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PM plans to save TP$2m on games preparation as Lord Sevele blasts building delays

By
Philip Cass
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Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva says the government will save TP$2 million by building a new golf course at Popua instead of expanding the ‘Atele golf course for the 2019 Pacific Games.

During a heated debate in Parliament on Wednesday, Hon. Pohiva said he was confident the games facilities would be ready by 2019.

He was responding to a letter from the President of the Tonga Amateur Sports Association, Lord Tupou and Chair of Organising Committee, Lord Sevele ‘o Vailahi.

They said they feared Tonga would be stripped of its rights to host the Games if the facilities were not ready.

The Prime Minister said he was confident the sports facilities would be ready by 2019.

Lord Tupou and Lord Sevele said expanding the ‘Atele golf course was the most reasonable option.

In rebuttal, Hon. Pohiva said work on the ‘Atele would cost more than a new facility at Popua.

He said expanding the ‘Atele course would cost TP$14 million.

If the government spent TP$14 million at ‘Atele, ownership would go to Sione Wight and the noble estate holder after the Games. However, the Popua site would remain the government’s property.

He said the government had similar plans in the 1990s.

Pohiva said Government technical experts would work on the project with the aid of an American designer.

The technical team presented their proposal for the Popua project to Cabinet.

Hon. Pohiva said a new course at Popua would boost tourism in the future.

Sports stadium

Lord Tupou and Lord Sevele said they were concerned about the renovation of Teufaiva Sports Stadium and the field. They said nothing had been done in the past two years and only three years were left until the Games.

They said the Prime Minister had disregarded the committee’s plans to upgrade the Teufaiva Stadium facility, which was meant to start in December 2015 and be completed by March 31 this year.

A company from New Zealand called Creative Spaces Ltd was given the green light to manage the project at a cost of TP$24 million. The decision was approved by both the Audit and Governance Authority (AGA) and Government Facilities Committee.

Lord Tupou and Lord Sevele said that in December 2015 the Prime Minister rejected the proposal, which prevented the Creative Space Ltd from implementing the project.

“The Prime Minister continually interferes and intervenes with the Organising Committee and Government Facilities Committees’ plan of actions,” they said.

They claimed the initial cost of upgrading the Teufaiva facility was TP$24 million. However, the cost had risen by TP$3 million due to the fluctuation of the currency exchange rate.

However, the Prime Minister said that despite the delay in rebuilding of Teufaiva, the sports stadium would be upgraded to international standard in time for the Games.

Rugby

Lord Tupou and Lord Sevele claimed inaction over sporting opportunities meant Tonga had lost its chance to host a rugby match against Wales in June at Teufaiva.

The Prime Minister denied this and said Tonga would host the rugby match with Wales in June.

He said Cabinet had told the Welsh Teufaiva would be ready for the upcoming game.

He said it was up to Wales to decide whether to come to Tonga or New Zealand as originally scheduled.

The main points

  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva says the government will save TP$2 million by building a new golf course at Popua instead of expanding the ‘Atele golf course for the 2019 Pacififc Games.
  • During a heated debate in Parliament on Wednesday, Hon. Pohiva said he was confident the games facilities would be ready by 2019.
  • He was responding to a letter from the President of the Tonga Amateur Sports Association, Lord Tupou and Chair of Organising Committee, Lord Sevele ‘o Vailahi.
  • They said they feared Tonga would be stripped of its rights to host the Games if the facilities were not ready

For more information

Government considers not giving fund to TASANOC after Sevele was re-elected

Tongan football players sign on to Cougars at BYU’s 2017 National Signing Day

By
Todd Henry
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Last Wednesday, Brigham Young University’s (BYU) football team, the Cougars made the official announcement that seven players had submitted letters expressing interest in playing for the team.  Players of Tongan descent were heavily represented on the list of new talent for the team.

Head coach Kalani Sitake and his coaching staff spent the past year searching for and recruiting players whose goals and playing style are in line with that of the Cougars.

The first Tongan to sign a BYU contract was Khyiris Tonga, a former Utah player.  He had been waiting to complete his LDS mission before commiting himself to full time football.  Also signing on to BYU was Alden Tofa, a defensive lineman from West Jordan, Utah.

The Cougars recruiting team celebrated another player selection victory when defensive lineman, Langi Tuifua signed on to the team.  He was previously recruited by a number of Pac-12 schools including Utah, and his on field skills are highly regarded by many.

Hawaii’s 350-pound (158.7 kg) Mango Finau signed to play for the Cougars offensive line.  He is described as a player who brings a distinctive advantage to the team.

