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Tonga's strong weather warning cancelled

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A strong wind and heavy rain warnings inforce for all of Tonga has now been cancelled,  a report from Tonga’s Fua’amotu weather forecasting centre at 1pm today Sunday 15 said.

“A heavy rain warning previously inforce for all of Tonga is now cancelled. A strong wind warning previously inforce for all of Tonga land areas is now cancelled”, it said.

Meanwhile Cyclone Pam has slammed into the south Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu leaving “complete devastation” and it’s now heading towards New Zealand’s northern and eastern regions.

A statement from World Bank said: “We are deeply concerned for the people of Vanuatu in the face of the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam. We are waiting for official casualty reports and stand ready to help.

The World Bank’s disaster risk management (DRM) team is monitoring the situation closely. The priority at this stage will be for the humanitarian and relief agencies to provide emergency assistance.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Vanuatu in the wake of the devastation from Cyclone Pam. Vanuatu is ranked as one of the world’s most at-risk countries to natural disasters because of its vulnerability and exposure to cyclones,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “Cyclone Pam is a devastating reminder of the risks of disasters and we will be working closely with the Government to provide any necessary support.”

1967 Tongan rugby player's death reveals sport talent runs in family blood

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A Tongan rugby hero who played for Tonga during 1960s died and his body was laid to rest last week Friday 13.

Kei Siaosi ‘Iongi, 71, of Nukunuku represented Tonga’s national rugby union team  when it played against Fiji in 1967.

His sister Keta ‘Iongi Palu won Tonga two respective gold medals in the South Pacific Games 1969 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and in 1971 in Papeete, Tahiti.

Keta’s son Wycliff Palu plays rugby union for the New South Wales Waratahs.

Kei ‘Iongi was Tongan-Australian netball player Mo’onia Gerrard  and her rugby player brother Mark Gerrards’ uncle. The Gerrards’ mother Kalasi ‘Iongi Gerrard is Kei’s younger sister.

Kei’s son Sioeli ‘Iongi is currently playing rugby union in Japan.

Kei ‘Iongi who played as a winger was remembered by many as a person who had his own style of running with the ball he was outstandingly known and associated with by locals when they talked about rugby in Kei’s time in rugby union field.

He was a retired police inspector and he is survived by his wife and eight children.

Tongan fishing boat towed back to safety after engine failure

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A fishing boat, ‘Ana Manusiu, has been towed back to Nuku’alofa this afternoon after a rescue mission was launched following a distress call received by Tongan authority through Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand.

Four fishermen were on the fishing boat when the rescue team assisted by an Orion P-3 aircraft from New Zealand found them at 54 Nautical miles South of Fua’amotu at around 4.45pm.

The fishermen left on a fishing trip on March 9 when the engine could not be started, Police statement said.

Police said further details would be available when the fishermen would expectedly arrive in Nuku’alofa this evening.

Supreme Court orders Prime Minister to pay Princess and others legal costs

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Supreme Court has ordered Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva to pay Princess Pilolevu, former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano and former Tongan Minister of Law Clive Edwards their legal costs after a lawsuit he launched against them failed.

Hon. Pohiva filed a private criminal prosecutions against the three in the Fasi Magistrate Court on February 12, 2013.

A fourth respondent, Friendly Islands Satellite Communication Ltd, was also named.

Pohiva brought an action charging the respondents with several offences including theft, conspiracy, aiding and abetting and receiving about TOP$18 million of the proceeds of a 2011 Tonga-China Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement loan from the People’s Republic of China to Tongan government.

Last year the Magistrate’s Court in Nuku’alofa ruled that there was an absence of evidence to show dishonesty and discharged all four of the accused.

Hon. Pohiva, who represented himself in court, appealed the magistrate’s decision.

He claimed  the Magistrate wrongly applied the provisions of the Magistrates’ Court Act as amended by the Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Act 2012, in particular by refusing his (Hon. Pohiva’s) request to allow his witnesses to give evidence during the committal proceedings.

Hon. Pohiva’s appeal was quashed by the Supreme Court, but Pohiva asked his New Zealand lawyer, Dr Rodney Harrison, to appeal his case at the Court of Appeal, which was held at Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

Pohiva was ordered to pay the defendants’ legal costs of $22,000 but he appealed the court order.

In October 20, 2014 he was ordered to pay the money so that he can stand as a candidate for Tonga’s General Election on November 27, 2014.

In his ruling on March 6, Justice Scott said: “I can find no reason not to award the Respondents their costs of this appeal and this application.”

