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Charity to mark a mother who lost to cancer

By
Kalino Latu
-

A charity in memory of ‘Akanete Lotomo’ua Ahio, a 44-year-old mother who promised she would work as a volunteer for the Cancer Foundation if she survived her own illness, was launched last week.

Her eldest daughter, Latu Kalasini Laurinda ‘Ahio, told diners at her father’s Manukau Catering Event Centre in Auckland: “Tonight was my dad's idea and launching [Lotomo’ua’s] charity foundation will definitely make her dreams come true.”

“Her annual charity foundation will take place in remembrance of my mum and so her legacy will live forever.”  

‘Akanete’s husband, Soane ‘Ahio said 50 percent of the funds raised at the launch of the charity would go to the Viola Maka Appeal.

The Appeal is raising funds in Australia to pay for Tongan woman Viola Maka’s cardiac surgery in Queensland.

In her speech, Laurinda said: “Many of you here may have lost a loved one in your lives.”

“Losing someone close to you is the most devastating thing to go through in life. I truly believe that no child should ever go through the pain of losing their mother, especially at a young age.

“Growing up without a mum you struggle to keep yourself together and feel like your world has come down.

“Losing someone who gave me life and who I expected to be there for me and my siblings till our old age is the worst feeling any kid could feel. A year on and we're pushing through.

“Many of you here may have known my mother as a friend, a colleague and family,” Laurinda said.

“She was kind, strong willed, warm hearted, humble and a person with strong faith. She respected herself and others around her, valued her cultural traditions and religious beliefs.

“My mum’s last wish for me was to be obedient and responsible and to have a huge 21st. She was the type of person everyone loved. She was ideal in my eyes.”

Laurinda said her mother told her father that if she ever recovered she would work as a volunteer for the Cancer Foundation.

Lotomo’ua is survived by her husband Soane Kelemte Ahio who owns the Catering Professionals Ltd, and their three children.

The main points

  • A charity in memory of a 44-year-old mother who promised she would work as a volunteer for the Cancer Foundation if she survived her own illness, was launched last week.
  • ‘Akanete Lotomo’ua Ahio’s family held an event in Manukau to raise money in her memory.
  • Her eldest daughter, Latu Kalasini Laurinda ‘Ahio, described her mother as kind, strong-willed, warm hearted, humble and a person with strong faith.
  • Half the money raised at the launch of the charity will go the Viola Maka Appeal.

Lotomo'ua and kids

Daughter Latu Kalasini Laurinda ‘Ahio (Left), Akanete Lotomo'ua 'Ahio (middle)

All Blacks will come to Samoa next year

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

The fight by the Samoan authorities to convince the NZRU that it was about time for the All Blacks to play in their soil has been over. The All Blacks will play Samoa for the first time in Apia next year as both nations embark on their World Cup preparations, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Sua William Sio, Labour MP for Mangere told Kaniva News, “The All Blacks is finally firming up details in a historic move that will see the ABs play with Manu Samoa team in Samoa for the very first time. It will be a historic game when it takes place in June or July next year.

“The decision sends a clear and good message that the NZ rugby union recognise they have a moral obligation to send the ABs to play in the Pacific.

This will mean so much to the thousands of school students and young boys in Samoa and the Pacific generally who all worship the ABs and dream of playing for the ABs someday.

“ Its a fantastic outcome for all who have worked tirelessly to encourage the NZ rugby team to do the right thing for the Pacific fan base”.

Tonga seeks ownership of Fiji’s Lau group

By
Kalino Latu
-

Kiliki: heni ke ke lau i he lea faka-Tonga

Lord Ma’afu, Tonga’s Minister of Lands and Survey, wants the Lau group to be given to Tonga in exchange for the Minerva reef.

Lord Ma’afu is a descendant of Tongan high chief and warlord, ‘Enele Ma’afu, who conquered the islands in about 1860. He eventually declared himself Tu’i Lau or King of Lau.

The Minister said his proposal might be a peaceful solution to a dispute that has been simmering for more than 40 years.

Tonga declared Minerva part of its territory in 1972, but in November 2005 Fiji complained to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) claiming Minerva was part of its territory. The claim was countered by Tonga without the ISA reaching any conclusion and arguments between the two countries have continued. 

In November 2009 an RNZAF Orion was seen flying over the reefs after Fiji patrol boats chased away yachts.

The row between the two countries reached such a point in 2010 that Fijian navy vessels destroyed navigation lights on the reefs.

The Tongan government immediately dispatched its navy vessels to the area to re-erect the navigational beacon and publicly announced its claim over the disputed reefs.

