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Crown Prince opens Te’ekiu new community hall

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Crown Prince Tupouto’a has officially opened Te’ekiu’s new TP$700,000 community hall today.

The Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano in a speech during the celebration said, “This new community hall will be an assembly center for the community in times of natural disasters and a center for education and health development programs, church functions and other family gatherings”.

US Navy Seabees along with agents from Australia, New Zealand and Japan conducted education and health assistances as well as establishing a construction training project in the Community Hall for the public.

Lord Tu’ivakano, “thanked the US Navy Seabees for all the hard work in building and facilitating the Te’ekiu Community Hall – a long-awaited project requested by the estate holder Motu’apuaka and the people of Te’ekiu, twenty six years ago”.

“The US has not only built a new hall for Te’ekiu, but have set out new hopes and visions for the people and the future generations of Te’ekiu,” added the Lord Prime Minister.

“The official opening was attended by the Deputy Chief of Missions of the US Embassy in Suva, Mr. Jeffery Robertson and the Tonga Desk Officer at the US Department of State, Mr. Ray Sudweeks, as well as Brigadier General William Burks (Adjutant General of the State of Nevada, USA)”.

‘Anga Faka-Tonga’ show-cased at the Kamakura festival

By
Kalino Latu
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The mayor of the Japanese city of Yokote drank Tongan kava while sheltering from the Akita snow during the Kamakura Festival  on February 15.

Residents and visitors not only tasted kava and delicious faikakai, they also enjoyed Tongan music and the chance to view a kamakura house decorated with authentic Tongan designs and artefacts.

The Tongan community in Japan were asked for the first time to participate in the annual festival where people are  invited into the kamakura to eat and drink.

The Tongan team were led by the Ambassador to Japan, Her Excellency Tania Laumanulupe Tupou.

Gifted Tongan designers united to decorate the kamakura and used it to showcase ‘Anga Faka-Tonga’ (Tongan Way of Life).

They also collected donations  for  cyclone victims in Ha’apai.

Heu Taufa from the Tongan team said they decorated one of the five kamakuras built for the festival.

She said “it’s usual for the Japanese to serve sake and sweet Japanese treats.”

But in our unique Fale Tonga Kamakura we gave  them a taste and feel  of Tonga instead. Kava ceremonies, faikakai as well as  traditional  music, she said.

“Although there were a lot of sleepless nights and burnt fingers gluing designs together, it was all worth it.”

“The Tonga Creations Team featured the 'Kaute Kula Collections' by Heu Taufa, the 'Losaline Designs' by Losaline Kaho Havili, a Tongan Emblem hand drawn by Alaska Taufa, and the11 metre long ‘Tonga Kupesi Wrap’ also designed by Taufa  which  covered the exterior of the house.”

Miss Taufa, who loves art and crafts and drawing Tongan kupesi (stencil), said she was “super excited” to help out.  

“I made a sample of a mini-igloo, sent a picture to the Ambassador, and she gave me the green light to go ahead.”

“This was the first Tongan igloo at the festival and it was an honour to be a part of the team”.”

“The ‘Tonga Kupesi Wrap’ was made of kafa (sinnet)  used to outline each kupesi, with added fillers of ngatu (tapa cloth) pieces and fala paongo (mat).”

“I wanted everybody to not only see the Wrap,  but to also feel the kupesi and the coconut, ngatu and fala fibres that were used to create it," Miss Taufa told Kaniva News.

Taufa said she tried hard to blend the two cultures into her work.

“The Wrap  was made to match another unique creation, the ‘Fala Ha'apai Star’ created by Losaline. This was a beautiful 2.5 metre round mat that was placed inside the Kamakura.”

“A very unique design indeed, made from fala paongo, ngatu and kafa, giving the people of Yokote a feel for our cultural products.”

“And The Sila ‘o Tonga was perfectly hand painted by Alaska Taufa. It welcomed our guests into the kamakura," Miss Taufa said.

The background:

A kamakura is a small round house or shelter built from blocks of hard snow. In Yokote City, more than 100 kamakura and countless miniature kamakura are made.  At night, they are illuminated  by candle.

The festival has been going for about 400 year old and is said to have its origins in traditional New Year decorations and the customary chasing of crop-damaging birds.

An altar is erected inside the kamakura, so sake and rice cakes can be offered to the gods.

Children invite passers-by inside to chat to eat rice cakes and sweets washed down with sake.

Sia'atoutai girl complaint-teenager arrested

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A 17 year-old  from Houmakelikao has been  arrested and charged in connection with the February 8 abduction and ‘carnal knowledge’, where a 13 year-old girl was indecently assaulted.

Police did not release the name of the accused.

The girl from Sia’atoutai laid a formal complaint to police at Nuku’alofa central police station on February 10 alleging that the accused committed these crimes against her.

The male suspect remained in police custody while investigation is underway.

He will appear at the Nuku’alofa Magistrate Court on the 24 February, 2014.

Police are not seeking any other suspects in relation to this case.

