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75-year-old mother believed oldest Tongan USP graduate

By
Kalino Latu
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Seventy-five-year-old Leaʻaetoa ‘Ofakihevaha Fatai received a Certificate in Early Childhood Education on Friday, making her believably the oldest graduate in Tongan USP history.

More than 100 students at the USP Tonga centre received degrees, diplomas and certificates after a morning street procession along Taufaʻāhau Rd in Tongatapu.

Fatai was a former Tongan government primary school teacher who mostly taught in Pangaimotu, Vavaʻu.

Students at USP have to study the programme full time before it could be completed within one year or in one and a half year if they studied it part time.

The event was attended by the Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific Hon. Henry Puna who’s also the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

Car accident takes down a power pole in Vainī

By
Alpha Latu
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A car accident took down an electric pole on Taufaʻāhau Rd in Vainī causing a detour in the area.

The car crashed near a house on Saturday 1.

No one was trapped.

The main road was closed for sometimes before it was reopen, it has been reported.

China and Tonga have “more fruitful economic cooperation, closer links”, says Ambassador

By
Kaniva Staff
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H.E. Mr. Huang Huaguang, Chinese Ambassador in Tonga said the two countries have increasingly more close economic and administrative relationships.

He said there were more people-to-people exchanges and reconfirmed China would continue to work together with Tonga and increase the cooperation and give more benefits to its people.

Mr Huaguang made his statements in a speech during a reception his office hosted to celebrate the 67th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, in Nuku’alofa.

HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala was the Guest of Honour and the reception was widely joined by over 150 distinguished guests including Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, Acting Prime Minister of Tonga and Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Diplomatic Corps, Heads of Ministries as well as Chinese agricultural experts and leaders from Chinese community, a statement from the embassy said.

The celebration began with the National Anthems of the Kingdom of Tonga and the People’s Republic of China and followed by remarks by H.E. Ambassador Huang and Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni.

“In his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador introduced the economic situation in China and said that against the down risk of global economy, China’s GDP achieved 6.7% growth rate and contributes nearly 30% of the world economic growth.

“H.E. Ambassador also briefed about the G20 Hangzhou Summit and said during the meeting, leaders from around the world have reached Hangzhou Consensus to make joint efforts for the recovery of global economy.

“H.E. Ambassador Huang spoke highly of the bilateral relations between China and Tonga and said in the year passed, both sides have frequent high level exchanges, more fruitful economic cooperation, closer links between local administrations and more people-to-people exchanges and reconfirmed China would continue to work together with Tongan side to enlarge the cooperation and make our people benefit.

“Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni on behalf of His Majesty, the Government and people of Tonga congratulated China on the prosperous achievements and said with competent leadership, strategic policy of reform and opening up, China has risen to become the world’s largest trader of goods, the 2nd largest economy with global influence and the world 3rd largest direct oversea investor.

“Both sides have good cooperation in sector of economic development, climate change, civil aviation, tourism, health, sports, agriculture, education, defense and key infrastructure. Hon. Acting Prime Minister also reconfirmed that Tongan Government would render its support to China in promoting stronger ties between two countries.

“The People’s Republic of China was founded on October 1st, 1949”.

Vavaʻu fuel crisis nears end; energy company says tanker due in Neiafu today

By
Philip Cass
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A tanker carrying about 570,000 litres of fuel was expected to arrive in Vava’u today.

Radio New Zealand quoted Pacific Energy manager Paula Tupou as saying the vessel was in Nuku’alofa and would be in Neiafu today.

Tupou said the fuel shipment consisted of 230,000 litres of petrol and 340,000 of diesel.

The news comes only days after Vava’u businessman Tomifa Paea claimed the tanker bringing fuel to the petrol starved outer island could be delayed until October 8.

Paea claimed he had been told by sources outside Tonga that the tanker would be delayed.

The businessman spent TP$500,000 importing fuel from New Zealand.

He has been selling the fuel in Vava’u for   TP$2.95 per lire for petrol and TP$2.90 for diesel.

The decision to import the fuel was risky because the tanker might have arrived at the same time and he might not have been able to sell it.

“I did it to help the people of Vava’u,” he said.