“In view of the seriousness of the charges which were beyond the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court, committal proceedings were held. These proceedings resulted in the discharge of all four Respondents. (i.e Princess Pilolevu, former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano former Tongan Minister of Law Clive Edwards and Friendly Islands Satellite Communication Ltd.

Hon. Pohiva sought to overturn the decision, but his appeal was dismissed in January last year.

In his decision, Justice Scott said he relied on the general rule that costs should not be awarded against the Crown in criminal cases except in exceptional circumstances. He said that because this was an appeal from a private criminal prosecution, he asked for written submissions on the issue.

“Extensive written submissions, with attached authorities, were filed by Mr Stanton on 19 May 2014,” Justice Scott said.

“These were followed by written submissions signed and filed on 28 August by the Appellant (Hon. Pohiva) but the author of which, it transpired at the hearing, was in fact Mr Harrison, who did not appear. Submissions in reply were filed by Mr Stanton on 14 November.

“Mr Harrison submitted that the only statutory power to award costs of an appeal to the Supreme Court is to be found in section 80(1) of the Magistrate’s Court Act and I agree. He then, however, submitted that section 80 had not been enlivened since section 74 of the Act did not make provision for an appeal against an order for discharge following committal proceedings.

“Unfortunately, Mr Harrison overlooked the fact that the section was amended in 2012 (Act 23/12, section 19) and now provides a right of appeal from “the judgment, sentence or order of a Magistrate”.

Justice Scott then ordered that the Respondents be awarded their costs of the appeal and this application, to be taxed if not agreed.”

The main points

  • Tonga’s Supreme Court has ordered Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva to pay Princess Pilolevu, former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano and former Tongan Minister of Law Clive Edwards their legal costs after a lawsuit he launched against them failed.
  • Pohiva filed a private criminal prosecutions against the three and the Friendly Islands SatelliteCommunication Ltd in the Fasi Magistrate Court on 12 February 2013.”
  • Pohiva had brought an action charging them with several offences including theft, conspiracy, aiding and abetting and receiving about US$18 million of the proceeds of a 2011 Tonga-China Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement loan from the People’s Republic of China to Tongan government.
  • Last year the Magistrate’s Court in Nuku’alofa ruled that there was an absence of evidence to show dishonesty and discharged all four of the accused.

Impressive views: Tongan government reluctant to name new island

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Tongan government was reluctant to name the newest volcanic island formed between the Hungas in the Friendly Islands in fear  it would disapear soon.

The new island emerged after volcanic activities erupted in an area about 65 kilometres away from capital Nuku’alofa in January.

Tonga’s Justice Minister Hon Vuna Fāʻotusia told Kaniva News he did not think the government would name it unless it would receive a geological confirmation the new island would stay for a long time.

“Normally the king names new islands but the cabinet has no resolution yet to decide a name,” Fa’otusia said.

However there were calls for the island to be named after Tonga’s first commoner, ‘Akilisi Pohiva, to be democratically elected to the premiership. Some suggested that it could be named after Tongan-New Zealand shot put Queen Valerie Adam because of her worldwide acievement in sport.

Last week amasing photos of the new island emerged on social media after three men arrived in the new-born island.

GP Orbassano, 63, an Italian who lived in Tonga more than 20 years ago took some photos of the island and sent them to media.

The island was formed after series of eruptions, that began in late 2014 and lasted about five weeks.

Tonga's New volcanic island. Photo: GP Orbassano
Tonga’s New volcanic island. Photo: GP Orbassano

The dimensions of the new island are about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) by 0.9 miles (1.5km), and that it rises about 328ft (100 metres) above the sea according to geologists.

The photographer Gianpiero Orbassano and Branko Sugar on top of the crater rim
The photographer Gianpiero Orbassano and Branko Sugar climbed and sat on top of the crater rim

Orbassano reportedly admitted that the climb was dangerous as a result of the excessive heat on the dark landscape.

The new volcanic island formed after ash and acid rain fell within 10km of the eruption.
The new volcanic island formed after ash and acid rain fell within 10km of the eruption.

Tonga A 28 – 30 Samoa A

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tonga A lost to Samoa A 30-28 in their first 2015 Pacific Challenge Cup game at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on Tuesday.

The tournament has been set up to prepare Pacific Teams including Argentina Pampas XV, Telecom Fiji Warriors, Tonga A, Samoa A, Canada A and Junior Japan for the upcoming Rugby Union World Cup in six months time.

