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Church Minister to become governor of Ha’apai

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has nominated Rev. Dr. Mohenoa Puloka to become the Ha’apai governor.

Hon. Pōhiva has announced the nomination this morning in a press conference in Nuku’alofa.

His Media Advisor Lōpeti Senituli said Hon. Pōhiva “had also written to His Majesty to appoint Rev Dr. Tevita Tonga Mohenoa Puloka as Governor of Ha’apai with immediate effect.”

The nomination came after Lord Fakatulolo was appointed as governor of Vava’u in February.

As Kaniva News reported, MP Mo’ale Finau, the former governor of Ha’apai announced the end of his tenure last month on Facebook.

PM Pōhiva sacks Minister of Internal Affairs Akosita Lavulavu

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has dismissed Akosita Lavulavu, his minister who has been charged with various fraud charges, with effect from Wednesday 11 April 2018.

The Hon Prime Minister announced this during a Media Conference at 10.00am this morning at St George Building.

“The Hon Prime Minister had tried in several one-on-one meetings with her to convince her to resign voluntarily from Cabinet because of the criminal charges but she refused,” Lopeti Senituli, The Prime Minister’s Media Advisor told Kaniva News this morning.

Akosita and her husband had been charged after they allegedly committed crimes on August 2014 using forged documents contrary to section 172 of the Criminal Act to support an application by the Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute to obtain supplementary government funding to assist students.

Police said the Lavulavus were charged after the Auditor General’s office said hundreds of students supposedly attending their private school could not be identified and that the Institute should repay TP$553,800 to the Technical  Vocational Education and Training fund (TVET).

The Minister of Police said Akosita could be returned to Cabinet if she would be cleared of any wrongdoing.

“Cabinet had also met several several times on  the issue and the rest of the Cabinet Ministers supported the Hon Prime Minister’s request that she should have resigned voluntarily. But she refused. So the Hon Prime Minister said that he had no choice but to request His Majesty to revoke her appointment,” Senituli said.

Kaniva Tonga entertainment releases first song in memory of granddaughter

By
Philip Cass
-

Kaniva Tonga Entertainment today released a single in memory of its director’s first granddaughter who died on March 31.

Nalani ‘Elisiva Lēsina Lātū, was the first granddaughter of Kalino Lātū, who is also the founder and editor of Kaniva Tonga News.

Nalani was born on March 17, 2017 to Dayna and Nicholas Lātū, the third son of Kalino and Patelesia Lātū.

As a first mokopuna for the Lātū family, there was great joy and sense of jubilation which continued to occupy them after welcoming the newborn.

But not long after she was born Nalani became sick. At one point her illness became serious and she had to be admitted to hospital.

Then bad news came. Her parents were told Nalani would not live for more than two years.

She suffered from a deadly and rare disease known as spinal muscular atrophy or SMA. The disease affects the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants.

There is no cure for the disease.

Click here to listen to the song: Talita-kumi

“We were still holding out hope that Nalani could be cured,” Kalino Lātū said.

“It was a devastating situation because even though we were hopeful, we knew there was no treatment for her sickness.

“The most heart-breaking moment was when I and my wife visited her in hospital after her admission and found out Nalani was breathing with the aid of a machine.

“When she was discharged from hospital she came home with the machine and this caused us great discomfort and distress because we knew we had to accept the situation.

“I really felt for my son Nicholas when I saw him looking after her daughter while she was struggling to breathe through the machine,” Kalino said.

Nicholas left his study at Unitec and his part time job so he could stay and help look after Nalani.

On the night she died her parents were in the living room while Kalino was in his office doing some work. The door was open and he could hear Nalani’s breathing and could tell she was in difficulty.

“I came out and told Nicholas to take her to hospital, but she died on the way,” Kalino said..

“That was the last time I saw my granddaughter alive.

“I found it really hard in all fronts to see my six children especially my two daughters, Maria Angelica ‘Elisiva Jr and Malia Lēsina Kelela Jr Lātū who were so devastated and could not compose their emotion when the bad news came. They really loved our little princess.”

