Home Blog Page 797

Third teen arrested, Telekava homicide victim and accused named

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police have released the name of the 33-year-old man who died in Telekava cemetery following an assault in Kolomotuʻa over the weekend.

A third teenager has been arrested today in relation to Sione Kasimea Lolohea ‘Oneʻone’s death.

‘One’one died after a brawl broke out on Saturday last week.

A homicide investigation was launched following his death and two teenagers were arrested yesterday and charged with manslaughter.

‘Ulise ‘Ofa Ki Neiafu , 18, and ‘Aloisio Lolohea, 19 were  charged with manslaughter and appeared at the Nuku’alofa Magistrate’s Court today.

All three were  remanded in custody to reappear in court.

Games costs could hit NZ$100 million mark and estimates do not include many items

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga will need to find up to NZ$73.6 million (TP$108,865,309.16) to fund the Pacific Games in 2019 according to a consultant’s report, but the real cost could be more than NZ$100 million (TP$149,084,163.30).

Consultants Beca International said their cost estimates were accurate within a range of minus 15% to plus 40%, which means they might be slightly less, but could be nearly half as much again.

They estimate the Games could cost up to NZ$73.6 million, but a 40% variation would bring the cost to just over NZ$100 million.

And the estimate does not include a range of  other requirements.

According to the Beca report no allowances have been made for facilities such as seating and marquee type shading, or specialist equipment such as electronic clocks, scoreboards or PA systems.

These are expected to be borrowed, or leased for the Games and Beca has suggested that Tonga’s Games committee liaise with its counterparts running the 2016 Brisbane Games to see what portable facilities might be available.

“We recommend that wherever possible facilities required specifically for the Games only such as change rooms, toilets, spectator seating, administration and officials should utilise temporary and relocatable buildings that can be gifted or sold to other organisations after the Games,” the report said.

According to the report no allowances have been made for statutory consent approvals and dedicated costs and fees.

All facilities used in the Games have to meet international standards, particularly those of the International Rugby Board and the International Amateur Athletics association. The main expenditure items are work on the Tonga High School, the rugby sports field and a new golf course.

Work on the Tonga High school site is estimated to cost NZ$30.32 million, broken down as follows:

  • Indoor Sports Hall $26.85M
  • New administration, change and toilet building $1.94M
  • Sand carpet Rugby / League field $0.47M
  • Hockey / Netball / Tennis courts $0.51M
  • Artificial Bowls rink $0.35M
  • General landscaping, paving etc $0.2M

According to the report, NZ$13.67 million will need to be spent on the Teufaiva National Stadium. The estimated costs are:

  • Sports field (Rugby / League) $2.5M
  • Athletics track $2.6M
  • Flood lights $2.4M
  • Road parking, paving and general site works and fencing $0.64M
  • Replace roofing $0.61M
  • Refurbish and extend change rooms, officials’ offices, VIP area, entrance for players and VIPs and general upgrade of Stadium $2.3M
  • Upgrade water supply and wastewater treatment system $2.4M
  • Turf maintenance equipment (to also service other venues) $0.22M

The other major cost item is the tennis court at Sia’atoutai Theological College which will need to be redeveloped to a par 72 facility with clubrooms. Costs are estimated at being between NZ$6.5 and 8.7 million.

The consultants have warned that timing is critical if the Games are to be delivered successfully.

“While 2019 appears to be a long period within which to prepare for the Games there are several activities and key infrastructure and facility developments that are already time critical,” the report says.

Key requirements for successful delivery of the Games will include making sure there is enough money to meet the kingdom’s commitments, ensuring the golf course and other sites are secured and that targets for design, procurement of services and building are met.

Playing surfaces will need to be maintained before the Games.

Police Compound key

The key to the 2019 Pacific Games will be the development of the Police Compound site, according to the Beca report.

Beca International said while Tongatapu did not have all of the facilities required it already had many venues that were suitable.