Fixtures:

March 14: 11am Pampas XV-Tonga A, 1pm Samoa A-Tonga A, 3 Junior Japan- Fiji Warriors

March 18: 1pm Junior Japan-Tonga A, 3 Pampas XV-Canada A, 5 Samoa A-Fiji Warriors

March 23: 1pm 3rd Pool A-3rd Pool B, 3 2nd Pool A-2nd Pool B, 5 1st Pool A-1st Pool B

Sacred name played important part in life of first cardinal from Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
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In his first public speech in Tonga, Cardinal Mafi told thousands of listeners that he believed he had become the Catholic church’s youngest cardinal because he was named after John the Baptist.

He told the crowd which welcomed him at Maʻofanga that his mother always addressed him by the name while he was studying to be a priest in the seminary in Fiji.

Cardinal Mafi was responding to a question asked by many Tongans when news about his elevation broke in the kingdom: How did the tiny Pacific Tongan diocese in the Pacific come to be recognised like this by the Vatican?

Tonga is an archipelago of 176 islands spread over 270,000 square miles in the South Pacific. It has a population of more than 102,000, most of whom are Christians.

About 16,000 of them are Catholics.

The cardinal said while he was trying to come to terms with the news of his elevation he remembered how his mother ‘Onevao wrote to him while he was in the seminary in Fiji. He said she always addressed him by his christened name, with the salutation, “Siʻi Sōane Patita.”

Siʻi, a Tongan definitive article, carries a sense of emotion in Tongan when added to the name. Sōane Patita is the Catholic name for John the Baptist in Tongan.

Cardinal Mafi  said John the Baptist was a very humble prophet who told Jesus he was unworthy to tie the straps of his sandals.

He said it was his maxim after his elevation and his message to the people of Tonga to be humble and let Jesus lead.

Cardinal Mafi said he was impressed by the Vatican’s music and environment and when  people asked him where Tonga was he invited them to visit the kingdom.

He said the Tongan flag has been raised in the Vatican by hundreds of Tongans who were there to join him in his elevation and that was historical.

Cardinal Mafi’s speech was made during the ceremony of hāʻunga, a Tongan presentation of pigs and kava as well and mats and ngatu to show appreciation for what has been achieved.

Hāʻunga

When the hāʻunga is presented two heralds address each other. One represents those who present the hāʻunga and the other represents the person who the presentation was made to and receives the hāʻunga.

The presenting herald speaks first, shouting an explanation of how they feel about the achievement and the excitements they had.

Ula, the herald who spoke on behalf of the presenters, mentioned people who were there to welcome Cardinal Mafi. He told, Kula, the Cardinal’s herald, about his appreciation and thankfulness because of what has been achieved

Ula mentioned the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga’s (FWCT) President Rev. ʻAhio who led the sermon of the day and said he was happy the elevation of Cardinal Mafi had united the FWCT with Catholics.

President Ahio was accompanied by students from Sia’atoutai, the FWCT Theological College in Tonga in the welcoming ceremony, Ula said.

Ula told Kula they were brothers and sisters, referring to the union of the FWCT members and the Catholics and other Protestants church members who attended the welcoming event.

Kula responded to Ula’s speech and thanked him for the hāʻunga. He said he felt nervous when they arrived in the Vatican.

He said the novelty of the atmosphere hugely impressed him and made him ask how on earth this had happened. He said the other cardinals who were elevated with Mafi were from well-known countries of the world.

He said his anxiety was propelled by the fact the MC of the day at the Vatican asked in front of the audience where Tonga was.

Then, using poetical languages, he said  he came to realise that this was a religious event which was not based on worldly ideas and physicality but on Christian morals and ethics where everyone was the same in the eyes of God.

The main points

  • In his first public speech in Tonga, Cardinal Mafi told thousands of listeners that he believed he had become the Catholic church’s youngest cardinal because he was named after John the Baptist.
  • He told the crowd which welcomed him at Ma’ofanga that his mother always addressed him by the name while he was studying to be a priest in the seminary in Fiji.
  • Cardinal Mafiʻs speech was made during the ceremony of haʻunga, a Tongan presentation of pigs and kava, mats and ngatu to show appreciation for what has been achieved.
  • About 16,000 Tongans are Catholics.

For more information

Cardinal Mafi celebrates his first mass since becoming Cardinal in San Mateo, California

Consistory for the creation of new Cardinals, by Pope Francis 14 February 2015 (Vatican TV)

Prime Minister Akilisi Pōhiva first visits Vava'u

By
Alpha Latu
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Prime Minister Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva made his first visit to Vava’u on March 6 2015.