Kalino said Kaniva Entertainment was happy to share the newly recorded song with Kaniva Tonga’s followers as part of their love for Nalani.

The song

The song is called ‘Talita-kumi’ which is Tongan for the Aramaic words ‘Talitha Kumi or Talitha koum; which used by Jesus when he raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead (Mathew 9:23).

It said Jesus took the girl by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”

“I composed the song when Nalani was still alive with an intention of using it for fund raising so we could take her to the United States to seek treatment after I found out a treatment for the disease was being tested there,” Kalino said.

“It was recorded on March 26 but Nalani died on the 31st. So we returned to the studio on Monday and re-recorded the song with a few changes I made to reflect her death.

“Tongan composition has certain rules and procedure to follow and this song, including my other compositions set to be released by Kaniva Tonga soon, followed these rules.”

For instance, in Tongan songs like this where the punake or the composer is composing about death the expression of feelings was sometime required to be metaphoric and figurative.

“Instead of saying her mother and father were deeply heartbroken I metaphorically wrote that the “‘Esi ‘o Stranolar” has been aching of love. Stranolar in Mt Roskill, Auckland was where Nicholas and Dayna lived with their daughter.

The songs also refers to some places in Nicholas’s birthplaces in Tonga including Mahamaha, our residence in Koloua ‘o Kolomotu’a, Tofoa as well as the Halamaumau Koula.

“Using the phrase “Talita-Kumi” made the song interesting in the Tongan context because of its newness to Tongan listeners,” Kalino said.

“It also creates curiosity in the listeners to ask about its meaning. The word Talita-Kumi is short, but it explains a great story about how Jesus made miracles. So, poetically, this is a good use of heliaki, in this song. It just like saying I wish that Jesus was here to cure my granddaughter.” In Tongan the song says: “Faka’amu ange mai ko ha Talita-Kumi,” in the beginning of the second verse.

The song was sung by Kalino’s daughters ‘Elisiva and Kelela. Their names were part of Nalani’s name. ‘Elisiva was the lead singer. It was recorded at the Manuka Studio in Orewa by Mike McCarthy, where Kalino recorded his first album in 2001.

Milestone

The release of the single tonight on Youtube and the Kaniva News website marked a huge milestone in the operation of Kaniva Tonga News and Entertainment, which was established in 2009 in New Zealand.

Before that Kalino was a guitarist and lead singer in their local kava club. He was a Tongan composer who was strongly involved in the Tonga National Music Commission singing competition in Tonga before he moved to New Zealand in 2004. He won most of his competition and at one stage he was awarded the best composer of the year by Tu’imala Kaho, a well-known Tongan soloist and composer.

When he established the Kaniva Tonga News and Entertainment in Auckland he said it was creating a platform to give wider audiences in the Tongan community and elsewhere his experiences and skills in teaching and musician through internet.

Kaniva’s news service is recognised internationally and his stories are regularly picked up by local, regional and international media like the BBC.

The release of the single meant the entertainment part of the work had reached a new milestone.

The main points

  • Kaniva Tonga Entertainment today released a single in memory of its director’s first granddaughter who died on March 31.
  • Nalani ‘Elisiva Lesina Latu, was the first granddaughter of Kalino Latu, who is also the founder and editor of Kaniva Tonga News.
  • The song is called ‘Talita-kumi’ which is Tongan for the Aramaic words ‘Talitha Kumi; which Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead (Mathew 9:23).

Keni damages hospital, delays flights, but Tonga escapes major damage

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga’s main island has escaped major damage from Cyclone Keni, which is expected to weaken as it moves south-southwest of the kingdom.

The cyclone damaged ‘Eua hospital and one person sustained minor injuries.

National Emergency Management Director Lēveni ‘Aho said Cyclone Keni brought down power lines on ‘Eua and some parts of Tongatapu, but power was expected to be restored within the next few days.

A few houses are believed to have been damaged at Angahā.

Tonga’s Meteorological and Coast Radio Services said at midday today that Keni was located 415 km south of Nuku’alofa, moving southeast at 43 kph, with average wind speeds of 110 kph.

