Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Newsletter
Support Kaniva
Home Blog Page 860

17 million funded-project underway to rebuild Haʻapai

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

The electricity network and school facilities damaged by Cyclone Ian in Ha’apai early this year are currently rebuilt through a TP$17 million funded-project that majorly contributed by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the New Zealand government.

The fund came from a TP$9 million granted by ADB, TP$6.5 million funded by the New Zealand government and TP$1.67 million contributed by Tonga Power Ltd.

The Tongan government contributed to the project with what it described as “in-kind” contribution.

TP$5,326,020.00  of the grant would go to the restoration of the electricity network.

The project began on Friday, October 31 in the village of Koulo and it would include “removal of materials containing asbestos from damaged buildings”, Tonga Power says.

A crew of nine Tonga Power staff including linesmen and mechanics were sent from Tongatapu to Ha’apai to work on the project.

It was expected to take  around twelve months before completion and would involve a significant number of lines and Project Management staff, said John van Brink, CEO of Tonga Power Limited.

The equipment and materials for the construction arrived in Ha’apai on Wednesday, 29 October 2014. Some of the equipment were:

– One bucket truck to be used by the linesmen

– One crane truck to be used for drilling

– One Ute to transport the materials for the project to the construction areas

– ABC drums to renew the power lines at Ha’apai

– Meter boxes for the project

The power poles for the project were shipped to Pangai, Ha’apai in March 2014 as part of the New Zealand Government’s contribution.

“Earlier this year, Tropical Cyclone Ian destroyed 90% of the power lines and power poles on Ha‟apai leaving more than 900 customers without power and over 75% of homes severely destroyed in the powerful storm”.

Kahoua teenager dies after allegedly huffing “ados glue”

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

An 18-year-old male teenager from Kahoua allegedly died this week from inhaling “ados glue”.

The deceased was one of four young men believed to have been in the ages of 15, 16 and 18.

“…the chemical from the glue, had damaged the young man’s kidney, lungs, and liver,” Radio & Television Tonga news quoted Dr. Seventeen Toumo’ua as saying.

Only two of the men were admitted to Vaiola hospital including the deceased.

Concerns are growing for the well-being of the rest of the men who have yet to seek medical help from hospital.

Tongan man dies in Utah after fleeing police

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Two men fleeing police died after their car crashed into a vacant home causing fire early Friday morning, October 31 at Poplar Street in Price, Utah, United States.

A Carbon County deputy sheriff reportedly said Taukatelata Solomone Faulua, a 24-year-old Tongan who lived in West Valley,  and Guy Nelson Tsosie, 34, of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, were identified as victims killed in the crash.

A sheriff deputy arrived to find two  men fighting outside a parking lot outside The Tuscan, a restaurant near 100 N. and Carbon Ave,  fox13now.com reports.

The victims fled the scene prompting a pursuit with Police that ended in the fatal crash.

Both men died inside the burning car, according to report.

Malakai Fekitoa dropped from All Blacks side to face England

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

All Backs coach Steve Hansen left Fekitoa out of his 23-man squad to play England at Twickenham this Saturday 8 November. (Kick-off: 2.30PM UKT, 3.30AM Sunday 9 November NZT).

Fekitoa has been given another week off to rest after what Hansen described as a “massive” season for the Highlanders midfielder, according to New Zealand Herald.

All Blacks statement says “the matchday squad that takes the field against England has 1,029 Test caps between them and an average age of 27 years”.

The team is:

Starting XV:

  1. Wyatt Crockett (33)
  2. Dane Coles (24)
  3. Owen Franks (65)
  4. Brodie Retallick (34)
  5. Samuel Whitelock (60)
  6. Jerome Kaino (54)
  7. Richie McCaw – captain (134)
  8. Kieran Read (70)
  9. Aaron Smith (36)
  10. Aaron Cruden (36)
  11. Julian Savea (30)
  12. Sonny Bill Williams (20)
  13. Conrad Smith (83)
  14. Ben Smith (35)
  15. Israel Dagg (45)

Reserves:

  1. Keven Mealamu (121)
  2. Ben Franks (39)
  3. Charlie Faumuina (24)
  4. Patrick Tuipulotu (5)
  5. Liam Messam (37)
  6. TJ Perenara (8)
  7. Beauden Barrett (26)
  8. Ryan Crotty (10)

‘Īkale-Tahi name team for Georgia.

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

ʻĪkale-Tahi head coach Mana ʻŌtai has named his team to play Georgia as Tonga’s End of Year tour will start in Tbilisi at 5:00pm this Saturday,  November 8.

The ‘Ikale Tahi team selected is as follows:

 

Number Name Village Club
1 Tevita Mailau Felemea (Hp) and ‘Ōtea (Vv) Mont De Marsan (Fr)
2 Aleki Lutui Tofoa Gloucester (UK)
3 Sila Puafisi Ha’ateiho and Longomapu (Vv) Gloucester (UK)
4 Tukulua Lokotui Ha’ateiho and Mounga’one (Hp) Montpelier (Fr)
5 Joe Tu’ineau Fasi-moe-afi Lyon (Fr)
6 Sione Kalamafoni Matahau Gloucester (UK)
7 Nili Latu Afā NEC Rockets (Jp)
8 Viliami Ma’afu Kolovai Oyonnax (Fr)
9 Sonatane Takulua Lapaha Northland (NZ)
10 Kurt Morath
11 Fetu’u Vainikolo Ha’alalo Exeter (UK)
12 Hemani Paea Neiafu (Vv) Oyonnax (Fr)
13 Siale Piutau Kolofo’ou and Folaha Yamaha (Jp)
14 David Halaifonua Fātumu and Tu’anikivale (Vv) Bergirac (Fr)
15 Vungakoto Lilo Koulo (Hp) and Foa (Hp) Tarbes Pyrenees (Fr)
Reserves
16 Elvis Taione Tu’atākilangi and Ha’akio (Vv) Exeter Chiefs (UK)
17 Siua Halanukonuka Tasman (NZ)
18 Paea Fa’anunu Castre (Fr)
19 Lisiate Fa’aoso Holonga Bayonne (Fr)
20 Hale T Pole Muitoa and Fu’amotu Otago (NZ)
21 Taniela Moa Fātumu and ‘Ohonua (Eua) Pau (Fr)
22 Latiume Fosita Haveluloto and Felemea (Hp) Northland (NZ)
23 Otulea Katoa Haveluloto Southland (NZ)

