TOCOHI TIMELINE

Tasks and History

2014

The birth of the idea ... To establish a legal organization (Tongan Community of Hawaii, Inc.) for the Tongan-American in the State of Hawaii, USA, came with an initial vision to purchase land and build a Tongan Community Cultural Center. An independent online research was conducted through the Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division's, Search for Business Entity & Documents looking for an existing business name registered with Tongan Community of Hawaii, Inc., was not found.
The idea to strategically legalize such an entity came even clearer in full force! However, not sure where to START!

2016

The inspiring idea came back with a single message in full force and urgency ... "talk to people you already know in the i".
Openly addressed the vision with a few Tongan families and individuals here on Oahu about the idea of establishing a legal organization and named the entity Tongan Community of Hawaii, Inc. with a purpose to unite all Tongan-American coupled with a clear and simple vision to purchase land and build on it a Tongan Community Cultural Center.

2019

Received lots of verbal support from many individuals and groups about the idea of establishing a legal organization (Tongan Community of Hawaii, Inc.) for the American-Tongan people in the State of Hawaii, USA, with a single vision to build a Tongan Community Cultural Center.

2020

The unexpected arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic confirmed that the idea's PURPOSE and VISION to purchase land and build on it a Tongan Community Cultural Center and dedicated to the education, protection, and preservation of the American-Tongan cultural identity and values that is uniquely admired and recognized around the world is a must-do project!

March 9, 2021

The domain name "www.tocohi.com" was registered with www.godaddy.com.

March 17, 2021

Registration of the business name "Tongan Community of Hawaii, Inc." was completed with the DCCA on Oahu, Hawaii.

March 30, 2021

DCCA was contacted via phone to follow up on the pending registration.

March 31, 2021

The Tongan Community of Hawaii, Inc was approved and positioned on active status.

November 30, 2021

Notified by The Queen's Medical Center Neuroscience Research Department 1301 Punchbowl St. Honolulu, HI 96813 | Office # (808) 691-1203
"... regards to possibly scheduling a physician from our department to speak to your community group members with the intent of providing stroke prevention education. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States; thus, public education on this topic is essential to improving our community's awareness and health outcomes."

December 17, 2021

Board Members organized.

December 29, 2021

First virtual meeting with Queen's Medical Center 10:00 AM. The meeting was done via Webinar platform and attended by two research associates, Kim T. Nguyen and Clara Chan.

January 14 (Hawaii) | January 15 (Tonga)

TOCOHI Board Meeting and Volcanic Eruption

While enjoying TOCOHI's first board meeting, the Hunga-Tonga and Hunga-Ha’apai volcano erupted under the waters of the Pacific Ocean on January 15, its roar was heard nearly 6,000 miles away in Alaska. Satellites captured not only huge clouds of ash but also an atmospheric shockwave that radiated from the volcano at nearly the speed of sound. Located on the seismically active Ring of Fire, the eruption severed a crucial undersea communications cable and triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific Ocean.

This incident confirms the idea to establish a legal organization (Tongan Community of Hawaii, Inc.) for the American-Tongan people in the State of Hawaii, USA, with a single vision to purchase land and build a Tongan Community Cultural Center.

Likewise, the volcanic eruption connects Hunga-Tonga and Hunga-Ha'apai in the Pacific ocean, but the birth of the TOCOHI connects Tongan-American people here in the State of Hawaii. The formation and creation of such a new Island ... signify similarities in the formation of the TOCOHI.

January 24, 2022

Contacted the Hawaii Okinawa Center and was directed to Jon Itomura's phone number. Later, in his response to an email Director Intomura expressed a generous message in which he said "First of all, I offer my prayers and want to express my sincere concern for your friends and family in Tonga. I can only hope that any and everything is being explored and done to help those in need of assistance in the aftermath of the eruption and tsunami. I am honored that you have reached out to the Hawaii United Okinawa Association ("HUOA") and I will be available to participate in your meeting on Friday, January 28th at 6 pm."

January 28, 2022

TOCOHI second Board of Directors meeting 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Attended by Veamoniti Lautaha, Sione Manupuna Funaki, and Halaeavlu Vakalahi. Guest of honor, Jon Itomura attended the meeting to provide helpful general information and to answer questions pertaining to the development of the TOCOHI's vision and mission.

February 1, 2022

Employer Identification Number: 87-4764642 granted by the DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.

TOCOHI TIMELINE

Tasks and History

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501c3 Non-profit Organization