Heavy wind warnings remained in effect for Tele-Ki-Tonga and Tele-Ki-Tokelau, while a strong wind warning was in effect for Vava’u and Ha’apai. A heavy rain and flash flood warning was also in effect for Vava’u, Tongatapu, and ‘Eua.

Heavy rains, strong winds, and rough seas are forecast to affect Tele-Ki-Tonga and Tele-Ki-Tokelau tomorrow (Thursday).

The cyclone has caused major disruption to flights across the Pacific, with passengers flying to and from Tonga today being delayed by more than nine hours on both outbound and inbound legs between Nuku’alofa and Auckland.

Air New Zealand’s flight to Apia tomorrow is expected to be delayed by four hours. The longest delay was almost a day for a flight from Auckland to Houston, Texas.

The cyclone caused flooding and structural damage in Fiji, especially on Kadavu where houses were demolished, trees uprooted and boats capsized.

Cyclone Keni is expected to merge with another low that is currently developing over the North Island of New Zealand, forming a cyclone around the Chatham Islands.

The main points

  • Tonga’s main island has escaped major damage from Cyclone Keni, which is expected to weaken as it moves south-southwest of the kingdom.
  • The cyclone damaged ‘Eua hospital and one person sustained minor injuries.
  • National Emergency Management Director Leveni ‘Aho said Keni brought down power lines on ‘Eua and some parts of Tongatapu, but power is expected to be restored within the next few days.

For more information

Tonga’s ‘Eua without power after Cyclone Keni

Air New Zealand travel alerts

A mixed week so far for Tongan athletes at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

By
Philip Cass
-

Tongan athletes have been highly visible at the Commonwealth Games this week, regardless of which flag they are completing under.

Tongan born David Liti won gold in the weightlifting, competing for New Zealand.

Liti came to New Zealand with his family when he was six.

On Monday he set a Commonwealth Games record when he won the  gold medal in the 105kg+ division with a combined total of 403kg.

Meanwhile, Dame Valerie Adams, who is proud of her Tongan heritage, is preparing to defend her gold medal in the women’s shot put.

Adams’ four previous Commonwealth Games have yielded three gold medals and a silver.

She won silver in Manchester (2002) before winning gold at Melbourne (2006), Delhi (2010) and Glasgow (2014).

Elsewhere at the Games, members of Tonga’s own team have been competing steadily with one first, a number of placings and several losses.

In the lawn bowls Women’s Pairs (Section B/ Round 5) Caroline Dubois and Malia Kioa lost 12-20 to Canada today.

Yesterday they faced Fiji in the Women’s Pairs (Section B/Round 2), losing  11-21.

Later they went down 6-29 against New Zealand in the Women’s Pairs Sectional Play (Section B/ Round 3/Match 1).

On Monday Sateki Langi came 10th in the men’s 150kg weightlifting.

In the lawn bowls Women’s Pairs Sectional Play (Section B/Round 1/Match 2) Dubois and Kioa lost 10-21 to Norfolk Island.

In the women’s 50 metre backstroke (Heat 1) Charissa Panuve placed fifth with a time of 36:37.

In the men’s 50m freestyle (Heat 1) Finau Ohuafi came first with a time of 26:07.

In the men’s  110m Hurdles (Round 1/Heat two) Talatala Pooi came eighth with a time of 15:02.

In the men’s boxing 60kg Round of 16 Tuihalangingie Vea lost to Jean John Colin of Mauritius.

Tomorrow Ata Maama Tuutafaiva will compete in the Women’s Shot Put Qualifying Round Group A.

Medals

Tonga has not won any medals so far. Of the other Pacific nations competing, Samoa has two gold and two silver, Papua New Guinea has one gold and two silver, Fiji has one gold and one bronze and  Nauru has one silver.

The Cook Islands, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu each have a bronze.

The main points

  • Tongan athletes have  been highly visible at the Commonwealth Games this week, regardless of which flag they are completing under.
  • Tongan born David Liti won gold in the weightlifting, competing for New Zealand and Dame Valerie Adams is preparing to defend her shotput title.
  • Elsewhere at the Games, members of Tonga’s own team have been competing steadily with one first, a number of placings and several losses.

