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Tongan air traffic controller’s career is up in the air after leaving university

By
Philip Cass
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University study didn’t work out for Sela Ahio Fonua, but she is literally up in the air over the way her career has developed.

She began studying for a medical degree at the University of the South Pacific’s Tongan campus, but now plays a vital role in keeping New Zealand’s air traffic flowing safely.

“I was a year into my medical studies, but medicine wasn’t a passion, and this career that I didn’t know about looked interesting,” she told the Manawatu Standard.

Instead, she got a job as an accounting officer and after three months was asked to train as an air traffic controller.

Fonua is now working as an aerodrome/tower controller.

Air traffic controllers keep aircraft separated from each other – both in the air and on the ground.

Fonua trained in Singapore, Christchurch, and Tonga and then moved to Auckland when her husband was posted there.

She was posted to Palmerston North in February to complete her training with Airways, which provides air traffic control in New Zealand.

While Fonua has carved her own path in the sky, other members of her family have followed a more traditional academic route.

Her mother ‘Alilia ‘Ahio was a primary school teacher and her father Titali ‘Ahio was one of very few students in their village of Houma to pass the New Zealand School Certificate in the 1970s.

Her oldest sister Melolini holds an MA in accounting and is a research student at AUT, investigating how accounting standards affects the quality of financial reporting in Tonga. She works as a manager at the University of Auckland.

Her brother Stan has a scholarship from the New Zealand government to study a Bachelor of Engineering Honours in Electrical and Electronics at AUT.

Careers in air control

People interested in becoming air traffic controllers can apply online with New Zealand air traffic control provider Airways.

Successful applicants undertake a year’s training.

The first six months is intensive, using simulators to apply theory. Students then relocate for on-the-job training in one of Airway’s regional towers.

The main points

  • University study didn’t work out for Sela Ahio Fonua, but she is literally up in the air over the way her career has developed.
  • She began studying for a medical degree, but decided it wasn’t for her.
  • Instead, she became an air traffic controller.
  • People interested in becoming air traffic controllers can apply online with Airways.

For more information

Airways

Unexpected career from medical student to Palmerston North air controller

Dispute over costs after four refrigerated containers of rotten chicken disposed

By
Alpha Latu
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A dispute has emerged between authorities in Tonga after four containers of rotten chicken were disposed.

The product ended up in the bad condition after the containers were not connected to the power at the wharf for days.

The dispute last week was over who should pay the costs surrounding the products and how they were kept at the wharf.

Local reports said an Asian company – Billion Star imported about 4,000 cartons of chicken from the United States in April this year.

Radio and Television Tonga said the dispute was between the Ports Authority and the shipping agency.

The Ports Authority was reported as denying any responsibility for the incident.

The four containers were disposed last week at the Tapuhia Solid Waste Management Facility.

Power pole brought down in Maʻufanga car crash

By
Kalino Latu
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Some residents in part of Maʻufanga woke up on Sunday morning without power after a car smashed into a power pole causing the Power company to replace it shortly.

According to Tonga’s Radio Waves of the Pacific the crash occurred just in front of the Tonga Houʻeiki Church.

Police arrived at the scene shortly but they could not be reached for comments.

Mapa Haʻangana of the Radio said an arrest was made.

The crash came after two incidents occurred on Saturday in which a van overturned in Nualei after crashing with a car shortly after two cars collided at an intersection in Nukuʻalofa.

Radiance of the Seas visits Tonga for the first time

By
Kaniva Staff
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Royal Caribbean announced it will offer cruise stops at the Tongan ports of Vava’u on December 12, 2016 and Nuku’alofa on December 13, 2016 for the very first time.

Radiance of the Seas will offer these new stops in the 2016/2017 cruise season, as part of a 13-night South Pacific, Fiji and Tonga journey.  The cruise begins in Sydney on December 3 2016, and calls at the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia, Lifou in the Loyalty Islands, Suva and Lautoka in Fiji, as well as Tonga, before arriving in Auckland.

The two new destinations offer a host of experiences unique to Tonga for guests to enjoy, such as the islands of Vava’u are renowned for their coral gardens and sparkling lagoons, while Nuku’alofa, capital of Tonga and home to the only royal family in the Pacific Islands, is a thriving hub of island charm and regal tradition. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the islands further with a range of optional excursions, including whale-watching and snorkeling in Vava’u and a cultural tour in Nuku’alofa.