In most cases these met the standards of the Games Charter.

Of the 26 sports expected to feature, 19 were located in what the report termed the Nuku’alofa Cluster.

“Key to the success of the Nuku’alofa cluster is the Police Compound site which is able to accommodate two Rugby / Ruby League fields,” the report said.

“Along with a further Rugby / Rugby League field on the Tonga High School site, this will allow all games to be played either on these new grounds, or in the case of medal games in the Teufaiva National Stadium.”

The report said that most of the venues were within walking distance of each other, which was appropriate given the idea of the 2019 competition being the “Walking Games.”

The main points

  • The Tongan government will need to find up to NZ$73.6 million to fund the Pacific Games in 2019 according to a consultant’s report, but the real cost could be more than NZ$100 million.
  • Consultants Beca International said their cost estimates were accurate within a range of minus 15% to plus 40%, which means they might be slightly less, but could be nearly half as much again.
  • They estimate the Games could cost up to NZ$73.6 million, but a 40% variation would bring the cost to just over NZ$100 million.
  • However, according to the Beca report no allowances have been made for facilities such as seating and marquee type shading, or specialist equipment such as electronic clocks, scoreboards or PA systems.

Two students study economics and business through Japanese MEXT

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Two students from Tonga have left  the kingdom yesterday to study in Japan through the Asian country’s Monbukagakusho: Mext Scholarship 2016.

Mele Felisita Mavis Taumoepeau, 32, will attend the Yokohama National University in Kanagawa Prefecture for two years and six months to study a Master of Economics.

She was graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of the South Pacific in Suva Fiji, and worked at the Statistics Department of the Government of Tonga.

‘Alisi Tangi ‘a e Manu mei Vailahi Uhi, 17, was enrolled as a specialized training college students at the Bunka Institute of Language in Tokyo.

This opened an opportunity for her  to study a Business Japanese Interpreting Course.

Ms. ‘Alisi was a Form 7 students of Tonga High School.

Both students will study Japanese language as part of their courses.

Valerie Adams is now Valerie Price

By
Kaniva Staff
-

New Zealand’s Tongan-born shotput queen Valerie Adams has tied the knot with her long-time friend Gabriel Price  in a small Mormon ceremony at Temple View in Hamilton.

The Prices are both 31-years-old and they  became friends during their childhood through their parents. They started dating in 2014.

Valerie, a four-time world champion shot-putter announced her engagement to Gabriel via Twitter with a photo of a diamond engagement ring in January.

After  the Hamilton ceremony  on Sunday the couple were later joined by family and friends at the SkyCity in Auckland, where they exchanged rings and celebrated with dining and dancing.

Val was scheduled to return to training yesterday and also she will be joint by Gabriel in Brazil in August in the Rio Olympic Games.

World Rugby and TRU meet to resolve “administrative” issues before funding released  

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The World Rugby said it could release its funding for Tonga for 2016 once they agreed on how the Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) is going to deal with a number of “administrative” and “governance” issues they both accepted.

In an email to Kaniva News the General Manager, Asia & Oceania Rugby, William Glenwright said “we have not yet agreed the 2016 Development and High Performance Investments to the Union”.

It was understood the World Rugby and TRU representatives are meeting in Nuku’alofa today.

Glenwright said:  “the World Rugby is absolutely committed to the growth of rugby in Tonga and the purpose of our meetings  is to agree on a process to address these concerns”.

“We are confident that after the meetings [this] week we will be in a position to finalise our 2016 Development and High Performance investments to the TRU,” Glenwright said.

His comment comes after it has been revealed TRU was heavily mired in debts and it could not pay its office staff and national rugby players who participated in the Pacific Challenge Cup last month.

The situation led to an infighting between Feʻao Vunipola the current interim chair of TRU and the former management CEO Fuka Kitekeiʻaho and former president, ʻEpeli Taione.