For more  information

David Liti’s remarkable journey from Tonga to Auckland to Commonwealth Games champion

Dame Valerie Adams on double duties at Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games Tongan results

Missing man named as bad weather halts sea search

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The search for a man who went missing at the Blow Holes in Houma, Tongatapu on Sunday 8 has been suspended because of bad weather.

A handful of family, relatives and friends of Tēvita ‘Ekuasi ,21, from Kala’au gathered to hold a prayer vigil at the beach since Sunday. They were holding out hope that he will be found.

As Kaniva News reported on Sunday ‘Ekuasi and another man jumped into the water.

That man according to Police was Sione Toki, 32, of Vaotu’u. Toki managed to swim back to shore but ‘Ekuasi could not make it.

Police now said the duo were intoxicated.

Meanwhile, the Tonga Meteorological Service has warned that Category 3 tropical cyclone Keni could hit Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua this week on its current track.

For further information

Reports of person missing at sea in Tongatapu

Damaging winds and rough seas predicted as Cyclone Keni moves towards Tonga

By
Philip Cass
-

The Tongan Meteorological Service has warned that Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua could expect damaging winds by mid-week.

The warning was issued this evening as Tropical Cyclone Keni moves towards the kingdom.

The weather service warned that winds could reach 35-40 knots with gust of up to 50 knots by Wednesday.

By Wednesday ships will face rough to high seas and coastal areas will be affected by damaging northerly swells.

An immediate gale alert is in place for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua this evening, along with  a heavy rain alert and warning of flash flooding.

At 5pm Cyclone Keni was located moving slowly near latitude 16.6 south and longitude 172.0 east or 1430km west of Nuku’alofa

Winds at the centre of the cyclone average 35-40 knots.

It is expected to move southeast.

The forecast to midnight Tuesday for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua is for east to northeast winds gradually turning north with winds rising to 25 knots at times.

Seas will be rough with a moderate northerly swell.

The general weather forecast is mostly fine with some cloudy periods and possible showers.

For the Niuas, the weather service is predicting north to northeast winds turning northwest, with wind speeds up to 15 knots. It will be cloudy with a few showers and moderate seas.

By Wednesday the Niuas can expect damaging winds of up to 50 knots with rough seas. It is expected to be overcast with heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Damaging winds of up to 30 knots are predicted for Vava’u for Wednesday with damaging coastal swells and rough seas.

At 8.30pm this evening Radio New Zealand reported that Keni was moving east southeast of Fiji at 12 knots and continuing to intensify.

Winds close to its centre have reached 100 kilometres an hour.

The main points

  • The Tongan Meteorological Service has warned that Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua could expect damaging winds by mid-week.
  • The warning was issued this evening as Tropical Cyclone Keni moves towards the kingdom.
  • The weather service warned that winds could reach 35-40 knots with gust of up to 50 knots by Wednesday.

For more information

Cyclone approaching Fiji now Category Two

Police name man killed after being hit by van

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police have released the name of a man who died in a road accident on Tuesday 3.

51-year-old  Moli Vakalahi was killed after being hit by a van in Veitongo on Taufa’āhau road at around 11pm.

Acting Chief Superintendent Tēvita Vailea said the 60-year-old accused driver from Tofoa, was released on bail pending trial.

He was charged with reckless driving causing death.

As Kaniva News reported, Vailea said the driver, who was also a church minister, stopped and helped the victim before he was rushed to hospital.

Police arrested him after receiving a report of the accident at around 11.30pm.

Police believed “poor visibility due to bad weather” and high speed were factors in the fatal accident.

Police investigation continues.

The right to know, the duty to tell the truth without fear or favour

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The public needs to be more vigilant in consuming news from social media and mainstream media has to work hard to protect the Tongan public from fake news.

That’s the message from Sione Tu’itahi, Executive Director of the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand, who said Tongans were becoming confused by fake news and biased, unbalanced stories.

He said these emanated from a handful of Tongan social media sources that acted as professional news outlets.

