Monday, August 4, 2025
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St Joseph Business College celebrates PTA's day

Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) of St Joseph College in Fasi-mo e-Afi donated TP$14,660 Thursday 24 for the school during a day celebration that brought together the parents, staff and students.

The money was collected through events and activities organised by the school students for the day and it has been given to help the school.

St Joseph Business College, a Catholic vocational training school has been operated since 1970. Students study Business, English, Finance and computer as well as Proficient Training in a two-year study program before awarding with certificates in business training.  

The day had been a blessing to both ex-students and students of the school as well as the parents and teachers.

The principal of the college Soana Kauhalaniua thanked the parents and the students for the donation and their support.


Ongoongo Faka-Tonga / News in Tongan

'Aho fiefia e Matu'a moe kau Faiako 'o Komesioló

NUKU'ALOFA – Na'e hoko 'ae 'aho Tu'apulelulu, 24 'o 'Epelelí koe 'aho fakafiefia kihe Matu'a tauhi fanau mo e kau Faiako 'o e 'Apiako Fakapisinisi ko Sangato Sosefó koe'uhi ko e lava lelei hono faka'ilonga 'o honau 'aho makehé ni pe koe 'aho 'o e PTA.

Koe taha pe eni 'o e ngaahi ouau fakata'u 'a e 'apiakó pea na'a nau kotofa ai 'ae 'ahó ni ke fakahoko ai hono faka'ilonga'í.

Na'e fakahoko 'ehe ngaahi kalasí ha ngaahi faiva fakame'ite 'o tatau pe kihe faiva faka-Tonga pe koe faiva faka-Polinisia.

Koe 'apiakó ni foki koe 'apiako pe kihe fanau fefiné 'aia 'oku teuteu'i ai kinautolu 'ihe ta'u 'e 2 kihe ngaue faka-Sekelitali pe ngaue faka'ofisí. Koe fo'i kalasi pe 'e 4, 'aia koe kalasi 'e 2 meihe Ta'u 'uluaki pea kalasi leva 'e 2 meihe Ta'u 2.

Na'e foaki ai 'ehe matu'a tauhi fanau 'ae $14,660 kihe 'apiako lolotongá 'ihe 'ahó ni. 'Ihe lea fakamalo 'ae Puleakó, Soana Kauhalaniua, na'a ne fakamalo'ia 'ae matu'a tauhi fanaú koe'uhi koe ngaue faka'utumauku moe vale 'ia tama 'onau fai ai 'ae foaki ma'ongo'ongá ni koe'uhi pe ko 'enau fanaú pea mo honau kaha'ú.

Na'e fakahoko pe 'ae katoanga fiefiá ni 'ihe 'Apiako Fakapisinisi ko Sangato Sosefó 'i Fasi mo e Afi.

Eua man dies after eating an alleged poison eel

Health authorities in Tonga have warned that eel is the most common seafood they found to have caused several fatalities in cases admitted to the hospital of patients eating poisonous food. 

The warning has come after a 44-year-old man from Eua died on Monday.

The deceased and seven others ate a contaminated eel after one of them purchased it from Tongatapu and brought to ‘Eua.

Another victim was admitted to Vaiola Hospital suffered pain and nausea, Radio Tonga reported.

Dr Saia Piukala was quoted by the radio as warning people should make sure they give seafood a good cleaning before cooking them.

He said seafood like eel could be contaminated because they are exposed to toxic chemicals in the sea.

Details of the victims have yet to be released but reports said the incident happened on Sunday and the deceased was transported from ‘Eua to Vaiola Hospital.


Ongoongo Faka-Tonga / News in Tongan

Kuo fakatokanga ‘a e kau mau mafai ki he mo’ui ‘i Tonga ‘o pehe ko e taha ‘a e tokee he me’atahi ‘oku lahi e mate pe matu’utamaki ai ‘a e ni’ihi ko e kau mahaki ‘oku leleaki’i ange ki fale mahaki ko e kona mei hano kai o ha me’akai kona.

Ko e fakatokanga ‘eni hili ia ha malolo ‘a e tangata ta’u 44 mei ‘Eua i he ‘aho Monite.

Na’e ma’ume’atokoni ‘a e pekia fakataha mo ha toko fitu kehe mei ha toke ne fakatau  e he tokotaha ‘o kinautolu mei Tongatapu o ohake ki ‘Eua.

Na’e ‘i ai mo e tokotaha ‘i he kau kai ne leleaki’i mo ia ki fale mahaki a ia na’e lua mo tokotoka kovi’ia.

Na’e ha foki ha lau ‘a Dr Saia Piukala ‘i he letioo Tonga ‘o ne fakatokanga ai ki he kakai ke fakapapau’i oku ma’a ‘a hono ngaahi ‘o e me’atahi pea toki ngaohi ke fai mei ai ha ma’u me’atokoni.

Na’a ne pehe foki ko e me’atahi hange ko e toke ‘oku ala ke kona tuunga ‘i he ngaahi kemikale mo e ngaahi me’akona ‘oku nau ma’u ‘i tahi.

Na’e ‘ikai ha toe fakaikiiki ki he pekia pehe kia kinautolu ne nau ma’u me’atokoni mei he toke ni ‘e tuku mai ka ko e me’a ni ne hoko ‘i he ‘aho Sapate pea ‘ohake ai ‘a e tokotaha ko ia ne pekia ki Falemahaki Vaiola ‘o ne toki pekia ai.

Utah nurse resigns over racist comment following Tongan death

UPDATED: A statement from the University of Utah Health Care says an employee it has placed on administrative leave after learning of a series of disturbing and offensive comments he posted online  has resigned.

The male nurse at the University of Utah Health Care was being investigated by the health organisation about offensive remarks he made after a Tongan Crip Gang member was killed by a US Marshall.

Following the death of a Tongan gang member, Todd Shrum, a cardiac nurse at the University of Utah Hospital wrote: “Tongan trash….Kill them all”  on the 2News Facebook Page.

