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Cyclone Ula intensifies as warning remains in force for Tonga, strong wind alert for Niuafo’ou

By
Kaniva Staff
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The tropical cyclone warning for Niuatoputapu and Vavaʻu now includes Haʻapai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua while a strong wind alert is in force for Niuafoʻou, says the Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre at 7.00am Friday 1, 2016 on its cyclone advisory number three.

Tropical Cyclone Ula is now upgraded to category two and it has an estimated wind of 115km/hr near its centre and is currently moving West/Southwest at a speed of 15km/hr.

On its current track, Cyclone Ula is expected to lie very close to Vavaʻu around midnight tonight.

A storm warning is now inforce for Vavaʻu.

A gale  warning is now inforce for Niuatoputapu, Haʻapai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

A strong wind warning remains inforce for Niuafoʻou.

Situation:

Tropical Cyclone Ula was located 15 decimal 9 South, 169 decimal 6 West or 450km East of Niuatoputpau or 560km East-Northeast of Vavaʻu at 04:00am this morning.

For Vavaʻu:

East to South East winds 75-80km/hr, increasing to 95-100km/hr in the next 18 to 24 hours.

Cloudy with occasional showers, gradually becoming overcast with rain heavy at times with possible isolated thunderstorms. High to very high seas.a heavy East to Southeast swell.

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

East to Southeast winds 65-70km/hr, increasing to 75-80km/hr in the next 18 to 24 hours.

Mostly cloudy with scattered showers possible heavy at times. Very rough to high seas. A moderate to heavy East to Southeast swell.

For Niuafo’ou:

East winds 45km/hr-55km/hr, increasing to 65-70km/hr in the next 18 to 24 hours.

Mostly cloudy with scattered showers possible heavy at times. Rough to very rough seas. A moderate to heavy east to Southeast swell.

Tide predictions:

High tide : 12:45pm

Low  tide : 07:00pm

The mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua’amotu at 07:30am was 1008.2 Millibars and the relative humidity was 85% the next tropical cyclone advisory for tonga will be issued at 10:00am this morning.

Tropical cyclone warning for Niuatoputapu and Vavaʻu

By
Kaniva Staff
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UPDATED: A Tropical Cyclone warning is now in force for Niuatoputapu and Vavaʻu, Fua’amotu Weather Forecasting Centre reported on its tropical advisory number one at 3pm today December 31.

It said Category One  Tropical Cylone Ula was located about 570km East of Niuatoputapu or 670km North East of Vava’u at 12:00pm this afternoon.

Tropical Cylone Ula has estimated winds of 80km/hr  near its centre and is currently moving South-South West at 25km/hr.

Cyclone Ula  developed on Wednesday night and has caused stormy weather around Kiribati, Tokelau and Tuvalu throughout the week.

For Vava’u and Niuatoputapu: Moderate to fresh East to South East winds, becoming strong and gusty in the next 24 to 48 hours .

Cloudy with occassional showers, gradually becoming overcast with rain heavy at times.

Rough seas. A moderate East to South East swell.

For the rest of Tonga:Moderate to fresh East to South East winds, fresh and gusty at times.cloudy with scattered showers.

Rough seas. A moderate East to South East swell.

Predictions: High tide : 12:00pm, Low  tide : 06:10pm

The mean sea level pressure recorded at fua’amotu at 3:00pm was 1006.9 millibars and the relative humidity was 79%.

The next tropical cyclone advisory for Tonga will be issued at 09:00pm this evening or earlier.

Vaiola authority responded after open hole revealed on Kaniva News

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akauʻola told Kaniva News this morning he will “act…as soon as possible” after he received a photo and contact from us seeking his comments on an open hole at the hospital that caused public concerns.

Dr ‘Akauʻola believed the opening gap was related to “a drain that has missed its cover”.

“Thank you for forwarding this picture. It looks frightening!” he said.

“I will act on this ASAP”, he added.

