The powerful undersea volcano erupted on January 15, 2022 triggering a violent tsunami which caused widespread damage to the main island of Tongatapu while wiping out smaller, neighbouring islands leaving them uninhabitable.
Tagata Pasifika reports Uatekini Folau and his family were forced to leave their home on ‘Atatā, one of the outer islands near the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcano.
“We lost our home and at the moment, even though we are starting over again, we are happy that my family and I are alive,” Uatekini says.
