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Bread ban will affect most people on Tongatapu, including churchgoers who are big customers

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tongan government has reintroduced the Sunday trading ban to stop bakers trading on the Sabbath, but some bakers have admitted that church goers are among their regular customers.

Police Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa said that even though some bakers agreed with the Sunday trading ban, they had had to meet the needs of church customers.

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said some church ministers bought bread and cakes on Sunday because they had a lukuluku (collection of food or refreshments) for ceremonial receptions at their churches.

Tonga has reinstated its Sunday Trading Ban and announced this week it would ban bakeries from selling bread to the public on the Sabbath, beginning on July 3.

The owner of Tonga’s largest bakery, Alfred Cowley, told Kaniva News this evening the ban would affect about 80 percent of the people of the  main island, Tongatapu.

He said every fortnight his bakeries had to serve a large number of customers who were churchgoers who wanted to buy bread for church receptions.

He said the way the government came up with the decision to ban the sale of bread on Sunday was unfair and disregarded the proposal to allow bakeries to open for a limited time on Sundays.

Cowley said that in their meeting with the government, the island’s bakers agreed with the government to sell bread within a fixed time frame on Sundays.

He said the government said it would come back to them with suitable times.

He said most people who took part in the discussions did not support the ban.

Cowley said he was surprised when he heard the Minister of Police announce the ban on the radio without contacting the bakers.

“I am concerned that the ban is not fair,” Cowley said.

“Why do they allow the restaurants to open on Sunday and not bakeries?”

The law of the nation should be equal to everyone no matter what, he said.

Alcohol was sold on Sunday in some of the restaurants which did not provide accommodation to tourists.

Cowley denied claims by the church leaders that only five percent of Tongans would be affected if the sale of bread on Sunday was banned.

“The church minister who said that should look at the Bible to make sure what he said is truthful,” Cowley said.

He said his company had three main bakeries in Tongatapu, in the capital Nuku’alofa, in Nukunuku in the western side and in Mu’a at the eastern side.

He said his bakeries produced the most bread during the week for people to buy on Sunday evening and Monday morning.

“It is obvious 80 to 85 percent of Tongatapu people prepare their traditional food to eat after church on Sunday afternoon and in the evening they look forward to buying bread for their dinner,” Cowley said in Tongan.

Cowley said the government should go with the times in its decision on the trading ban.

Other bakeries including the Ha’amoko Bakery, the Rainbow Bakery and others in Fanga and Veitongo. These bakeries open on Sundays and sell bread on Sunday evenings.

Cowley said he received complaints from a number of concerned bread buyers on Sunday who suggested he should stage a march and present a petition to the king over the ban.

However, he said he did not want to get involved in such move. He hoped the government would return to the negotiation table for further discussion before the ban comes to effect.

The trading ban

Baker Alfred Cowley told Kaniva News  the government should go with the times in its decision on the trading ban.

The clear implication of that statement is that times have changed and many Tongans no longer regard buying bread on Sundays as a sin.

What do you think?

Should the trading ban be imposed on bakeries?

Is there anything wrong with buying bread on Sunday?

The main points

  • The Tongan government has reintroduced the Sunday trading ban to stop bakers trading on the Sabbath, but some bakers have admitted that church goers are among their regular customers.
  • Police Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa said that even though some bakers agreed with the Sunday trading ban, they had had to meet the needs of church customers.
  • He said some church ministers bought bread and cakes on Sunday because they had a collection of food for ceremonial receptions at their churches.
  • The owner of Tonga’s largest bakery, Alfred Cowley, told Kaniva News this evening the ban would affect about 80 percent of the people of the main island, Tongatapu.

Government has no record of decision being made to allow bakeries to operate on Sunday

Kiwi woman seriously injured in Tonga, man to appear in court

By
Kalino Latu
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A 20-year-old man is due to appear in court on Tuesday 31 charged in connection with an attack on a New Zealand woman at Atenisi compound in Kolomotuʻa Saturday 21.

Tongan Police said the man was charged with causing serious bodily harm on Sunday 22  and is facing further charges.

It said the young woman, who is not known to the suspect was hospitalised as a result of the attack.

“This is a shocking attack but I wish to reassure the community that this is an isolated incident says Commissioner Steve Caldwell and the Police are offering our full support to the victim and her family.”

The accused remains in Police custody until his appearance in court next week.

As the matter is now before the court there will be no further police comments, it said.

Vatikani and Tapueluelu lose libel case, owe Filihia $28,000

By
Kalino Latu
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A Lower Court in Tonga said last week the editor of Keleʻa Newspaper ‘Ofa Vatikani and publisher Lautala Pōhiva Tapueluelu and the Keleʻa Tonga Ltd  defamed a business man ‘Aisea Filihia and as a result they must pay him TP$28,000 in damages and legal fees.

On May 18, 2015 the accused published an article claiming Filihia paid his workers only AUS$33.80 a week and at one stage he demanded AUD$70,000 from them.