The open hole was located at a road in Vaiola Hospital in which one of the locals said it poses danger to public safety  and  those who regularly visited the largest hospital in Tonga.

Hole

When the photos were taken yesteday the hole was not cordoned off and there were no traffic cones or warning signs around it to warn public before anyone could become a victim of the dangerous open gap.

The size of the hole was not known but Mapa Taumālolo who took photos of it said those responsible were “careless” and the hole was “dangerous” for children who regularly at the area.

READ MORE

Risky open hole at Vaiola hospital causes public concerns

Kaihea and Hola arrested over Sacramento September shooting

By
Kaniva Staff
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Two people have been arrested in California in connection to the search for suspects accused of shooting at Sacramento City College in September.

Charlie Hola, 19, and Tevita Kaihea, 19, are facing murder charges for the shooting at the community college that killed one person, Sacramento Police reported today December 29.

Shortly after the incident three months ago Sacramento Police tweeted they were searching for a sole suspect, whom they identified as a “male Tongan, white shirt/beige cargo shorts, last seen fleeing (on) foot from the shooting.”

The duo  were also charged on attempted murder, discharge of a firearm with great bodily injury, participating in a criminal street gang and motor vehicle theft.

They were scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 31.

Risky open hole at Vaiola hospital causes public concerns

By
Kaniva Staff
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This hole is extremely dangerous because many parents and their children as well as motorists used the road where it is located to reach the mortuary. Photo/Mapa Taumālolo

An open hole at a road in Vaiola Hospital poses dangerous risk for children and people who regularly visited Tonga’s largest hospital, a concerned Tongan says.

The hole was not cordoned off and there were no traffic cones or warning signs around it to warn public before anyone could become a victim of the dangerous open gap.

The hole was located near the hospital’s mortuary where hundreds visited from time to time to attend failotu (prayer sevice) for their deceased.

Mapa Taumālolo who took photos of the hole this evening Monday 28 said he feared for the safety of children of parents who visited the mortuary.

He said the authority had been “careless” as children parents have brought with them to the mortuary were playing around the area.

“I am concerned otherwise a child would not become aware of the hole and plunges into it”, Taumālolo said in Tongan.

He said he tried to look for something around the area so he could use it to cover the hole but he could not find any and at the same time he was in a hurry to take his family back home.

Taumālolo  also took to Facebook and called on members of the public who could be able to get in touch with hospital authority to let them know about the hole and the risk it has for the public.

Hospital authority was contacted for comments.

Former government senior officials and civil servants face arrests over Tongan passport scandal

By
Kaniva Staff
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Senior officials and civil servants from former governments will be arrested and charged amid Police investigation over Tonga’s decades-long passport scandal.

The revelation was made by Tonga’s Prime Minister Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva on Television Tonga while he addressed the nation with the annual Christmas message last week.

Hon Pohiva said His Majesty King Tupou VI agreed to begin an investigation over the passport scandal while the former government was in power but it refused to do it.

In April this year His Majesty assented to a move by Pohiva’s government to establish a Royal Commission to investigate the Tongan passport scandal.

Hon Pohiva did not give any details or mentioned names of any particular individuals who Police were investigating.

READ MORE:

The Prime Minister also said the work to reclaim Chinese US$25 million grant to Tonga in which the former government transferred to Princess Pilolevu and her Tongasat company was currently pursued in court.

He said he was the one who first filed the lawsuit against the Princess and Tongansat in his attempts to return the money but when he became Tonga’s Prime Minister he was advised to withdraw his name from the legal action because of his role for the government.

Hon Pohiva said the case was now being pursued in court by Mateni Tapueluelu and Tonga’s Public Servants Association.

Man wanted in relation to Onehunga aggravated robbery

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police are appealing for help to find an Onehunga man in connection with an aggravated robbery incident that occurred on December 2 in Onehunga.

29 year-old John Fisiitali is likely to be carrying a weapon and members of the public were advised not to approach him.

