiaa foki koe toto mo'oni 'o 'eku fa'ee mei Lotofoa pea ko Kalonii koe toto mo'oni 'o 'eku tamaii mo Sifa Malani mei 4kakai mo Pukotala. 'Ofa atu kia Langitoto(HELU),Vili Takau,Setita,Linda moe kainga Foa ki Nu'usila na ke tau hu fekina mu'a 'ae mavae moe taha 'oe kau helo 'ihe mala'e 'oe akoo 'ihe 'Otu Felenite. 'Ofa lahi atu.
Kau talanga mou fakatokanga'i ange kuo 'osi malooloo 'ae uaifi 'o Palofesa Futa Helu he ta'u 'e ua kuo 'osii pe koe ta'u kuo 'osi.
'Io, 4kakai 'oku ke toki fakalau mai 'ae kau Foaa pea mahino kiate au ta koe fefine pule 'o 'etau paenga 'eiki ni ko toto mo'oni 'o Langitoto mo Futa Helu moe kaume'a koia. Kataki pe Setita he na'e 'ikai keu lave'i kimu'a si'o 'apisiaa. 'Ofa ke fai tokonia koe 'ehe 'eikii 'ihe po'uli kuo ke tofanga ai mo ho famili. 'ofa atu
Kehekehe.