Siale Maveni Angilau 25 — aka "C-Down" — was shot several times in the chest on Monday after he tried to attack on a witness, Vaiola Mataele Tenifa, during a trial in the federal court house in Salt Lake City. He died later in a local hospital.

According to US news sources, Angilau was being tried on charges that included racketeering, robbery, carjacking, assault on a federal officer and weapons violations.

KSL-TV reported that Angilau had been in prison since September 2007 for violating his probation. The next year he was convicted of obstructing justice, a second-degree felony, and failure to stop at the command of an officer, a third-degree felony. Angilau was released into the custody of U.S. marshals last Friday.

Reaction

Shrum’s comment stirred outrage on social media and Tongans reacted swiftly.

Rabina Langi Tangilapa commented: “When I looked at his page I was surprised he worked in the health care industry. This guy seems crazy. I trust the Hospital will do their best to address this and not only because I'm Tongan but for the human race. What a sad way to go through life being hateful to your human race.”

Shrum’s employer’s, the University of Utah Health Care, which includes a hospital, sent him on administrative leave while they investigate the situation. Today they released another statement saying he has resigned.

"Earlier this week University of Utah Health Care placed an employee on administrative leave after learning of a series of disturbing and offensive comments posted online by the individual. The comments created distress in the community, disrupted hospital business, and undermined the trust of patients. The employee in question has since resigned," a university spokesman said.

“University of Utah Health Care is committed to providing high quality care to everyone and we value the trust our patients place in us. The alleged comment represents unacceptable behaviour that undermines that trust".

Mixed views

Reactions from the on-line Tongan community have been mixed.

Koli Pilivi said: “Why give a man who posted up negative and very hateful comments towards minorities paid leave?! It doesn’t make sense to do that!! But my family and Polynesian community appreciate the fact that you are taking care of this situation.”

However some people took a different view. One Facebook user wrote:

“Being a gangster gets you nowhere but prison. [It is either kill someone or someone kills you]. Keep the tradition, show love and respect to everybody especially to your own parents, grandparents and siblings. When you love and respect them then you love and respect everybody. Parents stand up and teach your kids the right way of living otherwise, all you Tongan kids out there who wanna be gangsters will either end up in jail or the cemetery.”

Shrum

Shrum told Chris Jones of 2News his comments were a "poor choice of words…very, very incredibly poor choice of words.  I meant no ill will towards the Tongan race whatsoever.”

However, according to 2News Shrum’s  personal page is littered with negative comments about Muslins, Hispanics, and African Americans. 

An example of this is his comments on a story concerning Muslims in Britain. Shrum posted: "Kill all the stinking Muzzies in the UK. Your problem will go away." 

2News also quoted his reaction to a story about undocumented immigrants, in which he wrote: "Send all the illegals back to Mexico, then nuke Mexico, tired of all the worthless wet back trash stinking up this great country." 

Gang’s Mormon connection

According to former policeman Ron Stallworth, many Tongan Crip Gang members came from families that had converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons).

Stallworth told news site 4utah.com that gang members were “very devout … and yet they believed strongly in the principles of their gang.”

Many of them lived a double life, in church on one day, and committing violent crimes the next.

The main points

  • A male nurse at the University of Utah Health Care who posted comments after a Tongan Crip Gang member was killed by a US Marshall on Monday is being investigated.
  • Siale Maveni Angilau 25 — aka "C-Down" — was shot several times in the chest after he tried to attack on a witness during a trial in a new federal courthouse in Salt Lake City. He died later in a public hospital.
  • Todd Shrum’s on-line comments stirred outrage on social media and Tongans reacted swiftly.
  • Shrum claimed he had made a poor choice of words and that he bore “no ill will” towards Tongans.

Sources:

‘University hospital nurse placed on paid leave after posting racist comments’

Facebook page

University of Utah Health Care

‘FBI: Alleged gang member shot, killed after lunging at witness in court’

‘Police claim violent Utah Tongan Crip Gang professed to be men of faith’

Documentary on Tongan Crip Gang


Ongoongo Faka-Tonga / News in Tongan

Kuo fakafisi 'a e tangata neesi i he  Tokangaekina’anga Mo’ui ‘a e Univesiti o ‘Iuta fekau’aki mo ha’ane lau fakalotomamahi i he hili ‘a hono fana’i e he taha e kau US Marshall ‘o mate ‘a e taha ‘o e kau memipa ‘o e kau kengi Tonga ‘oku ‘iloa ko e Tonga Crip Gang.

Ko e fakaha 'eni e fakafisi 'i ha fakamatala kuo tuku ange mai 'e he 'Univesiti 'i he pongipongi 'o e 'aho ni.

Hili e malolo ‘a e memipa ‘o e kengi Tonga na’e fai ‘e Todd Shrum ko ha neesi ki he mafu ‘i he Falemahaki ‘a e ‘Univesiti ‘o ‘Iutaa ‘ene tohi he peesi Feisipuka ‘a e 2News ‘o pehe ko e Angama’olalo faka-Tonga – tamate’i kotoa kinautolu.

Na’e fana’i tatu’olahi ‘a Siale Maveni Angilau ta’u 25 ‘a ia ne toe ‘iloa ko “C-Down” i hono fatafata i he Monite hili ia ‘ene feinga ke ‘ohofi ‘a e tokotaha Tonga pe ‘e taha ko Vaiola Mataele Tenifa na’e fakamooni ma’a e kau polisi ‘o fehangahangai ai mo Angilau lolotonga ha hopo ‘i ha fale  fakamaau’aga fetalolo ‘i Salt Lake City. Na’a ne toki mate ‘i ha falemahaki fakafeitu’u pe.

Fakatatau ki he ngaahi mau’anga fakamatala ‘Amelika na’e hopo’i ‘a Angilau ki he ngaahi faka’ilo fekau’aki mo e ngaahi fa’ufa’u ke fakahoko ha hia kaiha’a, kaiha’a ka, ‘ohofi ‘o ha ‘ofisa polisi fetalolo pehe ki ha ngaahi maumaulao fekau’aki mo e meatau.

