Futa Helu ... founder of 'Atenisi Institute and an inspiration for Pacific philosophy. Photo: 'Atenisi

Pacific Scoop:
By Pesi Fonua in Nuku’alofa

Professor ‘Ilaisa Futa ‘i Ha’angana Helu, 75, founder of the ‘Atenisi Institute in Tonga more than four decades ago, a distinguished scholar, philosopher, historian and educator whose influence has been felt throughout  the Pacific region, has died.

He passed away at Vaiola Hospital, Tongatapu, at around 2.45pm on Tuesday, February 2.

His eldest son, Niulala Helu, said that Futa had been in hospital in the past two weeks, suffering from  pneumonia. He was released on Monday, but was rushed back again before he died.

Niulala said that funeral details are being organised, tentatively for the funeral to take place on Monday, February 8, because some family members are coming from abroad.

Dr Helu celebrated his 75th birthday in June 2009

On June 17, last year he celebrated his 75th birthday – an event that lasted four days and included a special induction ceremony of six overseas academics to the ‘Atenisi University. Fellows included the late Dr Ron Crocombe, a professor emeritus at the University of South Pacific.

Dr Helu at the time of his 75th birthday last year. Photo: Matangi Tonga

Dr Helu, who was born in 1934 at Lotofoa in Foa, Ha’apai, was one of the founding class of 12 in the newly established Tonga High School in 1947.

He later attended Newington College and the University of Sydney in Australia studying philosophy, English literature, mathematics and physics between 1953-61.

‘Athens’ started
Upon returning to Tonga, he became a tutor to students who were having trouble keeping up with school; and in 1963 initiated ‘Atenisi, which in English means “Athens”.

It began as a downtown night school at Halaano providing education for civil servants but then became a high school in 1964 and a university in 1976.

An authority on Tongan history, tradition and culture Futa was awarded an honorary doctorate in literature by the University of the South Pacific in 1999 and has authored numerous books on Tongan culture. He retired as the institute’s director and dean in 2007.

In 2005 Futa, then in his 70th year, was paid tribute by many distinguished Pacific scholars, who had enjoyed association with him.

‘Modern giant’
In the publication of Polynesian Paradox, a collection of essays in honour of Futa Helu, edited by Ian Campbell and Eve Coxon, Futa was described as “one of the giants of modern Tonga, and indeed of the whole Pacific”.

The preface goes on to say that his influence on his own society has been spread through his work as a radical educationist founder of a school and university that pioneered new methods, new curricula and new values for Tonga.

“For non-Tongans he is a paradox: a deeply traditional man, steeped in Tongan culture, but also the most articulate thoughtful and strident critic of Tonga values and society. He led the way in Tongan studies at secondary and tertiary levels, but is a devotee of European civilisation and especially its thought and music.

“The enigma of Futa has attracted many foreign scholars as well as Tongans to seek him out both for the pleasure of his company, for what they might learn from him, and sometimes simply to be a part of the exhilarating and audacious experiment that has been his whole life and work.”

Social critic
In the work, Futa himself advocated critical thought, saying that people of the Pacific had retreated from the development and delivery of thinking, so that, “Modern youth in fact face a huge crisis. The impoverishment of education is reinforced by all forms of social ills . . .

“Poverty and depravity are increasing, . . . selfishness and avarice have multiplied to such incredible heights as to leave nothing for the needy and the underprivileged, not to mention the frightening rise of crime and all forms of iniquitous behaviour and injustice.”

Throughout his life, Futa remained a persistent critic of society and regime.

Futa is survived by his six children, Niulala, Sisi’uno, Lu’isa, ‘Ilaisa, ‘Atolomake, Veisinia; his grandson Tu’i'ahai Tu’iafitu and other grandchildren. His wife Kaloni Schaaf Helu pre-deceased him in 2008.

Pesi Fonua is editor and publisher of Matangi Tonga.