In May 2011 the row between Tonga and Fiji resurfaced after Tongan navy vessels crossed Fijian waters to take Fijian Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara to Nuku’alofa.

Mara, from the chiefly line of Lau, had been charged with conspiracy to overthrow the then dictator Voreqe Bainimarama.

Lord Ma’afu Tukui’aulahi told Tonga Daily News that Fiji and Tonga had a long history of cultural and blood relationship.

“We are closely related and our history dates back a long, long time,” Lord Ma’afu said.

“So in good faith I will propose to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Fiji that they can have Minerva Reef and we get Lau in return.”

According to Dr Rev Mohenoa Puloka,  a lawyer in  international  seabed law, Tonga could make two possible sovereign claims on the Minerva Reefs.

These are an Exclusive Economic Zone and a Special Economic Zone.

An EEZ is a sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea over which states have special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind.

It stretches from the baseline out to 200 nautical miles from its coast. 

An SEZ is a geographical region that has economic and other laws that are more free-market-oriented than a country’s typical or national laws. Nationwide, laws may be suspended inside a special economic zone.

The concept of a Special Economic Zone covers a broad range of specific zone types.

These include Free Trade Zones (FTZ), Export Processing Zones (EPZ), Free Zones (FZ), Industrial Estates (IE), Free Ports and Urban Enterprise Zones among others. 

The Lau group  has a land area of 487 square km, three times larger than Vava’u group the second largest island group in Tonga. Lau has a population of 10,683, according to 2007 census.

Tonga and the Lau group

Lauans have had strong blood connections with Tonga since it was conquered by ‘Enele Ma’afu.

He eventually declared himself Tui Lau or King of Lau and his descendants settled in the Lau group. 

Ma’afu died on February 6, 1881 on the island of Vanuavatu, and was buried on the island of Lakeba in the chiefly village of Tubou in the Lau group.

The attempts by Epenisa Seru Cakobau (1815 – 1883), the self-proclaimed Tui Viti, to unify Fijian tribes under his rule eventually succeeded after Taufa’ahau, who became King George Taufa’ahau 1 of Tonga in 1875, helped him with a strong fleet of warriors from Tonga in 1855.

The battle was a major victory for Cakobau, thanks mainly to his Tongan allies, and cemented his leadership over Fiji.

It also, however, underlined his dependency on the military power of Tonga, especially since Ma’afu remained in Fiji.

The relationship between the Fijians and the Tongans was strengthened after Adi Litia Cakobau, granddaughter of  Cakobau, bore a son to Tonga’s king Tupou II.

He was named Etuate Tuivanuavou Tugi Cakobau and in Tonga he was called Tungi Fisi.

Ratu Etuate became Fiji’s Minister for Labour and head of the Fiji Infantry Regiment in the Second World War. He received the British order of Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KCBE)

His son, Ratu Viliame Dreunimisimisi (1937–2000), established the first distillery in the South Pacific and was Fiji’s former Minister for Tourism and Agriculture.

His second son, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, was president of Fiji in 2009 after he served as Speaker  of the House of Representatives – the lower and more powerful chamber of the Fijian Parliament.

Fiji’s long-time Prime Minister, Governor General and President, Late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, who is considered to be the founding father of modern Fiji, was Tui Lau.

Colonel Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara who is now living in Tonga is Kamisese Mara’s youngest son.

Ratu Edward Cakobau was Ratu Kamisese Mara’s uncle.

Mara’s daughter Adi Koila Nailatukau, is married to the military-appointed President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatukau, the grandson of King Tupou II of Tonga.

The main points

  • Tonga wants Fiji to agree to swap the Minerva Reef for the Lau Group.
  • Tonga claimed the reef in 1972 and the two countries have been arguing about ownership ever since, with both sides sending naval vessels to uphold their claims.
  • Now Tonga’s Minister of Lands and Survey, Lord Ma’afu, wants Fiji to agree to swap the islands for the reef as a way of ending the dispute.
  • Lord Ma’afu is a descendant of Tongan warlord ‘Enele Ma’afu, who conquered the islands in about 1860 and eventually declared himself Tu’i Lau.

For more information

‘Fiji, Tonga war over Minerva Reef’ (Scoop)

‘Tonga proposes land swap with Fiji’ (RNZI)

‘Give up Lau’ (Fiji Times)

The disputed Minerva Reef (Youtube)

'Full emergency' Air New Zealand bound for Tonga

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Passengers on board an Air New Zealand plane bound for Tonga that hit birds just before take off from Auckland today are full of praise for the pilots and crew on board.