Fakatatau ki he lipooti ‘a e KSL-TV ko Angilau na’e ‘i pilisone ia ‘i Sepitema 2007 ki he’ene maumau’i ‘ene polopeisini.

I he ta’u hono hoko na’e tautea ai ia ki he’ene fakafe’autungia’i e fekumi ki he faitotonu, fakahoko hia ‘i he kalasi ‘oku fakakalakalasi hono mamafa ki he tikili hono ua, mo e ‘ikai ke tu’u ‘i ha tu’utu’uni atu ‘a ha ‘ofisa polisi ‘a ia ‘oku fakakalakalasi e mamafa e hia ko ia ki he tikili tolu.

Na’e tuku ange atu leva ‘a Angilau ke tokanga’i ‘e he US Marshalls ‘i he Falaite kuo ‘osi.  

Nga’uta:

Na’e langa’ia ‘e he lau ‘a Shrum ha mamahi lahi fau mei he kainga Tonga ‘o ‘ikai toe taimi hono enau hapohapo’i e tangata ni.

Na’e pehe ‘e Rabina Langi Tangilapa ko e taimi ko e na’e sio ai ‘i he peesi ‘a Shrum he’ene lau na’a ne ‘ohovale he ‘asi ‘oku ne ngaue ‘i he ngaueanga ki hono tokangaekina  ‘o e mo’ui. Naa ne pehe ‘oku hange siana ni ha vale.

Na’a ne pehe ‘foki ‘oku ne falala ‘e fai e he fale mahaki honau lelei taha ke vete ange ‘a e mea ni ‘o ‘ikai koe’uhi pe he ko e Tonga ia ka ki he kakai kotoa.

Ka kuo ngaue foki e Falemahaki Iutaa ia kia Shrum ‘o ‘oange ene malolo ki ‘api kae vahe pe lolotonga hano fakatotolo’i ‘ene lau fakamamahi na’e fai.

Pehe ‘e he Univesiti kuo nau fanongo ki he ngaahi launga kau ki he lau fakamamahi ‘a Sharum na’e fai. Na’a nau pehe foki ‘oku faitukuingata ‘a e Tokangaekina’anga Mo’ui ‘a e ‘Univesiti ke fakaai ‘a e fatongia tokangaekina ki he taha kotoa ‘i he tu’unga ma’olunga pea ‘oku nau fakamahu’inga’i e falala ‘a e kau mahaki ‘iate kinautolu. Ko e lau fakamamahi kuo tukuaki’i oku ne fakafofonga’i ha to’onga ‘oku ‘ikai ala tali ka ‘oku ne uesia e falala ko ia.

'Oku pehe ‘e he falemahaki lolotonga ‘enau fakatotolo ‘oku fai ‘oku fakaafe’i atu ha taha ‘oku ne fakatokanga’i ha fa’ahinga fakakehekehe pe ‘oku fai ki he kau mahaki ‘i he falemahaki ‘univeisiti ‘o Iutaa ke fetu’utaki ange ki he 801-581-8365 or fika ta’e totongi  800-735-2258.

Kehekehe pe ngaahi fakakaukau:

Ko e nga’uta ‘a e komiuniti Tonga he ‘initaneti na’e fio pe anga ‘enau fakakaukau.  Na’e pehe ‘e he tokotaha ko Koli Pilivi pe ko e ha e ‘uhinga hono fekau ke malolo ki api kae kei ‘oange pe ‘ene vahe ‘a ha taha kuo ne fai ha lau ta’e’ofa mo nekativi ki he kakai ‘oku taku ko e falukunga kakai tokosii ‘i he anga ‘o e nofo.

'Oku ‘ikai ‘uhinga malie hono fai ‘o e me’a ko ia. Ka ‘oku hounga pe kiate ia mo hono kakai polinisia ‘oku fai ‘e he Falemahaki ha ngaue ki he me’a kuo hoko.

Neongo ia na’e kehe e sio ‘a e ni’ihi. Na’e pehe ‘e he tokotaha ‘i he Feisipuka, ‘oku ‘ikai ha toe feitu’u ma’a kita ‘i ha’ate hoko ko ha kengi ka ko pilisone pe.

Fai e tukufakaholo pea fakahaha ‘a e ‘ofa mo e faka’apa’apa ki he taha kotoa tautefito ki ho’omou matu’a totonu, fanga kui mo e fototehina mo tuofafine. Ko hono faka’apa’apa’i  kiakinautolu te nau faka’apa’apai kimoutolu. Oku fiema’u ke tu’u hake ‘a e matu’a ‘o ako’i ‘enau fanau ki he founga totonu he ka ‘ikai ko kinautolu ‘a e fanau ‘oku nau fie kengi ka ‘ikai pe ke nau iku ki pilisone ko fa’itoka.

Shrum:

Na’e lava foki ‘o faka’eke’eke ‘a Shrum ‘e Chris Jones mei he 2News fekau’aki mo ‘ene komeni ko ‘eni ‘oku fai ai ‘a e felauaki. Na’e fakaha ‘e Shrum ‘ene kole fakamolemole mo ne pehe ko hono mo’oni ko e fu’u matu’aki kovi pe ‘ene fili lea ne ngaue’aki. Na’a ne pehe ‘oku ‘ikai aupito ha’ane teitei loto taufehi’a ‘e taha ki he matakali Tonga.

Kaekehe fakatatau ki he 2News ‘oku hange ha neveneve ‘a e ngaahi lau kovi ‘a Shrum ia ki he kakai Mosilemi, Hisipeniki kae pehe ki he kau ‘Afilika-‘Amelika oku ‘asi he’ene peesi feisipuka. ‘Oku iai ‘ene lau ‘e taha ‘i he’ene peesi pe ki he kau mosilemi ke tamate’i kotoa kinautolu kae ‘osi ‘a e palopalema.

