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Tongan father in US fighting for his life in ICU after testing positive for COVID-19; wife asking for prayers

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan family in Salt Lake City, United States, was asking for prayers for a loved one who is hospitalised after contracting COVID-19.

Lotomo’ua Tu’akalau said her husband, Lelea Tu’akalau, was on a ventilator to help him breathe at the hospital’s intensive care unit. She did not name the hospital.

“While we are terrified, we are hopeful for healing. I am pleading for your prayers at this time. I am thankful for friends in times like this,” Lotomo’ua told Kaniva News.

“I love you so much Lelea Kivailahi keep fighting Lelea,” she wrote on Facebook.

“This is a hardest time for me and my family, my husband Lelea Tuakalau tested Positive for the Coronavirus he is in the hospital ICU.”

She said she took her kids to get tested too and they were still waiting for the results.

“Please family pray for us.”

The Tu’akalaus’ case comes after another  US-Tongan based mother Sloane Tai Finau has called for people to take the Covid-19 virus seriously after family members in the United States were diagnosed positive.

Finau’s daughter and partner are ill.

“If any of you are feeling unwell, go and get tested,” she said.

Coronavirus: Social distancing measures breached as Parliamentarians sit and stand close together

By
Kalino Latu
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While most of the world practises social-distancing measures to curb the spread of Covid-19, the Tongan parliamentarians have been spotted sitting and standing side by side.

A photo published by the government’s website gov.to yesterday, appears to show the Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament were not observing social-distancing measures.

The photo was likely taken after the Parliament’s 2020 / 2021 session opening ceremony.

Ironically, the king did not join the MPs in Parliament at yesterday’s opening ceremony because he wanted to keep the Covid-19 restrictions measures in place.

His Majesty delivered his opening speech through a livestreamed video from the palace.

The government repeatedly announced and reminded the public to observe social distancing by staying at least 1.5 metres apart.

A Ministry of Education statement released last week to announce the government’s students free bus fare package said:

“A high number of buses are being utilised for transportation to ensure that social distancing is reasonably practiced as per direction from the Ministry of Health.”

Last month, Tonga Police have arrested 568 people since a state of emergency was declared on 28 March to try and counter Covid-19.

357 of those arrested had allegedly breached the lockdown rules or obstructed officers.

There have been no confirmed Covid-19 cases in Tonga.

Parliament’s Chief Clerk had been contacted for comment.

Overloaded ship was carrying 356 passengers, Supreme Court told; judge concerned by ‘integrity and security’ of ferry service

By
Kalino Latu
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The Supreme Court is considering seizing a vessel involved in a charge of overloading.

‘Evona ‘Akau, stood indicted on one count of permitting a ship to proceed to sea carrying excess passengers.

The court was told that on January 9  at ‘Ohonua, ‘Eua, ‘Akau acted as Master of MV ‘Onemato, and permitted the ship to put to sea carrying 365 passengers.

The ship was licensed to carry 150 passengers in daylight.

Mr Justice Cato, presiding, said he was concerned by the safety of ferry’s operation and the way it was managed.

The vessel is owned by Eua Sea Transportation Council Cooperative Society Ltd.

He described the case as an important public issue for the people of Eua who depended on the ferry.

The company’s business license was cancelled on April 1 2019. The company had  reapplied for a license in the name of Eua Ferry Service Management Board the previous year.

The judge said he was considering forfeiture of the vessel to the Crown and would seek submissions on whether forfeiture was a mandatory provision arguments for and against the procedure.

He invited the Director for Public Prosecutions to appear for sentencing.

‘Akau took over as captain from Sione Pateta who left the ship at Eua following a disagreement with the manager.

The ‘Onemato left at 9.30pm, several hours later than scheduled due to mechanical faults and the need to find a suitably qualified first mate.

The judge said there had been no complaint about the way the ship was sailed or any aspect aside from the fact that it was carrying a much greater number of passengers than its Certificate of Survey allowed.

When the ship arrived in Nuku’alofa the Ports authority Officer, Mr Senituli Lavaka, saw that the ship was overloaded. He counted the passengers as they came off and noted 356 passengers.

The court was presented with a timesheet made out by  Semisi Napa’a who was the officer employed by the Marine department to oversee departures from Eua.

The document falsely claimed the ship was carrying 150 passengers and that it left at 2.45pm. It was also signed with a false name. ’Akau did not counter-sign the document as Master of the vessel.

