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Real Tonga airline investigated after emergency landing

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tonga has suspended its national airline’s permit to operate a Jetstream 32 after the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Fua’amotu airport today.

Tonga’s Minister for Infrastructure, Hon. ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu said he was notified this morning the aircraft had been required to make an emergency landing due to engine failure.

The cause of the incident has yet to be confirmed but the minister said one of the aircraft’s double engine failed to operate. An investigation was underway he added.

For precautionary measure, when the engine failure was known just after the plane left Vava’u this morning January 7 the two New Zealand pilots, Simon Peter J. Butler and Athol Aaron M. Isaac along with 19 passengers on board endured more than two hours flight bypassing  the Ha’apai airport and headed straight to Tongatapu.

The incident was the third within 12 months after the airline’s B-65 Queenair crash landed at ‘Eua’s Kaufana Airport in April 2014. None of the seven passengers or the pilot were injured.

On Thursday last week January 2 the Real Tonga’s Chinese-made Harbin Y12’s brakes failed to operate while taxiing causing it to slide off the runway. The plane was scheduled to depart for ‘Eua.

New Zealand -Tongan Olympic shot-put champion Valerie Adams boarded the plane after she attended a double celebration at her mother’s hometown in Tongatapu. .

A caption of a photo she posted after the incident read: “…the Real Tonga Airlines on their way to ‘Eua only to find out the breaks [sic] don’t work as the plane started to slide off the runway…thank goodness everyone was safe and no one got hurt.

Adams also wrote on her Instagram account and said: “Back in Tonga cause [sic] problems with brakes haha so waiting on eta for our flight zzzzz.”

Hon. Lavulavu said he spoke with the aviation CEO and also Tevita Palu, CEO of the Real Tonga Airline after the incident and they agreed to ground the plane.

He said full report of the incident must be submitted to him by the airline before further decision can be made.

In 2012, the New Zealand government warned New Zealand tourists they would be flying at their own risk in Tonga because Real Tonga was using an MA60 aircraft, which did not meet New Zealand air safety standards. The MA60 has been involved in a number of incidents in different parts of the world.

New Zealand’s Foreign Affair Minister Murray McCully withheld a large grant meant to help the kingdom’s tourism industry to pressure the Tongan government into taking action over the MA60.

ICAO

In September last year Kaniva News published a confidential letter Tonga’s former Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō sent to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on July 15, 2014 in response to two Mandatory Information Requests concerning the certification of the MA60.

In the letter the then Prime Minister promised to revise Tonga’s civil aviation rules and regulations within 60-90 days and committed the kingdom to meeting New Zealand aviation standards.

Lord Tuʻivakanō undertook to review certain areas in Tonga’s aviation system like the Air Operator Certificates, Foreign Air Operator Certificates, Maintenance Organisation Certificates, Aerodrome Operator Certificates, Airworthiness Certificates, Aircraft Certificate of Registration and Type Acceptable Certificates.

The letter was apparently written to please the ICAO after it was reported the international body was not satisfied with how the Tongan government treated its demand to review its aviation system following the arrival of the controversial aircraft in 2012.

Pope appoints Tonga’s first Catholic cardinal

By
Kalino Latu
-

Bishop Sōane Patita Mafi of the diocese of Tonga and Niuē has been appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis.

This is the first time the title has been bestowed on a priest from the kingdom.

At 53, Bishop Mafi is the youngest of the Catholic Church’s 15 new cardinals. Among the other appointments is 95-year-old Archbishop Pimiento Rodriguez, Archbishop Emeritus of Manizales, Colombia.

The new cardinals have been chosen from 13 countries.

A Vatican statement said the Pontiff would summon a formal meeting of the College of Cardinals, known as a Consistory, on February 14, at which they would reflect on the proposals for the reform of the Roman Curia.

The Vatican statement quoted Pope Francis as saying the new Cardinals “manifest the indissoluble links between the Church of Rome and the particular Churches present in the world.”

