Fine Faitehina Tofavaha Fie’Eiki

Fine Faitehina Tofavaha Fie’eiki, 88, from the Kingdom of Tonga passed away peacefully in her sleep in Las Vegas, Nevada on 5 June 2023 while in the care of her only daughter Julia Fine Iraia.  Fine was born on 21 January 1935 on Mango Island in the Ha’apai group of the Tongan Islands, the daughter of Moala Tofavaha of Neiafutahi, Vava’u and Mafi Lata of Nomuka, Ha’apai. She was the eighth child of ten children. Early years were spent on her maternal island of Nomuka and the family home “Api Lisi” in Ma’ufanga, Tongatapu. Fine graduated from Liahona High School and went on to attend Ricks College in Rexsburg, Idaho before graduating from Brigham Young University at Provo, Utah in 1962.
While attending BYU-Provo she met another student from Tonga, Filimone Fie’eiki. The two eventually married on 19 April 1963 in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Fine and Filimone have three sons; Ronny Phil, Danny Simote, Stanley Barry, and one daughter, Julia Fine.  Fine and Filimone raised their young family in the Los Angeles area during the 1960s and 1970s while sponsoring other families to move and settle in the United States. Once the majority of their extended family was in the U.S., Fine and Filimone decided to return to their native island homeland fulfilling a desire to raise their children in Tonga and also assist with the growth of the LDS church in the island Kingdom.
Following in the footsteps of her father Moala Tofavaha, who was a prosperous and resourceful landowner who provided for family, country and ‘’Kainga”, Fine became an entrepreneur becoming one of the few businesswomen in Tonga during the early 1980s.  She purchased the merchant vessel MV ATA, an interisland ferry that transported passengers and cargo throughout the island Kingdom. The entire crew of the MV Ata from the captain to the deckhands were all of Fine’s Kainga from Nomuka known for their seafaring as fearless navigators of the sea.  She also established the popular ‘Seilose Store’ on Hala Taufa’ahau that sold products from the USA.  It was especially popular as ‘one’ of the places in town that sold New Zealand Ice Cream (Aisi Kilimi Nu’u Sila).
Fine was not only a successful businesswoman, but also a faithful and diligent servant in the LDS Church serving in numerous leadership positions in the Primary and Relief Society organizations.  In addition, Fine supported numerous civic and ‘fonua’ duties assisting members of Tongan nobility and even the Tongan Royal family with special requests during important national events. She sought to continue the tradition her father started to fulfill responsibilities to family, faith and country.
In spite of her success in business, the community and at church, Fine was most importantly a supportive wife, caring mother, and doting grandmother.  She enjoyed time traveling to the USA visiting her children and grandchildren.  Fine knew the importance of keeping family close and was the primary driver to hold reunions for the entire Tofavaha Family so that the family could stay close and connected.  Fine had a passion for sewing and gardening and built a tropical garden paradise in their seaside home at Mata’atahi Otuhaka (Beach) on Tongatapu. Unfortunately, the January 2022 Hunga Volcano and Tsunamic destroyed everything Fine and Filimone had built at Otuhaka. Where once stood a beautiful home and tropical paradise was all taken away to the depths of the sea.  However, the material things of this life pale in comparison to the legacy she leaves behind.  The legacy of Fine’s life will never be forgotten, and we will cherish the memories in our hearts forever.
Service Information
Viewing June 23, 2023 at 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Highland Stake Center, 10227 South 4000 West, South Jordan





Viewing June 24, 2023 at 8:00 - 11:AM
Highland Stake Center, 10227 South 4000 West, South Jordan





Funeral Service
June 24, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Highland Stake Center, 10227 South 4000 West, South Jordan