Flight NZ970 encountered a bird strike in the early stages of take-off from Auckland Airport and pilots opted to halt the take-off as a precaution, Air New Zealand said.

Passenger Mary Haddock-Staniland said the pilots and crew of the Airbus A320 were "amazing" in keeping travellers informed about the incident, which occurred just after 8.30am.

"I was s*** scared," she said.

"As we were going to take off…I'm sure the front wheel was off the ground and then we just heard a noise from the right-hand side of the aircraft, which is where the bird went into the wing…read more

Tongan entrepreneurs – Paul Hala, Hala Hair

By
Kaniva Pacific
-
by Caitlin Sykes, the NZ Herald’s Your Business editor
Paul Hala is the founder and creative director of central Auckland salon Hala Hair.

Can you tell me a bit about your background?

I was born in Tonga, on the island of Vava’u – the youngest of eleven children, where my parents ran their own plantation. We moved to Auckland when I was eight because my parents wanted us to have as good an education and life as possible so saw that our future would be brighter in New Zealand.

In high school I discovered my ability in creative work and hairdressing was a natural choice for me. After school I was accepted to train at Cut Above Academy, which was at that time the top training school. I graduated in the upper part of my class and was offered employment with the Cut Above professional salon attached to the academy.

That was a fantastic first step, which helped me really develop my creative experience while working around and being inspired by some of the top hair stylists of that era.

After Cut Above I worked around Auckland for a few years to gain wider experience while I looked around for the opportunity to go it alone.

So how did you go about starting your own business?

In 2010 my partner and I found what we felt was the perfect location – an empty space on K Road in George Courts building. I felt I was ready for the next big challenge and had learned a lot about how I wanted it to look and work.

The timing was amazing – during the building phase I entered the L’Oreal Colour Trophy; it was a crazy time with the builders and electricians in one end of the new salon, and me working on the model for my entry in the competition in the back corner. I ended up with two great results: the salon really looked beautiful by the time it was finished and my trophy as the winner of the L’Oreal Colour Award looked great on the reception counter! Part of my prize was a media campaign run by a prominent PR company, which really helped us get started.

We had a Tongan blessing ceremony, which was a wonderful and proud evening for my parents and family, just before the grand opening party. The day after the party we were open for business.

Why did you want to go into business for yourself?

As I worked around the great mentors I had at Cut Above I realised I wanted to develop a unique brand and style that I could explore and build as my career progressed. There was also the personal challenge of going it alone and making a difference in my profession. I really wanted to control all aspects of the environment and the customer experience in a way that was unique to my culture and personality.

Taking on the risk and initiative of my own business would, I knew, make me grow a lot as a person. The people I have met who have done this have always been interesting and inspiring people who I admire for their determination, vision, and their preparedness to take one step at a time, to persevere and never lose sight of where they wanted to go.

What have been the challenges on the journey so far?

The biggest challenge has been attracting staff who are passionate about the quality of their work and who can understand my obsession with being the very best.

The most important aspect is to create really good working relationships with the right staff – great salons are only possible when run by great people who are enthusiastic, happy and highly competent.

Learning all of the details of business and financial management has been a big learning curve and so unlike the creative training I had been through. I realised the best thing was to leave that to someone who could do it better, so I leave the financial management to my partner and focus on what I do best.

Information systems are also critical. I have everything documented in a well-designed custom software package for salons. It seemed quite an expense initially but has been invaluable to our success.

What do you think could be done to encourage more Pacific people to set up their own businesses?

Carefully designed and culturally sensitive microfinance, with close relationship-based banking, is one important step for Pacific people setting up businesses. Many people with good ideas don’t succeed because of the financial hurdles and inexperience with money matters in business.

Pacific culture is about strong community, so I think structured support for groups of Pacific people setting up their individual small businesses is important. Business incubators are common in some industries now, but I see this idea working very well by setting up mentored communities of Pacific small business owners sharing knowledge and supporting each other with their experiences and successes.

What advice would you have for other Pacific people looking to start a business?

• Above all, believe in yourself and your capability. Be very proud of your unique style and culture.
• Look around for the people whose success you admire and get alongside those people to learn how they have achieved their results.
• Ask, learn and study all the aspects of business you will need so you know as much as possible before you take the big step. Search around for any help available from banks, educational and business organisations, written material and online learning.
• Have a clear vision and a plan along with clarity about the niche you see yourself occupying. Don’t try to do it too quickly or all at once.
• Don’t be discouraged by setbacks or when things go wrong. Learn from them, change whatever you need to change and above all don’t give up the dream.

