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Assault most reported crime in December

By
Kaniva Pacific
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NUKU'ALOFA,TO –  Police report says  236 criminal offences were registered over a period of one month.

From December 2013 to February 2, 2014 a total of 37 crimes were registered on Week 1, 28 crimes on Week 2, 54 crimes on Week 3, 67 crimes on week 4 and 50 crimes on Week 5.

Assault was the most reported crime with a total of 63 offences reported to the Tonga Police followed by 59 thefts, 47 housebreaking, 19 embezzlement, 5 bodily harm, 4 indecent assault, 4 false pretense followed by 1 each for rape, unlawful entry into building, abetment of crime, intimidating of government servant, use of threatening language to government servant, assault with intent to rob, grievous bodily harm, obtaining money by false statement and forgery.

Most offences were reported and registered at the Central Police Station with 137 out of the 236 Offences, followed by 32 offences registered at the Mu’a Station, 25 at the Vaini Station, 23 at Nukunuku Station, 9 registered at Neiafu, 5 at Nomuka and 4 at ‘Eua.

A total of 267 Offences were registered under other Criminal Offences Act with drunkenness and disturbance the most reported.

Traffic Offences reached a total of 508 registered offences with driving an unregistered vehicle the most reported followed by not licensing of motor vehicle for quarter December, 2013 and Motor Vehicle not annually examined.

Air Joy MA60 crash lands at Zhengzhou Airport

By
Kaniva Pacific
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China’s troubled MA-60 turboprop aircraft suffered another mishap this week, when the plane’s landing gear failed at Zhengzhou’s Xinzheng International Airport.

According to a Xinhua report, the aircraft, which belonged to Xi’an-based Joy Air, had just landed with 37 passengers and seven crew members onboard when its front landing gear failed, causing the plane to collapse on to the tarmac.

Nobody was injured in the incident, according to a statement by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), but operations at the airport were temporarily suspended, causing 114 subsequent inbound and outbound flights to be delayed.

The Joy Air flight was had just arrived from Taiyuan, the capital of northern China’s Shanxi province, and was due to fly onwards from Zhengzhou to Hefei in Anhui province.

The Joy Air failure marks the latest in a string of incidents involving the MA-60, including several involving its landing gear.

In January 2009, an MA-60 operated by Zest Airways in the Philippines veered sharply after landing at Caticlan Airport and crashed into a concrete barrier. Then in 2011 an MA-60 operated by Bolivia’s TAM was forced to land without its front landing year fully deployed, after the mechanism failed. Then in 2013 Myanma Airways flight also swerved off the runway after touching down at Kawthaung, in the far south of the country. This was one of three separate incidents involving the MA-60 in the space of two months in 2013, including two in Myanmar and one in Indonesia.

The MA-60 was also temporarily suspended in Indonesia in 2011, after a Merpati flight crashed into the sea off the coast of West Papua, killing all 27 people onboard. Pilot error was blamed for the incident.

There are currently approximately 80 MA-60s operating in the world, all with airlines in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The aircraft is made by the Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation.

Traveldailymedia.com

Japan funds $1.6 bn for mega solar power plant

By
Kalino Latu
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A Japanese $1.6 billion yen grant will help install the Micro-Grid System with Renewable Energy project for the Tonga Energy Roadmap, the Government announced Friday 31.

Installing the micro-grid control system at the Maama Mai Solar Farm,  the Tonga Power Limited will be able to expand its renewable energy power production capacity to include the Tonga Energy roadmap.

The assistance will also provide a 1 Mega Watt Photovoltaic (PV) generator at Vaini, with another micro-grid system which will be connected with the existing hybrid power generation system located at Popua village, government statement says.  

“Tonga has demonstrated its leadership to promote renewable energy in the Pacific and I am pleased to see that the Government of Japan has supported the efforts of the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga,”  Japanese Ambassador Dr. Hamuro  said.

“With these control systems, the generators in Tongatapu can better coordinate each other so that it can minimize unnecessary loads and damages caused by fluctuation of power generation by PV generators, and improve the existing hybrid power generation system,” added Ambassador Dr. Hamuro.

The installation of the new systems is expected to be completed by the end of March 2015. 

Japan upgrades Tupou High School, Nukunuku Campus

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tupou High School campus at Nukunuku received a grant of TP$163,624.10 on  Tuesday 4  from the Japanese government.  

The Free Wesleyan Church funded school will use the grant to help fund classroom building renovation for Form 1-5  including Staff Room, multi-purpose hall renovation  such as window frames & floor, new toilet building  – 4 rooms each for male & female students and a 10,000 litre water tank.

The contract  was signed by  H.E Dr. Kazuchika Hamuro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga and Mr. Holani Tu’inauvai, Chairperson of the Parents and Teachers Association of Tupou High School.