“My personal view is that Pacific Energy knew about this three months ago and should have ordered fuel to be delivered to Vava’u using the same method I have done.

“To let the people of Vava’u  suffer and make them go through this fuel crisis without feeling responsible is not acceptable and the government should be questioning them to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

On September 19 Kaniva News reported Vava’u Tourism Association president Calvin Schumaker’s warning that the region faced economic losses of more than TP$10 million.

Schumaker blamed the fuel shortage on the loss of the fuel barge that used to bring in fuel from Nuku’alofa. He said the barge had been sold and not replaced.

The main points

  • A tanker carrying about 570,000 litres of fuel was expected to arrive in Vava’u today.
  • Radio New Zealand quoted Pacific Energy manager Paula Tupou as saying the vessel was in Nuku’alofa and would be in Neiafu today.
  • Tupou said the fuel shipment consisted of 230,000 litres of petrol and 340,000 of diesel.
  • The news comes days after Vava’u businessman Tomifa Paea claimed the tanker bringing fuel to the petrol starved outer island could be delayed until October 8.

For more information

Tonga to get fuel supply up and running again (RNZI)

Crisis in Vava’u as fuel runs out; six weeks before new fuel ship arrives says Ministry

Noble MPs considered in search for Vakatā’s replacement, PM Pōhiva says

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva said one of the nobles could be chosen to replace the Minister for Internal Affairs Feʻao Vakatā.

As Kaniva News reported on September 15, Hon. Vakatā was dismissed after a complaint from the Ministry’s Director of Women’s Affairs, Tupou ‘Ahau Fakakovi, that he hurled a glass of wine at her in Vavaʻu last month.

Hon. Pōhiva told Kaniva News he would meet with his Cabinet ministers today to discuss the matter.

He mentioned Lord Vaea, Lord Tu’ihangana and Lord Tuʻiʻāfitu as potential candidates.

When asked to confirm whether he could accept a recommendation from the majority of his Cabinet ministers to appoint one of the nobles Hon. Pōhiva said it would be a difficult decision for him.

“The problem is that there are four MPs chosen by the people that have yet to be given ministerial posts,” Hon. Pohiva said.

“That is MP Penisimani Fifita, MP Māteni Tapueluelu, MP Veivosa Taka and MP Akosita Lavulavu.”

He said he wanted to consult Cabinet before making any decision.

He said he understood some of his ministers might want one of the nobles to be appointed to the post.

He declined to reveal to Kaniva News whether he already had somebody in mind for the post.

Confidence

Hon Pohiva said he wished the vote of no confidence threatened by the nobles had been held.

He said he did not want to underestimate the nobles’ threat, but he just ignored it and concentrate on his job.

He said what he had heard so far about the motion was that there was no solid claims against his government.

The Prime Minister said he trusted his cabinet ministers to stand by him.

Hon Pōhiva said he strongly believed the nobles were split over the motion of vote of no confidence and some did not support it.

As Kaniva News has reported the Nobles leader, Lord Vaea, has claimed they have  the number to topple Hon Pōhiva’s government.

He said they had already talked with some of the independent Cabinet Ministers and believed they would cross the floor on the day of the vote and side with them.

The main points

  • Tongan Prime Minister Ê»Akilisi Pohiva said one of the nobles could be chosen to replace the outgoing Minister Fe’ao Vakata.
  • Vakata was dismissed after a complaint from a senior female civil servant that he hurled a glass of wine at her in Vava’u last month.
  • Pohiva told Kaniva News he would meet with his Cabinet ministers today to discuss the matter.
  • He mentioned Lord Vaea, Lord Tu’ihangana and Lord Tu’i’afitu as potential candidates.

For more information

King dismisses Tonga’s Minister of Internal Affairs

Tongan cabinet minister to resign

Noble MPs vow to topple government with no confidence motion when Parliament resumes

Tonga navy and aircraft help as hunt for US murder suspect widens

By
Kalino Latu
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As Tongan police continued their hunt for the US murder suspect Dean Jay Fletcher, 54, today the Tongan navy also gave a hand.

Aerial searches were being conducted as search continued into its second day.

Police and HMAF Tonga Navy were searching the northern seas of Vava’u and surrounding areas, where Fetcher is thought to have escaped in his yacht, Sea Oak.