To round out the of player selections, two more Utah players of Tongan descent submitted their letters of intent to BYU.  Cedar quarterback Mason Fakahua and Bingham defensive back Tongi Langi made their official commitments to play for Cougars.

BYU did not, however, manage to recruit every player they desired, with two highly touted Tongan players making the decision to play for different teams. East defensive end Jordan Lolohea will go to Washington after serving an LDS mission, and Bingham’s Jay Tufele will play for the University of Southern California (USC).

Many of those who recently signed up to play for BYU are planning to first serve LDS missions before they head on to the field for the team, so it will be some time before their presence is felt.

Wife rejects vandals’ request to withdraw complaint after ‘Okati’s grave attacked

By
Kalino Latu
-

The widow of Tonga’s Rugby Sevens captain has rejected an apology and requests to withdraw a complaint lodged with Police after ‘Atelea ‘Okati’s grave was attacked and damaged.

A distraught Lu’isa Folau ‘Okati told Kaniva News a young woman in Ha’akame village was sick and her family believed her claim that she was haunted by ‘Atelea’s spirit.

“That’s complete fabrication and it really angered me”, she said in Tongan.

Lu’isa said she was deeply disappointed and had refused to accept the family’s apologies for what they did.

She said they disrespectfully put Tongan traditional medicines in the grave, and they also damaged a layer of bricks that covered the top.

She said she has lodged a complaint with Police and could not withdraw it.

Okati died following a car accident on December 28 last year in Tonga.

He was laid to rest at a cemetery in Ha’akame.

‘Okati played for Sydney Premier Rugby Shute Shield side Penrith in the 15-man game before heading to Romania to take up a role with CSM Olimpia in Bucharest.

He was instrumental in the team’s winning third place in the 2015 Super CEC Bank season and played with the side up until leaving in July 2016.

The main points

  • The widow of Tonga’s Rugby Sevens captain has rejected an apology and requests to withdraw a complaint lodged with Police after ‘Atelea ‘Okati’s grave was attacked and damaged.
  • A distraught Lu’isa Folau ‘Okati told Kaniva News a young woman in Ha’akame village was sick and her family believed her claim that she was haunted by ‘Atele’a’s spirit.
  • “That’s complete fabrication and it really angered me”, she said in Tongan.
  • Lu’isa said she was deeply disappointed and had refused to accept the family’s apologies for what they did.

For more information

Two killed in Veitongo collision this morning

 

Ha’atafu man dies after boat hit by wave

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A 46-year-old man from Ha’atafu has died on Saturday after a boat he was in was hit by a big wave off Tongatapu island.

Police said the deceased with another 42 year-old man also from Ha’atafu went out on their regular long-line fishing trips at around 6am and returned after 3 hours out at sea.

It was on their way back to land that their boat was hit by the wave and seawater came into the boat.

Police said the deceased jumped out in to the water and his body was later brought to shore by the waves.

Nukunuku Police were called in to the scene and transported the decease’s body to Vaiola Hospital.

According to report from the doctor, the 46-year old man died from drowning.

The deceased is survived by his wife and daughter.

Car goes up in flames in Hahake

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Firefighters rushed to extinguish a car that burst into flames in Holonga this morning.

Reports said no one was injured and while the blaze was fierce, they said the road remained open.

 

Police working to find solutions to crimes against Chinese community

By
Philip Cass
-

In 1999, the Chinese community submitted a list of criminal offences against Chinese migrants to Police Minister Clive Edwards.

Crimes included arson, armed robbery and attempted rape.

Edwards assured the Chinese the police would work around the clock to put an end to such incidents.

Eighteen years later, there has been some improvement, but Tongan police are still working to bring crimes against the Chinese community under control.

Now Tongan police are conducting a survey of the Chinese community in Tongatapu and the outer islands to identify crime and safety problems.

Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Fe’ao Vaisuai said the Police had established Operation Great Wall with the aim of reducing crimes against the Asian community in Tonga.

Deputy Commissioner Vaisuai said that while Chinese made up three percent of victims of crime, the offences committed against them were quite serious.

They included robbery and violent assault.

“Our mission is to make sure all our citizens feel safe in Tonga,” Deputy Commissioner Vaisuai said.

The survey was designed to inform Tonga Police about safety issues and challenges specific to the Chinese community.

As Kaniva News reported last December, attacks on Chinese have again become a serious issue for the government.

Justice Minister Sione Vuna Fa’otusia  said attacks on foreigners were a grave concern to the government.

A subcommittee to investigate crimes against the Chinese community was established, with the Minister of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the Commander of the Tonga Defence Force and the Commissioner of Prisons participating.

