Within just a minute of spending time with 'Aloine Havea at her shop on 'Eua island, in Tonga, I knew she had a special story to tell. She and her family run one of the general stores on 'Eua, a small but mighty island to the east of Tonga's main island, Tongatapu.
The island's main wharf is essential to her family's business; yet it was destroyed by a tsunami in January 2022, which was triggered by the massive eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai undersea volcano.
'Aloine's story is one of hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, and above all; family.