Mr Justice Cato aid that he inferred that ’Akau did not sign the document because he know it was false. He said it ‘Akau’s responsibility to make sure the correct number of passengers was carried and rejected his claims that he could not see into the passenger area.

“ I reject his evidence beyond any reasonable doubt that he did not know that an excess of passengers were being unlawfully carried on the ship,” the judge said.

“Accordingly I find being the Master of the ship he permitted it to proceed to sea carrying an excessive number of passengers. I find him guilty of this offence, and he is convicted.”

The judge said he was concerned that information about the company appeared to be missing from the public register.

“The excess of passengers was so great on this voyage in waters acknowledged to be dangerous at times and at night that I am very concerned at the safety of this operation, and the management of it,” the judge said.

“The fact I know so little about the ownership and the circumstances of this offending concerns me as to the integrity and security of this operation. I considering forfeiture of the vessel to the Crown.”

Video of Holy Bible burning sparks online outrage within Tongan Christian community

By
Kalino Latu
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A video clip of a man burning what appears to be a copy of the Holy Bible has triggered a widespread condemnation online.

The man speaking in fluent Tongan can be heard telling another man to make sure he took a video of what he was doing and a good shot of the cover of the book which he was showing to him with the words – “Ko e Tohi Tabu Katoa.” (The Holy Bible)

The incident has sparked anger online and drawing threats from Facebook users wanting to know the identity of the man.

The footage does not capture the man but his hands can be seen tearing the book apart before burning the pieces.

One four-minute and seven seconds video posted on Facebook shows what appears to be the man before putting the pieces of paper into a two-burner gas stove which was being on with blue flame.

The overwhelming majority of Tonga consider themselves Christians. They treated copies of the Holy Bible with reverence and any move to desecrate or destroy the holy book is seen as a grave insult.

The footage was widely circulated online this morning and one share showed it has been viewed almost 20,000 times within three hours after it was posted. It received 538 reactions, 506 comments and 611 shares.

One commenter on Facebook asked: “Who will he bury after he burned the Bible?”

“I hope you rot in hell,” another wrote.

“He is bringing curse to his family.”

Bird strike damages aircraft engine on Vava‘u take-off following Real Tonga workers being hit with Covid-19 layoffs

By
Kalino Latu
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A Real Tonga plane with more than dozen passengers and crew on board suffered engine damage when it hit a bird during take-off from the Lupepau’u International Airport this morning.

This has forced pilots to make an emergency landing.

Upon arrival at airport it was found that damage had occurred to one of the engines, Kaniva News had been reliably informed.

There were no reported injuries to anyone on board.

The aircraft was grounded for further inspection in Vava’u.

Neiafu Town Officer Vāvā Lapota told Kaniva News a while ago the incident might disrupt the Vava’u flight schedules for this week.

Real Tonga had been contacted for comment.

Meanwhile, Real Tonga is now facing financial crisis affecting airlines all over the world because of the Covid-19 pandemic and has appealed to the government for help.

Its pilots who had been laid off following a dramatic drop in revenue because of  the Covid-19 crisis and subsequent restrictions had approached the government and asked them to run an airline.

The government was currently reviewing the pilot’s proposal.

It is understood there have been problems with the Real Tonga’s lease on the Chinese aircraft from the government.

This morning’s incident in Vava’u comes after a Real Tonga flight was forced to make an emergency landing at the Fua’amotu domestic airport in February.

The aircraft was travelling from Tongatapu to Vava’u when it allegedly developed a mechanical issue.

Noise had been heard coming from the aircraft shortly after it took off, Real Tonga CEO Tevita Palu  told Kaniva News.

 

New bills allow gov’t to control social media and internet contents; king opens Parliament via livestream

By
Kalino Latu
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Revisited; First published on March 3, 2020, additional information on opening of Parliament this week.

The government was expected to submit to Parliament the results of its investigation following what has been previously described as violent attack against royals on Facebook.  

King Tupou VI will open the Legislative Assembly via livestream on Thursday, because of Covid-19 restrictions in place.

The government was expected to submit new bills and current laws would be amended to allow the state to be able to police social media.

A government committee which included the Attorney General was working hand in hand with Facebook authorities in Australia.

Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has described the way how the committee operated as sailing smoothly (“lele ‘i Matangi”) and relentlessly (“ta’emālōlō.”)

The committee has gathered good and significant amount of evidence, the Prime Minister told Kaniva News.

As we reported last year, a number of violent threats made toward the King and his daughter have prompted government to mull over closing down Facebook in the kingdom.

The attack was part of an escalating online war between the pro-democracy camp and those firmly backing the royals, the nobility and their supporters.

The Prime Minster said when Parliament opens in May “we will step into another level which will enable us to put an end to these abhorrent, disrespectful and discourteous behaviours” being exercised on Facebook.

He said these misbehaviours had been caused by only a few people and they affected “the future of our children.”

Hon Tu’i’onetoa’s comments came after he told civil servants during a televised prayer service in Nuku’alofa  recently that using offensive language and hate speech on Facebook these days has become uncontrollable.

He said it was disappointing and too much to bear “when we found out that they were our real friends and immediate family members who were defaming us on Facebook.”

When asked about a meeting in Australia late last year between Facebook authorities and a Tongan delegation led by the Attorney General, Hon Tu’i’onetoa said his government was still working on the issue. He said people accused of slandering the royals were living overseas and that part of the investigation was marred by the lack of laws in Tonga.

The Prime Minister said the government would not close down Facebook in the kingdom.

He said Facebook was a great platform for social, economic and religious purposes and only some who abused it and these people needed to be severely punished.

Sam Cane confirmed as new All Blacks captain

By
Kaniva Staff
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Chiefs flanker Sam Cane has been confirmed as the All Blacks new captain.

The 28-year-old succeeds Kieran Read who retired from the All Blacks after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster said he was delighted to name Cane as the new captain.

“Sam is an experienced All Black with eight years in the team now and is a ‘follow me’ type of leader and a very good thinker in the game.  He has a natural ability to connect with everyone in the team and is straightforward and direct when he needs to be.

“There’s massive respect for Sam amongst the players and management, and he’s perfectly placed to lead the All Blacks into the future.”

Foster said while the All Blacks’ plans for this year were still being worked through due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there was an important role for the captain.

“We wanted to confirm Sam now because he’ll play a key role helping us plan for whatever the future looks like and will be working behind the scenes with the other leaders,” Foster said.

Cane said it was a “massive honour” to be given the captaincy.

“It’s a pretty exciting challenge really and as I’ve spent more time in the All Blacks and grown as a player, I’ve become a lot more comfortable being a leader in the team.

“The great thing about the All Blacks is that the leadership group is full of captains and experienced players already, so I’m just really looking forward to working closely with that group and doing my best to lead them and the rest of the squad.”

Cane has already captained the All Blacks on three occasions.  He became the 67th Test captain and fifth youngest ever when he captained the team against Namibia at RWC2015 at the age of 23.  He also captained the team against Italy in 2016 and against Argentina in Buenos Aires last year.

“My style as captain will be to not really change the way I do things.  I’m just myself and will continue to be.  I already work on building relationships, especially with the younger guys in the squad, and everyone else connected with the team, so that will continue,” Cane added.

“While we don’t know yet what the rest of the year looks like for the All Blacks, I’m looking forward to catching up with the coaches and other senior players as we firm up our plans.”

Mini biography – Sam Cane

Raised in the small rural Bay of Plenty community of Reporoa, Sam Cane has had an exceptional career since breaking into professional rugby as a teenager.  He made his provincial debut for Bay of Plenty in 2010 at just 18 years old and his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs the following year. In 2011, Cane was also part of the Junior World Championship-winning New Zealand Under 20 side, was the New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year and was also nominated for International Age Grade Player award.   He helped the Chiefs to the first of their back-to-back Investec Super Rugby titles in 2012 before making his All Blacks debut in June that year aged 20. A devastating tackler and scavenger, he has continued to take his game to new levels in recent seasons. He was co-Captain of the Chiefs for four years taking sole charge this year and has played 116 games for the club. In 2018 Cane fractured his neck during a Test against South Africa and faced months of recovery post-surgery before making a much-anticipated return to the Chiefs in 2019, helping the team through to the Quarter Finals. A Rugby World Cup 2015 champion with the All Blacks, Cane was also part of the RWC2019 squad.