On February 15 the newly created Cardinal Mafi will take part in a concelebrated mass presided over by the Pope.

Bishop Mafi was the third Tongan to be appointed a Catholic Bishop.

The first Tongan bishop was Pātelesio Fīnau, who served from 1972 – 1993. He was succeeded by Sōane Lilo Foliaki, who served from 1994 – 2008.

The Catholic Church was established in the kingdom in 1842.

Tribute

The news of Bishop Mafi’s elevation has been welcomed by Catholics in the kingdom who see the appointment as making Tonga’s mark in the history of the world’s largest Christian denomination.

Many Tongans have used Facebook to pay tribute to Bishop Mafi.

On the Kainga Fo’ou ‘o ‘Aotearoa forum, a page used by Tongan Catholics in Auckland, a tribute says in Tongan: “Wake up! Let’s shout for joy and be jubilant for the news. Let’s be happy all Tongan Catholic for the honour given to Bishop Soane Patita Mafi. He is cardinal of the church. He is the first Tongan to be appointed to the post.”

Bishop Mafi was born on December 19, 1961 in Nuku’alofa and was ordained as a priest in June 1991.

On October 4, 2007 he was ordained Bishop with the title of Co-adjutor (assistant) Bishop of Tonga and Niue.

On Apr, 18, 2008 he succeeded to the title of the Bishop of Tonga and Niue.

Cardinals

Cardinals hold the highest ecclesiastical positions in the Catholic Church and elect one of their number as Pope.

Known as the Princes of the Church, the Cardinals can wield immense power.

Most are in charge of a diocese or archdiocese, but they may also run departments in the Vatican administration.

In his battle to reform the church, Pope Francis has been highly critical of officials involved in the running of the Vatican, accusing them of vanity, corruption and self interest.

The main points

  • Bishop Sōane Patita Mafi of the diocese of Tonga and Niuē has been appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis.
  • This is the first time the title has been bestowed on a priest from the kingdom.
  • At 53, Bishop Mafi is the youngest of the Catholic Church’s 15 new cardinals. The new cardinals have been chosen from 13 countries.
  • On February 15 the newly created Cardinal Mafi will take part in a concelebrated mass presided over by the Pope.

For more information

http://w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html

‘Pope announces names of new Cardinals’ (Official Vatican News)

Valerie Adams on Real Tonga aircraft as it slides off runway at Fua’amotu

By
Kalino Latu
-

New Zealand -Tongan world shot-put champion Valerie Adams’ decision to join a double celebration in her homeland could have ended in tragedy after the plane she was on slid off the runway at Fuaʻamotu Airport in Tongatapu during the weekend.

Adams’ flew to Tonga to take part in celebrations of the first Houma Global Community Day and the diamond jubilee of the Catholic Church, which was established in the village 75 years ago.

This was the first time the village had organised such large events, which attracted hundreds of visitors from overseas.

Adams, whose mother Lilika Ngauamo came from Houma and Haveluloto, was one of the key speakers during the events.

She also attended a reception arranged by the royal family in Nukuʻalofa.

A caption of a photo she posted read: “…the Real Tonga Airlines on their way to ‘Eua only to find out the breaks [sic] don’t work as the plane started to slide off the runway…thank goodness everyone was safe and no one got hurt.”

A commentator who followed Adams status said: “Only in Tonga can the Olympic gold medallist go home to relax and almost end up in a plane crash.”

Adams also wrote on her Instagram account and said: “Back in Tonga cause [sic] problems with brakes haha so waiting on eta for our flight zzzzz.”

Real Tonga Airline’s Director Tevita Palu told Kaniva News the aircraft involved was a Chinese-made Harbin Y12, not the notorious MA60.

Palu said the aircraft’s brakes did not operate normally during taxiing. The aircraft returned to the gate normally.

He said the flight was delayed until the defect was fixed, but it was operating normally now.

