finding lost Polynesian "cousins"

Aout 15 years ago there were some Tongans going through our modest, east side Salt Lake county neighborhood, looking for yard work. Well, it just so happened I had a dead tree that needed to be felled and disposed of, so a business deal was struck.

Unable to just let these gentlemen do their work, I had to endulge my appetite for learning about other cultures and converse with them, ask about their backgrounds, etc. It turns out these were three 40-something brothers engaged in the enterprise, all with distinctly non-Polynesian names.

"My name is John Johansson. This is my brother Hans and my udder bruddah is Otto."

I knew there had to be an interesting story here, so I (diplomatically) pressed for more information: how did they end up with northern european names?

"Our grand fahdah, he from Sveeden"

Well, my grandfather happens to be from Sweden, so we had something in common, might actually be distantly related, a bond was formed with these unlikely 'relatives'. "We're cousins!" exclaimed "Taki" (Doug, in Tongan, as his name is actually John Douglas Johansson). And so began my experience into Tongan culture, language, friendships. It has been absolutely fascinating and enlightening.

I'm firmly of the belief that no single people have a monopoly on truth, virture & enlightenment, and my experience with the Tongan people certainly validates that view. There are many, many things about Tongan culture we can learn from, take a page (or three or eleven) from the Polynesian book of life to add to our understanding of living, values, perspective on life, etc.

Over the course of the new few days, as my tree job was mixed in with their other priorities, I was able to connect & learn a few things from these Tongans, to the point where they told me about a herbal drink they imbide in, several times a week, a big part of their culture.

"You should come to our house & drink kava with us."

No way I was going to turn down this offer. No way...