Samuel Jordan CaneBorn: 13 January 1992 in Rotorua
Physical: 1.89m, 106kg
Position: Loose forward
Province: Bay of Plenty
Investec Super Rugby team: Chiefs
Investec Super Rugby appearances: 116
All Blacks Debut: 16 June 2012, vs Ireland in Christchurch, aged 20.
All Blacks Tests: 68 (Three as Captain)
All Blacks Test Points: 65pts (13 tries)
All Black Number: 1113

PM Tu‘i‘onetoa predicts PTOA party’s “falling apart and quarreling” as he speaks out amid Democrats’ pestering him following power struggle saga 

By
Kalino Latu
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[maxbutton id=”2″ ] Prime Minister Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa said even though he quit the Democratic Party last year, the PTOA had not stopped hounding him.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa, whose name has been at the centre of an ongoing feud among Democrats, said he did not want to be dragged into the party’s saga, even though  they had called him “heke” (betraying the party by crossing the floor) and hungry for power.

He denied these accusations in an exclusive interview with Kaniva News this week.

The Prime Minister’s name resurfaced two weeks ago when former Cabinet Minister and Party member Dr Tu’i Uata claimed the Party made a last ditch attempt to bring Hon Tu’i’onetoa back after he left the Party last year and before the premiership election but it failed because MP Mateni  Tapueluelu refused to join them as planned.

Dr Uata also claimed Dr Tu’i’onetoa scolded Hon Tapueluelu in a party meeting after former Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva died. The Prime Minister said this was true. He said Dr Uata was true in what he said in his response to MP Tapueluelu.

Dr Uata claimed the Party agreed to nominate Hon Tu’i’onetoa as Deputy Prime Minister but Hon Tapueluelu disagreed.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa was a member of the PTOA party and was appointed Minister of Customs and Revenue and later  Minister of Finance before Hon. ‘Akilisi died last year.

READ MORE:

Hon Tui’onetoa said there was a conspiracy to get rid of him from the Party after Akilisi’s death.

He claimed the former Prime Minister’s son-in-law, Hon Tapueluelu, was hungry for the premiership and that the allegations of an arranged nomination for the Deputy Premiership that have been swirling in public for some time was a calculated move designed to prepare MP Siaosi Pohiva for the Premiership election in the next election.

He claimed MP Tapueluelu was domineering and when he was in a temper he scolded ‘Akilisi while the Cabinet ministers present.

He said Hon Tapueluelu emailed and cursed him after he won the premiership election last year. Tapueluelu also called him heke and hungry for power.

PTOA Party in disarray  

Hon Tu’i’onetoa said Dr Tu’i Uata was correct when he said he told the first PTOA’s meeting after ‘Akilisi’s death to stand together and leave everything as it was so they could win the premiership election and complete ‘Akilisi’s terms.

He said he did this because he respected ‘Akilisi.

“I told them let’s not rock the boat,” PM Tu’i’onetoa said.

“Let’s create a constitution for us to follow so that we are organised.”

Hon Tu’i’onetoa said they did not believe in him so he told them he quit.

He told them he has been through the same failed scenario before and he did not want to go through it again.

He said he told the Party before he left they would row about who would have the power and would end up in disarray.

“I went back home and told my wife I will hold on to being an MP and not being a Cabinet minister during my next two year-term before I quit politics,” he said.

People’s Party

Hon Tu’i’onetoa said he quit the party before the nobles approached him to set up the People’s Party.

“That’s God’s plan and I am thankful for that,” he said.

He said the PTOA party greatly missed ‘Akilisi, but he was dead and they were living in the past.

“Siaosi and Mateni were not ‘Akilisi,” he said.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa claimed they struggled for power as if it was a family possession.

They only preached about ‘Akilisi’s democratic visions, but never brought them down to application level and create any course of actions to physically benefit the people.

They have criticised us and our roading project but that’s people’s top priority, he said.

“We have done that,” the Prime Minister said.

“We went and met with all the 17 constituencies and asked them to tell us their urgent needs and they told us their first priority was roading.”

He said the only policy the PTOA had was the political reform which saw the king’s power be diminished, but at the same time they were fighting to see who got the most power.

Plan to dismiss Chief Secretary

He also accused ‘Akilisi’s son Siaosi, PTOA supporter Piveni Piukala and MP Tapueluelu of plotting to dismiss the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Edgar Cocker.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa said these three attended a meeting in his house at Niutao and were unhappy about Cocker releasing information claiming ‘Akilisi was seriously ill and would not recover. They were supported by former Minister of Health, MP Saia Piukala.

