A Journey Through Life, Family, and Fishing

An Interview

By V.U.

My grandfather is 73 years old. My grandfather isn't like others because he is a softly spoken, humble, and caring person. He was born in a small village in Tonga called Lapaha, located on the island of Tongatapu. He later moved to the U.S. My grandfather loves to go fishing and participate in fun activities with family members. He taught me that if I have a hobby, I should make it a lifelong hobby. My grandfather worked and still works hard. He tries to keep in contact with all his kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and watches them grow.

What was your childhood like? What did you do when you were younger? 

Adventures. A lot of fun adventure. I used to play outside with my friends a lot, and we would always find new places to explore. It was a pretty fun time.

When you were younger, what did you want to be? 

I wanted to be a priest. That’s what my mom told me to become when I get older. She thought it was a good path for me, and I respected her a lot. 

Who did you look up to when you were a kid? 

Muhammad Ali, the boxer. He was amazing. He was not only a great boxer but a person who stood for something, too. I liked the way he carried himself. His confidence – everything about him – was inspiring. 

What were some of the challenges you faced? 

One big challenge was learning to become a good fisherman. It wasn’t easy at first, and I had to keep practicing. It was a big part of my life back then, so I had to work really hard at it.

Have any of your hobbies changed from when you were a kid to now?

The biggest change has to do with my age. I can’t do the same things I used to do. When I was younger, I was more into running around, climbing, and all that energy stuff. Now, I enjoy spending time with family and focusing on things that are important to me. 

What was the best day of your life? 

The best day of my life is when I stepped foot in the United States.

What made that day so special? How did you feel when you first arrived?

Back in Tonga, when I heard that I was gonna come to the United States, I thought the United States was still in the cowboy days, where they rode horses and shot each other. When I finally arrived, it was so different from what I imagined. It felt like a new beginning. It was pretty exciting.

Who inspired you to become who you are now? 

My parents. They’ve always been there for me and showed me the right way to live. They taught me hard work and dedication. They emphasized the importance of education. I knew that if I worked hard in school, I could have a better future.

What’s been tough for you lately?

Taking care of myself. I have diabetes. Taking my medicine, watching what I eat, and taking care of my body. It’s a challenge, but I’m managing it.

What motivates you?

My family. My family is the biggest motivation. Everything I do, I do it for them. They give me strength and keep me going.

What life goals have you set and accomplished?

Having a big family. That was always a big goal for me, and I’m happy to say I’ve accomplished it. I have a beautiful, big family, and that’s something I’m really proud of.

How is life now? 

Life is great. The biggest thing for me, now, is having my family. That’s what I enjoy – watching my family grow. I love seeing everyone come together, especially as the grandkids and now the great-grandkids are starting to grow up. There is nothing like family.