'I ai mo ‘ene lau kovi ki ha kau Mekisikou ‘i ha me’a faka’imikuleisini ne ne pehe ai ke fakafoki pea faka’auha kinautolu. Ko e fekau’aki mo e Mamonga: Fakatatau ki ha polisi ki mu’a ko Ron Stallworth naa ne pehe ko e tokolahi ‘o e kau kengi Tongan Crip Gang ko ‘enau ha’u mei he ngaahi famili kuo nau ului ki he Siasi ‘o Sisu Kalaisi ‘o e Kau Ma’oni’oni ‘o e Ngaahi ‘Aho Ki mui ni.

Na’e fakaha ‘e Stallworth ki he 4utah.com ko e kau kengi fa’a lotu ‘aupito…ka ne nau kei tui pe ki he ngaahi tefito’i fakakaukau ‘o e fakakengi. Ko e tokolahi ‘ia kinautolu ne ua e me’a ne nau mo’ui’aki, ‘i ‘apisiasi ‘i he ‘aho ‘e taha pea o leva ‘o fai e hia he ‘aho hono hoko.

Alleged Tongan gang member shot by US Marshal

SALT LAKE CITY,  Utah  – An alleged gang member on trial in the new federal courthouse was shot Monday after lunging at a person on the witness stand, according to the FBI.

“During the trial this morning the defendant went after, engaged the witness stand, and when he engaged the witness at the witness stand, he was shot by the U.S. Marshals Service,” said Mark Dressen the FBI’s assistant special agent-in-charge for the Utah bureau.

“From what I understand, the defendant may have grabbed a pen or a pencil and charged the witness stand at that time,” he said.

Siale Maveni Angilau, aka “C-Down,” was shot multiple times in the chest.

Angilau was still breathing when he was taken away in an ambulance to a local hospital.  No one else in the courtroom was injured, including the witness who was on the stand.

Dressen did not comment on how many shots were fired, how many times Angilau was hit, or if there were any stray bullets that ended up in the walls or ceiling of the new courtroom.

Court documents say Angilau is a member of the Tongan Crip Gang.

The shooting occurred inside Judge Tena Campbell’s courtroom on the eighth floor during a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act trial involving the alleged member of the Tongan Crip Gang, according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Utah.

Portia Louder was in the courtroom next door about 9:30 a.m. She said she didn’t hear the gunshot but said, “I saw marshals run through our courtroom and say, ‘Somebody has been shot.’”

Louder said she wasn’t allowed to leave for about an hour. On the way out, she said a marshal told her, “It was with the Tongan Crip Gang, I guess. The defendant tried to stab the witness on the stand and I believe the marshal shot him.”

Angilau, 25, is the last of more than a dozen alleged TCG members to stand trial in the ongoing case, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The trial started Monday morning. Charges include rackeetering, robbery, carjacking, assault on a federal officer and weapons violations.

In 2011, a jury convicted seven men after a weekslong trial.

Convicted in the case were Eric Kamahele, 24, aka “Smooth”; Mataika Tuai, 22, aka “Fish”; David Kamoto, 24, aka “D-Down”; Daniel Maumau, 25, aka “D-Loc”; Kepa Maumau, 24, aka “Kap-Loc”; and Sitamipa Toki, 28, aka “Tok-Loc.” The jury acquitted David Walsh, 32, aka “D-Nutt.”

Their crimes included robberies, assaults and use of firearms during crimes of violence committed in support of an ongoing criminal organization.

Jurors at the time feared retaliation and wanted assurances from the judge that they would be safe. A note from a juror asking for such assurances nearly caused a mistrial in the case.

The seven men were among 17 suspected TCG members indicted in 2010 under RICO, which prosecutors call a powerful tool for dismantling and disrupting street gangs.

Yellow police tape continued to surround the plaza midday Monday where the entrance to the new courthouse is located. Dressen said the eighth floor would be closed all day. There was no estimate when the rest of the building might be reopened.

“I think the marshals did an exceptional job. They stopped the threat to the witness,” he said.

The new 410,000-square-foot building at the corner of 400 South and West Temple opened just last Monday. It replaced the adjacent Frank E. Moss Courthouse, which was completed in 1905 and hadn’t had any major additions or renovations in 80 years.

SOURCE: KSL


Ongoongo Faka-Tonga / News in Tongan

Fai 'e Tevita Katoa

Mahaloʻi ne fanaʻi ʻe he US Marshal ha mēmipa ʻo e kau kengi Tonga

SALT LAKE CITY,  Utah  – Naʻe fanaʻi ha taha oku mahaloʻi ko e mēmipa ʻo e kau kengi Tonga ʻi he fale hopo foʻou ʻo e vāhengá ʻi he ʻaho Monité hili ʻene ʻohofi ha taha ne ʻi he puha ʻo e kau fakamoʻoní, fakatatau ki he FBI.

Naʻe pehē ʻe Mark Dressen ko e fakafofonga makehe ʻo e FBI ne lolotonga ngāue ʻi he tafaʻaki ko iá ʻi Utah, “Naʻe ʻohofi ʻe he fakaʻiloá lolotonga ʻo e hopó ʻi he pongipongí ni, pea ʻi heʻene faʻaki atu ki he tuʻuʻanga ʻo e fakamoʻoní, pea ʻi heʻene fetakai ko iá, naʻe fanaʻi ai ia ʻe he U.S, Marshal Service”.

Naʻá ne pehē, “Meí he meʻa ko ē naʻe mahino ki aí, mahalo naʻe feinga e fakaʻiloá ke ne toʻo hake ha peni pe peni vahevahe ʻo hangatonu atu ki he tuʻuʻanga ʻo e fakamoʻoní ʻi he taimi ko iá”

“Naʻe toutou fanaʻi ʻa Siale Māveni Angilau, ʻa ia ʻoku  toe ʻiloa ko C-Down, ʻi hono fatafatá.