April’s accident

Last April Real Tonga’s B-65 Queenair crash landed at ‘Eua’s Kaufana Airport.

At the time, the airline said the landing gear failed to lower, causing the pilot to belly land the aircraft.

None of the seven passengers or the pilot were injured.

In 2012, the New Zealand government warned New Zealand tourists they would be flying at their own risk in Tonga because Real Tonga was using an MA60 aircraft, which did not meet New Zealand air safety standards. The MA60 has been involved in a number of incidents in different parts of the world.

New Zealand’s Foreign Affair Minister Murray McCully withheld a large grant meant to help the kingdom’s tourism industry to pressure the Tongan government into taking action over the MA60.

ICAO

In September last year Kaniva News published a confidential letter Tonga’s former Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō sent to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on July 15, 2014 in response to two Mandatory Information Requests concerning the certification of the MA60.

In the letter the then Prime Minister promised to revise Tonga’s civil aviation rules and regulations within 60-90 days and committed the kingdom to meeting New Zealand aviation standards.

Lord Tuʻivakanō undertook to review certain areas in Tonga’s aviation system like the Air Operator Certificates, Foreign Air Operator Certificates, Maintenance Organisation Certificates, Aerodrome Operator Certificates, Airworthiness Certificates, Aircraft Certificate of Registration and Type Acceptable Certificates.

The letter was apparently written to please the ICAO after it was reported the international body was not satisfied with how the Tongan government treated its demand to review its aviation system following the arrival of the controversial aircraft in 2012.

The main points

  • World shot-put champion Valerie Adams’ decision to join a double celebration in her homeland could have ended in tragedy after the plane she was on slid off the runway at Fuaʻamotu Airport on the weekend.
  • Adams was a key speaker at the celebrations of the first Houma Global Community Day and the diamond jubilee of the Catholic Church.
  • Real Tonga Airline’s Director Tevita Palu told Kaniva News the aircraft’s brakes did not operate normally during taxiing.
  • He said the aircraft returned to the gate normally, but was delayed until the defect was fixed.

For more information

‘PM revokes Real Tonga’s airline license’

‘Tonga to Receive First China-Made Y-12 in Late-July or Early August’

Pilot crash lands plane in Tonga

ICAO

Pōhiva’s meeting with King a “great opportunity,” but HM wants political boundaries to be respected

By
Kalino Latu
-

His Majesty King Tupou VI met with Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva in a meeting described as a “great opportunity” at the start of Mr Pōhiva’s four year premiership.

The Prime Minister said His Majesty wanted to make sure the boundaries of the executive bodies’ responsibilities were clearly defined and that they would not be overstepped.

Mr Pōhiva said the King wanted the cabinet to inform him once they came across any issues relating to His powers that might interfere with the smooth running of the new government.

Pōhiva said the king had raised the issue because when the last government was in power there were times when the Cabinet and the Privy Council overstepped each other and intruded into areas that were His Majesty’s responsibility.

He said the King did not want these problems to happen again.

In his first Cabinet meeting with his ministers on Monday, Mr Pōhiva reiterated His Majesty’s concerns and said it was important for the Cabinet to follow the guidelines regarding areas of responsibility.

Privy Council and Cabinet

Changes to the Tongan constitution made before the introduction of democracy in 2010 saw the King relinquish some of his powers, allowing the election of the 26 member Legislative Assembly.

However, His Majesty retains some of the fundamental powers laid down by the Tongan constitution such as the right to reject any laws passed by the Legislative Assembly and submitted to him for approval.

No law passed by the government is legitimate unless the king signs the legislation.

His Majesty remains Commander-in-Chief of the Tonga Defence Force and has the power to proclaim martial law over any part or over the whole of the country.

The government’s day-to-day matters are guided by an executive body controlled by the Prime Minister.

The Privy Council includes appointed law lords whose responsibility is to advise the king on certain decision making process according to his constitutional rights.