TVNZ reported last year that the kingdom’s Chinese community felt besieged after a series of attacks on shop owners in Nuku’alofa.

There have been several armed robberies and violent attacks in recent  months.

A New Zealand police officer, Inspector Kai Shao, was sent to Tonga to help the local force build a relationship with the Asian community.

The Tongan Broadcasting Commission reported this week that he had met with members of the Chinese community and staff from the Chinese embassy,

Inspector Shao told the TBC most Chinese believed the safety situation in Tonga had improved in recent years.

However, they expressed concerns in relation to some recent high profile cases.

The main points

  • Tongan police are conducting a survey of the Chinese community in Tongatapu and the outer islands to identify crime and safety problems.
  • Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Fe’ao Vaisuai said the Police had established Operation Great Wall with the aim of reducing crimes against the Asian community in Tonga.
  • He said while Chinese made up three percent of victims of crime, the offences committed against them were quite serious.
  • “Our mission is to make sure all our citizens feel safe in Tonga,” Deputy Commissioner Vaisuai said.

For more information

Gov’t wants to curbs crimes against foreigners, but says guns aren’t the answer (Kaniva News)

Shocking images emerge of Chinese victims viciously beaten in Tonga (One News)

Concern over rise in crime against Chinese in Tonga (Pacific Islands Report)

PSA secretary mocks government ministers, saying they are ‘disorganised’ and ‘confused’

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Public Service Association General Secretary Mele ʻAmanaki has lampooned government ministers online, saying they were ‘disorganised’ and ‘confused’ in Parliament.

She ridiculed Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s ministers by labelling their actions with words she coined by putting together words used for nobles with words used for Tongan commoners.

“Me’a atu e PM hee, me’alue atu e Minisitaa koee hee, pea me’atolo atu e Ministaa koee mei hee! me’apisipumu atu e Minisitaa koee hee!!” she wrote.

Translated: “The PM walked that way, that minister walked that way as a noble and at the same time walked as a commoner, and that minister walked that way as a noble and at the same time he threw things as a commoner and that minister walked that way as a noble and at the same time he sounded like loud music”.

‘Amanaki applauded former government ministers, saying they were more experienced and well organised when they presented themselves in the House.

She said they were better because they were handpicked by the king according to their various qualifications and expertise.

‘Amanaki was commenting after she apparently listened to the Parliament meeting broadcasting live on radio last week.

She said some of the ministers appeared to not have read the agenda and that had caused them a lot of confusion in the House.

She suggested running a workshop for these ministers or a kalasi ʻaho, a mocking reference that compares the situation to a church Bible sharing service during day time for Methodist church members.

ʻAmanaki said it was important for the Prime Minister and his cabinet to discuss and agree what they were going to say in Parliament before attending the House.

She pleaded with them to read the Parliamentary agenda before going to the House to avoid making mistakes.

She said the ministers in former governments made themselves aware of the agenda before they entered the House and that was their strength

Amanaki’s reactions to Hon. Pohiva’s ministers came after they rowed with the Prime Minister’s daughter, Lautala Tapueluelu, on Facebook last year.

Tapueluelu criticized ‘Amanaki for posting on Facebook information about their lunch meeting with the Prime Minister and others.

‘Amanaki posted that they had talked about how the Prime Minister made the decision to dismiss former Internal Affairs minister after an incident with one of his female directors.

She also said they discussed: “our joint court case, VONC, appointee to Minister of MIA, TSM for women in Parliament, West Papua, reshuffle of some portfolios, discussions in Parliament including the petition of the seasonal workers in Australia, regulation of financial institution, and his disappointment with the Kele’a article”.

Tapueluelu said she talked to the Prime Minister about ‘Amanaki’s post and he was disappointed to find out she had reported their conversation on government matters on Facebook.

“I felt that your intention was so evil”, Lautala said of ‘Amanaki.

“The Prime Minister was so disappointed when I showed him your post,” she said.

‘Amanaki told Tapueluelu to stop interfering with government work and leave it to the Chief Secretary and Pohiva’s PA.

Kaniva News contacted Tonga’s Chief Secretary and the Secretary to Cabinet for a comment. We are waiting for a response.

Comment

The Tongan language is divided into three categories according to people’s different social standing. The ordinary people are at low status while the nobles are on high position. The king and the queen are at the highest and regarded taboo. When commoners speak or talk to the nobles they use special honorific languages. When they talked to Their Majesties culturally through their heralds they have to use regal language.

For example, the commoner’s word for walk is lue, while it is me’a for nobles and hā’ele for Their Majesties.

