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Naseli Kaitu Passes Away Feb 26, 2007 We are deeply saddened to receive the news of the passing of Helena's father Naseli Kaitu on February 26, 2007 at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva Fiji. Naseli was born in 1933, the son of the late Kaitu and Mesepa. He is survived by 4 daughters and 5 sons, and many grandchildren. Naseli was a respected island elder. He was a carpenter by trade, and was involved in many building projects throughout the old Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, previously working and living in such places as Banaba (Ocean Island) and Onotoa (now part of Kiribati) and Vaitupu in Tuvalu, before returning to Funafuti. We had great pleasure of visiting Naseli and the family during our return visit to Funafuti in October 2005. Brian, Helena and Robert (Lopati) Cannon Photos Below (c) Brian Cannon unless noted Mr. Enele S Sopoaga, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Tuvalu to the United Nations, wrote the following: "As well as an uncle to me, I was at Motufoua School when Naseli and Moiaga and family visited on mission to conduct construction works for Ekalesia Elise in the school. He was such a humble but very hardworking man. I have put together a poem to express how Naseli must be remembered by those boys and girls in the old Motufoua" The Builder
(by Enele S Sopoaga, Motufoua 1966-71) In the heat of the sun And the cruelty of the conditions He persevered for the Ellice sons That the school of the Islands Be more livable under the sun All but for a weekly ration of pulaka He built houses, he improved houses Scratching from the little timbers Re-cycling from the fallen houses The first stools and dining tables To the School with his skilled hands He built the ‘Lady Field’ House The Taj Mahal of its Days Magnificent in its pose That the daughters of the Islands Be allowed to excel in talents From nineteen-sixty seven To nineteen seventy-seven Motufoua was on transition From a floor ridden dining canteen To the start of its modernity Naseli Kaitu was the Man The Builder who never complained No single boy, no single girl Should not remember his name Rest Well Naseli, we treasure your Fame We, Ex-Motulu of the years Can never say enough our fakafetai to Naseli and Family |
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| Naseli working at Vaitupu, 1975. Photo: Robert Stitt |
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| Kemba, Esela, Naseli with Penina, and Moiaga, 1979 |
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| Kaitu and Mesepa, 1979 |
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| Naseli with fishing gear, 2004. Photo (c) Jocelyn Carlin |
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| Puga, Mofeti, Naseli, Helena, Pua, Moefanoga, Penina, October 2005 |
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| Naseli, Brian, Kemba, October 2005 |
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