He claimed it was Tapueluelu who moved for the meeting  to dismiss Cocker.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa, Tonga’s former Auditor General said he intervened and told them there was a procedure for dismissing somebody from the civil service.

“You can’t just get angry with somebody and fire him. There has to be good reasons for the dismissal and there’s a process for it,” he said.

Because of the former Minister of Health’s involvement, Hon Tu’i’onetoa said he believed ‘Akilisi was not seriously ill.

He said he just found out after ‘Akilisi’s death that he allegedly had cancer.

He said things had been kept secret and he only found out about ‘Akiliksi’s resignation plan after his death.

He said the meeting at Niutao was meant to be only for MPs, but Piveni and Siaosi attended and they appear to have been trying to control the meeting.

Pacific Meeting Forum

Hon Tu’i’onetoa said they left  with ‘Akilisi and Cocker to attend the Pacific Forum Meeting in Tuvalu last year, a few weeks before the former Prime Minister died.

They received a message from Tonga that the Cabinet would propose the Public Service Commission dismiss Cocker.

He said Cocker came to him as they were in the same room very distraught about the message.

“I told him let’s pray and let God handle it as he perceives everything.”

Tapueluelu did not respond to our request for comment and Siaosi said he did not believe in addressing issues between him and Tapueluelu over the media.

Ko e ongoongo’ ni ‘i he lea faka-Tonga (This news in Tongan)

Koe’uhī na’e ‘i ai ha ngaahi ongoongo heni ne ‘ohake ai e hingoa ‘o e ‘Eiki Palēmia’ ‘i ha fekihiaki ‘a Dr Tu’i Uata mo Mateni Tapueluelu pea pehē kia Siaosi Pōhiva ‘i tu’a pea to’o mai ‘e he Kaniva ‘o lele’i, na’e pau faka’eke’eke ai ‘e he Kaniva’ ‘a e ‘Eiki Palēmia’. ‘Oku mahu’inga e tali ‘a e ‘Eiki Palēmia’ koe’uhī he ‘e maama ai e ngaahi me’alahi kau ki he palopalema ko ‘eni kuo hoko he PTOA mo e toki ‘ilo ‘e he tokolahi ta na’e mole ‘a e pule’anga hili e mate ‘a ‘Aklisi Pōhiva ko e tupu mei he ‘uakai mafai ‘a ha ni’ihi pe ‘o e kau PTOA, hangē ko ia ne fetukuaki ai ‘a Dr Tu’i Uata, Siaosi mo Māteni’.  

Ko e tali ‘eni ‘a e ‘Eiki Palēmia Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa ‘a ia na’e fai hono ki’i ‘ētita’i pea toki pulusi ko ‘eni’:  

“Oku ikai foki te u fie kau au he tau lau a e PTOA he na’aku ‘osi nofo au mei ai he ta’u kuo ‘osi, ka ko ho’o fehu’i mai Kalino, fakataha moe tukuaki’i au ‘e Mateni Tapueluelu ko u heke, kimu’a eni ia pea toki fai a e fili Palemia, na’e ‘asi mai ia ho’o ‘ātikolo he Kaniva, o tukuaki’i au oku ou fie Palemia, pea ‘e mole a e Pule’anga ki he Hou’eiki ko eku fie Palemia. Pea toe fai tohi mai ‘o talatuki’i au ‘e muimui ‘a e mala ‘iate au, hili a enau fo’i he fili Palemia. Pea na toki ke naua mo Tu’i Uata koeni. Lolotonga ‘enau kemipeini ke lava ‘a Siaosi Pohiva he fili Fale Alea Vahenga Kolomotu’a, na’a na luo taha pe mo Siaosi Pohiva he tala ‘eku heke, pea ‘oku ‘ikai ko ha taha au ke fai ki ai ha falala, he ‘oku ou fiema’u mafai ko e me’a ia na’aku heke ai ‘o kau mo e Hou’eiki?  Pea ko’eni ‘oku toe kau pe hoku hingoa he fakamatala ‘a Mateni Tapueluelu pea mo e fakamatatala ‘a Tu’i Uata, ‘i he’ena kee, ‘o tukuaki’i ‘e he tama koe a e pea tama ko e a ee.