“This project meets the aim of GGP and will contribute to improving the quality of Universal Basic Education, which is one of the priority objectives of Tonga’s development strategy,” said H.E. Dr. Kazuchika Hamuro in his key note address.  

The Nukunuku Campus PTA  sought the Japanese assistance in September 2013.  

Tonga’s Community Park – “Times Square”

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A square in the central area of Kolofo’ou in Nuku’alofa will officially become a major landmark and meeting place for all the people of Tonga. It is called the ‘Time Square’

The Ministry of Land and Survey has partnered with leading Wi-Fi operator  Digicel to  provide a 24 hour, 7 day, 4G Wi-Fi high-speed wireless service across the area.

The square has previously hosted the Special Olympics and Mate Ma’a Tonga welcoming home, Sisu o Fetungingila Fellowship, Doulos Broadcasting Network Praise Party, Westpac Christmas in the Park and other community events since November 2013. 

Digicel Tonga’s CEO, Mr. Jack Bourke says, “We are delighted to be working with the Ministry of Lands to ensure Nuku’alofa has a safe and secure space for the people to enjoy. The “Times Square” now offers 4G speeds on our Wi- Fi service and we have received support from the local businesses and community groups for the initiatives that are being deployed to lift the overall ‘town’ experience”.  

In recognition of the dedication of the square for a community purpose, this also serves as notification that the park will no longer be available as a public car-park.  The safety of the visitors to the park is paramount and the elimination of vehicles in the square and park area will ensure enjoyment for all.   

Time Square

Tonga’s Winter Olympian concerned about his sister’s safety

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Winter Olympian Bruno Banani’s sister claims he is desperately worried about her safety as she travels to Russia to watch him compete.

Bruno Banani, 25, is the first Tongan athlete to qualify for the Winter Olympics.

He is competing in the luge, a downhill sled event.

Speaking before she left for Sochi, Atela Semi said Bruno was ‘desperate’ when he found out she was going to Sochi by herself.

 “I hope and pray that everything will be fine with my trip as I have not travelled to these countries before,” she said.

Semi, 23, said she was not confident of travelling by herself when she found out that Tonga Association of Sporting Associations and Olympic Committee (TASANOC) officials had already left for Sochi, where the Games are being held.

She said she had to go as her brother really wanted her to watch him compete in the luge.

Banani’s family in Tonga and in New Zealand blasted TASNOC executives, saying they neglected Semi’s travel process and left everything until the last minute.

“We have to send Atela because this is a milestone for our family and we need one of us to attend Bruno’s game,” a family member told Kaniva News.

“We feel we were disrespectfully treated by TASANOC.”

Semi’s visa was approved with the help of the Tongan consulate in Auckland only hours before she left for Sochi

She said TASANOC said it would fund everything for her travel, but she was not given any pocket money. She said her family in New Zealand had to provide it for her.

She is not accredited to official occasions and activities during the Winter Games in Sochi.

However, TASANOC’s General Secretary, Takitoa Taumoepeau said  there had been a lot of misunderstanding by members of Tonga Luge about the process of accrediting someone to the Games.

Taumoepeau said Banani’s family had changed its mind about who was going to represent them at the Games, which had made things difficult.

“Originally the arrangement was for Bruno's dad to go, but that did not happen,” Taumoepeau said.

“They proposed Atela and Bruno's brother, Taniela but there wasn’t enough money and getting accreditation at that late stage was difficult.

“It was just an acknowledgement by Tonga Luge to send a member of Bruno's family, but they could opt to stay if it ended up this way.”

Funding for travel to the Games was partly funded by the Tongan Government, TASANOC and Tonga Luge.

Four Tongan team members will be at the Games. They are: the Chef de Mission, Mathias Ihle, coach Isabel Barchinski, administrator Leafa and Banani.

Ihle removed her name from accreditation as she will only be a spectator, so it was easier to arrange for her visa application.

Taumoepeau said critics misunderstood the situation when more Tongan officials than team members travelled overseas.

He said the arrangements for team members were covered by International Olympic Committee Rule 38, which covers transport, accommodation and other costs.

 “Other members fund their own travel and that is why they are not counted in the team,”  Taumoepeau said.

“They are outside IOC Rule 38, but still able to attend.”

Tonga’s first winter athlete

Bruno Banani, 25, is the first Tongan athlete to qualify for the Winter Olympics.

Banani, who was born Fuahea Semi, will compete in the luge.

A luge is a small sled on which the competitor lies face up while travelling downhill at speeds of up to 140 kilometres per hour.

It is considered the most dangerous of the sledding sports.

