First western records of Nuku.CA.BBalofa Nukuʻalofa

the first recorded map of tongataboo harbour sketched captain cook in 1777. map shows bay of nuku alofa , anchored position near pangaimotu. small islands of nuku alofa named phonetic spelling, including atata, pangaimotu, makaha a, , fetoa.

the first written record nuku alofa stated in first dedicated book tonga george vason published in 1810. george vason english missionary london missionary society, arrived in tonga in 1797. george vason wrote of arrival that:

before come anchor, ship surrounded natives, flocked every adjacent island. place, before anchored, called noogollefa: near island, named bonghy-moddoo; on former navigators pitched tents, convenient spot, on account of separation main island, preserve being incommoded natives. first mention of nuku alofa, spelled noogoollefa. pangaimotu spelled bongy-moddoo george vason since tongan writing , alphabet developed in 1826-27.

the second oldest book dedicated tonga william mariner, adopted son of finau ulukalala, published in 1817. mariner described experiences during years adopted son of ulukalala (1806–1810). described civil war , siege of fort of nuku alofa, fell ulukalala , warriors.

the third attempt of christian missionaries recorded in april 1826, when 2 tahitian london missionaries detained tupou chief of nuku alofa.

in march 1826, 4 men left tahiti in minerva, destination fiji. @ nuku’alofa, tonga, plans disrupted high chief tupou (aleamotu’a). davies’ perspective tahitian placed under detention @ tongatapu: “the chief called tupou not let them proceed. had been himself resident in lageba , calls himself friend of tuineau, chief of lageba , such took possession of present intended fijian chief .

the arrival of methodist missionaries in nuku alofa in 1827 reinforced christian faith. persecution suffered christians in hihifo , hahake forced lot of people seek refuge in nuku alofa. encouragement of tupou, king of nuku alofa, beginning of expanding of nuku alofa become major center of christianity in tonga.

the exploring expedition met king josiah (aleamotu a) in 1840.

the final phase of arrival of christianity in tonga arrival of father chevron, or patele sevelo, in 1842. wrote arrived in nuku alofa in 1842 , met tu kanokupolu aleamotu baptised wesleyan sosaia.

in conclusion, these arrival turned nuku alofa small village , fort center of tonga during arrival of christianity.

from earliest record nuku alofa, writer refer settlement noogollefa (1797), nioocalofa (1806), nukualofa (1826 methodist) , noukou-alofa (1842 french catholic priest). there no other mention of other name of settlement of settlement or fort of nuku alofa.