JOE TU'ILATAI MATAELE AT 81!
The scion to the Matele family's legacy, and a former member of the Tongan Legislative Assembly and guiding pillar of the Tongan business community, Joe Tui'latai Mataele remains sturdy throughout his vintage years. Joe's wife, 'Aiona, his children and very large extended family gathered to salute him at eighty one at the world -renowned Fairmont Hotel's "Tonga Room" in San Francisco. The Tongan glitteratis in the Bay Area also joined the celebration and was led by the Tonga Consul General and former Tongan Deputy Prime Minister, the Honorable Cecil Cocker and his wife Malia.
Guests included the Tonga Consul Mrs Lu'isa Leveni and her husband Paneti, Siosiua Kuea, Joe's granduncle, Tu'ihoua Tiliti a former Tongan diplomat and the Tonga USA Today/Viti Times newspapers representative Losana Kolokihakaufisi, Mr. Hiliate Mapa, and Mr and Mrs Tevita Cocker, the consul general's younger brother and Mr and Mrs. David Taumoepeau and Mrs Tupou Vanisi Biaggini. Joe's children who were at the birthday party included his eldest son Sipu Kako Mataele, and eldest daughter Linda Mataele Kinikini plus their younger siblings. Among Joe's nieces were his sister Tu'avava'u's children; Tupou'ahau Mapa, Panuve Mapa and his wife Litia, Siosi'ani Hinehina'atelangi Mapa, Tolika Mapa Cook and her husband Christopher, Fonongava'inga Mapa and 'Eva'ilotomu'a Mapa Satuala and 'Alamoti Mapa and his wife Soana. His brother Siaosi Mataele's daughters'; Pisila Mataele Havea and Leina'ala Mataele as well as their brothers wives, Alieta Tohi Mataele and Sophia Lotaki Mataele.