Naʻe kei moʻui pē foki ʻa Angilau ʻi he taimi naʻe ʻave ai ia ʻi he ambulance ki he fale mahaki pē he feituʻú. Ne ʻikai ke lavea ha taha naʻe ʻi he fale hopó, kau ai ʻa e fakamoʻoni naʻe ʻi he tuʻuʻangá.

Naʻe ʻikai ke lave ʻa Dressen pe ko e foʻi fana ʻe fiha naʻe faí, ko e tuʻo fiha ʻa e fana naʻe tau ʻia Angilaú, pē ne ʻi ai ha ngaahi fana naʻe hala ʻo tau ia ʻi he holisí mo e ʻaofí ʻo e fale hopo foʻoú. 

ʻOku hā ʻi he fakamatala fakamaauʻanga ko Angilau ko e meāmipa ʻo e kau kengi Tonga.

Ko e fana ko ʻení naʻe hoko ia ʻi he loki fakamaauʻanga ʻo Fakamaau Tena Campbell ʻi he funga vaka 8 lolotonga e hopo ko ia ʻi he vā ʻo e Racketeer Influence mo e Corrupt Organisation Act fekauʻaki mo e tukuakiʻi ko ia ʻo e mē mipa ʻo e Kau Kengi Tongá fakatatau ki he fefine talitali fononga ki he ʻŌfisi U.S Attorney ʻi Utah. 

Ko Portia Lauder naʻe ʻi he loki hoko maí pea memei ko e 9:30am. Naʻá ne pehē naʻe ʻikai fanongo ia ki he pā ʻa e faná ka ne pehē, “Naʻá ku sio ki he lele ʻa e ʻōfisa sōtia maʻolunga ʻi loto fale hopo mo ne pehē, “Kuo fanaʻi e toko taha”

Naʻe pehē ʻe Louder naʻe taʻofi ia ke ʻoua naʻa mavahe ʻo ofi ʻi he houa ʻe tahá. Naʻá ne lave ki hono tala ange ʻe he ʻōfisa sōtia maʻolunga ʻi heʻene lue mai ki tuʻá, Kuó u tui ko e meʻa ʻeni ki he Kau Kengi Tongá. Naʻe feinga e fakaʻiloá ke hokaʻi ʻaki ha meʻa ʻa e fakamoʻoni ne ʻi he puha pea kuó u tui naʻe fanaʻi ia ʻe he ʻōfisa sōtia maʻolungá”.

Fakatatau ki he lau ʻa e U.S. Attorney Office, Ko Angilau, taʻu 25, ko e fakamuimui taha ia ʻo e niʻihi ne hopoʻi ʻi hono tukuakiʻi ʻi he kau kengi Tongá (TCG) ʻi he keisi ʻoku lolotonga lele. Naʻe kamata e hopó ʻi he pongipongi Monité. Ko e fakaʻiló ʻoku kau ai ʻa e ngaahi ngāue maumau lao, kaihaʻa, faʻao fakamālohi ʻo ha kā, ʻohofi ʻo ha ʻōfisa fakapuleʻanga mo e ngaahi maumau lao fekauʻaki mo e naunau tau.

Ko e 2011, naʻe tautea ai ʻe he kau sulá ha toko 7 hili ia ha hopo uike ʻe taha.

Naʻe tauteaʻi ʻi he keisi ko ʻení ʻa Eric Kamahele, 24, ne ʻiloa ko “Smooth”; Mataika Tuai, 22, ne ʻiloa ko “Fish”; David Kamoto, 24, ne ʻiloa ko “D-Down”; Daniel Maumau, 25, ne ʻiloa ko “D-Loc”; Kepa Maumau, 24, ne ʻiloa ko “Kap-Loc”; peá mo Sitamipā Toki, 28, ne ʻiloa ko Tok-Loc.” Naʻe tuʻutuʻuni e kau sulá ke tuku ange ʻa David Walsh, 32, ne ʻiloa ko “D-Nutt.”

Ko ʻenau hiá naʻe kau ai ʻa e kaihaʻa, fakamamahi mo e ngāueʻaki ʻo ha meʻafana ki he kaihaʻa ko e fakaʻaiʻai ʻo ha kautaha faihia.

Naʻe manavahē foki e kau sula ʻo e keisi ko iá naʻa ʻi ai ha fakatanga pea naʻa nau fiemaʻu ke fakapapauʻi ange meí he fakamaaú te nau malu. Naʻe meimei hoko ha fehalaaki ʻi he hopó tuʻunga ʻi ha kiʻi fakamatala tohi meí ha taha ʻo e kau sulá.

Ko e kau tangata ʻe toko 7 ko iá ko e konga ia ʻo e toko 17 ʻoku tukuakiʻi ko e mēmipa ʻo e TCG ne fakaʻilo ʻi he 2010 ʻi he lao ko ia ki he maumau lao mo e ngaahi kautaha fakamoveuveu (RICO)  ʻa ia ne fiemaʻu ai ʻe he kau ʻōfisa talatalaakí ha tuʻutuʻuni fefeka ke veteki mo veuki ʻaki ʻa e kengi he hala puleʻangá.

Naʻe kei takaiʻi pē ʻe he tepi engeenga ʻa e kau polisí ʻa e falé ʻi he hoʻatā Monité ʻa e feituʻu hūʻanga ko ē ki he falehoopo foʻoú. Naʻe pehē ʻe Dressen ko e loki 8 ia ʻe tāpuni ʻaho kakato ia. ʻOku ʻikai leva ha maʻu pau pe ʻe fakaava fakakū ʻa e toenga ʻo e ngaahi lokí.

Naʻá ne pehē, “ʻOku tui ia ne fakahoko ʻehe kau ʻōfisa sōtia maʻolungá ha ngāue maʻongoʻonga. Naʻa nau taʻofi ʻa e fakamanavahē ko ia ki he fakamoʻoní.”