Commoners can informally use honorific and regal languages for themselves in their conversation, but this can only happen when they make fun of someone or in situation where it is meant to jokingly give that particular person some kind of importance or value. However, this kind of language usage cannot be used in front of the king or the nobles.

The main points

  • Tongan Public Service Association General Secretary Mele ʻAmanaki has lampooned government ministers online, saying they were ‘disorganised’ and ‘confused’ in Parliament.
  • She applauded former government ministers, saying they were more experienced and well organised when they presented themselves in the House.
  • She ridiculed Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s ministers by labelling their actions with words she coined by putting together words used for nobles with words used for Tongan commoners.
  • “Me’a atu e PM hee, me’alue atu e Minisitaa koee hee, pea me’atolo atu e Ministaa koee mei hee! me’apisipumu atu e Minisitaa koee hee!!” she wrote.

 Cruise ship rescues six Tongan fishermen from sinking boat

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The crew of a cruise ship saved six men from a leaky Tongan fishing boat this afternoon, who had not had water for three days.

The Rescue Coordination Centre of New Zealand organised for the German cruise ship Albatros to change course at 5am this morning, after the fishing vessel crew set off an emergency rescue beacon 400 kilometres west south west of Tonga.

The ship diverted 300 kilometres to help the distressed 11.5 metre fishing vessel. RCCNZ also requested an RNZAF P3 Orion to fly from Whenuapai to the position that the beacon was transmitting from.

The Airforce crew dropped emergency equipment and a radio to the boat crew, who were then able to communicate that they could not start their motor due to a flat battery, says Senior Search and Rescue Officer Ramon Davis.

But when the Albatros rendezvoused with the fishing vessel about 2.30pm, crew jumped into the water to swim to the ship. Their fishing boat had been taking on water and was unlikely to remain afloat for more than 24 hours. The crew had also run out of drinking water, Mr Davis says.

“They had been in a truly life-threatening situation.”

The Albatros crew helped transfer the men aboard the larger vessel, which is now bound for Auckland. A day in the Bay of Islands has been lost for the cruise passengers due to diverting to the rescue.

Mr Davis says that while the fishing boat was not carrying adequate radio equipment, its EPIRB rescue beacon enabled the crew to call for help.

“We do however recommend all vessels carry at least two methods of signaling distress appropriate to their area of operation. The EPIRB alert pinpointed the vessel’s location and we were able to have the RNZAF Orion fly there and discover what difficulty the crew were in.

“We would like to thank the Orion crew and all onboard the Albatros for coming to the rescue of these fishermen so promptly.”

This story first appeared on Maritime New Zealand website

Fate of MV Niuvakai uncertain as FISA tries to sell her after export plans fail

By
Philip Cass
-

A month after it went on sale, it is still unclear whether anybody is interested in the government cargo ship, the MV Niuvakai.

The vessel is being put up for tender locally and overseas.

One of the reasons given for buying the vessel, formerly known as the St Theresa, was that it would be able to carry Tongan produce for sale in Fiji and Samoa.

However, there were not enough goods to export and the MV Niuvakai appears to have become a financial liability.

FISA now needs to sell the vessel to try to cover its costs.

As Kaniva News reported at the time, the vessel was unable to lift the 20 foot (six metre) containers typically used for shipping with its deck crane and was deemed to be unprofitable on voyages lasting more than three days.

The purchase of the MV Niuvakai was surrounded by controversy, not least because it was surrounded by financial complications.

In March 2014 Kaniva News published details of an e-mail by former Finance Minister Lisiate ‘Akolo which revealed that the Tongan government had urged a potential buyer of the former St Theresa to help pay the owners’ loan with their bank in New Zealand.

The vessel was owned by the Ramanlal brothers, who were close friends of the late King George V while he was a Grown Prince and then when he became king.

‘Akolo asked Mosese Uele, director of EZI World Cargo in Auckland, to pay  10-15 percent in advance for the Ramanlals, as part of a settlement payment to their bank.

The Minister also made it clear he would regard Uele’s purchase of the ship as a boost to his own plans to develop export markets for Vava’u.

At the time, Uele denied that he intended to buy the ship because of what ‘Akolo told him about the Ramanlals.

He said the ship could only make a profit if it was restricted to voyages of three days.

Calculations based on the cost of fuel, operational costs and cargo carrying capacity meant it could only profitably sail to neighbouring countries like Fiji, Samoa and American Samoa, Niue and Wallis and Futuna.

The Friendly Island Shipping Agency eventually paid about TP$1.5 million (NZ$950,000) for the vessel.

The 35 year-old boat was re-named the MV Niuvakai by His Majesty King Tupou VI.

