The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua, has arrived in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua, has arrived in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, to attend The Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit, held from 23 – 24 February 2026.

This visit marks His Lordship’s first official engagement in the United States of America in his capacity as Prime Minister. During the programme, the Prime Minister will deliver an intervention at the Economic Priorities and Investment Pathways for the Pacific Dialogue, sharing Tonga’s perspectives on economic development and regional cooperation. Reflecting on the significance of this engagement, the Honourable Prime Minister stated:

“The Kingdom of Tonga welcomes the opportunity to realign its relations with the United States of America, and the Pacific Agenda Summit in Hawai‘i is the ideal catalyst for advancing this partnership.”

Tonga’s participation reaffirms the Government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that

support sustainable growth, infrastructure resilience, and inclusive economic opportunities for Small Island Developing States. The Summit provides a platform for engagement on priority sectors including infrastructure, energy security, supply chains, food security, tourism, telecommunications, financial services, and the digital economy.

The Tongan delegation is led by Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua and comprises Hon. Semisi Sika, Minister for Infrastructure, Mr. Paula Pouvalu Maʻu, Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet; H.E. Mr. Viliami Vaʻinga Tōnē, Ambassador of Tonga to the United Nations; Ms. Annie Kaneshiro, Consular Representative of Tonga in Hawaiʻi; Mrs. Marcellina Wolfgramm Haʻapai, Special Strategic and Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister; Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, Mr. Salesi Lavemau,; and representatives from Tonga’s private and tourism sectors.

Tonga’s participation underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to working alongside regional partners to advance inclusive economic development, resilience, and long-term prosperity across the Blue Pacific Continent.

——-

Kuo tu’uta ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia, Lord Fakafanua ki Honolulu, Hauai’i ke ne kau ki he Fakataha ‘a e Pasifiki: ‘Inivesimeni, Malu’i mo e Fakatupu Koloa, ‘oku fakahoko mei he ‘aho 23-24 ‘o Fepueli, 2026.

Ko e fuofua ‘a’ahi faka’ofisiale eni ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia ki ‘Amelika ‘i hono lakanga ko e Palemia. Lolotonga ‘a e fakataha, ‘e me’a ai ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia ‘i he fakataha ki he Ngaahi Ngaue mahu’inga faka’ikonomika mo e Halafononga ki he ‘Inivesimeni ki he Pasifiki (Economic Priorities and Investment Pathways for the Pacific Dialogue), ke vahevahe ‘a e ngaahi fakakaukau ‘a Tonga ki he fakalakalaka faka’ikonomika mo e fengaue’aki fakafeitu’u. ‘I he fakakaukau ki he mahu’inga ‘o e kau atu ki he fakataha ni na’e me’a ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia:

“ ‘Oku talitali lelei ‘e he Pule’anga Tonga ‘a e faingamalie ke toe fakafo’ou ‘a ‘ene va fengaue’aki mo ‘Amelika, pea ‘oku hoko ‘a e fakataha ni ko ha kamata’anga lelei ia ke fakalakalaka ‘a e va fengaue’aki ko eni.”

‘Oku hoko ‘a e kau atu ‘a Tonga ki he fakataha ni ke fakapapau’i ‘a e tukupa ‘a e Pule’anga ke fakaivia ‘a e ngaahi va fengaueaki ‘oku ne tokonia ‘a e tupu faka’ikonomika ‘oku tu’uloa, malohi ‘o e ngaahi ngaue fakalakalaka pehe ki he faingamalie faka’ikonomika ‘oku kau ki ai ‘a e kakai tautefito ki he tukuifonua motu iiki ange. ‘Oku ‘omi ‘e he fakataha ha makatu’unga ke talanoa’i ai ‘a e ngaahi sekitoa mahu’inga kau ai ‘a e ngaahi ngaue fakalakalaka lalahi, malu ‘o e ma’u’angaivi, hokohoko hono fo’u ‘o e koloa, malu ‘o e me’atokoni, takimamata, fetu’utaki, ngaahi ngaue fakapa’anga mo e ‘ikonomika faka’ilekitulonika.

‘Oku fakafofonga’i atu ʻa Tonga ki he fakataha ni ʻe he ʻEiki Palemia, Lord Fakafanua, pea kau ki ai ʻa e Minisita ki he Ngaahi Ngaue Lalahi, Hon. Semisi Sika; Sekelitali Pule mo e Sekelitali ki he Kapineti, Paula Pouvalu Maʻu; ʻAmipasitoa ʻa Tonga ki he ngaahi Pule’anga Fakatahataha ‘i Niu ‘Ioke , H.E. Mr. Viliami Vaʻinga Tōnē; Fakafofonga Konisela ʻa Tonga ʻi Hauaiʻi, Ms. Annie Kaneshiro; Faleʻi Faka’ikonōmika mo fale’i makehe ki he ʻEiki Palēmia, Sekelitali Tokoni ‘a e Potungaue Fefakatau’aki mo e Fakalakalala Ekonomika, Salesi Lavemau Marcellina Wolfgramm Haʻapai; pea mo e kau fakafofonga mei he sekitoa taautaha mo e sekitoa folau ʻeveʻeva ʻa Tonga.

‘Oku fakahaaʻi ʻi he kau atu ʻa Tonga ki he fakataha ni ʻa e tukupā ʻa e Puleʻanga ke ngāue fakataha mo e ngaahi hoangaue fakafeitu’u ke fakalakalaka ʻa e tupu fakaʻikonomika, matu’uaki e faingata’a mo e tuʻumālie tu’uloa ʻi he feitu’u Pasifiki