This Tongan Style Kava Ceremony will consist of a kava circle, which is a forum for discussion in Tongan culture. The presentation will be held in a manner of setting up chairs in a circle, include a ceremonial opening and engaging with kava during the presentation, including having the traditional musical breaks in between certain discussions and points.

Recommended for ages 18+

Sione Manupuna ʻUlise Funaki is a doctoral student in anthropology at UH Manoa and an adjunct faculty of Culture Language & Performing Arts / adjunct lecturer in history, anthropology and Pacific Island Studies at BYU-Hawaii. He studied Political Science with a concentration in the Pacific and Polynesian diaspora at BYU.

Last year, he exhibited fangufangu, or nose flutes, during the BYUH’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Month event. One fangufangu is carved with the legend of Maui and one had symbols from his family village of Fua’amotu, Tonga.

He recently came back from Yale University’s first Celebration of Pasifika Culture where he co-hosted a kava teach-in ceremony.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change.