International police alerts are in place and active inquiries are underway, Police said.

“A full investigation into the circumstances of the escape has been ordered by Commissioner Steve Caldwel”.

READ MORE:

Tongan Police struggle to apprehend escaped US murderer

Tongan Police struggle to apprehend escaped US murderer

Tongan man extradited to Australia to face charges in death of Caleo

By
Kaniva Staff
-

 

A Tongan man accused in the death of Rita Caleo in 1990 has been turned over to Australian  police to face murder charges.

Alani Afu, 49, also known as Alani Koloamatangi was extradited from the kingdom yesterday over the stabbing murder of the Sydney woman.

He will appear in court on Tuesday for the first day of the committal hearing against his co-accused, the late Ms Caleo’s husband Mark Caleo and his brother Gerard Caleo.

One of his sisters has accompanied him from Tonga and sat in the back of the court today as her brother appeared via videolink from Surry Hills Correctional Centre, Telegraph reported.

Police alleged Ms Caleo, 39, was stabbed multiple times as her two children slept in her Double Bay home on August 10, 1990.

Her 36-year-old brother, Michael Chye, was fatally shot three times just under a year earlier as he drove into the garage of his Woollahra home. He died on October 16, 1989.

The case was reopened in 2011, and two men remain before the court after being arrested by detectives in 2014 and 2015.

Following further investigations, police identified another man and will allege he was involved in Ms Caleo’s murder.

ʻAlani remains at Surry Hills Police Station, where he is expected be charged with murder.

Police have alleged that Ms Caleo’s murder was organised by Mark and Gerard Caleo and carried out by Afu after a multi-million property deal with Mr Chye went wrong.

Police retreat after Vavaʻu sea standoff, US alleged killer on the run

By
Kalino Latu
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A police standoff with an alleged US murderer in the northern sea of Vavaʻu has ended unsuccessfully police say.

Police were forced to pull out of a pursuit of the yacht, Sea Oak at 4.30pm yesterday Thursday 29.

“The escaped prisoner, Dean Jay Fletcher had fired several flares at the police boat in a 5-hour standoff. Fletcher was believed to be holding a bottle of benzene liquid and threatened to set fire to the police boat with the use of the inflammable benzene and flares”, Police said.

The police were not in a position to counter the threat and did not have the capacity to maintain the pursuit in open water, they said.

“The decision made by the police officers, to end the pursuit in all the circumstances was the right one, and now our energy goes into locating this desperate man and returning him to face justice for the charge of murder” says Commissioner Steve Caldwell.

International police services, Maritime networks and commercial flights have been alerted.

Police are appealing for public assistance on sightings of the yacht “SEA OAK”.

READ MORE

Tongan Police struggle to apprehend escaped US murderer

Tonga’s Lord Madraiwiwi Tangatatonga dies age 59

By
Kaniva Staff
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A leading Fijian judge who was elevated by Late king George V of Tonga as a kingdom’s lawlord has died after a short illness.

Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi,  59, was Nauru Chief Justice and a former Fiji Vice President.

He was appointed to the Life Peerage in the Kingdom of Tonga in Jnuary 2010.

He held the title of Lord Madraiwiwi Tangatatonga.

Tongan Police struggle to apprehend escaped US murderer

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police in Tonga’s Vavaʻu islands were struggling to apprehend the US alleged murderer who was charged with the murder of his Canadian wife in Vavaʻu in June.

54yr old Dean Jay Fletcher escaped from police custody at Vavaʻu Police Station at approximately 3.30am this morning, 29 September 2016, a Police statement said.

Police confirmed Fletcher has used his own yacht to enable his escape.

“At 06.00am Police on board the Police Boat “Kapakau ‘O Tafahi” located the escaped prisoner and his yacht at approximately 6 – 10 miles Northwest of Vavaʻu and are attempting to apprehend him”, the statement said.

“The escaped prisoner is refusing to stop and making threats to himself and police officers, which has not allowed for a safe boarding at this stage. Further assistance has been dispatched to the area.

“Commissioner Steve Caldwell says that the full circumstances of Fletcher’s escape will be investigated but at this stage our priority is to safely apprehend and return Mr. Fletcher to custody”.

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