Hazelman-Williams union celebrated at Fijian/Samoan reunion

Written by Monica H Miller
Monday, 29 September 2008
Hazelman family members visit graves of George William Hazelman, Monica Hazelman I and Iaefia Gregory Hazelman at Magiagi cemetary. Peter Hazelman from Savusavu, Fiji and some of his children are pictured here with Leuluaialii Lydia during the Hazelman reunion 9-12 September, at Siusega. Family members came from Fiji, NZ, Australia, Bangkok, American Samoa to visit Hazelman clan in Samoa. A snapshot of the Samoan Hazelmans, children , grandchildren, great grandchildren of the late George Hazelman and Leuluaialii Lydia Hazelman. The Hazelman family is from a part of Fiji called Savusavu, on the island of Vanua Levu. But when the family agreed to have a reunion, they decided on Samoa as the venue. Earlier this month, about 60 Hazelmans, descendants of James “Taki” Hazelman and Sarah Driver converged on Apia. They came from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Bangkok and American Samoa, joining a growing Hazelman clan in Samoa. It was a son of James and Sarah Hazelman, the late George William Hazelman who started the now burgeoning Hazelman family in Samoa. He came as a single man, an electrician who sailed with other young tradesmen from Fiji to work for what were then small fledgling businesses in Apia. Let’s just say that once he laid eyes on a young woman from Lepea, Manono and Savaii, Lydia Williams, now Leuluaialii, he was smitten. They married and had 10 children, Tony, Malcolm,. Monica (deceased) , George, Gregory (deceased) Monica, Roger, Stephen, Ida and John. A heart attack claimed my father’s life when he was only 39. He died before my youngest brother John, now a Marist Brother, was born. For the 2008 reunion held 9-12 September my Dad’s sole surviving brother, Peter Hazelman, and his remaining two sisters Aggie and Helen (Mita) and sister in law Sophie Hazelman came. Along with too many cousins, nieces and nephews to name. Except for a handful who stayed at Aggie’s Hotel, our overseas aiga stayed at Sebrina Courts at Tuanaimato, just a stone throw away from my mother’s home at Siusega, and our Leuluaialii family compound at Vaitoloa, Lepea (home of the tugage), where some of our reunion activities were held. It was at Vaitoloa where our father spent most of his years in Samoa, becoming a part of his wife’s extended family, and where his funeral was held. Visiting Vaitoloa was one of the most memorable parts of the reunion for the visitors. Our Leuluaialii aunties and uncles, cousins and children welcomed our Dad’s family with an ava ceremony, a taalolo and a lavish feast. They were simply overwhelmed. Some remarked, “It’s no wonder Uncle George didn’t want to come back to Fiji.” They also visited Magiagi cemetery and performed a Fijian custom on the graves of my father, sister Monica (my namesake) and my brother Iaefia Gregory Hazelman. Uncle Peter’s daughters Glenis and Maraia laid a beautiful Fijian tapa on Dad’s resting place. Material of Fijian tapa motifs were put on Monica and Gregory’s graves. Bouquets made from flowers plucked from my mother’s sprawling garden at Siusega were placed on the three graves by Eileen Hazelman, Faiane Miller and Tamara Kenrad.. Needless to say, tears were shed before we took a group photo, which had to be taken from several different angles because we couldn’t squeeze everyone in. And then we were off to Tafatafa Beach. We traveled in three buses and took the route through Aleisa. Our relatives found Tafatafa breathtaking. It was also my first time there after many years and it truly was a choice picnic destination. Our advance party had the bbq on and a chilled keg of Vailima was ready to be uncorked right when we got there. The kids headed straight for the sea and did not come out until we were ready to head home late in the afternoon. The finale took place at the Apia Turf Club at Tuanaimato. Cousin Herbert Hazelman, the biggest contributor to Vailima sales the week of the reunion, made sure all the countries represented did a number. The Aussies sang and jumped like kangaroos, the New Zealand group did a haka, the Fijian Hazelmans sang a song from Savusavu, my brother Malcolm who works in Bangkok sang “Crazy” and all of us from Samoa and American Samoa joined our mother Leuluaialii Lydia for a siva. Our visiting relatives did not let the music of Samoa’s most famous one man band, Stock, with my husband Harry Miller lending support, go to waste. But alas, all good things must come to an end and before you knew it, it was time to say goodbye. The New Zealanders had to dash off to the airport to catch their flight that night, and the Fijians had to fly off early the next morning. Over the next several days, there were lots of hugs, goodbyes and tears. Our Fijian relatives really enjoyed their visit to Samoa and many have said they will come for a longer visit. They haven’t stopped talking about their Samoan experience and everyday we’re getting emails from them saying they’re missing palusami, Vailima, sea and limu and the company of their Samoan aiga. We’re missing them too. Comments (1) Subscribe to this comment's feed ... written by Yoko Ah Kuoi, September 29, 2008 Malo to the Hazelman family. What a great reunion from reading the letter of everyones experience. It is always nice to get together after so long with 'aigas'. Chris Hazelman has taught me at Catholic Senior School and also Lydia being a fond friend of my grandmother over the years. Our family cemetary is just next to the Hazelmans as well in Magiagi. They are very nice people and you all deserve a big Faamalo and alofaaga. From Yoko and family here in Melbourne......... Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Monday, 29 September 2008 )

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