Ko e fale foʻou sikuea fute ko eni ʻe 410,000 ʻi he tuliki ʻo e 400 South mo e West Temple naʻe toki huufi pē ʻi he Mōnite ʻo e uike kuo ʻosí. Ko e fetongi ʻo e Fale Hopo Frank E. Moss, ʻa ia ne kamata ngāueʻaki ʻi he 1905 peá ne teʻeki ke fakahoko ha fakalahi pe ha liliu ki ai ʻi he taʻu ʻaki ʻeni ʻe 80.

NZ releases more than $5 million of suspended tourist grant

The New Zealand government has released more than NZ$5 million of tourist funding for Tonga that had been suspended over concerns about Real Tonga airline's use of a controversial Chinese aircraft.

Several Chinese-built MA60s have been involved in accidents.

The aircraft is not licensed for use in New Zealand.

Tonga’s Minister of Tourism, Dr Viliami Latu, said the money came from the NZ$10.5 million grant that was withheld last year.

Dr Latu said the rest of the money would be released in stages.

The release of the money came after New Zealand supported a World Bank-led agreement for a review of land, marine and aviation transport safety in the Pacific Islands.

The New Zealand Government has pledged financial support to implement the recommendations of the review, expected to be completed later this year.

“The New Zealand Government accepts that the World Bank-led process will deliver a sound basis for implementing the tourism development package announced last year and we have agreed to progressively release funding, as appropriate, to support the review and the implementation of its recommendations,” Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said.

Tonga’s Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano and Dr Latu met Mr McCully on March 5.

Dr Latu reported to the Tongan Parliament early this month that he and the Prime Minister had told Mr McCully there were other aircrafts in Tonga for New Zealanders who did not want to fly on the MA60.

The Minister told the House they signed an agreement with New Zealand for the development of scenic reserves in Tonga and New Zealand had released part of the suspended funds to fund that project.

The suspension of New Zealand funding and a travel advisory to New Zealand tourists about flying on the MA60 have badly affected kingdom’s tourism industry.  

Travel advisory

Vava’u 14 MP Lisiate ‘Akolo asked Dr Latu in Parliament whether New Zealand would lift  its travel advisory.

Dr Latu said Tonga had to meet certain requirements within a particular time before the travel advisory was lifted.   

He told the House the Real Tonga airline had leased a Chinese-built Harbin Y12 aircraft from Vanuatu and there was also a Queen Air to help with domestic services. The number of domestic passengers fell after the New Zealand warning.

The Tourism minister told the House the Y12 and Queen Air had been certified by New Zealand.

The main points

  • New Zealand has released more than NZ$5 million of tourist funding for Tonga that had been suspended over concerns about Real Tonga airline’s use of a controversial Chinese aircraft.
  • Several Chinese-built MA60s have been involved in accidents.
  • Tonga’s Minister of Tourism, Dr Viliami Latu, said the money came from the NZ$10.5 million grant that was withheld last year.
  • Tonga’s tourism industry has been badly affected by the suspension of funding.
  • The New Zealand government’s travel advisory about the MA60 has not been withdrawn.

For more information

‘NZ funding to Tonga cut over Chinese plane’

‘Tongan tourism struggling under weight of NZ withholding funding’

Real Tonga uses leased Queen Air

Real Tonga Harbin Y12

Blues did not give Fekitoa a fair chance

The breakout star of Super Rugby so far this year, Highlanders centre Malakai Fekitoa has opened up on his time with the Blues.

The 21-year-old swapped Auckland for Dunedin and the move is paying off handsomely for Fekitoa, who has scored three tries so far this season.

Tipped as a future All Black based on his performances for the Highlanders, questions naturally arose as to why Fekitoa's time at the Blues wasn't more successful.

Speaking in the bye week with the Highlanders having won four of their first seven matches, Fekitoa revealed that the only feedback he received from the Blues' coaching staff, lead by John Kirwan, had been overwhelmingly negative.

"I didn't really get that much support from the coaches, backing me up in what I do," Fekitoa told Newstalk.

"They told me that I wasn't ready. You want a chance to prove them wrong… I didn't get that until the France game and I felt like I performed in that game… it still wasn't good enough with them.

"I felt like everything I did was negative but coming here is quite different.

"All the coaching staff they're really helpful with everything."

SOURCE: www.planetrugby.com

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Auditor General blasts cabinet for withholding decisions, warns of corruption

Tonga’s Auditor General, Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, has blasted the country’s cabinet for refusing to forward him copies of cabinet decisions.

He said a lack of transparency in the executive body’s decision making process would encourage corruption.

According to the Auditor General’s Report for 2012-2013, the government decided not to circulate any cabinet decisions to Dr Tu’i’onetoa.  

The government launched a prosecution against the Auditor General in 2012, accusing him of leaking information about the disappearance of millions of dollars of aid money donated by Australia and New Zealand to promote political reform in the kingdom.

According to the Report, the prosecution was later withdrawn.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa said he believed the information was actually leaked by a Cabinet minister.

Early this month Tonga’s Justice Minister, Clive Edwards, denied in Parliament during a heated debate on the Auditor’s Report that the government had stopped circulating cabinet decisions.

He said the law prohibited the Auditor General from giving his reports to ‘radio’ and ‘television'.

Duty

Dr Tu’i’onetoa said some Cabinet ministers’ interpretation of how the law defined his duties as the government’s chief financial officer was ‘outdated’ and ‘wrong.’

He said the law authorised him to give anybody his report if he thought it appropriate.

The Auditor General said he was legally allowed to release information depending on whether it was a matter of national security or whether it was in the public interest to make the information available.

“I did not know whether a cabinet decision was made in writing for the ban and which clause they based their decision on,” Dr Tu’i’onetoa said.

“I have written many times and asked for copies of cabinet decisions, but the Acting Secretary to cabinet has not responded.”