Pōhiva said an example of the problems that could occur was when His Majesty ordered the Privy Council to investigate the issuing of Tongan passports, but this was not done because of cabinet intervention.

“The Cabinet and the Privy Council were in a rift, that was how it appeared to us when it happened,” Pohiva said.

The Prime Minister said he understood that the King did not want this kind of incident to happen again.

The main points

  • His Majesty King Tupou VI wants the boundaries of responsibility between the Cabinet, Privy Council and himself to be clear under the new government.
  • The kingdom’s new Prime Minister, ‘Akilisi Pohiva, said after a meeting with His Majesty that the King did not want a repeat of certain incidents that occurred under the previous government.
  • Pohiva described the meeting at the start of his four year premiership as “a great opportunity.”
  • Pohiva met with the new Cabinet for the first time on Monday.

For more information

‘Surprise’ as veteran politician Akilisi Pohiva elected Tonga PM

Akilisi Pohiva Tonga’s new PM

22-year-old Tongan first to die on NZ roads in 2015

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A young Tongan woman has become the first person to die on New Zealand roads in 2015 after the car she was passenger in hit a power pole shortly after 6.15am near East Tamaki.

Lavi Taimani, 22, of Onehunga was one of seven people in the car. Police said four of them were taken to Middlemore Hospital with minor injuries but they had since been discharged.

Police believed speed and alcohol were both factors in the fatal crash.

On her Facebook page Pou Tupou sent the dead woman a tribute and said: “R.I.P Lovey Taimani Still can’t believe that you’re Gone Ofa Lahi Atu ki ho kii fofonga malimali..What A Beautiful Girl with a Beautiful HEART…”

Police said the investigation into the crash was continuing.

Foul smell reported across Neiafutahi, more Red Blood Seas spotted

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A strong rotten egg smell had locals of Neiafutahi in Vavaʻu crying foul as investigators scrambled to determine what caused the sea at the village’s beach turned blood red this week.

The sea at Neiafutahi beach turned red on Sunday and the colour remained until yesterday before it turned green and muddy followed by a fish die-off.

Locals were warned not to eat fish from the sea area and to keep away from the scene because of the odour while a geologist at Tonga’s Ministry of Natural Resources said they found more similar red blood seas in other sea areas of Vavaʻu.

Picture of dead fishes found at Neiafutahi sea yesterday January 1, 2015. Picture: Filomena Hansen
Picture of dead fishes found at Neiafutahi sea yesterday January 1, 2015. Picture: Filomena Hansen

Various unofficial theories have been proposed to explain why the sea changed its ocean colour but some believed it was caused by an algal bloom – “a rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae (typically microscopic) in an aquatic system”.

Taniela Kula, the Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources and Geologist said they have yet to determine the cause of the red blood sea and how it can be linked to the fish die-off but investigation was continuing and they would release a statement soon.

He said the geologist in Vava’u has reported sightings of more red blood seas in other areas in  the islands.

The smell was reported as far away as central Neiafu, the capital of Vavaʻu.

A local broadcaster Manu Tapueluelu was at the scene yesterday and she commented on her Facebook page and said: “…Ugly Smells still going through Loto Neiafu right now which is sooo disturbing,message is ‘stay away from eating seafood,fish etc etc for awhile now people”.

Vavaʻu beach sea turns blood red sparking panic

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

The sight of a blood red sea sparked panic at Vavaʻu’s Neiafutahi beach in Tonga this week.

Villagers were in fear to find the sea had turned crimson and that it happened towards the end of the year 2014.

Some people believed this was a biblical sign the world would end soon or perhaps whales had been killed in the waters.

Filomena Hansen  uploaded pictures of the event to Facebook and she simply commented. “OMG don’t tell me it’s the last dreadful day”.

She told Kaniva News the colour was first spotted on Sunday 29 but it was only widely known to villagers yesterday as the red blood sea increasingly spread in size.

We could not be able to obtain comments from Tonga’s Ministry of Natural Resources.

