Talk:Battle of Velata

The Ha'afeva warrior that had the name Tu'uhetoka bestowed upon by Taufa'ahau, after the battle at Velata, was Sekonaia. Moatunu was the name of his kalia. It was not Havealeta's kalia. Ikaalahi was another name in reference to Sekonaia after the initial battle with Laufilitonga's warriors, at the Tau'akipulu beach. Taufa'ahau remarked that Sekonaia was like a big fish among a school of small fish (Hangee ha 'ohokai 'a ha ikalahi). This was a description of how Sekonaia slay the enemy warriors as he waded from his kalia to the beach. Tu'uhetoka's piece of land next to the Tau'akipulu Palace in Pangai, Ha'apai, is called Ikalahi, where Tailulu College, Ha'apai, is located.

Sekonaia was not related to Havealeta. Ha'afeva was taken from Havealeta and given to Tu'uhetoka after the defeat of Laufilitonga. Taufa'ahau had not forgotten what Havealeta said to Taufa'ahau's messenger to pass on to him (Taufa'ahau)when Taufa'ahau was in Ha'afeva to ask Sekonaia for his service as a warrior. Taufa'ahau saw turtles in the Fanga-ko-Pulotu and ask one of his messengers to ask the owner for some turtles. Havealeta told the messenger to tell Taufa'ahau: "Ko e puaka ia mei fe ke ha'u 'o 'ai fonu mai heni" (Literally meaning: Where is this pig from that is asking me for a turtle?. Havealeta was supporting Laufilitonga hence his attitude towards Taufa'ahau.

Mata'utia

The mother of Tāufaʻāhau was Houmafaleono, not ʻAnaseini.

The place on Lifuka is called Tongoleleka, not Tongaleleka.

Tāufaʻāhau was slain in the battle, not merely asleep, and only the presence of Tuʻuhetoka saved his life.

--Tauʻolunga (talk) 06:28, 30 March 2008 (UTC)

Thank you to all the contributers and author/s for this effort. There are a few details that appear to differ from oral tradition and recorded history, as is often the case with our oral hisotrical accounts. I agree with the above user's (Tau'olunga) notes. The mother of Taufa'ahau was the daughter of the Head of the Ha'a Havea Lahi and holder of the Ma'afu (Tukui'aulahi) title of Vaini. This Ma'afu's name was Maluotaufa, son of Tangata'ilavalu (also a Ma'afu title holder) who was the brother of Ma'afuolimuloa who was installed as the 15th Tu'ikanokupolu, after the assassination of Tuku'aho in 1799. This Ma'afuolimuloa was assassinated the same night he was installed probably by the Ha'a Ngata Motu'a chiefs of Hihifo.

The great warrior you refer to as "Moatunu" is actually Ikalahi from Ha'afeva, possibly a nephew or son of Havealeta (Chief of Ha'afeva). The name of the war canoe that Havealeta eventually dispatched to the aid of Taufa'ahau was called "Moatunu". The reason why Ikalahi was given the honorary title "Tu'uhetoka" was for actually saving Taufa'ahau's life in the heat of battle. Guarding a chief as he slept was normal and commonplace, not worthy of note as it was an everyday duty. It is said that Taufa'ahau was on the verge of defeat and imminent death in the battle of Velata and as he fell and was about to be killed by the opposing warriors, Ikalahi stood over and shielded Taufa'ahau and killed many of his attackers (i.e. tu'u - he - toka meaning standing as he/the chief fell - "toka" is elvated Tongan for a chief in death/sleep "tofa" is for a king or Tu'i) allowing Taufa'ahau to be rescued. Another notable warrior in the battle was Puakatau, a son of Kaufana the chief of 'Eua who supplied Taufa'ahu with rifles. The historian Sione Latukefu has published material on this event such as in his book "Church and State in Tonga" published in 1974.

The name of Tu'uhetoka's sister who pleaded with her bother to join Taufa'ahau was Heu'ifanga. The little girl who Taufa'ahau tenderly lifted up and kissed, when Havealeta told him he could not join him, was Heu'ifanga's daughter named after Taufa'ahau's mother Hoamofaleono. Havealeta's hesitation to join Taufa'ahau was because of his own family links to Laufilitonga. However, no Tongan brother (out of sacred duty and honour) can deny a direct challenge and request from his sister.

Moatunu

==Another False Version The Niumeitolu did not claim that Namoa was Tu'i Kanokupolu, Moatunu had a daughter named by Taaufa'ahau called 'Anaseini, when Moatunu was adamant about not joining the Taaufa'ahau's war with Laufilitonga, Taafa'ahau said "ko fe ki'i (ta'ahine) (meaning 'Anaseini), Moatunu replied 'Ko 'ena 'oku 'i fale mo 'ene fa'e" so Taaufa'ahau went in and carried 'Anaseini to his kalia and said, then I will go with 'Anaseini and fight with Laufilitonga, it was in this action that Moatunu changed his mind, so they went to battle with Taaufa'ahau.

Whatever the truth, we can start rewriting the Battle of Velata and references it to verifiable sources which is the requirement of Wikipedia. This will another long battle with the original author as she is adamant of her stories and claims...lol..

Errors that need corrections:e I would also like to add, that I James, is the King of England at one stage in history, read about it, its all true

1826, the battle of Velata was prior to 1826 as Mr Thomas arrived in Tonga this year and he could have recorded this battle.

1826, Aleamotu'a was Tu'i Kanokupolu and was address as Tupou the Tu'i Kanokupolu. He was installed in 1827 and was recorded by the Missionaries Mr Thomas.

1826, Taufa'ahau was already the King of Ha'apai. That means he already won the battle of Velata. Taufa'ahau was the King of Ha'apai and he visited Nuku'alofa in 1827 to see the Missionaries. This is the first recorded visit by Taufa'ahau to Nuku'alofa as recorded by the missionaries. Puakatau (talk) 17:24, 1 December 2010 (UTC)

Baqttle of Velata: September 1826
Now I like to correct myself and have verified with other academic sources that the Battle of Velata is in fact September 1826. This is a few months after John Thomas arrived and he was still occupy with Ata of Hihifo while Aleamotu'a the Tu'i Kanokupolu or also known as Tupou have his church in Nuku'alofa build by the two Tahitian, Hape and Tafeta.

I am still rewriting the Battle of Velata (Ha'apai) with inline citation and will replace this article when it is ready with verifiable citation. thanks...Puakatau (talk) 19:19, 3 December 2010 (UTC)