 

 

Sione Sisifā is Tonga's solicitor general

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

The lawyer who was instrumental in putting murderers behind bars for the man slaughter of the New Zealand Police officer Kali Fungavaka has been appointed as Tonga’s Solicitor General.

Sione Sisifā, a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of Fiji was appointed to the post on 31 October 2014, a position he currently holds, Crown Law office says.

It says the Solicitor General is responsible for all legal matters referred by the Government and the Cabinet to the Crown Law Department and has appeared on behalf of the Government in a wide range of legal cases.

However, the main areas of practice that the Solicitor General has been involved with has been in the areas of public law, criminal law, commercial law and international law.

Sisifa, 39, joined the Crown Law Department in 2000, after having graduated with an LLB from the University of the South Pacific.

'Īkale-Tahi train under Jake White

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Tonga’s national rugby team trained at the University of Central Lancashire on Friday 31 under their new technical adviser, Jake White.

The ‘Īkale-Tahi team are in England as part of their End of Year Tour to Europe where they will perform three test matches.

Mana Ōtai, the head coach, was hopeful this tour will be different after they received a massive opportunity to work  closely with the professionals and got feed back from coaching staff at the university.

Mana said  it was a great blessing for the ʻĪkale-Tahi to have Jake White with them during the tour.

White, who guided South Africa to the 2007 World Cup, was pictured training with ʻĪkale-Tahi players in Lancashire.

The ‘Ikale-Tahi, keen for a fresh start after the New Zealand’s Chief prop Ben Tameifuna withdrew from Tonga’s tour to fight in a charity boxing bout with rugby league player Willie Mason in December, have just arrived in Tbilisi, Georgia on Monday.

The Tongan team  will play Georgia on Saturday 8 November, The USA on Saturday 15 November and Scotland on Saturday 22 November.

New government funding pays allowance for ‘Īkale-Tahi players

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Tonga’s national rugby team, ‘Īkale-Tahi , are set to benefit from TP$124,000.00 funding donated by government last week to help pay for the players’ allowance.

The rugby  funding will be paid out to Īkale-Tahi players while  playing three test matches in Europe starting this Saturday 8.

The money was reportedly given to Tonga Rugby Union’s interim CEO, Fuka Kitekei’aho through the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Sports Department .

Lomu and Dagg referred to Police over Election Day social media  

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Jonah Lomu and Israel Dagg were among 26 commentators Election Commission have yesterday referred to Police in response to complaints about social media content on Election Day.

This compares to five referrals for similar matters after the 2011 general election.

24 of the incidents involve people publishing or distributing statements likely to influence voters on Election Day in breach of section 197 of the Electoral Act 1993, including:

  • Seven incidents involving people publishing material indicating how they voted and/or publishing statements likely to influence voters: these include comments posted by high profile sports personalities, Israel Dagg, Jonah Lomu and Eric Murray.
  • Two incidents where a person posted a photograph of a completed ballot paper together with a statement that could influence voters.
  • Thirteen incidents involving people sharing on Election Day a video featuring John Key and a ‘vote National Party’ Message posted on the Young Nats Facebook page after the close of advance voting on Friday 19 September.
  • Two incidents involving people sharing on Election Day a ‘vote for Nikki Kaye National Party candidate, Auckland Central’ message posted on her Facebook page on Friday 19 September.
  • An additional two incidents have been referred to Police for further investigation involving individuals who posted online that they intended to vote more than once. Voting more than once is an offence under section 215 of the Electoral Act.

Mr Dagg’s tweet read: “Just voted for @johnkeypm and the National party all the best for tonight #blueallday #National.” Dagg later replaced his tweet with an apology saying he “doesn’t read the fine print”, which has also since been deleted.

Mr Lomu tweeted: “@johnkeypm All the best for Tonight Get in there everyone YOUR last chance to vote and grow NZ Go “National”#vote2014nz #vote2014nz.” The post has since been deleted.

As these matters are now with the Police, the Electoral Commission will not be commenting further.

Obama wishes Tonga a warm independence day  

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

US Secretary of State John Kerry has passed on President Barack “warmest wishes” to Tonga on Independence Day.

Mr Kerry said: “On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send my warmest wishes to the people of the Kingdom of Tonga on your national day this November 4”.

“The United States and Tonga share a history of close partnership rooted in our commitment to international security and environmental conservation”.

“We hope to strengthen our relationship in the future through continued promotion of open and transparent governance and cooperation on issues of mutual concern like climate change and natural resource management.

“As you celebrate your national day, know that the United States remains a partner and friend to your country. We wish you and the people of Tonga peace and prosperity in the years to come”.

1...859860861...932Page 860 of 932
© Copyright 2026 Kaniva Tonga News & Entertainment