THE Hon. Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku today led Members of Parliament in paying their last respect to the former Minister of Fisheries, late Hon. Semisi Fakahau who was laid to rest today at Sosefina cemetery, Folaha.
Members of the diplomatic corps also joined friends, family and loved ones in paying their last tribute to their fallen comrade during a farewell morning service at the Folaha Free Church of Tonga.
The Chief Clerk of Parliament, Gloria Pole’o also conveyed a condolence message from the Lord Speaker and the Legislative Assembly to the widow Grace Fakahau and family.
Fakahau had served three terms in Parliament, started his career as a politician in 2014. His death marked almost eight years of serving as a Member of Parliament.
Chief Clerk Pole’o said the late Cabinet Minister is remembered as a very humble and well-respected man who performed his best in all his legislative duties. And this is reflected in his attitude - a man who always stay humble and a very down to earth person.
The deceased died at the age of 74 after undergoing some medical treatment.
On education, the former Cabinet Minister was born on 11 February 1948 and started schooling at Folaha Government Primary School before continuing his secondary education at Tonga College ‘Atele where he became a Head boy. He pursued his Diploma in Tropical Agriculture at Vudal Agriculture College, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
He was also awarded a Diploma in Fisheries Management before graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree with Honors from Plymouth Polytechnic, Plymouth, United Kingdom in 1974.
After graduating with a Diploma in Tropical Agriculture in 1972 he became a technical officer grade 2 at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. He climbed the ladder to become a Principal Fisheries Officer in 1986.
The late Cabinet Minister also represented Tonga in various agricultural and fisheries international meetings overseas for the development of the fisheries sector in Tonga and in the Pacific.
Hon. Fakahau resigned from civil service in 1990 before taking up his new job as an Agriculture and Fisheries Adviser for the Commonwealth Secretariat the same year.
The former late politician also served as a Freelance Fisheries Consultant for Tonga and Pacific Islands Countries in 2008 to 2014.
His passing is also remembered by Folaha Free Church of Tonga congregation as a great man who love and stay committed to his congregation and always loves providing for every pastor serving in their Folaha church. They also had a fond memory of him, as a person who never missed a church service despite staying with his wife in Nuku’alofa.
The family and loved ones also remembered late Hon. Fakahau as a man of integrity that is resonated in his personal character – a person who gives his all and best performance in all aspects of life.
They also had fond memories of the late politician as a person living with two important values. First is prayer and second is his family.
He had a passion for fishery and agriculture and his service is dedicated to his love and passion for the ocean.
He is survived by wife Grace Fakahau and three children and grandchildren.