“We’ve had our eye on Tonga as a destination for our guests for some time, with its vibrant culture, diverse marine life and stunning natural beauty,” says Adam Armstrong, managing director for Royal Caribbean International in Australia and New Zealand.

“Radiance of the Seas is the perfect size for us to explore new ports in our region, paving the way for a number of new, exciting destinations for our guests.”

–Royal Caribean

Tongan Speaker attends International Day of Peace Commemoration in China

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Parliament Speaker Lord Tuʻivakano attended the 2016 Commemoration for the International Day of Peace in Yinchuan, Ningxia, China on Friday 23.

He was greeted and welcomed by H.E. Mr. Li Yuanchao, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China and distinguished guests from over 33 countries around the world.

In a speech during the ceremony the Lord Speaker said:“despite our geographical locations, the differences in the sizes of our military or economies or the types of government in our countries, we all share the same prayers and visions of living in a peaceful and sustainable world and leaving behind a peaceful, safe and prosperous planet for our children and future generations to come.”

The Lord Speaker discussed with Vice President Li Yuanchao the future of the diplomatic relationship of the two countries after the ceremony.

A statement from the Chinese embassy in Tonga said: “Ningxia, located in the northwest of China, has started the good cooperation with Tonga since 2012 and established friendly relationship with Vava’u in August 2014.

“Last year, Tonga Parliament and Government Delegation, jointly led by Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, Deputy Prime Minister and Hon. Lord Tu’iafitu, Deputy Speaker of Tonga, also paid a visit to Ningxia and learned about the development of renewable energy, tourism and poverty reduction”.

Family share tributes to Tongan fruit picker online

By
Kalino Latu
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The family of a Tongan fruit picker who died in Australia have shared tributes for the man online.

Paulo Kivau, 39, was rushed to hospital before he was pronounced dead yesterday.

The tributes showed Kivalu went to Australia to work as a fruit picker through government’s seasonal work programme.

It was believed he was sick before he died.

In 2014 Tonga sent more than 1,200 to work in the Australian agriculture and farms.

On the same period the government announced it has received $35.6 million worth of remittances under New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) and Australia Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot scheme.

The Australian programme however was subjected to criticism regularly.

According to an ABC report early last year the Unions Tasmania has raised concerns that a Tongan fruit picking work force in the state’s north-west could be subject to substandard living and working conditions.

It was reported that about 40 Tongan workers were living in a primary school in the regional town of Burnie, in north west Tasmania.

Some of the workers in Latrobe were living in converted shipping containers in a caravan park.

The family grieved for their loved one on Facebook.

Video: Is it Viola Losehina or Isa Lei? Confusion for singing Tongans at UN causes hilarity online

By
Kalino Latu
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Scroll down to watch the video

A performance by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva and some of his cabinet at the UN was thrown into confusion for a moment when they couldn’t work out whether they were singing the Tongan or Fijian version of one of the Pacific’s most famous songs.

But a video showing a performance by Tonga’s Prime Minister and his ministers singing at the United Nations has been greeted with good humour on social media.

The Tongans were singing at a function hosted by the Papua New Guinea delegation.

Singing for the kingdom were Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, the Minister of Infrastructure, the Minister of Health, the Prime Minister’s PA, Lord Fusitu’a and the Ambassador to the UN.

The Tongan delegation performed the Tongan song Viola Losehina.

Their performance went well until one of the delegates, Po’oi Pohiva, called out “’Ise’isa” to alert the singers to the beginning of the next verse.

However, this confused them into singing the Fijian version of the song, the chorus of which begins with “Isa Lei.”

The Tongan chorus starts with “Fakapo.”

In the confusion the song faltered for a minute because the delegates did not really know the Fijian version of the song or what words after “Isa Lei.”

The Tongan delegation attended the 71st Session of the United Nations in New York which began on September 13.

During the sessions Tonga signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

As part of the farewell programme the Pacific countries were invited to a reception to mark Papua New Guinea’s 41st anniversary of independence.

Each country was given the opportunity to perform an item in a ‘Pacific’s Got Talent’ section during the evening.

Facebook users responded with humour.