Anyone who knows where he is or how to locate him should contact Detective Constable Jeffrey Brown on 021 191 3023 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Women advised to go to pubs and parties with trusted friends amid Police drink spiking warning

By
Kalino Latu
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Female pub goers have been advised to take trusted friends with them when they go to pubs so that they can watch each other’s drinks.

The warning came after New Zealand Police said they had received report of two incidents of drink spiking this week.

Two women drank only small amounts of alcohol, but both suffered spiked drink side-effects, like dizziness, memory loss and numbness. One of them was violently ill the next day, Police said.

Makalita Kolo, a Tongan staff at Mangere Electorate Office, said women should go with friends they trusted to pubs and parties so they could look out for each other’s drinks, especially when some of them were on dance floor or away from where their own drinks are.

“Don’t accept drinks offered by people you don’t know,” Kolo said.

“Be vigilant and be safe this Christmas.”

Detective Sergeant Gary Milligan of Palmerston North police warned the city’s party goers to keep an eye out for drink tampering over the New Year’s Eve festive season.

He urged people to buy their own drinks, be wary of accepting beverages from strangers and watch their drinks being poured at the bar.

“If your drink looks cloudy, changes in colour or doesn’t taste right, then don’t drink it,” he said.

Another Police spokesman said it only took a minute or a second to drop in an aspirin-sized pill, some powder or a few drops of liquid into a drink.

“If you are in a noisy pub or club or at a party you probably wouldn’t notice, especially if you have been drinking,” the spokesman said.

“The effects of these drugs can start in 10 to 20 minutes – you could feel dizzy, sleepy, uninhibited, relaxed and open to suggestion.

This is when you can be at risk of rape and sexual assault. Later, as the effects peak, you might be unconscious and not able to defend yourself or even remember what happened.”

The main points

  • Female pub goers have been advised to take trusted friends with them when they go to pubs so that they can watch each other’s drinks.
  • The warning came after New Zealand Police said they had received reports of two incidents of drink spiking this week.
  • Makalita Kolo, a Tongan staff at Mangere Electorate Office, said women should not accept drinks from people they didn’t know.
  • “Be vigilant and be safe this Christmas,” Kolo said.

Tonga’s Rugby interim CEO’s job terminated after failed interview

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Rugby Union board has terminated its contract with its interim CEO Talanoa Fuka Kitekei’aho.

The post is occupied for the moment by former ‘Ikale Tahi captain and interim President Fe’ao Vunipola, who is acting as executive chairman while the Board advertises the post for a second time.

Tonga Rugby Union Board member ‘Āminiasi Kefu said Kitekei’aho had failed to prove to an interview panel last Friday that he possessed the expertise and skills the panel was looking for.

The panelists included former ‘Ikale Tahi and business owner Pēseti Maʻafu, Tonga’s former Attorney General and Minister of Law, ʻĀlisi Taumoepeau, businessman John Paul Chapman, Tonga’s Acting Attorney General, ʻĀminiasi Kefu, Bruce Cook from Rugby World Cup and Vunipola.

Kefu told Kaniva News the post was advertised in the middle of the year, but the interview was postponed after a

Outgoing CEO Fuka Talanoa Kitekei'aho
Outgoing CEO Talanoa Fuka Kitekei’aho

request from outgoing President ‘Epeli Taione to leave it until after this year’s Rugby World Cup tournament.

When the interview was conducted on December 16, Kitekei’aho was the only applicant left on the list after the other applicants withdrew, Kefu said.

The panel submitted a report on its findings to the Board on December 18 saying Kitekei’aho did not possess the general competence they were looking for in somebody who was going to fill the role of CEO for the Rugby Union, Kefu said.

The board unanimously approved the panel’s report, Kefu said.