Ko hono mo’oni oku mo’oni ange ‘a Tu’i Uata he me’a koia na’e hoko ‘i he’emau fakataha. Pea ne u ‘osi ‘ilo foki ‘e au kimu’a he’emau fakataha, kuo nau ‘osi alealea ke tuku au ki tu’a. Hange pe ko ia na’e fakamatala ki ai ‘a Tu’i. Ko e taimi ia koeni kuo kamata ke fai tu’utu’uni pe ‘a Mateni ia ‘iate kimautolu, he na’e kamata fuoloa pe ia, ka ‘ita pe ‘a Mateni ia ‘ia ‘Akilisi lolotonga ’emau Kapineti, te ne tafulu’i pe ‘e ia ‘a ‘Akilisi, ka mau fesiosiofaki kimautolu, ki he utua pehe a e fiepule. Pea na’a nau tu’u fakataha pe mo Siaosi mo Piveni, hange ko e loto ‘a Siaosi mo Piveni  ke tuli ‘a Edgar Cocker, tokua ‘oku fie pule mo ‘ene tala ki he kakai oku puke lahi ‘a ‘Akilisi, ‘e ikai toe sai, ka e toutou ‘ave pe ki muli. Me’a eni na’e hoko ‘i he fakataha ‘i hoku ‘api nofo’anga ‘i Niutao. Pea kau mo Saia Piukala he poupou fefeka, pea u pehe koe’uhi ko e Toketa ‘a Saia Piukala, oku loi a e pehe ‘oku puke lahi, he na’e ikai ke u ‘ilo ‘e au pehē tokua na’e kanisā.  Mou sio ange ki he fakapulipuli a e me’a na’e fai, a’u ki he ai a e tohi fakafisi, ko e toki ilo pe ia ‘e au na’e iai ‘a e me’a pehe he ’emau valau holo kuo ‘osi pekia ‘a ‘Akilisi. Talaange ‘e Mateni te ne fokotu’u e ia ki he Kapineti ke tuli ‘a Edgar. Ko e fakataha eni a e kau Fakafofonga, ka na’e huhu’i hake ai ‘a e Siaosi mo Piveni, ‘o hange pe ke na pule’i enaua ‘a e fakataha. Koau pe na’a ku talaange ke tuku, he oku oku ou anga he me’a koia he na’a ku ‘atita, ‘Oku ‘ikai te te ‘ita pe ha taha pea te tuli. ‘Oku pau ‘oku iai ha uhinga lelei mo mamafa, pea ‘i ai mo hono processes totonu.

‘Alu au mo ‘Akilisi, mo Edgar ki Tuvalu he Pacific Forum Meeting, ngaahi uike si’i ki mu’a  pea pekia ‘a ‘Akilisi, ma’u ange ‘a e tala mei Tonga ni, kuo tu’utu’uni a e Kapineti ke fokotu’u ki he PSC ke tuli ‘a Edgar mei he ngaue. Humai ‘a Edgar, ‘o lea mai sio atu au mei tu’u a e mafu ‘o Edgar, he’ene fakamatala mai kiate au. Pea u talaange kia Edgar, punou ke fai ha’ata lotu, he na’ama loki taha pe, tuku ia ki he ‘Otua ‘oku ne ‘afi’oi a e me’a kotoa pe. Ko e ‘Otua ‘oku ha’u mei ai hotau tokoni, he ta’ofi ‘e he ‘Otua, kohai te ne toe lava ke liliu. Fakafeta’i na’e ‘ikai malohi a e Setane ‘ia Satai, pea oku te’ekiai ikuna tu’o taha ‘a Setane ‘ia Satai.

