Alaskans rally to help Tonga
Within hours after January’s vol- canic eruption and tsunami in Tonga, Alaskans across the state stepped up by asking how they could help. The result was remarkable as thousands of pounds of relief supplies were col- lected in a few days and loaded aboard a Matson ship at the Port of Alaska for the 5,861-mile journey to Tonga. “We wanted to help the best way we know how, and that’s deliver- ing critical, essential supplies to the community to aid with their recovery efforts,” said Dylan Faber, Matson Community Affairs Manager, Alaska. The January eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai undersea vol- cano triggered a tsunami that struck several South Pacific nations, includ - ing Tonga, and left a thick coat of ash on nearby islands. The disaster de- stroyed homes and infrastructure and affected nearly 84% of the population. In Alaska, businesses, church- es and individuals from Juneau to Utqiagvik quickly came together to help meet those needs.
Photo Courtesy Matson A volunteer palletizes donated goods for the long trip from Anchorage to Tonga.
“My heart is, you know — it’s full of love and gratitude to the people for their donation,” Fehoko Pulu of Anchorage, who has siblings in Ton- ga, told a reporter. “It’s a comfort to know that so many people in my hometown care about an island thou- sands of miles away.” The relief effort was spearhead -
ed by the Polynesian Association of Alaska, which collected three, 40-foot containers filled with donations but needed a way to transport them to Tonga. Matson, which operates regular shipping service to Tonga, stepped up to donate in-kind shipping from the Port of Alaska.
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The Alaska Miner
Spring 2022
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