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Subject:		Re: Te Vaka
Name:		iuta sili
Date Posted:		Oct 11, 07 - 8:35 PM
Email:		olokalaga@yahoo.com/
Message:		As a background information whether an "s" or a "h" is being pronounced/written, the word actually means the same. Samoan influence has resulted in the pronounciation of the "s". Opetaia is part Tuvaluan and part Tokelauan but grew up in Samoa. I quess this would be the reason for his pronounciation. If you listen to a true tokelauan speaking you will hardly hear an "s" being pronounced. So I will naturally say lamahahave, toho. Lamahahave is the traditional way of fishing for the flying fish (Cyphelurus sp.). In the past, fishermen used to plait together a bunch (3-4)of whole dried coconut leaves. This is called a "lama". The tail-end is lit and used as light for catching flying fish (hahave) with handheld nets out in the ocean at night, hence "lamahahave". Now we use the "palagi" searchlights but still retain the name lamahahave. Fakatele is a word given to making something move on water. "Faka" is a prefix usually put in front of a verb meaning to do something. An example is the verb "gaoi" which means move. So "fakagaoi" means to move something. Fakateletele then is when you sail something for fun/enjoyment whether it's a toy or a real boat. Sorry about the song "Siva Mai" I haven't memorized the lyrics.

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