– NZ Herald

Warning light forces MA60 to return to Tongatapu

By
Kalino Latu
-

Kiliki heni: ki he ongoongo ni 'i he lea faka-Tonga

Real Tonga’s director Tevita Palu said the airline’s controversial MA60 aircraft returned to Tongatapu while on its flight to Vava’u on Monday 16 because an indicator light came on.

This was the second time within two days the MA60 could not land in Vava’u and it had to return to Tongatapu after it failed to land on Saturday 14. 

Palu said it was a ‘false indication’ warning that something in the aircraft needed to be fixed.

He said the aircraft landed safely after it returned to Tongatapu.

Palu was cautious in his response to Kaniva News, saying it was not something serious, that the problem could be fixed and the aircraft continued on its normal schedules.

“It now flies two to three times a day,” he said.

The aircraft returned without landing in Vava’u on Saturday because of bad weather. The Monday incident was due to technical failure and it had to return to Fua’amotu airport because there was no engineer in Vava’u to fix it, he said.  

Asked whether the MA60 would be grounded, Palu said the matter had not been discussed.

However, Radio Australia has quoted Stuart Perry, the general manager of Tourism Tonga, as saying Real Tonga would stop flying the MA60, which was a gift rom China.

New aircraft

Real Tonga recently bought two British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft from Australia.

Palu said the two new aircraft were bought as alternatives for passengers who did not want to fly on the Chinese-made MA60.

“We are test flying the two new Jetstream today and hopefully they will start servicing the outer islands tomorrow,” he said. 

Kaniva News has been reliably informed that Tonga’s Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano met New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Murray McCully in March. They allegedly agreed to ground Tonga’s MA60.

However when the Prime Minister declared the MA60 had to be grounded he was strongly opposed by his Deputy and Minister for Transport, Hon Samiu Vaipulu in Nukualofa.

Vaipulu threatened to resign if Tu’ivakano grounded the MA60.

Vaipulu was instrumental in establishing Real Tonga Airline and forcing the New Zealand-based Air Chatham out of the kingdom.

NZ travel advisory

New Zealand government has issued a travel advisory warning that the MA60 is not certified to fly in New Zealand and anyone who flies on it does so at their own risk.  

The New Zealand government withheld NZ$10 million dollar funding for Tonga’s tourism industry because of its concern over the MA60.

It eventually released half of the money last month.

However, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told the Tongan government earlier this month that the travel advisory would stay.

Tourism Tonga head Stuart Perry told Fairfax Media this week the Tongan economy had suffered dramatically as a result of the travel warning.

The main points

  • Real Tonga’s controversial MA60 aircraft has had to abandon a flight to Vava’u for the second time in two days.
  • Real Tonga’s director Tevita Palu told Kaniva News the problem was not serious.
  • Overseas tourism in Tonga has suffered seriously because of the New Zealand government’s warning about travelling on the MA60.
  • Real Tonga has now bought two British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft from Australia to provide an alternative for foreign tourists.

For more information

‘Tonga to replace troubled MA60 plane’

‘Real Tonga caves to New Zealand pressure; acquires Jetstream 32s’

‘China's Gift Causes Big Trouble for Tiny Tonga’

‘Chinese plane forces NZ airline out of Tonga’

Jetstream 32

Tongan consulate in San Francisco relocated to Burlingame

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Consulate General of the Kingdom of Tonga held a Reception this evening Thursday 19th June 2014 to mark the relocation of the office from the City of San Francisco to the City of Burlingame, in the Bay Area. It has been 26 years since the Consulate General had been established and operated from the same location at Union Square in the City.

In April 2014, His Majesty-in-Council approved for the relocation to take place to principally allow for the Consulate General to be more accessible by the Tongan community.

According to the U.S. 2010 Census, there are currently 57,183 Tongans living in the U.S, mainly concentrated in the States of California, Utah and Hawaii. The primary responsibility of the Consulate General has been to provide consular services to and maintain good relations with the Tongan Community in San Francisco, including those living on the Mainland. Equally important is keeping a close working relationship with the resident consular corps and local government; and promoting trade and investment, and tourism.

The Reception included the Guest of Honour, H.E. Mr Mahe Tupouniua, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Tonga to the U.S. & Permanent Representative of Tonga to the U.N, along with members of the Consular Corps, clergymen and key representatives of the Tongan San Francisco community.