The Prime Minister’s visit includes touring the development projects that are currently underway in Vava’u and he officially opened the Talihau new foreshore project.

These developments projects are not only central to the development of Vava’u but they are within the priority areas of his Government socio-economic development plan.

The traditional welcoming ceremony (ha’unga) and representation of traditional gifts were conducted at the Puataukanave Hotel to mark the Prime minister’s official visit.

Accompanying the Prime Minister will be the Minister for Public Enterprises, Hon Poasi Tei, Minister for Commerce, Tourism and Labour and Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire Services, Dr the Hon Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, Minister for Agriculture, Food Forests and Fisheries, Hon Semisi Fakahau and the Chief Secretary and Secretary for Cabinet, Dr Palenitina Langa’oi. Already in Vava’u is the Minister for Health, Dr the Hon Saia Piukala and Minister for Infrastructure, Hon ‘Etuate Lavulavu.

Tonga signs UN convention banning discrimination against women

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan government will sign the United Nations’ convention banning discrimination against women.

The decision to ratify the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) comes after lengthy debate in cabinet and consultations with community groups during the past four years.

However, Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said the kingdom would reserve the right to maintain its own laws on abortion, same sex marriage and the rules regarding the succession to the throne.

Women advocates of the UN convention accused religious leaders and conservatives of blocking the ratification because of their Biblical beliefs.

Some church leaders in Tonga argued that women were born to have a certain place in the family and that they must come under the control of men.

Tonga was one of seven countries in the world that have yet to sign the international agreement.

Other countries include Iran, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia, all of which are notorious for human rights violations.

One other Pacific state, Palau, and the United States, have also failed to ratify the convention.

Male succession to the throne and estate as well as restrictions on women registering land, bans on abortion and same-sex marriages were some of the issues that made Tongan authorities reluctant to ratify the declaration.

Prime Minister Pohiva said: “This is a historic day for Tonga. A day that all Tongans; women and men; girls and boys; young and old; can look at with great pride. For it is the day when the international community of nations joins the Government of our proud nation, in support of our endeavour to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls.”

Hon Pohiva said his Cabinet’s decision to ratify CEDAW was arrived at only after lengthy and thorough discussions and after consultations by individual members of Cabinet with community and church leaders, and their constituencies.

He said some of the provisions of CEDAW were clearly in conflict with Tonga’s Constitution and laws.

“Our decision to ratify was made on the very clear understanding that the Government’s ratification will be with reservations in respect of those provisions that are incompatible with our laws,” Hon Pohiva said.

“In effect, this means that our instrument of ratification will include the declaration that the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga is prepared to apply the provisions of the Convention nationally, on the condition that it does not conflict with the provisions of the Constitution and all the laws of Tonga regarding succession to the throne and nobility, abortion and same sex marriage.”

A roundtable meeting in Nuku’alofa last week to discuss the ratification of CEDAW saw a heated debated between women advocates and church leaders.

One woman advocate said she was disgusted by the argument.

Vanessa Heleta who runs the Talitha Project for the development of young women, was quoted by Cathnews New Zealand as saying: “They are using the Bible to say the male is the head of the family and they say to us don’t be selfish, women are under men – just be content where you are.”

“They all know it is unfair. When they say there is no need to address the gaps…I feel disgusted – absolutely disgusted.”

The main points

  • The Tongan government will sign the United Nations’ convention banning discrimination against women.
  • The decision to ratify the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) comes after lengthy debate in cabinet and consultations with community groups during the past four years.
  • However, Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said the kingdom would reserve the right to maintain its own laws on abortion, same sex marriage and the rules regarding the succession to the throne.
  • Women advocates of the UN convention accused religious leaders and conservatives of blocking the ratification because of their Biblical beliefs.

For more information

CEDAW (United Nations)

‘Tongan gender equality advocates point finger at faifekau’

Tongan Ballerina to perform on King’s coronation

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A young Tongan ballerina in Salt Lake City, Utah would perform on His Majesty King Tupou VI’s coronation in July.

Eliana Vaha’i, 13, claimed “to be the first Tongan ballerina to train at the prestigious Ballet West Academy” would perform the ballet dance for thousands who would be in Tonga during the coronation.

She comes from Kolonga, Tongatapu and she has a dream “to establish the Kingdom’s first ballet school and company”.

A statement says, Eliana was one of the founders and directors of the “Island Daughters, a community service organization for young Tongan women that” has a mission to honor the past, connect to the present, and build the future”.

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