The Auditor General said he had also telephoned the Acting Secretary and explained that he wanted documents for auditing and been told he would receive a response in writing, but had never received a reply.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa said the decision to stop releasing documents to him may have been made  verbally.

“If there was no decision to stop cabinet decisions from being released, the Acting Secretary should be penalised,” the Auditor General said.

The decision had affected the ability of the Auditor General’s office to do its job properly for the past two years.

He said it was one of the cornerstones of his duty that he receive information that affected the way other government department and ministries’ decision making.   

Suspicion

Tonga’s Minister of Justice, Hon Clive Edwards attacked the Auditor General’s report, saying it had been brought to Parliament to stir up suspicion that fraud had been committed. He described it as ‘incomplete.’

Democratic Party leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva read out part of the Auditor’s Report in which the Auditor General said his prosecution had been part of the government’s attempts to gag him.

Pohiva told Government ministers in the House that he was sorry the report had brought them worries.    

Finance Minister Hon ‘Aisake Eke told the House he had no problem with the report

He told the House the Auditor General’s report had pending clauses, meaning they were recorded for further action to be taken,  like the issue of  multiple passports being issued to a Chinese millionaire.

The Finance Minister also mentioned the payment of US$25.50 million made in June 2012 to Princess Pilolevu and her Tongasat company. In the report the Auditor General questioned the payment, asking why was it made without processing a voucher as per government’s transaction policy.

Eke said he was shocked when he first saw the report. For the Treasury to make such a huge payment without using the proper process was a matter of a huge concern for him, given that he has been Secretary for Finance for many years before he become a Member of Parliament.

The Auditor General was not in Parliament to answer questions about the report,  but was represented by some of his senior officers. The Prime Minister told the House it would be wise for the Report to be returned and wait for the Auditor to be available for questioning.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Auditor General, Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, has blasted the country’s cabinet for refusing to forward him copies of cabinet decisions.
  • He said a lack of transparency in the executive body’s decision making process would encourage corruption.
  • Dr Tu’i’onetoa said some Cabinet ministers’ interpretation of how the law defined his duties as the government’s chief financial officer was ‘outdated’ and ‘wrong.’
  • Tonga’s Minister of Justice, Hon Clive Edwards attacked the Auditor General’s report, saying it had been brought to Parliament to stir up suspicion that fraud had been committed.

 

Late King George Tupou V’s wine auctioned to raise funds

New Zealand – A bottle of Cabernet Merlot 2007 wine that was given away in commemoration of the coronation of His late Majesty King George Tupou V of Tonga will be put up for auction today.

The commemorative release was a gift for the New Zealand Labour MP for Mt Roskill, Hon. Phil Golf. 

However Goff has given the wine to the Labour MP for Mangere, MP Sua William Sio to help  with his campaign fundraising.

 "The funds will be used for the Mangere Labour's 2014 Campaign", Sio said.

 “I want to give a heads up to all my Tongan relatives, friends and supporters that I will be putting this wine bottle up for auction and it will go to the highest bidder,” Sio said.

About 6500 bottles of wine were produced in  Italy and brought to Tonga in 2008 for the celebration of the historical coronation.

Rev Liufau Saulala faces writ over Tu‘i‘onetoa’s dismissal

Tonga’s Auditor General and the president of the Tokaikolo Christian Church International could face each other in court if their lawyers cannot reach agreement over a claim for wrongful dismissal.

In January this year Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, who is the kingdom’s chief financial officer, served a writ on the Rev. Liufau Saulala, alleging wrongful dismissal from the Church and claiming almost $TOP200,000 in damages.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa served the writ in his capacity as a private citizen.

In his writ, he claims he was wrongfully dismissed from his position as a lay preacher and trainee deacon and excommunicated to stop him questioning the Church’s finances.

Court documents filed by Dr Tu’i’onetoa list efforts to get church members to buy quack medicine, failed business ventures, questionable loans, impossible claims about overseas investments and associations with people who were later prosecuted by Australian and American financial authorities.

The Tokaikolo Church split in two last year following sexual and financial scandals.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa  asked the court to order Rev. Saulala and the church to produce audited financial records for the five years from 2007-2008.

In his writ, he claims that he was wrongfully dismissed from his position as lay preacher and trainee deacon and wrongfully excommunicated by the church.

He has also sought a declaration from the court on a claim of defamation against the Church’s newspaper.

The writ was served on January 22. Rev. Saulala had 28 days in which to respond.

The writ said that if Rev. Saulala failed to satisfy the claim or to file a defence within the time stated, Dr Tu’ionetoa could obtain judgment without farther notice.

If Rev. Saulala fights the claim, it does not have to be tried in front of a jury.

This week Dr Tu’i’onetoa told Kaniva News the matter was being handled by his lawyer Posesi Bloomfield and Rev Saulala’s legal representative, William Clive Edwards Jr. 

He said Edwards had asked for more time to prepare a response.

In the court documents, Dr Tu’ionetoa  claimed he was not given an opportunity to respond to the charges brought against him.Pohiva Tui'onetoa

He said he first discovered the move to dismiss him when he attended the meeting and saw an agenda item proposing his dismissal. Statements filed with the court claim the item had not been brought up from the village council as required by the Constitution.

At a Church village meeting on November 18, 2012, chaired by Rev. Siosaia Taufa, Dr Tu’i’onetoa repeatedly and strongly questioned the financial dealings of the Church. He strongly questioned the lack of transparency regarding its financial affairs. During a heated exchange Dr Tu’i’onetoa said “shit” (t_’e) once.

Rev Saulala cited this as a reason for dismissing Dr Tu’i’onetoa, saying he had “sinned.”              

Dr Tu’i’onetoa said his dismissal was calculated to stop him questioning the church’s  financial matters.

He was expelled from the body of the Church at a Kolomotu’a congregation meeting on September 26, 2013. He alleged the dismissal did not follow a proper hearing and adjudication as set out by the Church’s Constitution. The reason for dismissal was not a criteria for dismissal as set out in the church’s constitution.