“This unfortunate situation happens at a time of significant transformation in Tonga society, a time when enlightened, robust and healthy public discourse that can lead to wise decisions, is sorely needed to ensure a relatively smooth change for the better in all domains of society, and for the collective good,” Tu’itahi said.

“It is timely then to revisit the role of the traditional and social media in society today.”

Writing in the latest edition of his series Talanoa Tufunga Fonua: Discourse on Nation Building, Tu’itahi said the primary aim of the media was inform, educate and entertain.

“The media’s task is to tell the truth as it sees it without fear or favour,” he said.

“Truth in this case is about accurate, full, and timely facts, told in balanced, fair and unbiased ways.”

He said opinions of the media should normally be kept to a clearly labelled space, such as the editorial page, so that facts are not diluted with its opinion, which can confuse the public or cause undue influence.

People had the right to know.

“It is the duty of the media to tell,” he said.

“It is a fundamental responsibility of policy and decision makers to inform its constituents with the whole truth in a timely manner. This is the virtuous cycle that can ensure a progressive society where truth is sought to enlighten decisions that can build and enhance a peaceful and prosperous community and nation.”

As the public platform for diverse perspectives that connected the views and voices of the rulers and the ruled, the media played a vital link and role in community and national building. More than any time before, the Tongan media must rise to the occasion in executing their duty with professional and moral courage in a small society where almost everyone is related to each other.

Nurses

“In 1979-1980, the nurses went on mass protest and later resigned, unhappy with a decision by the Government of the day over who their new manager should be,” Tu’itahi said.

“One of the only  two news media at the time, reported on the resignation in a biased manner, giving voice to the Government only. Amid public confusion and rising anger, the other outlet fortunately reported the story fairly, giving the views of both sides.”

At the end of the whole process, the Government listened to the nurses and changed its decision for the happiness and betterment of all. The nurses returned to work and the public was fully informed. It was a win-win situation after all.

“So what can be done to address these new media challenges?” Tu’itahi asked.

“How can we manage the opportunities and challenges of information technology and the social media?”

He said the Tongan news outlets and their journalists could strengthen their professional media association to train their members in the knowledge, skills and ethics of journalism.

“They must aspire to be exemplars in protecting their media freedom and the freedom of speech of the public, thus ensuring a healthy exchange of informed views in public discourse,” he said.

“They can investigate and expose those bogus, biased groups of media whose masquerades ruin their profession and propagate untruths that lead to unhealthy, uninformed, negative exchange in many Tongan social spaces.”

He said the public could be more vigilant in consuming the so-called news from social media outlets who propagate biased stories and false news.

“Consuming such information is like taking medical advice from a bogus doctor, and heading to the abyss in the darkness of night, with your headlights off. Faith and prayers cannot save you,” he said.

“In a strong oral culture like Tonga, where research-based literature has yet to become the foundation of community story-telling and social discourse, the media profession must be relentless in upholding its code of professional conduct, exposing the bogus media, educate the public on its role, and continue to maintain high standards in its duty to tell, and the right of the people to know.

“In the final analysis, no nation on earth, Tonga included, will last if it is built on falsehood and one-sided truth. As the mirror of society and the fourth estate, the Tongan media, must continue to lead by both words and action.”

The main points

  • The public needs to be more vigilant in consuming news from social media and mainstream media has to work hard to protect the Tongan public from fake news.
  • That’s the message from Sione Tu’itahi, Executive Director of the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand, who said Tongans were becoming confused by fake news and biased, unbalanced stories.
  • He said these emanated from a handful of Tongan social media sources that d as professional news outlets.

Reports of person missing at sea in Tongatapu

By
Kalino Latu
-

A search is underway in Houma beach today Sunday 8 after a man was reported missing in the blow holes area.

Unconfirmed reports said the man and another man jumped into the water before he failed to resurface. The other man was reportedly rescued.

Police could not be reached for confirmation.

A spokesperson for Tonga Marist Rugby Club told Kaniva News the missing man was talented and had a successful career in rugby.

He said the man was a member of a team of rugby players who were selected to go to Romania last year.

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