Tokaikolo raises flags in East Palo Alto



Sunday, Nov 17. This day marks another historical landmark for the Tokaikolo Christian Church located here in East Palo Alto. As a commemoration of its 35th anniversary, a flag raising ceremony was held in front of the church's office building on Green Street where the flag site is located.



Mayor Abrica and the Tokaikolo Ministers

Apart from the ministers and the congregation who attended the event, the church was honored to have the city of East Palo Alto's Mayor Mr. Ruben Abrica as the guest of honor. The ceremony began with a march led by the church's marching band and the youth members. Rev. Vungakoto Pakola officiated the program with an opening prayer followed by a sequence of scripture readings, hymnal singing and special song performances firstly by the youth choir, and second by the church choir.

The church's secretary Mrs. Tolosi Wick then gave a welcoming speech. Within her speech, she explained the motive for the day's occasion, and also briefed the mayor with the church's history. She also went on to explain the significance that the city of East Palo Alto has on the church. Dating back to the 1980's when the Tokaikolo movement began in Tonga, its membership increased rapidly, and that lead to the formation of the 'Tokaikolo Fellowship' which later on changed into the 'Tokaikolo Christian Church'. When the influence of this Tongan Gospel reached the United States, one of the main priority was to seek ownership of land for the use of fellowship and worship. East Palo Alto provided that platform with an affordable pricing range in the housing market. That piece of land now known as "Hepeloni" (Hebron) was registered in 1985. It includes a residential building, church building and a office complex. Tolosi continued to embrace the church's commitment to working alongside with the city council in matters that would benefit the community. "We pray and hope that this is the beginning of a close relationship between us (Tokaikolo) and your (mayor's) administration, that we can work together to make East Palo Alto the jewel of Northern California in every possible way".

Mayor Abrica was then invited to cut the ribbon preceding the raising of the flags. These flags includes the flag of the United States, Tonga, and the Church's very own. The church's flag consists of a logo that has three flames which signifies the presence of the Holy Trinity, and the motto "Mo'ui 'ia Kalaisi" which translate as "Life in Christ" or "In Him, We live". The first flag to be raised was the United States flag. Pulling on the ropes for the U.S flag was Tuongo Fangaake, and accompanied by the national anthem "Star Spangled Banner" sung by Veili Faulalo. Deacon Senituli Tu'ifua took charge in pulling the ropes for the Tongan flag, accompanied by the Tongan National Anthem "Fasi 'o e Tu'i" which was sung by everyone in attendance. Samiuela Halatoafa then pulled the ropes for the church's flag, accompanied by a fanfare medley played with a trumpet by Viliami Fe'aomoeata. After all three flags were up, the congregation sang the Tongan Song "Fuka 'o e Ikuna" (flag of victory).


U.S flag









Tokaikolo flag



Tongan flag

Afterwards, Mayor Abrica gave his speech. He said his greetings in both Tongan and Spanish, then went on to congratulate the church for 35 years of existence. Most of his speech was based on the connections that he shares with the church. He expressed his understanding of what it's like to be apart of the establishment of a community. An element that both the city and the church have in common. This is because East Palo Alto was also established in the 1980's. Earlier on in the year during the summer, the city commemorated its 30th anniversary. An event that the church was involved in when they built the city's first parading float. He also acknowledged the church's growth, and expressed his happiness in citing that another significance of posting the flags indicates that the church is "here to stay".


Samiuela Halatoafa raising the Tokaikolo flag

Another connection he shared was the fact that he himself is an immigrant, he mentioned that he came to America at the age of fourteen without knowing how to speak in English and that he too had gone through rough times. He also recalled the times he met up with the former superintendent minister Rev. Manatu Ma'umalanga in several meetings they had in 1991. The mayor still acknowledged the good things Ma'umalanga has done that was of benefit to the city.

 He concluded his speech by reading a proclamation by the city council. This proclamation acknowledged the church's existence, programs and services, while also thanking the church for their involvement in building the community. "....Now therefore be it resolved, that the city council of the City of East Palo Alto hereby congratulate Tokaikolo Christian Church on its 35th anniversary, congratulates all its current and past ministers, deacons and all members. And be it for the resolve that I Reuben Abrica, mayor and the entire city council of East Palo Alto extend our sincere appreciation on this 17th day of November 2013 to the Tokaikolo Christian Church for its active and compassionate service to the community."

After his speech, Aprica offered a personal donation to the church's youth ministry. This donation was received by the youth leader Lavinia Tui'onetoa.

The current superintendent minister Rev. Nesiasi Kolo summed up the program with a message taken from Colossians 3:1,2. The theme for his message was simple, "Look up". This theme was very proportionate to the significance of the flag raising ceremony. He added that the reason why we raise a flag is not only to present the identity of a country or an organization (church), but more importantly so that we can look up. It is a metaphor to what we as Christians should do every time we struggle with pain and hardships in life. The idea of looking up is not about literally looking at the skies. It is about looking to God for guidance and help.

The program came to an end after hymn, a closing prayer, and finally with the another singing of Tonga's National Anthem.