One person wrote: “Tulou atu. Mou omi ange heni” This translates as: “Tulou (respect to the delegation). Can you all come here.” This is a Tongan contextual joke intended to show that because the performers failed in their performance they deserve a punishment.

Another commenter jokingly said the most important thing was that the start of the song and its ending were well performed.

“Not bad at all,” another said.

Hon. Pohiva’s daughter Ana Pohiva Koli, who uses the Facebook name ‘Iolani Pohiva Koli, said: “Te u mate he kata”. This translates as: “I will be passing out from laughing.”

The Prime Minister’s son, Kili Ma’ilei Pohiva, asked if somebody could punch the person who was singing on the microphone. A reference to his brother Po’oi.

Viola Losehina

Tongans believe the song Viola Losehina  was composed by the late Tongan chief Tu’ivakano Polutele. The chief and other sources claimed Polutele composed the song while he was one of the late Tungi Mailefihi’s singing group while the Prince Consort was governor of Vava’u in 1915. The song was composed after the Prince asked each member of his group to compose a song for his wife-to-be, the late Queen Salote Tupou III.

However the song is popular with the Fijians as Fijian farewell song and they have claimed it as theirs. However, in an interview with ZCO – now Tonga’s Radio A3Z – the late chief and well known composer and musician said the song arrived in Fiji because of his very close blood connection with the Fijians.

One source claimed the song was taken to Fiji by a Tongan, Taitusi, a well known composer. He and a group in Fiji sang the song and Ratu Tu’ineau or Ratu Tevita of Fiji heard it and he asked Taitusi for the music so he coukd use it with his own Fijian lyrics.

The song also has an English version in which it was recorded by Late King of Rock Elvis Presley in one his tour to Hawai’i.

Fijians believe Isa Lei was composed by the late Turaga Bale na Tui Nayau Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba. He was the father of the late Turaga Tui Nayau and Fiji’s First Prime Minister , Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. He is said to have composed the song at Tubou, Lakeba in 1916 for Adi Litia Tavanavanua.

Car crash at busy Nukuʻalofa intersection

By
Kalino Latu
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Two cars crashed at the intersection of Taufaʻahau and Sālote Roads in Nukuʻalofa this morning Saturday 24 it has been reported.

Radio Nukuʻalofa 88.6 FM posted photos of the incident to Facebook and said one of the vehicles failed to stop and gave way to the other.

“Lucky no one is hurt but something needs to be done about our drink driving problem. Seem like its (sic) every weekend now”, the Radio reported on Facebook.

Kaniva News could not be able to confirm claim alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Meanwhile, another crash that left a Toyota Pajero overturned in Nualei was also reported this morning.

 

“Power of Life” reveals major causes of premature death in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
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Diabetes and Cardio Vascular Diseases were the major causes of premature death in Tonga.

It has also been revealed that “Rheumatic Heart Disease” has significantly affected children in the kingdom.

Dr Sione. T. Latu has revealed this during the marking of the World Heart Week this week in Nukuʻalofa.

The World Heart Federation will officially mark the World Heart Day on 29 September raising awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD).

CVD is described by the Mayo Clinic as it refers to the conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.

“This World Heart Day, we want everyone to understand what they can do to fuel their hearts and power their lives. Your heart is at the heart of your health. And it’s easy to give it the care it deserves”, the international body says.

“Just a few simple steps such as eating more healthily, cutting down on alcohol and stopping smoking can improve your heart health and your overall well-being,” it says.

Dr Latu, a Heart Specialist at Vaiola Hospital warned that: “Once you develop a heart condition, it will never be normal again”.

A Tongan team at Vaiola which promote Heart Week said they were in part 3 of the special series leading up to World Heart Day.

Known as the Hala Fononga, the special series were supported and funded by the Government of Tonga and the Government of Australia, with Tonga Health as the appointed secretariat and coordinating body.

Van overturns after crash in Nualei

By
Kalino Latu
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A van ended up on its roof following a crash on Taufaʻāhau Road in Nualei during rush hour this morning Saturday 24.

There were no reports of injuries.

Photographs from the scene show the black van on its roof was apparently in a tax allotment by the road.

It was understood the van, which model and make were unknown, collided with a car before ending up on its roof.

Mapa Haʻangana of Tonga’s Pacific Radio Waves reported that eyewitnesses alleged the vehicles were at high speed before they crashed.

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