The Ho family was among the early Chinese settlers who made Fiji their home — a story that began with a young boy’s courage and a dream for a better life.
In 1926, at just 14 years old, Ho Wah On left his village in China and journeyed to Fiji with the help of a relative.
His early years were spent working tirelessly on banana plantations in Lau and later Kadavu. Though life was difficult, he carried an unshakable determination to rise above hardship.
With savings earned through years of labor, Ho Wah On moved to Suva, hoping to pursue an education at Saint Columbus School (now Marist Suva Street). However, his wish to study was met with resistance from a relative who wanted him to remain on the farm. Undeterred, he sought help from the Jensen-Ho family—relatives of Ken Jensen Ho of Golden Dragon—who offered him work in their café. It was there that his resilience, humility, and commitment to self-improvement began to shape his future.
After years of perseverance, Ho Wah On returned to China to marry Chang Yah Chung, the love of his life. In 1959, amid war and famine in Guangdong, the couple made the brave journey back to Fiji with their first child, Linda Ho, in search of peace and opportunity. They later welcomed six more children: Anthony, Christopher, Agnes, Nancy, William, and Ronald Ho.
Settling in Suva, the young family built a modest life.
Ho Wah On became a storekeeper, while Chang Yah Chung—defying her husband’s wishes—sold vegetables at the Suva market to help support their growing family.
“Together, they raised all seven children in a cramped two-bedroom flat in Toorak,” recalls Lina Ho, Anthony’s daughter and only child, who also shares maternal roots in Serua.
“Despite limited means, their lives were guided by values of perseverance, family honor, unity, and education.”
Those values were reflected not only in their own family but in the countless Chinese families they helped settle in Fiji.
Linda Ho, the eldest daughter, played an especially important role—translating documents, helping children choose English names, and guiding new settlers through local compliance requirements.
Her kindness and quiet strength left a mark on many.
Education became the family’s cornerstone. Their eldest son, Anthony Ho, benefitted greatly from his parents’ sacrifices.
He attended Marist Brothers Primary and High School before earning his accounting degree and master’s with honors at Auckland University, New Zealand.
Upon returning home, Anthony worked briefly at Ernst & Young before founding Anthony Ho & Associates in 1989.
His firm championed small businesses, farmers, and Fiji’s Chinese community — carrying forward his parents’ legacy of service and empowerment.
In 2012, Anthony and his daughter Lina Ho co-founded AHA Financial & Taxation Services, expanding into business advisory and financial management.
“My father’s contributions went far beyond business,” Lina shared.
“He was a passionate table tennis player since childhood — a national champion who later served as president of the Oceania Table Tennis Federation, proudly representing the Pacific on the international stage.”
Anthony’s lifelong dedication to sports and community earned him a national medal during Fiji’s 50th Independence celebrations.
A true entrepreneur at heart, he also ventured into the aquarium fish export trade and owned Suva and Nabua King’s Hotels, which hosted live local music — a reflection of his commitment to nurturing Fijian talent.
Anthony Ho remained deeply devoted to Fiji, proudly calling it home even when opportunities arose abroad.
He passed away in 2021, leaving behind a profound legacy of leadership, generosity, and love for the country that had given his family so much.
Today, his daughter Lina Ho continues to honor that legacy — carrying forward nearly a century of perseverance, integrity, and dedication to service that began with a young boy’s leap of faith in 1926.
As managing director of AHA Financial & Taxation Services, Lina leads with the same principles that defined generations before her.
Her firm specializes in financial management, taxation, and business advisory services — guiding individuals and businesses toward sustainable growth with professionalism, empathy, and care.
n The Ho family’s journey is more than a story of migration and success. It is a testament to the enduring power of family, education, and hard work — and to the spirit of those who built their dreams in Fiji and, in doing so, helped shape its story.