The defamatory article claimed Filihia later threatened the 40 employees he hired from Tonga that each of them has to  pay $1,400 to him and his business partner.

Filihia was operating a fruit picking and packing services in Australia known as Quality Vine Saver Contractor.

The Magistrate said the accused failed in proving the contents of the said defamatory story.

He rejected the accused in their defence claiming the defamatory piece was a fair comment because the interests of the Tongan fruit pickers were materially affected.

He ruled the accused pay  the plaintiff TP$10,000 in damages  and TP$18,000 for his legal fees.

Tongan student at Kelston Girls College honoured after her death

By
Kaniva Staff
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A West Auckland school will ensure the spirit of a standout student whose life was tragically cut short will live on with a scholarship in her honour.

Penina Latu, 17, a pupil at Kelston Girls College, was remembered as a humble high-achiever at her funeral on Saturday. The immensely popular Year 13 student died last week after a short illness.

Penina was a school prefect, and had been awarded a $12,000 scholarship to attend university where she planned to study medicine next year.

Her mother, Ofa, said Penina always strived for excellence in everything she did. “As a family we are very proud of her achievements, she really was that sort of girl who always tried to do well.”

Although she is deeply distressed by Penina’s death, Mrs Latu said being able to share her daughter’s life brought her great joy.

“I was able to have a journey with my daughter for 17 years, that was a real blessing.”

Mrs Latu said Penina was special to her as the third daughter of four children, and her two elder sisters and younger brother were struggling.

“It’s very hard for them, it is so hard, because she isn’t here with us any more. It is such a loss.”

Kelston Girls students, teachers, and the Tongan community in Auckland were greatly affected by her daughter’s death, and Mrs Latu was overwhelmed with the messages of support she had received.

“I really wasn’t expecting it, she’s touched a lot of people. I didn’t realise Penina was so popular, that she had reached that level. I’m in shock, people are so caring.”

Touching tributes to Penina had flooded in through social media, and she had received a letter of condolence from the Ministry of Education.

Mrs Latu did not want to discuss Penina’s exact illness. But she said her daughter was “very peaceful” as her short life came to a premature end.

“She accepted what was happening, and she wasn’t frightened. She even said if it’s God’s will, let it be.”

The teenager was deeply spiritual, and Mrs Latu said their family Bible was full of highlighter marks where Penina had picked out her favourite passages. “She printed them out and put them on her walls while she was studying. For her the Lord always came first.”

Despite a constant stream of accolades and success her entire life, Penina remained humble.

“She would say to me ‘Mum, stay low, stay humble’,” Mrs Latu said. “She was always undercover like that, she let her success do the talking.”

Penina’s funeral was held at Wesley Methodist Church, where the New Zealand and Tongan flags were flown at half-mast and students from Wesley College performed a rousing haka to mark their respect.

Kelston Girls College principal Linda Fox said the school was devastated by the tragedy, and had plans to establish a scholarship in Penina’s memory. “It’s really affected the prefects here, they went to school with her for all those years and it’s really had an impact on them.

“Everyone held her in high esteem. She was such a hard worker, she was a true role model and she was always so beautifully presented in her uniform.”

Ms Fox said Penina would be greatly missed.

“Her beautiful smile and gracious manner will always be remembered by students and teachers. She was the sort of girl who would go out of her way to help others.”

–nzherald

USC gains $2.3m grant to research Fiji, Samoa and Tonga fruit production

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A University of the Sunshine Coast researcher hopes to improve the health of Pacific Islanders with the launch of a major research project into tropical fruit production.

Professor of Horticulture Steven Underhill has received a $2.3 million grant from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Development to run a four-year study in conjunction with local researchers in Samoa, Fiji and Tonga.

Professor Underhill said the project aimed to use strategies, from better crop selection to improved market transport, to boost production and reduce losses of papaya, pineapple, mango, citrus and breadfruit.

He said while many people imagined the Pacific Islands to be abundant with tropical fruit, the reality was quite different.

“Fruit production currently makes up a very small proportion of commercial horticulture productivity in many Pacific countries,” he said.

“Locals tend to focus on growing root and cash vegetable crops and don’t tend to spend much effort growing and nurturing tree fruit.

“Fruit trees can often be more labour intensive, more susceptible to natural disasters, and some species are very susceptible to disease. Between those three problems, it’s been challenging for growers.”

The project is based on a research partnership with the University of Queensland, Fiji National University, SPC-Pacific Community and the Agriculture Ministries of Tonga, Fiji and Samoa.

Professor Underhill said with the Pacific region accounting for seven of the world’s top 10 highest obesity rates by country, locals were in desperate need of better access to fresh produce.

“People are told to eat more fruit and vegetables, but that assumes that people have access to that kind of produce,” he said. “In places like Tonga, there is very little domestically-grown fruit for months.

“The move away from the traditional agriculture-based lifestyle in the Pacific has resulted in people relying more on cheap imported products with high sugar and high fat, which has seen some poor consequences for health.

“We’re working on crops that have a better year-round supply and fill that out of season supply void, like citrus and pineapple.”