FISA created a new company called Tonga Exports Shipping Agency Limited (TESAL) to operate the MV Niuvakai.

FISA Former CEO Vaka Utapola Vi told Kaniva News in 2014 that FISA only bought the former St Theresa because the price of  other ships they looked at, including one in the Caribbean, were  either too high or because it would have cost too much to bring them to Tonga.

Vi denied FISA bought the ship to help the Ramanlals with their struggle to pay back their loan for the ship.

When he was told a company in Auckland had turned down an offer to purchase the ship because it would lose money on voyages lasting longer than three days, Vi said FISA had tested the ship and he had recommended it.

The MV Niuvakai has had a troubled history since being bought by FISA.

In 2015 it was anchored in Vava’u for a month because of a mechanical failure.

It also became stranded on a reef last year.

In March last year Vi was suspended and later resigned.

Neither FISA nor the government has revealed why he was told to resign.

Kaniva News asked the Minister of Public Enterprises, Hon. Poasi Tei, whose department is responsible for FISA, for comment on the sale two weeks ago. We are still waiting for an answer.

Maggie Cat

Meanwhile, the Tongan Broadcasting Commission has reported that the Maggie Cat, which FISA has been renting from an Australian company for – a day, was unable to return to Australia at the end of its contract in January because one of its engines broke down.

The Maggie Cat was hired in June last year to provide inter-island ferry services while the MV ‘Otuanga’ofa was being repaired in Suva.

The cost of the catamaran’s repairs will be met by its owners, Captain Cook Cruises.

According to the TBC, FISA claims the MV ‘Otuanga’ofa can meet the needs of cargo and passengers on the outer islands route.

The main points

  • A month after it went on sale, it is still unclear whether anybody is interested in the government cargo ship, the MV Niuvakai.
  • The vessel is being put up for tender locally and overseas.
  • One of the reasons given for buying the vessel, formerly known as the St Theresa, was that it would be able to carry Tongan produce for sale in Fiji and Samoa.
  • However, there were not enough goods to export and the MV Niuvakai appears to have become a financial liability.

For more information

http://nzkanivapacific.co.nz/2014/03/e-mail-reveals-akolo-wanted-sweetener-ramanlals-cargo-ship-deal/

E-mail reveals ‘Akolo wanted sweetener for Ramanlals over cargo ship deal

Maggie cat’s return delayed due to engine problem

FISA

People still have some hope, but is time running out for Pōhiva?

By
Philip Cass
-

Tongans still have some hope for the future, but the future of the kingdom’s Democracy Party government is uncertain.

Dr Micheal Horowitz, Dean of Tonga’s ‘Atenisi Institute, told a seminar on the future of democracy in Tonga the Democrats might just retain power despite the controversies that have dogged the government of ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.

But he said Finance Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke or Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni could replace Pōhiva as Prime Minister.

If the Democrats fell, a new leader could emerge from the nobles.

He said people could still support the new democratic style of politics.

The kingdom will go back to the polls in 2018.

The seminar, ‘Can the Democracy Coalition retain power in Tonga?,’ was held at Auckland University of Technology’s Pacific Media Centre.

Hon. Pōhiva was elected as Tonga’s first commoner Prime Minster in 2014 after a decades-long struggle to bring democracy to the kingdom.

As Kaniva News has reported in the years since that election, Hon. Pōhiva’s  government has  been beset by accusations of nepotism, complaints over his handling of the education portfolio and a protracted battle with the Tongan media over what he says is a campaign by  his opponents to use the national broadcaster to attack him.

Dr Horowitz said the future of the democratic coalition remained uncertain.

He said there was no way of predicting the outcome because no survey had been conducted. This meant the result would once again be a “big surprise.”

Asia Pacific Report quoted Dr Horowitz as saying that Hon. Pōhiva’s government was dragging its feet on the country poor economic situation.

Dr Horowitz said the fact that overseas remittances made up 22% of the country’s GDP meant Tonga “dependent on the people’s generosity.”

The main points

  • Tongans still have some hope for the future, but the future of the kingdom’s Democracy Party government is uncertain.
  • Dr Micheal Horowitz, Dean of Tonga’s ‘Atenisi Institute, told a seminar on the future of democracy in Tonga last week the Democrats might just retain power despite the controversies that have dogged the government of ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.
  • But he said Finance Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke or Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni could replace Pōhiva as Prime Minister.
  • The kingdom will go back to the polls in 2018.

For more information

Tonga’s Democracy Coalition faces uncertain future, says academic (by Kendall Hutt)

http://asiapacificreport.nz/2017/01/27/tongas-democracy-coalition-faces-uncertain-future-says-academic/

 

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