He attempted to qualify for the luge events at the 2010 Winter Olympics but failed.

He did, however, qualify to take part in the FIL World Luge Championships in 2011 where he was eliminated after the first run with a time of 56.698.

In December 2013, he qualified for the luge event at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Banani is not the only Winter Olympian from a country where snow is unknown.

According to the BBC, other Winter Olympians in Sochi will include contenders from East Timor, Thailand and Jamaica.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Winter Olympian Bruno Banani’s sister claims he is desperately worried about her safety as she travels to Russia to watch him compete.
  • Speaking before she left for Sochi, Ateli Semi said Bruno was ‘desperate’ when he found out she was going to Sochi by herself.
  • She said she had to go as her brother really wanted her to watch him compete in the luge.
  • A family member told Kaniva News: “We have to send Atela because this is a milestone for our family and we need one of us to attend Bruno’s game.”
  • However, TASANOC’s General Secretary, Takitoa Taumoepeau said  Banani’s family had changed its mind about who was going to represent them at the Games had made things difficult.

More information

The Flying Coconut, Banani debuts, Unlikely contenders at the Winter Olympics, Olympic Charter

Charges dropped against 123 Tupou College students

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tonga's Magistrate Salesi Mafi charged twenty-four Tupou College students and two adults with serious criminal offences in Nuku'alofa yesterday.

The charges ranged from attempted murder, attempted arson, grievous bodily harm, serious housebreaking, rioting, damaging a building, and to abetment in relation to the vicious attack at a Tofoa  residence  on July18, 2013.

In his ruling however, Magistrate Mafi dropped charges against 123 students and ordered 81 to write a letter of apology after they pleaded guilty to abetting the attackers. 

Three students were discharged due to lack of evidence.

152 people including 147 students from Tupou College were initially charged in relation to the violent attack.

Magistrate Mafi ruled the 81 students had to write a letter to the court apologising to the people of Tonga, the tenant of the house where the attack took place – Lu'isa Mahe – as well as the victims and the principals of Tonga College and Tupou College.

Paying compensation of $200 each to the court within one month, the 81 students were also ordered to submit their letters of apology to the Magistrate Court by February 18.

The 26 accused will reappear on March 24 where they would be committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

The accused violently attacked a home in Tofoa leaving a former Tonga College student Taniela Halahuni in a coma and 15 year-old Tonga College student Daniel Mahe Junior injured.

Ha'apai school fees waived and subsidised

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

The Tonga Government officially approved on Friday, 31st January 2014, to waive the school fees for Haʻapai High School and to subsidise, through NEMO, the school fees for all Non-Government schools for all levels (ECE, primary, and secondary) in 2014.

Further, NEMO will undertake, also, a survey to identify all students whose parents or guardians are permanent residents of Haʻapai but who are studying in Tongatapu schools. The fees of such students will be waived if they are enrolled in Government schools and subsidized if they are enrolled in Non

– Government schools. The assistance is estimated to be worth approximately $160,000 for students studying in Haʻapai schools only.

The assistance with school fees is only part of a comprehensive package of assistance to the Haʻapai Group by the Tonga Government, Donors, and Development Partners in response to the devastations wrought by Tropical Cyclone Ian

It will include the provision of school packs and tents; water tanks; repair and/or replacement construction of school and sanitation facilities and staff quarters; furniture, teaching and learning resources and office equipment; textbooks and reading books; sports equipment; counselling services; food packs; and, plants, seedlings, and planting tools.

The Ministry of Education and Training is most grateful to the Tonga Government, Donors, and Development Partners, and the people of Tonga for their continuing generous response and support for the urgent needs of Haʻapai schools. It meant that most schools in Haʻapai in the affected islands began the school year normally on 3rd February 2014.

TP$93,220.85 donated through Ha’apaiveu Committee

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Today, the Chair of the Ha’apaiveu Relief Committee, Hon. Sangster Saulala has presented to the Honourable Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano the contribution of the Committee to the Cyclone Ian Relief Fund – a total of cash and in-kind donation of TOP $93,220.85 of which TOP $32,220.85 of the funds being deposited to the Cyclone Ian Relief Account.

The Chair of the Committee, Hon. Sangster Saulala said, “With this contribution, we (the Committee) sincerely hope it can help in some ways to ease the suffering of the people of Ha’apai.”

“Our effort is ongoing and we will be presenting more assistance later on,” said the Hon. Minister.

The Committee have conducted various activities since January 17, collecting cash/cheques and in-kind donations amounting to TOP$70,000.

“It was heart-warming to see the outpour of support from people,” added the Hon. Chair of the Committee.