–My Sunshine Coast

Body of man shot dead in US buried in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tongan man who was shot dead in Jefferson County in the United States on April 23 has been sent home to Tonga and his body was laid to rest in  Nukunuku.

According to a news release from Jefferson County Sheriff’s office, the man was Kimo Salakielu, 31.

Sheriff’s deputies responded at about 1:40 a.m. Saturday to a home on the 5400 block of West Hinsdale Avenue for reports of a family altercation and shots fired.

When they arrived they found Salakielu dead after being shot.

Authorities say there have been no arrests, but the investigation is ongoing.

Kimo is survived by wife Vaisima Kauhalaniua and four  children.

Tonga tourism promoted in Sydney

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tonga Tourism had been promoted to more than 80 national tourism boards, accommodation providers, private sector members and hotels from the South Pacific region in Sydney this week.

The kingdom’s local tourism services and products were presented and  showcased during the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) 2016 which was held at Australia’s iconic Sea World Resort Convention Centre on the Gold Coast from the 20-21 May 2016.

“SPTE 2016 is the only regional tourism exchange where tourism sellers, accommodation providers, the private sector and hotels from the South Pacific will come together to do business with international buyers.”

Tomifa Paea, the chairman of the Tonga Tourism Authority board and Director of SPTO Board said the exposure the kingdom received during the event will see more international visitors travelling to the Friendly Islands.

“As the chairman of Tonga Tourism Authority, [I] was very happy with private sectors attending from Tonga to promote Tonga under their own expenses,” Paea said.

He said the Real Tonga Airline made some good deals during the annual event in an attempt to sell their domestic flight services and to bring more people to Tonga.

He said Real Tonga agent Tele Faletau “believed the SPTE will become the main travel expo to promote Tonga and the South Pacific in the future”.

The Tongan delegates were representatives from:

1. Tonga Tourism Authority
2. Real Tongan Airline
3. Teta Tours
4. Tonga Beach Resort
5. Scenic Hotel
6. Happy Kingdom Holidays

Free Church of Tonga 2016 conference, hundreds new pastors to be ordained

By
Alpha Latu
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The Free Church of Tonga’s re-elected president Rev Sēmisi Fonua will ordain 326 new pastors for the church tomorrow Wednesday 25.

President Fonua now holds the presidency for 32 years after he was re-elected by 94 votes on Monday.

Rev. Sīmote Sikuvea was re-elected secretary general by 60 votes.

Thousands of church members coming from overseas and the outer islands were assembling in Nukuʻalofa to attend sessions of the 131st annual conference of the church.

Tonga exempts restaurants from ban of bakeries to open on Sunday

By
Alpha Latu
-

Tongan Police will not enforce a ban on sale of bread on July 3 to hundreds of tourists who buy and eat breads in restaurants in the kingdom.

Tonga’s Police Minister Hon Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa said these people from overseas were mostly in Tonga temporally and they expected local restaurants to provide them with food during Sundays.

The Minister has announced the ban today saying it was made after further public consultations and radio talkbacks.

Hon Tuʻiʻonetoa said the government will observe the public reaction towards the ban during the first month.

He said all restaurants must obtain a license to operate on Sunday.

He said meetings were held with bakery owners about the ban.

The church leaders launched a petition in July 2015 with the government raising their concerns that selling bread on Sunday breached the law of the nation.

The decision by the government to restore its Sunday trading ban law was made after it found no record to show an official decision was made to allow bakeries to operate on Sunday and sell bread to the public.

It was likely the decision was made 34 years ago in 1982 after Tropical Cyclone Isaac hit the kingdom.

Tonga has a large Christian population and Sunday is celebrated as a strict Sabbath taboo.

However the essential services such as transport, restaurants were allowed but operators have to seek permission from the Minister of Police. In times of emergency or disaster essential services are also allowed.

Gifts, visits and presentations begin ahead of Queen Mother’s 90 birthday

By
Kalino Latu
-

The gates at the Tufumāhina royal residence have been open to the public as gifts were brought in and presented to Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mataʻaho, the Queen Mother of Tonga.

Born as Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe on May 29, 1926 she is the oldest daughter of Lord ‘Ahomeʻe known as Manu-‘o-Pangai and his wife Lady Heuʻifanga, a great granddaughter of the last King of the Tuʻi Tonga line.

Her Majesty’s immediate family from both her paternal and maternal sides visited and met her since last week to show their appreciation on her 90th birthday.

They presented Tongan goods such as precious mats, ngatu, food and pigs.

Some presentations were followed by prayers and entertainments.

This is the cultural practice of fatongia and has been mainly performed by those who are linked to the Queen Mother in blood, responsibilities and friendship.

Her Majesty married her husband, the late king Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV on June 10, 1947.  Taufa’āhau Tupou IV died in 2006.

They have four children. The Late King George V, Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita, Late Lord Maʻatu and King Tupou VI.

Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mataʻaho became the Queen of Tonga from 1965 – 2006 and since 2006 she was the Queen Mother of the kingdom.

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