“ In fact, the ancient plural, cultural, collectivistic, holistic and circular Tongan concept and practice fonua (as are the variations honua, hanua, vanua, fanua, fenua, enua, henua and whenua within and across the Great Moana Nui) recognises the inseparably mutual, symbiotic coexistence of society and ecology -- including all living and non-living things -- where fonua is utilised merely as a tool for sustaining and maintaining a balance ecosystem or human-environment partnership.
In a way, this is in stark contrast to the singular, technoteleological, individualistic, evolutionistic and linear Western-driven, UN-led new doctrine of sustainable development (fakalakalaka mapule'ia) -- where the society or human beings are elevated over and above the ecology or environment -- strictly informed by a true sense of anthropocentrism, rationalism and functionalism.
'Ofa fau moe 'anau ma'u,
Hufanga ”