Taione and Kitekeiʻaho accused Vunipola for not being transparent and accountable enough to World Rugby because it is the body that funded the development and high performance side of the rugby in Tonga.

They claimed this was the main reason behind the hold of the rugby funding.

Vunipola disagreed and claimed the World Rugby did not release its funding for 2016 because TRU owed Carinat Sport Marketing TP$300,000/NZ$201,000, Mt Smart Stadium in New Zealand NZ$44,000/TP$65,000 and Finau Maka  €250,000.00/TP$620,000/NZ$416,000.

He claimed Taione and Kitekei’aho were responsible for these debts although the duo claimed they had plan in place for these arrears to be paid off by last month but they had left the union and did not have the opportunity to put that plan into action.

Taione and Kitekei’aho claimed the failure of the TRU to consult the World Rugby about the expiry of  the contracts of former High Performance Manager Peter Harding and former ‘Ikale Tahi head coach Mana ‘Otai was the main reason behind the hold of the funding.

Although Vunipola reportedly denied this  Genwright clarified the situation in an interview with  Fairfax Media last week and said:

“If they have chosen not to continue with the contracts of those staff then we want to understand why because we fund those positions in full.”

Vunipola said the government of Tonga has indicated it would help TRU whereever it can do to pay off its debts.

READ MORE

Tongan athletes dumped at the airport Deputy Prime Minister steps in

“Best paid ever” ‘Ikale Tahi failed to perform as expected, rugby boss says after three losses

Vunipola hits back after former interim CEO claims voting was unconstitutional

Telekava suspicious death now ruled homicide

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tongan police said today that a suspicious death in Telekava on Saturday 2 is now a homicide, and charges have been laid

A 33-year-old man was allegedly killed  in a drunken brawl after he was attacked with what Police described as a brick.

Two teenagers, aged 18 and 19 have been arrested and charged in relation to the man’s death.

On Sunday before the Kaniva News reported the incident as suspicious death, the Nuku’alofa Police Superintendent Tevita Fifita  said it was believed the victim was drinking with friends before the fight broke out. 

READ MORE:

Tongan police investigate suspicious death

Success saving Tonga’s rarest bird

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga’s most endangered species of bird and plants could have been saved from extinction thanks to a project funded by the government and other overseas donors.

The hengehenga also known as Tongan whistler used to live in Vavaʻu Islands but their numbers were recently  down and at risk of extinction.

The decline was attributed to the existence of rats because they prey on the hengehengas’ chicks.

A multi-funded project led by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with the Government of Tonga help control the growth of rats and the threats they pose on the endangered birds.

A statement from SPREP said: “the ongoing control of rats on Mt. Talau has led to an increase in the number of Tongan whistler, Polynesian triller and Polynesian starling.

“Rats heavily impact the survival and productivity of the Tongan whistler because the birds build an open bowl nest that is easily accessed by rats”.

Mt. Talau’s rare endemic plant Casearia buelowii, has also been “protected from pigs over the past year with the construction of a pig-proof fence”.

Mr. Viliami Hakoumotu GEFPAS IAS Coordinator for Tonga said:  “It is great to see that we are able to utilise techniques from New Zealand successfully in Vava’u to protect our rare birds and plants which are under threat from invasive species. This species of Tongan whistler is not found outside of the Vava’u Islands and the Casearia buelowii has such a beautiful flower but is only found on this one mountain.”

“Whilst the first opportunities to manage invasive species are prevention through biosecurity followed by eradication, or complete removal of a species from an island these options are not always realistic,” said Mr David Moverley, SPREP’s Invasive Species Advisor.

“Many invasive species are already widespread in the Pacific and impacting on our biodiversity, including our protected natural areas. When this is the case there are still options to protect these species and ecosystems with a site-led or asset based approach such as the project on Mt. Talau,” added Mr Moverley.

The work to eradicate rats on the island of Vava’u was funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and the implementing agency was the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Tropical cyclone warning issued for Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A tropical cyclone warning has been issued for Tonga.

The Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre said at 2.30pm today Monday 4 a gale alert is now in force for Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

A strong wind warning is now in force for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua, it said.

A heavy damaging swells is now in force for Vavau, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua coastal waters.

A heavy rain warning is now in force for Tongatapu,’Eua, Ha’apai and Vava’u

Situation:

Tropical depression 15f was located near 19.4south and 176.8. east or about 890km west-northwest of Nuku’alofa at 10:00am this morning. the system is moving southeast at about 26km/hr(14knots).

On its current track, the system is expected to lie about 550km northwest of Nuku’alofa or 570km west of Nomuka at about midnight tonight.

Near its centre, the system is estimated to have an average winds speed of  37-46km/hr(20-25knots) and probably increasing to tropical cyclone strength  65-74km/h(35-40) knots) in the next 18-24 hours.

For Vavau, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua:

Expect east to northeast strong force winds with average speed of 46-56km/hr(25-30knots) from tonight probably increasing to 65-74km/h(35-40 knots) in the next 18-24hrs.

Periods of rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms.

Rough seas becoming very rough to high seas tomorrow.

A heavy damaging swells developing tomorrow and possible flash flooding, including seas flooding in low lying areas.

For Niuas:

East to northeast winds 10-15 knots. Occasional showers, heavy at times.

Slight to moderate seas.

Tide predictions:

High tide : 04:40pm

Low  tide : 11:00pm

The mean sea level pressure recorded at Fu’aamotu airport at 2:00pm was 1011.6 millibars and the relative humidity was 77%.

Obituary: Orator who joked with the king is  laid to rest

By
Kalino Latu
-

At a time when it was strictly taboo in Tongan culture for commoners to personally address the king in public Viliami Pousima Afeaki was different.

At an inter-collegiate sport competition in 1990s held at the Teufaiva Park Viliami was the master of ceremonies (MC).

His oratorical skills keep spectators listening to him while they watched the various competitions.

Some people climbed the trees outside the Teufaiva stadium so they could watch the competitions.

Unfortunately, the branch of a mango tree in which some of them were sitting suddenly broke and the people fell to the ground.

Viliami, who was in the stadium building with spectators and the king, could clearly see these people falling.

Viliami then humorously addressed the king about the incident and said: “Your Majesty, there is another competition out there on the eastern side outside Teufaiva, but those competitors were competing to see who could first touch the ground.”

His jest was received with a smile from the king and a laughter from the spectators.

But why did Viliami risk making a joke with the king in public?

One of the answers could be because of his very close ties to the monarchy.

The name Afeaki is a royal title and means the king’s herald. Viliami’s father, the late Soakimi Pousima Afeaki, a lawyer and Member of Parliament for Ha’apai, was appointed to the position.

Afeaki is one of the Fale Ha’akili, the only ha’a (group of heralds) who are allowed to mix and mingle with the king. They can talk to the king in the commoner’s language and even eat together and joke with the king.

Apart from being a Member of the Tongan Parliament for six years, Viliami was a high school teacher, a broadcaster and an orator.

In July 1996 to June 2004 Viliami became the Director of Utah State Office of Polynesian affairs (Utah State Governors office of Ethnic Affairs).

In July 2004 until June 2007 he was appointed by the George Bush adminstration to the post of Commissioner Presidential Advisory Commission for Asian Americans &Pacific Islanders (White House Appointment – Washington DC).

In 2007 the government of Tonga appointed him as an adviser on Reconciliation and Civic Education.

It was during this time that Tonga’s Public Service Act was amended to require public servants who wanted to contest elections to resign before registering as candidates.

He told the media the amendment was made after the government considered there was a conflict of interest if public servants remained as paid government officers while running for Parliament.

Viliami was known to many for his brilliant command of English and Tongan, an aptitude clearly shown when he was regularly assigned to become an MC and translator at many national, public and church events.