However the episode is not new as it happened in the past in other countries of the world.

Neiafutahi sea turned red. It was first spotted on Sunday 29 December 2014 Picture: Filomena Hansen
Neiafutahi sea turned red. It was first spotted on Sunday 29 December 2014 Picture: Filomena Hansen

On one occasion in 2012, some of Sydney’s most popular beaches were closed as the water turned blood red but the colour was caused by a bloom of algae.

When such event was caused by bloom of algae people called it red tides but scientists prefer the term harmful algal bloom.

“It is caused by microscopic algae that produce toxins that kill fish and make shellfish dangerous to eat. The toxins may also make the surrounding air difficult to breathe…and often turns the water red”.

Meanwhile there were reports of an underwater vent spotted at north of Nuku’alofa this morning which billowed steam of over 3000 metres high above sea level.

Before last Christmas there were reports of large plume of ash erupted violently at Hunga volcano in Haʻapai.

Lord Luani’s wedding to commoner in Alaska provokes fierce online debate

By
Kalino Latu
-

Queen Nanasipauʻu’s nephew Lord Luani, exchanged vows with ‘Eseta Fukatonga Maka, a commoner, in the United States last week.

Luani’s first cousin, Prince Ata, was guest of honour at the wedding, which was held in Alaska, America’s northern-most state.

Lord Luani’s mother is Lady Luseane Vaea, a younger sister of Queen Nanasipauʻu.

The bride, who is not a member of the nobility, has claimed that she had a child with Mapa Malupō, a younger brother of Hon. Makahokovalu Malupō who has been courting Princess Angelica Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho.

The marriage has caused a fierce debate to erupt on social media. There have been exchanges of strong and disrespectful words on Facebook between the supporters of the bride and the groom.

For a noble like Luani to marry a woman who has borne a child to another may cause traditionally minded people to expect a huge reaction of fakalotoloto, or the harbouring of grudges by the families involved in the wedding.

Some of the messages appearing on Facebook show that some people have already taken sides on the issue.

One commentator said on a Facebook group known as Royal Tongan Dynasties/Noble Forum: “My Nephew Lord Noble Luani,ofa lahi atu.(love you heaps) and please No Marriage to Outside Finemotua (a woman who has born a child) hoiiii, temau hae vala pee (we will tear off our clothes to show our dislike) from USA all the Way to Tonga.”

A supporter of Fukatonga wrote in retaliation: “…speak with kindness..be gentle..n loving..n your nephew MIGHT listen to you… .(do not be) ruthless …the olden days are OVER…have you heard of CIVILIZATION? OR your dictionary is missing that word….I GET YOUR POINT…it’s all about that LOVE ..don’t categorized (people)”.

A source very close to Luani’s family told Kaniva News the nobleman had told his mother, Lady Luseane, that his love for Fukatonga had brought him to a situation where they both decided to tie the knot.

The source said Lady Luseane had agreed to the wedding.

According to her Facebook page, Lady Luani was a recruiting and retention NCO with the US Army and Alaskan National Guard.

Members of the kingdom’s nobility have traditionally been encouraged to seek partners among other noble families or the royal family to ensure their social standing. Those who married commoners have been regarded as having degraded their social status within Tongan culture.

It appears, however, that serious changes have affected the royal status quo and young members of nobility no longer want to only seek wives and husbands within the nobility. Instead they are choosing to marry people they love, a trend critics say could slowly undermine the prestige and esteem with which the nobility expects to be regarded.

Lord Luani’s wedding comes after the marriage of Lord Fakafanua, the former Speaker of Tonga’s Parliament to Lady Fane Kite, a commoner, in October.

Lord Luani’s estates are Malapo, Nakolo in Tongatapu and Tefisi in Vavaʻu.

