Eureka! Tonga

Finds Its Own Waikiki

Tonga’s Premier, Prince

Tungi, who recently began a

search for a good surfing beach in Tonga ( PIM , Dec. p. 125), has now found one that he thinks is as good as the most famous one of all—Waikiki.

PRINCE TUNGI’S discovery is at ’Euaiki, an island of about 260 acres some three miles off the eastern tip of Tongatapu, the main island of Tonga.

According to Tonga’s Chronicle, Prince Tungi has reported—“with much enthusiasm”—that the run at ’Euaiki is shorter than the one at Waikiki, but it is also a shorter distance to swim to the point where the waves break. Like Waikiki, the waves break over a submerged reef before reaching the sandy beach.

Prince Tungi told the Chronicle that he was sure the beach at ’Euaiki would be a big attraction to the many people who now visit Hawaii and other places in search of surf.

It would prove to be one of the main attractions in boosting Tonga’s tourist trade when the new hotel, currently being built in Nukualofa, was completed.

Visitors to Nukualofa, Prince Tungi added, would be able to visit ’Euaiki for a few days, where they would be accommodated in Tongan fates that would be specially built for them.

Prince Tungi intended to visit three other surfing beaches in January that have been reported to him. They are all in the Ha’apai Group—at Mo’unga’one, Huluipaongo and Uoleva.