Kitekei’aho was given a one-month payment in advance after his post was officially terminated according to Kefu.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Rugby Union board has terminated its contract with its Interim CEO Fuka Talanoa Kitekei’aho.
  • The post is occupied for the moment by former ‘Ikale Tahi captain and Interim President Fe’ao Vunipola while the Board advertises the post for a second time.
  • Tonga Rugby Union Board member ‘Aminiasi Kefu said Kitekei’aho had failed to prove to an interview panel last Friday that he possessed the expertise and skills the panel was looking for.
  • Kefu told Kaniva News the post was advertised in the middle of the year, but the interview was postponed after a request from outgoing President ‘Epeli Taione to leave it until after the Rugby World Cup.

For more information

Long wait for new Tonga Rugby CEO ‘frustrating’ (RNZI)

By-election for Tongatapu 4 goes ahead despite Tapueluelu appealing court decision, AG says

By
Kalino Latu
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Disqualified MP Mateni Tapueluelu

The by-election for Tongatapu 4 electorate will go ahead despite an appeal by disqualified MP Mateni Tapueluelu.

Tapueluelu was found by Chief Justice Owen Paulsen to have breached Clause 65 of the Tongan Constitution because he registered himself to run for Parliament while he had an outstanding court debt.

Tonga’s Acting Attorney General, ‘Aminiasi Kefu, told Kaniva News this morning (December 22) he received Tapueluelu’s appeal of the judicial decision against him yesterday afternoon. It was registered at the Supreme Court’s Registry Office on Friday 18, six days after Mr Justice Paulsen issued his findings.

However, Kefu said the registration and submission of the appeal at Supreme Court last week could not stop the Speaker of the House from declaring Tapueluelu’s disqualification as an MP and applying for the processing of a by-election to elect a successor.

“Section 6 of the Legislative Assembly Act stipulates that a by-election must be processed [once a member was disqualified] and there is no part of that section that says section 6 must be suspended if there is an appeal,” Kefu said in Tongan.

Kefu said Tapueluelu has already been stripped of his salary and other entitlements he received as an MP.

He said Tapueluelu could only continue to obtain his salary and Parliamentary entitlements if the Court of Appeal ordered a stay of execution of the Supreme Court decision.

The Acting AG said Tapueluelu submitted his appeal together with an application to stay the execution of the judicial decision declaring his election was unconstitutional.

Kefu said the only time the effect of Section 6 of the Legislative Acts could be deferred was when the Court of Appeal ordered a stay of execution. This was the only decision that could stop the Speaker of Parliament and Election Commissioner from beginning the process of holding a by-election.

Kefu said there were two Court of Appeal sessions each year. The next session will be in March 29, 2016. Thatʻs when Tapuelueluʻs appeal will be heard.

Tapueluelu however can apply for stay of execution in January next year and such application could be brought before the Lord Chief Justice, Kefu said.

He said a decision on Tapuelueluʻs appeal should be made before the Legislative Assembly resumed in May next year.

The Acting AG also said he advised the Parliament’s Chief Clerk to hold processing of the by-election until any decisions on Tapueluelu’s appeal was heard. But he said it was entirely up to the Chief Clerk and Speaker of the House to make their final decision on it.

The Chief Clerk of Tonga’s Legislative Assembly did not respond to our request for comment.

The main points

  • The by-election for Tongatapu 4 electorate will go ahead despite an appeal by disqualified MP Mateni Tapueluelu.
  • Tapueluelu was found by Chief Justice Owen Paulsen to have breached Clause 65 of the Tongan Constitution because he registered himself to run for Parliament while he had an outstanding court debt.
  • Tonga’s Acting Attorney General, ‘Aminiasi Kefu, told Kaniva News this morning (December 22) he received Tapueluelu’s appeal of the judicial decision against him yesterday afternoon.
  • However, Kefu said the registration and submission of the appeal at Supreme Court last week could not stop the Speaker of the House from declaring Tapueluelu’s disqualification as an MP and applying for the processing of a by-election to elect a successor.
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