[1] Neli Lifuka was educated at Elisefou school, which were turbulent years as he was in conflict with Donald Gilbert Kennedy, the headmaster.
He also work on a government boat and a missionary vessel; with each of these jobs he resigned after arguing with his commanding officers over pay and conditions.
[2][3] Kennedy, who in 1932 became the resident District Officer at Funafuti for the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, gave him work blasting reef passages.
[2][3] During the Pacific War Neli Lifuka was on Vaitupu working as a Coastwatcher to identify any Japanese activity.
[4] He was later engaged in organising Tuvaluans to work at Funafuti on building the American base and unloading ships.
[4]After World War II Kennedy encouraged Neli Lifuka in the resettlement proposal that resulted in the purchase of Kioa island in Fiji in 1946.