
09/27/2025
In 1965, six Tongan teenagers decided to leave school and seek a better life, stealing a fishing boat to sail to Fiji or New Zealand. But a storm destroyed their vessel, leaving them stranded on the uninhabited island of Ata for 15 months.
The boys survived by working together, they built a hut, kept a fire burning, and foraged fish, coconuts, bananas, and papaya. Their courage, resourcefulness, and unity kept them alive in the face of isolation.
Eventually, Australian adventurer Peter Warner spotted their signal fire and rescued them, marveling at their ingenuity. Their story is a timeless tale of survival, teamwork, and hope.