The main points

  • Queen Nanasipauʻu’s nephew Lord Luani, exchanged vows with ‘Eseta Fukatonga Maka, a commoner, in the United States last week.
  • Lord Luani’s mother is Lady Luseane Vaea, a younger sister of Queen Nanasipauʻu.
  • The bride, who is not a member of the nobility, has claimed that she had a child with Mapa Malupō, a younger brother of Hon. Makahokovalu Malupō.
  • The marriage has caused a fierce debate to erupt on social media.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva unveils cabinet lineup

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has named his cabinet ministers for the next four years this afternoon.

Newly elected independent MP Siaosi Sovaleni has been chosen as Deputy Prime Minister.

The release of the new cabinet line up came amid  public speculating who in the independent bloc and the nobility voted for ʻAkilisi in the secret ballots on Monday in a Special Parliamentary Meeting to elect the Prime Minister.

Spokesperson Dr. Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa said it was difficult for the Democratic Party to say who voted for ʻAkilisi in the premiership election.

“I cannot say who voted for ‘Akilisi because it was a secret ballot. But you can tell it from the names of those who have been elected to become ministers because that was what we agreed to with those independent MPs and I trust that ‘Akilisi will keep to his promise,” Hon Dr. Tu’i’onetoa told Kaniva News this afternoon before PM Pōhiva announced his cabinet ministers.

The new cabinet lineup shows that five elected independents might have voted for ‘Akilisi. They were MP Siaosi Sovaleni (Tongatapu 3), MP Poasi Tei (Tongatapu 7), MP Sōsefo Fe’ao Vakatā (Niua 17), MP Saia Piukala (Vava’u 14), MP ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu (Vava’u 16)  and Lord Ma’afu.

Since PM Pōhiva and his Democratic Party already had 10 MPs in place before the election and he won the premiership by 15 votes it appeared the five MPs they needed so they could have the number to form the government may have come from the independent elected MPs only.

Lord Maʻafu could have been only elected as one of the cabinet ministers because Tongan constitution  stipulates that a minister for Land and Survey portfolios must be from one of the king’s nobility.

  1. Hon. Samiuela  ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, Prime Minister and minister for:
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Education and Training
  1. Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, Deputy Prime Minister and minister for:
  • Environment, Energy, Climate Change, Disaster, Management and Meteorology, Information and Communication
  1. Lord Maʻafu, minister for:
  • Lands, Survey and Natural Resources
  • Tonga Defense Services
  1. Hon. Dr Saia Maʻu Piukala, minister for:
  • Health
  1. Hon. Dr Aisake Valu ‘Eke, minister for:
  • Finance
  • National Planning
  1. Hon. Dr Pohiva Tuionetoa, minister for:
  • Police, Fire Services and Prison
  • Tourism
  • Labour and Commerce
  1. Hon. Semisi Fakahau, minister for:
  • Forestry, Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
  1. Hon. Sione Vuna Fāʻotusia, minister for:
  • Justice and Law
  1. Hon. Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu, minister for:
  • Infrastructure
  • Works
  1. Hon. Sōsefo  Feʻao Vakatā, minister for:
  • Internal Affairs, Women, Culture, Youth
  • Sports
  1. Hon. Poasi Mataele Tei, minister for:
  • Public Enterprises
  1. Hon. Tēvita Lavemaau, minister for:
  • Revenue and Customs

King appoints ‘Akilisi Pohiva as Tonga’s Prime Minister

By
Kalino Latu
-

Samiuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, 72, Tonga’s new Prime Minister Designate, was appointed by His Majesty King Tupou VI this morning to become Tonga’s new Prime Minister, a ceremony conducted according to the Tongan constitution.

PM Pohiva was elected yesterday after winning over 50 percent of a secret ballot in a Special Meeting by the legislature.

Spokesperson MP Dr Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa said they would have their first cabinet meeting today at 12pm at the cabinet to formalise and confirm all ministerial portfolios before PM Pohiva will inform the king about the new government ministers.

MP Tuʻiʻonetoa did not reveal the ministers for the new cabinet saying that PM Pohiva would formally announce it after his audience with the king this afternoon.

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