Rev. Malakai Tatafu
Pastor Malakai was born in the village of Otea, Vava’u in the Kingdom of Tonga. He has served as Kona UMC’s Tongan pastor since 2006. He was ordained as an Elder of the United Methodist Church in 2016. He earned his Masters of Divinity in 2004 from Claremont School of Theology and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1997 from Hawaii Loa College on Oahu. Pastor Malakai, his wife Kaufo’ou, and children Elenoa and Fanguna are active in the community and in the congregation. Pastor Malakai’s favorite sports are rugby, boxing and swimming. He also enjoys reading religious books to expand his knowledge.