.Kuo nau movete he taimi ni, ka na’a nau fokotu’utu’u a e me’a kotoa ki he halanga ‘o e PTOA ki he Kaha’u. Koe ai ‘o Semisi Sika ke Deputy pea Taki, ko e heliaki pe ka e lava ke hoko hake ‘a Siaosi he 2021 ‘o taki pea fili Palemia. Me’a pango, toe fie Palemia pe mo Mateni ia.  Mo’oni ‘a Tu’i, na’a ku tafulu’i ‘a Mateni he’emau fakataha, koe’uhi kuo u ‘osi ilo ‘e au a e fa’ufa’u ke tuku au ki tu’a. Ka na’a ku faka’ap’apa’i ‘a ‘Akilisi, pea u talaange ‘oua te tau ue’i ha me’a (rock the boat.) Kae fa’u ha Konisitutone ke tau fononga ai koe’uhi ke tau maau. Na’e ‘ikai te nau tui mai kiate au, pea u talange ‘alu eni ia ki homau ‘api. Ko u a’u mai pe ‘o talaange ki hoku hoa, te u hoko atu pe he Fale Alea, ka he’ikai te u toe minisita, he fo’i ta’u e ua oku toe , pea u malolo ai kuo fe’unga ‘a e politiki. Toki hoko kotoa kimui ‘a e talanoa mo e Houeiki, he na’e ‘ikai palani’i ia ‘e ha taha, ta ko e ko e palani ia ‘a e ‘Otua , pea oku ou fakafeta’i ai. Ka na’aku tala ange, kimu’a pea u ‘alu ki tu’a, te mou ke pea te mou movete. Ko u ‘osi fou mai au he halanga tatau koena oku ‘amanaki ke mou fou ai,  pea he ‘ikai te u toe fou tuo ua au ai, koe’uhi te mou toe ke pe he mafai, pea te mou movete pe .

Ko e core team a e PTOA ‘oku nau ongo’i aupito e mole ‘a Akilisi, ‘oku nau kei hēhē’ia pe he kuohili ka kuo mate ‘a ‘Akilisi ia. ‘Oku ‘ikai ko Akilisi ‘a Siaosi, pe ko Mateni. ‘Oku’ na taufefusi he mafai’, hange ko ha koloa fakafamili ia ‘anautolu. Ko enau me’a pe oku fai ko e tala pe a e ngaahi visone ‘a Akilisi, ene lelei mo faka’ofo’ofa, ka e ikai ke nau tu’u hifo ‘o fakakaukau’i ha ngaue ke fai ke fakafuo mo fakasino mai ai a e ngaahi visione mo e ngaahi fakakaukau (concepts) oku lau pe oku ‘uhinga ki he ha. Nau kei nofo pe he kuohili ‘o misi ki he kaha’u, mo fakaanga holo pe kia kimautolu, oku hala emau ngaahi ngaue ko ē, hala ’emau tanu hala,  ‘a e me’a oku fika ‘uluaki ki he kakai’, na’a mau ‘osi ‘alu ‘o ‘eke he feitu’u kotoa he vahenga fili koeni ‘e 17, ko ‘enau tali tatau aipe – ke tanu honau hala’. Kuo nau ‘alu ‘o fai pehe? Hala’ata ko e fakaanga pe mei he tefito’i niu; ka e ikai ‘omi ha fo’i ngaue ko e  fetongi ‘oku saiange, tukukehe pe a e feinga to’o mafai ‘o e Tu’i, koia pe oku mahino mai, ‘a e ‘uakai mafai. Ka ‘oku nau taufefusi pe kohai te ne ma’u e mafai lahi taha ‘iate kinautolu.

Tongan mother of Covid-19 victim in United States calls for people to take virus seriously

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tongan mother Sloane Tai Finau has called for people to take the Covid-19 virus seriously after family members in the United States were diagnosed positive.

Finau’s daughter and partner are ill.

“If any of you are feeling unwell, go and get tested,” she said.

“There is no shame in it.”

Finau, who is currently in Auckland, said she was concerned that people in the United States were travelling from state to state.

They were not facing the same strict restrictions as New Zealanders.

“I ask Americans to take it seriously,” she said.

“I wish I was home so I could do something for her.”

There have been  more than one millions confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the United States and more than 60,000 deaths.

Tonga extends restriction measures

There have been no cases in Tonga.

The Tongan government has extended the kingdom’s state of emergency until May 17.

Night-time curfews will remain in force from 9pm to 5am.

Licensed night clubs, clubs, bars and kava clubs can open only on Fridays and Saturdays.

Preparatory kava sessions prior to church services shall be permitted on Sundays only.

Gyms, sporting events and activities, celebration of birthdays, marriages and other recreational or related gatherings are permitted.

All events such as bingo and contact sports shall be prohibited.

A funeral gatherings shall be restricted to a total of 20 people indoors and 40 people outdoors with an authorised officer to be present throughout.

Everybody must observe personal hand hygiene and follow all Public Health Advice.

