NOW INCLUDES SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FESTIVAL VIDEO | Find Find out why organizers of this now-traditional outer East Portland cultural festival invited a former Portland mayor and our current Chief of Police to their party …
On the sidewalk along the east side of Gateway Discovery Park in the Hazelwood neighborhood, people wearing colorful, traditional signals the arrival of ‘Tonga Day’.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Spirits were high for both the active participants and the visitors to the Tonga Day Celebration, held again in Gateway Discovery Park on August 16.
Unlike the five days before it, and the five days after the festival, in both of which temperatures soared to 100° – the partially overcast skies kept the weather pleasantly balmy during the revelries themselves.
See our video highlights video of this delightful festival:
Here pausing for a photo, it’s the Portland Tonga Day organizer – Tongan Community Representative Kolini Fusitu’a.
“What is Tonga Day?” Tongan Community Representative Kolini Fusitu’a repeated, to our question. “Tonga Day is our annual event highlighting Tongan National Day – in Tonga, it’s celebrated on November 4, when it’s cold and raining here – but it’s spring in our three regions of the Pacific — Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia,” he explained.
Vendors sell Tongan-made cloth and clothing at the festival.
Author Tilisa Kautai de Martinez sell books she’s written and published – Tongan Kids Books, that teach the language to Tongan youth.
During their summer festival, Fusitu’a pointed out, there’s a lot of delicious traditional food, handcrafted goods, and cultural performances representing the civilization of Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Chuuk, Hawai’i, and Tahiti.
Former Portland Mayor and Chief of Police Tom Potter is welcomed by former City of Portland New Portlander Program Coordinator Ronault LS “Polo” Catalani, as is Potter’s spouse, Karin Hansen.
The focus of the festival is a large stage in the east side of the park, where MCs Olga Kalamafoni, as well as former City of Portland “New Portlander Program” Coordinator Ronault LS “Polo” Catalani, and Paula Moa Ha’ungatau introduced one dance group after another to the audience, interspersed with brief speeches from various officials who’d come to the party.
At the head table, facing the stage area, are officials and prominent Tongans during the performances.
There are cultural dance performances, such as this one, in which there are too many performers to fit on the stage.
And even more dancers perform at this celebration.
These men dance with high energy during their performance.
“One of the things that makes this extra special is because it’s taking place in a public space,” Fusitu’a told East Portland News.
“Because of the political climate lately, there has been fear in our community because of ‘travel bans’ and other issues,” Fusitu’a continued. “So, for us to be here, comfortably holding a public event in a public space, it means a lot for us.
“Look, we have representatives from the [Oregon] Governor’s office, the Portland Mayor’s office, the FBI, and the Portland Police Bureau – all showing that their support, here at our festival.”
Culturally authentic Tongan food, prepared at the festival, fills the air with savory scents.
Not for Tongans only
“This festival is for Tongan people to showcase our culture, and our history, to all of our neighbors – the residents of greater Portland,” said Fusitu’a. “It’s a space for us to display for who we are, and meet the neighbors who come to learn about our culture and traditions.
“And, at the same time, in this space we show our Tongan children that they can ‘be themselves’, and accept our entire culture,” Fusitu’a went on.
The theme of the festival is: “Ko e Hakau ia o e Aho ni ko e Fonua ia he kaha’u” – which roughly translates as, “A reef is just a reef until it’s populated with people”. These Tongans have found their new “reef” – here in Portland.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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