The current Acting Consul General of the Kingdom of Tonga is Mrs Sela Tukia and the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Tonga in San Francisco is now located at 1350 Bayshore Highway Suite 610, Burlingame CA 94010, tel +1 650 685 1001, fax +1 650685 1003.

– Press Release: Tonga Consulate General, San Francisco, CA

Slain Tongan student’s family accept apology from Nauruan ambassador

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Kiliki: heni ke ke lau e ongoongo ni he lea faka-Tonga

The brother of slain Tongan student Sione Tufui in Fiji has told a number of mourners at his deceased brother’s prayer service to “… look forward to forgive” and conccentrate on the reason why they came to Fiji, “it is to start a journey to grow as young leaders and to study hard in order to return and help” their “parents and communities back in Tonga”.

The Tufuis were both students at the University of the South Pacific.

Sione was a second-year student studying a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems and Physics while Tupou was a third year student.

The 22-year-old, was allegedly killed Saturday morning 21 by a group of Nauruan high school students in a night club in Suva.

Five Nauruan secondary school students are in police custody in relation to Tufui’s death, Police Chief of Operations, ACP Rusiate Tudravu said.

Dr Robin Havea from the university said Tufui’s body will be leaving Nadi tomorrow Friday 27 through Auckland before arriving in Tonga on Saturday.

Dr Havea told Kaniva News he will be in Tonga to represent the university in Tufui’s funeral.

Tupou was with his deceased brother on the night of the incident but returned home before the fight happened. He only became aware of his brother’s death after he received a call from hospital at 2am.  

The Fiji-based Tongan community has gathered at Api Tonga for failotu (prayers) since Sunday night and it is continuing until the deceased will be taken to Nadi to be returned to Tonga.

‘Eleni Tevi, secretary for the Tongan community told Kaniva news the Nauruan community was represented in the failotu by a group of Nauruans led by the Nauruan ambassador to Fiji.

She said the ambassador, accompanied by his wife, apologised at the failotu and it was embraced by the victim’s brother.  

"When I called my parents today they told me, Tupou if you have forgiven them in your heart then we have forgiven them too”, Tupou said in response to the ambassador’s statement of apology.  

He said in Tongan according to Tevi: “I stand today to represent my family in accepting this plea for forgiveness from the Nauruan Ambassador and the Nauruan community because I wish to send out a message to all our Tongan students:

“We do not look back to what had happened and try to pursue revenge but look forward to forgive and refocus our values to why we are really here in Fiji; and it is to start a journey to grow as young leaders and to study hard in order to return and help our parents and communities back in Tonga.

 “They long every day for our return with great pride and hope to that day we will return to relieve them of their long-standing daily struggles in trying to make ends meet back home so that we are educated to return one day to help make life easier for them.

“This Saturday I will take my deceased brother back home to our parents and mourn with them a lost dream, but I hope that in this lost dream we will all learn a great lesson as students not to be here for all the wrong reasons. I stand together tonight with the Tongan community's clear message to urge all students to refrain from any further violence and refocus our priorities to help our community and not to destroy it!".  

Rev 'Ahio re-elected as FWC president

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga’s 91st Annual Conference has re-elected President Rev Dr Ahio this afternoon June 25 as president of the church till next year.

The conference is held in Neiafu, Vava’u attended by church members from overseas and Tonga.

President ‘Ahio was first elected in 2009.

The church secretary general Rev Dr Tevita Koloa'ia Havea was also re-elected with 305 votes.

Student stabbed at Tokaikolo’s school fights for his life

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A 10-year-old male student is fighting for his life at Middlemore Hospital following a stabbing at a Tokaikolo Church's co-educational school in Mangere this morning.

Police officer Shawn Rutene said he could not elaborate where the injuries were sustained but confirmed the boy was fighting for his life.

The boy has been stabbed in the head according to 3News.

The prinicipal of the school, Lisita Paongo said she could not ne able to talk to Kaniva News according to a woman who answered the phone. The woman said there was a fight at the school and a student was injured.

“Yes I can confirmed to you there was stabbing here but we cannot be able to comment further. We are working together with police and we will put out a press statement shortly,” the lady said

A source said there was a fight between two male students and a pair of "scissors" was involved.

Briefing the media at the school, Inspector Shawn Rutene said: "We were advised of a fight between students here where one student had received critical injuries."

He said the boys involved were from the intermediate school and there families were receiving support from victim support.

An ambulance staffer said a male patient has been taken to Middlemore Hospital.

The primary and intermediate school is located at the Tokaikolo's Nasaleti church on the coronation road.

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