According to a Reuters’ report,  21 Pacific  nations  have reported no cases, including Samoa, American Samoa, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Niue, Nauru, Kiribati, the Cook Islands and the Solomon Islands.

Other Pacific nations including Fiji (18), New Caledonia (18) and Papua New Guinea (8) have reported cases.

The main points

  • Tongan mother Sloane Tai Finau has called for people to take the Covid-19 virus seriously after family members in the United States were diagnosed positive.
  • Finau’s daughter and partner are ill.

For more information

Sloane Tai Finau

National COVID-19 Restrictions Notice

Covid 19 coronavirus: The countries with no cases – still

Real Tonga’s problems latest in long line of disturbances to kingdom’s airline services

By
Philip Cass
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When Air Chathams owner Craig Emery announced that his airline’s Pacific subsidiary was to cease flying in Tonga in 2013, he said his company was the 11th operator to  service the kingdom.

Chathams Pacific started flying in Tonga in 2008 to replace a gaggle of tiny operators which had filled the gap since the collapse of Royal Tonga airlines.

The question is whether Real Tonga will be the 12th and whether there will be a 13th.

Like all previous operators Real Tonga is operating in a small market with high costs and an often ambivalent government attitude.

As we reported in 2017, the government of the late ‘Akilisi Pohiva  government refused to grant a license to Tonga Airlines, saying there was no room in the kingdom for a second airline.

Emery made the same point when he announced his airline’s withdrawal, saying the market was too small for two operators.

At the time critics said the loss of Chatham Pacific was a major step backwards for tourism and the people of Tonga.

Businesman Peter White, a regular traveller, told Matangi Tonga Online: “I have travelled from Auckland to Vava’u seven times in the last six years and can say that all the other airlines in Tonga before Chathams Pacific were all mediocre at best.

“All my previous flights on Airlines Tonga and Peau Vava’u for example were all excessively delayed, cancelled, over-sold or over-weight. Communication was non-existent and the staff did not seem to really care.”

Emery was forced out of the kingdom after the government announced it had been given an MA60 airliner – a copy of a 1960s Russian design and a Harbin Y12 – a copy of the Australian Nomad – and would operate its own service.

That service became Real Tonga, which faced fierce opposition to the MA60, by the New Zealand government, which withdrew aid money and refused to certify the aircraft because of its poor safety record.

Real Tonga is now facing the same financial crisis affecting airlines all over the world because of the Covid-19 pandemic and has appealed to the government for help.

However, it is understood there have been problems with the lease on the Chinese aircraft from the government.

The government is now considering the future of flying in the kingdom and whether direct government management would be cheaper than contracting an outside company.

In the past the royal family has had a direct involvement in the airline industry. King George Tupou V and Indian businessman Joseph Ramanlal owned Peau Vava’u, which lasted from May 2004 to November 2006 operating leased DC3s.

Peau Vava’u was issued with the only domestic operating license after the bankruptcy of the former carrier Royal Tongan Airlines. The monopoly also meant it got rid of its only competitor, Fly Niu.

Both of these airline rose out of the collapse of Royal Tongan airlines, which closed down owing US$8.5 million. The Tongan government pumped TP$20 million into the airline during its 19 year existence. Late ‘Akilisi Pohiva blamed  King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV for the financial crisis and called on him to use his own funds to bail Royal Tongan out of its financial woes. The king had overruled opposition from the Cabinet and Parliament to enter into a disastrous lease of a 757 from Royal  Brunei Airlines which was eventually repossessed.

An audit  by KPMG in 2003 showed the airline was almost insolvent and that it had lost more than US$5 million after a wildly ambitious international expansion.

Royal Tonga had its origins in a 1983 proposal for what was to be called Friendly Island Airways by Japanese operator All Nippon Airways. The plan was for ANA to use one of its surplus 737s and to provide technical and managerial assistance.

The main points

  • When Air Chathams owner Craig Emery announced that his airline’s Pacific subsidiary was to cease flying in Tonga in 2013, he said his company was the 11th operator to service the kingdom.
  • Chathams Pacific started flying in Tonga in 2008 to replace a gaggle of tiny operators which had filled the gap since the collapse of Royal Tonga airlines.

For more information

Real Tonga CEO denies claims of cheap aircraft leases, says no room for second airline

Chathams withdrawing from Tonga Domestic Air Services

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