Activities to raise funds ranged from walk-ins donations to radiothon and charity rugby games.  Details of the presentation included:

·         TOP $32,220.85 – in the Westpac Cyclone Relief Account established by Ministry of Finance

·         Other donations were made from the Office Equipment (School kits worth TOP $25,000);

·         Water bottles by Emerald Hotel (worth TOP $25,000);

·         Food items by Tui Uata (worth TOP $10,000);

·         Food items by Saia Moehau (worth TOP $10,000);

The Ha’apaiveu Relief Committee is a committee of public and private sector people coming together to raise fund to help Ha’apai after Cyclone Ian with the Hon. Salote Lupepau’u as patronage.

Other members are comprised of the Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries as Chair (Hon. Sangster Saulala); Minister for Public Enterprises (Hon. Fe’ao Vakata), Solicitor General (‘Aminiasi Kefu); Director of Public Enterprises (Siaosi Sovaleni) including local businessmen (Timote Katoanga, Saia Moehau, Kisione Tupou, Tuivaita Ueleni, Tui Uata and Saia Moehau) and renowned partners from the private sectors as well as ‘Epeli Taione as Vice-Chair.

Vunipola denies legal issue behind pull out

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Rugby Seven’s coach Manu Vunipola's has denied that his shock decision to withdraw from this week’s Rugby Sevens tournament in Wellington was because of legal action involving his New Zealand ex-wife.

The former ‘Ikale Tahi scrum-half refused to discuss the legal action and said there was no problem with his being in New Zealand.

“I assure you there was no issue with my visa to New Zealand,” Vunopila said.

“I have been to the New Zealand Immigration here and they said my New Zealand permanent residency is still valid.”

Vunipola said he pulled out because of a commitment to set up the Toa-ko- Ma’afu Saracen’s Academy in Tonga.

Tonga Rugby Union’s interim CEO, Fuka Kitekei’aho said the rugby board had approved Vunipola’s withdrawal

Kaniva News has seen a copy of Vunipola’s -email to the board.

In it Vunipola does not give  any clear reason for opting out, except for saying that he had an important  commitment this week.

The former coach said later he had decided to remain in Tonga to work with a consultant from English Saracen Rugby Club.

“His coming was unexpected as he was due to come later on, but I have no choice,” Vunipola said.

He said he had to help his brother Fe’ao – a former Tongan rugby captain and father of current Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola – to work with the consultant on setting up of the academy.

Vunipola will be replaced  as coach for the Rugby Sevens by Taholo ‘Anitoni.

He said he was  happy with ‘Anitoni leading the team in Welington because he was his assistant during last year’s qualifying games.

Tonga will meet Kenya, Samoa and Australia in Wellington

Tongan Rugby fans expressed surprise at Vunipola’s withdrawal as coach because he had been accused of being behind the sacking of Waqa and his assistant, Tevita Tu’ifua, something Vunipola strongly denies.

Speaking in Tongan, Vunipola said: “I heard rumours I was instrumental in trying to dismiss Waqa and Tu’ifua because I wanted the post”

“No, that was wrong.

“Their sacking was based on a board decision and not me.”

Waqa said his contract had been terminated because a few board members had “their own interest” in the position of the Seven’s coach.

The Tongan rugby board compensated Waqa and Tu’ifua, who claimed their dismissal was illegal.

Many Tongan rugby fans who spoke to Kaniva News lashed out at the Tonga Rugby Union, saying it had been ineffective for years.

TRU president ‘EpeliTaione did not respond to our email.

The main points

  • Tongan Rugby Seven’s coach Manu Vunipola has pulled out of the Rugby Sevens tournament in Wellington.
  • Vunipola has denied that his shock decision was made because of legal action taken against him by his ex-wife.
  • He said he pulled out because of a commitment to set up the Toa-ko- Ma’afu Saracen’s Academy in Tonga.
  • Tonga Rugby Union’s interim CEO, Fuka Kitekei’aho said the rugby board had approved Vunipola’s withdrawal.
  • Vunipola will be replaced by Taholo ‘Anitoni for the tournament.
  • Tonga will meet Kenya, Samoa and Australia in Wellington.

The Saracens and Tonga

Toa Saracens RFC has joined the global network of Saracens clubs.

The Tongan team will wear the same playing strip as the English Premiership club and Saracens coaches and community staff will visit Tonga regularly.

According to the London24 news site, Tongans from the age of 14 will be granted educational bursaries and benefit from expert rugby, dietary and conditioning advice.

The English team has a number of Pacific players in its ranks, including Samoan prop James Johnston, Fijian wing Michael Tagicakibau and New Zealand wing Jack Wilson.

For more information:

Tongan side joins the Saracens’ global network http://www.london24.com/sport/rugby/tongan_side_joins_the_saracens_global_network_1_2320125

http://www.saracens.com/

 

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