Tuʻuhetoka/en

The reason that this line of minor chiefs of a small island was elevated by king Tāufaʻāhau I to the status of a noble, was because one of its ancestors once saved the latter from losing a decisive battle and even death at Velata in 1826. When Tāufaʻāhau had come to Haʻafeva to ask the chief for help with his war against Sanualio Laufilitonga, initially the chief did not want to help him, having his allegiance with the other. But when his sister threatened to go instead, he switched loyalty, and fought close to Tāufaʻāhau. Then the latter was hit on the head by several attackers and lay unconscious on the ground. The Haʻafeva chief fought off all the enemies until Tāufaʻāhau became conscious again. Later this warrior was named "Tuʻu-he-toka" meaning "Standing while the chief is sleeping". Interesting note: if Tāufaʻāhau would have been a commoner instead of a chief, the proper term were tuʻu-he-mohe, if he would already have been king then, tuʻu-he-tōfā were to be used. FOKI