In the writ, Dr Tu’i’onetoa said he had been publicly humiliated by the dismissal and the charges against him.

At the time of the meeting, Dr Tu’i’onetoa  was overseas and was not aware of the meeting. He was not given an opportunity to be heard or to respond to the charges against him.

He said he was told he was dismissed because he had locked the Kolomotu’a church building following a morning Sunday service on 18 August, 2013.

The claimant

The Auditor General had been a member of the Tokaikolo Christian Church for 35 years. He was dismissed following a District Meeting chaired by Dr Saulala December 26, 2012.

Among his other positions  with the church, he was a member of the Church’s general conference and treasurer for the Church’s Kolomotu’a congregation.

From 1980 to 1984 Dr  Tu’i’onetoa taught economics and accounting at the Church’s Lavengamalie College. He paid for textbooks for the school library, worked after hours from his Government job and went without pay for three years.

In 2008, Dr Tu’i’onetoa and three other church members borrowed TOP$202,600 from the Tong Development Bank to pay for buildings for the Kolomotu’a congregation.

On the day the church was opened he donated TOP$50,000 to pay off the construction loan and paid the TOP$5,000 cultural gift for the Guest of Honor, Noble Vaha’i.

During his membership of the Church,  Dr Tu’i’onetoa contributed an average TOP$5,000 to the Church each year.

The defendant

Rev. Saulala  is the treasurer, as well as the president of the Church. He is also publisher and editor of the Church’s bilingual newspaper Ofa ki Tonga.

The  Church  began  as  the  Tokaikolo  Christian Fellowship, which was founded by the Rev. Senituli Koloi in 1978.

In the mid-1970s, Rev. Koloi, who was then a member of the Free Wesleyan Church and President of the Scripture Union of Tonga, held prayer meetings and gave sermons throughout Tonga, urging listeners to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. This religious concept was new to many Tongans at the time.

After 1978 the Tokaikolo movement was based at ‘Lavengamalie’ in Tofoa left to him by the Piliu family. A college, church hall and other buildings were constructed there.

After Rev. Koloi died, Rev. Saulala claimed that Rev. Koloi had chosen him to lead the movement. From the mid-1980s he began to claim that God wanted him to be leader for life.

The Tokaikolo Christian Fellowship became a Church in 1994 when Rev. Saulala declared himself president of the Tokaikolo Christian Church. In 2007, the Tokaikolo Christian Church’s Board and Constitution were renamed and officially registered under the CharitableTrusts Act (“the Act”) as the Tokaikolo Christian Church International.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa’s writ names the church as the second defendant.

According to its Constitution, the Church is governed by the Council of Elders’ Conference. The Church is made up of country districts that includes ‘districts’ in Tonga, the US, Australia and New Zealand. District meetings are held twice each year for every district of the Church and are presided over by Rev. Saulala.

All congregations on Tongatapu and ‘Eua constitute one district. Districts are made up of village congregations. There are 15 village congregations in Tongatapu and ‘Eua. Kolomotu’a is a village congregation under the Tongatapu district.

In the Tonga 2011 National  Census of Population and Housing, 2,533 Tongans affiliated themselves with the Tokaikolo Church.

In July 2013, the Church split after allegations of sexual impropriety and financial mismanagement were made against Rev. Saulala. Significant numbers of church members left to form a new Church called Mo ‘ui Fo ‘ou ‘Ia Kalaisi under the leadership of the Rev. Sione Maile.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Auditor General, Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, acting in a private capacity,has served a writ on the head of the Tokaikolo Christian Church International, Rev. Liufau Saulala, alleging wrongful dismissal from the church.

  • In his writ, he claims that he was wrongfully dismissed from his position as lay preacher and trainee deacon and wrongfully expelled from the body of the church.

  • In the writ, Dr Tu’i’onetoa claims he was dismissed to stop him questioning the church’s finances.

  • Court documents filed by Dr Tu’i’onetoa include allegations of attempts to get church members to buy quack medicine, failed business ventures, questionable loans, impossible claims about overseas investments and associations with people who were later prosecuted by Australian and American financial authorities.

  • The Tokaikolo Church split last year amidst sexual and financial scandals.

  • Dr Tu’i’onetoa is seeking substantial financial damages.

More information

Tokaikolo church continues its dismissal campaign

Accused Church will be audited

New Zealand Charities Register

Nelson businessman accused of running US$42 million Ponzi scheme

Bus strike called off as government and FIBA negotiate

The third day of disruption for thousands of Tongatapu bus passengers has been avoided after the government and FIBA reached a proposed settlement that would allow both parties to return to the negotiation table.

The government has asked FIBA to call-off the strike and resubmit a request it previously made asking the Prime Minister  to exempt buses from consumption tax and custom duty on diesel and spare parts.

Samipeni Finau, president of the Friendly Island Bus Association (FIBA), told Kaniva News they have received a ‘positive response’ from the secretary of the Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Ma’afu.

It is still unclear what exactly government would do in response to FIBA’s request other than telling them to resubmit their request but Finau said they welcome the development.

“Lord Ma’afu’s secretary told me she has on file recommendations the government is willing to reconsider our request on condition that we return to service today,” Finau said in Tongan.

“Just by the sound of what I was told it looks like there will be a bus fare rise or something along that line. But that has to be confirmed when we sit down to negotiate. We had a meeting with all FIBA members and we agreed to return to service today,” Finau added.

FIBA claimed more than 60% of what bus owners earn from bus fares goes to diesel.

Finau said during the two days strike they received mix reactions from the public.

He said many gave their supports while others asked them to return to service as the impact of the strike was greater on them and their children rather than the government.

The strike began on Monday and it continued on yesterday indenting to have been followed by more industrial action if the government would not address FIBA’s request positively, Finau said.

The Prime MInister Lord Tu'ivakano and his Deputy Hon Samiu Vaipulu are currently on overseas trips.

FIBA is the only bus association in Tonga and it has about 100 buses according to Finau.