His oratorical talent and skills were a significant credit to the Afeaki clans as whenever people showed their approval and admiration when Viliami addressed the public, their remarks linked him with his father, his service to the nation in politics and also the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of which he was a member.

Viliami was originally a Catholic, but became a Mormon after he divorced his first wife. This was a legal dissolution not accepted by the Catholic church.

Viliami is survived by his wife Henrietta Suliana and eight children.

He had two daughters from his previous marriage, Victorina Kioa and Emily Afeaki.

He also had a son, Stanley Havea, before he married Suliana, with whom he had five children: Telesia Tonga, William Pousima Afeaki, Nikolasi Afeaki, Finau Afeaki and Kitekei’aho Afeaki.

Viliami was the seventh of 11 children of the late Soakimi Pousima Afeaki and Lisia Fatongiahe’a Vea Afeaki.

It is understood he and nine of his siblings were qualified in different fields of education from various universities.

Viliami, 65,  was born on May 26, 1950 and died of heart complications on March 22, 2016 while in hospital.

He was buried on April 1 at the Salt Lake City Cemetery in Utah, United States.

The main points

  • At a time when it was strictly taboo in Tongan culture for commoners to personally address the king in public Viliami Pousima Afeaki was different.
  • He famously joked with the king at an inter-collegiate sport competition in 1990s when spectators sitting in a tree outside Teufaiva Park Viliami fell off the branch.
  • Viliami, who died aged 65 on March 22, was a Member of Parliament for six years, a high school teacher, broadcaster and orator.
  • He was known to many for his brilliant command of English and Tongan and was regularly assigned to become an MC and translator at many national, public and church events.

Fiji Airways new flight to Vavaʻu lands at Lupepauʻu International Airport

By
Alpha Latu
-

Fiji Airways’ inaugural service from Nadi to Lupepauʻu International Airport has landed in Vava’u at 10:25 am yesterday Saturday 2 starting a two-times a week, year-round service between Nadi and Vavaʻu.

In February the airline announced it would soon fly direct from Fiji to Vava’u.

However it later announced it has added Nukuʻalofa to its Vava’u’s flightpath after it considered the low record of passengers travelling to the islands at this time of the year.

Hundreds turned up to the aiirport to welcome the arrival of the aircraft yesterday.

The Chairman of the Tonga Tourism Authority Tomifa Paea has described the new air service as “a long overdue dreams for the Vava’u Tourism”.

Paea said the “original plan was to operate Nadi/Vava’u/Nadi, but Fiji Airways knowing the low loading capacity for April and May decided to reroute the flight Nadi/Vava’u/Nuku’alofa/Nadi”.

He said the current route  will be reviewed “later in June when the tourism seasons start”.

“Both Lupepau’u and Fuamotu airport will be financially benefits from transit fees, departure fees, landing fees etc.. and reflect how important this new flight service especially Lupepau’u International Airport and earn more revenues to sustain its operations”, Paea said.

FijiA

Paea said the arrival of the new  Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200 with 312 passenger seats at Fuʻamotu International Airport last week meant there is need to expand the domestic flight services so they could meet the needs to fly these passangers to the outer islands.

Paea welcomed the rerouting of the flightpath by the Fiji airline saying “this will attract the tourists with more options on booking their trip to enter from Fuamotu to Vava’u and onward or enter from Nadi/Vava’u to Fuamotu and onward internationally”.

Tomi1

“With the ongoing planning from Tonga Tourism Authority wanting to bring new airline International flight into Fuamotu and extend the services from Lupepau’u to Samoa  this automatically will bring future demand for more seats on our domestic flight.

“As being the Chairman of Tonga Tourism Authority our Domestic Airline is very important for the overall growth of Tourism in Tonga and should be look into ways to help build their capacity for the future”.

The ceremony was attended by Tonga’s Minister of Public Enterprise, Hon Poasi Tei.

A tom

1...796797798...951Page 797 of 951