Tributes to the late Roger Hau’ofa have flowed in from all over Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. FM100 aired aired a special talkback show today in tribute to the broadcaster. Video: EMTV
By Quintina Naime in Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea’s famous radio legend, Roger Hau’ofa, has died with courage, dignity and grace, says daughter Michelle Hau’ofa.
Michelle Hau’ofa spoke out following her father’s death at the weekend at Iare village in Kairuku District, Central Province.
The late Hau’ofa, originally from Tonga, was 73 years old and had been broadcasting in Papua New Guinea for more than 50 years.
READ MORE: Family plans Roger Hau’ofa Kidney Centre
Michelle Hau’ofa said he had passed on peacefully on Saturday surrounded by family at his village home.
“He was as strong as a lion until the very end and went out on his own terms with courage, dignity and grace,” she said.
“Dad had suffered for more than a year now and had spent a month in intensive care at the Pacific International Hospital.
“In the end, he was just tired of the needles and tubes as it was a very painful experience for him.
“He said he didn’t want to die in the hospital and he asked to stop all treatment and he wanted to go home to mum’s village at Iare,” Michelle Hau’ofa said.
She said her late father wanted to spend his last days there so they consulted with the family and all agreed that if that’s what he wanted, then that is what they would support.
Roger Hau’ofa was flown by a Helifix helicopter to Iare Village on Thursday, March 2, at 4.30pm.
“He’s been in pain for such a long time and suffered weeks of being in agony and just wanted to be out of hospital.
“He was as strong as a lion and went peacefully on his own terms where he wanted to be, surrounded by family and by those who loved him and those that he loved.
“Like the hero and the great man he is, he did it on his own terms,” Michelle Hau’ofa said tearfully.
The body of the late Hau’ofa is now at the Dove Funeral Home and details of the funeral arrangements will be announced later this week.
Roger Hau’ofa was brother of the late sociologist and writer Epeli Hau’ofa, founder of the Oceania Centre of Arts and Culture at the University of the South Pacific.
Quintina Naime is a journalist with Loop PNG.