Evil spirit man ordered to repair damages

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A man who smashed the louvres of  a house in Popua on 13 October 2013 because he believed an evil spirit was haunting his wife, has been ordered to redo the repairs he did.

The Magistrate Court in Nuku’alofa heard that when ‘Ofa Similai’s wife was sick, he believed she was possessed by the evil spirit of his neighbour’s deceased husband.

The accused therefore entered Mele ‘Esala’s house and smashed 33 louvre strips worth NZ$56 as revenge.

Magistrate Peni Ma'u told the defendant he shouldn’t believe in evil spirits in this day and age and that he should always allow his Christian values to lead him to do the right thing.

Ma'u also told Similai he should admit his wife to the Vaiola Hospital psychiatric ward so she could be treated.   

The plaintiff told the magistrate the accused had already sought her forgiveness and  fixed the broken louvres. However, she was not satisfied with the repairs.

Her house was weatherproof before the defendant’s attack, but now even after Similai’s repairs, rain was still getting in.

 ‘Esala asked the magistrate to force Similai to fix the windows properly. Ma'u agreed and ordered Similai to  redo them.

Man dies at the wheel after suffering heart attack

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A man has apparently suffered a fatal heart attack and crashed his car into nearby bushes on Sunday 16 according to police.

Police believed the driver, aged 44, became ill while driving through ‘Utulau along Halaliku road to the village of Hofoa.

He was with a niece in the car at the time of the accident which happened at about 1.00am.

No other injuries were reported in the incident

Police report says the driver was driving his niece back to her home at the village of Hofoa.

The victim was still breathing after the accident but stopped breathing minutes later according to police.

An inquest was held today to determine the cause of his death.

Inhumane treatment of Pasifika people must stop

By
Kaniva Pacific
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New Pacific Affairs Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga must urgently address the inhumane treatment of Pasifika people by Government agencies, Labour’s Pacific Islands Affairs spokesperson Su’a William Sio says.

“There are deeply disturbing reports out today about the shocking treatment of pregnant Pasifika women by staff at Middlemore Hospital.

“One woman reported feeling judged for having babies at a young age, while another said she had to give birth in a linen cupboard. Yet another said she was asked to go home just four hours after giving birth because the hospital needed her bed.

“Meanwhile further alarming reports reveal that Tongan overstayers are being deported back to the most cyclone-ravaged parts of Tonga.

“Immigration New Zealand’s decision to deport overstayers back to the islands of Ha’apai where 5000 people were displaced and 800 homes destroyed, was described by lawyer Richard Small as ‘perverse’.

“Sam Lotu-Iiga must call a temporary halt on Immigration New Zealand deporting people to Ha'apai.

“The Minister must also ask urgent questions about the way Pasifika people are being treated by Government agencies.

“In particular, he must seek reassurances from district health boards that Pasifika people going to hospital are being treated with respect, not as second class citizens,” Su’a Williams Sio says.

Lawyer seeks reprieve for Ha'apai deportees

By
Kaniva Pacific
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An immigration lawyer believed the New Zealand government should hold deporting Tongan overstayers because of the consequences after cyclone Ian struck the islands in January 11.

Almost 100% of houses and buildings in the central Ha'apai Islands group, which is home to about 8000 people and which bore the brunt of Cyclone Ian, were damaged or destroyed.

The immigration lawyer, Richard Small, was today quoted by Radio New Zealand International as saying "the New Zealand authorities are wanting to send Tongan over stayers back to the area, and he has 30 such cases on his books.

"He says New Zealand has a role to play as a neighbour and a responsible member of the Pacific Forum, and should introduce a two-month moratorium on deporting people to Ha'apai, on humanitarian grounds", according to the Radio.

Waterspout spotted in southern Tongatapu

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A large water funnel resembling a tornado was seen in the south-western sea of Tonga from the Blow Holes coastline at the village of Houma yesterday.

Amateur footages  captured by Dr Sayri Kawamura, a project manager of the Malimali Dental project in Tonga, shows a whirling column of air and water formed in the ocean. 

The images were uploaded this morning to Facebook and below was one of the captions:

“15th Feb 2014–Picture taken by Dr Sayuri Kawamura of the SPMT(Japan) AT THE SEA NEAR THE BLOW HOLES–saw this funnel cloud rotating cone-shaped column extending downward from the base of the cloud touching the sea creating this oval shaped waterspouts—"

Sesilia Fifita was at the scene and she said it, “was a shock seeing this tiny tornado”.

Experts said water spouts could cause winds averaging between 120 – 200km/h.

About waterspout:

[Retrieved from oceanservice.noaa.gov] Waterspouts fall into two categories: fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts.

Tornadic waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water, or move from land to water. They have the same characteristics as a land tornado. They are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning.

Fair weather waterspouts usually form along the dark flat base of a line of developing cumulus clouds. This type of waterspout is generally not associated with thunderstorms. While tornadic waterspouts develop downward in a thunderstorm, a fair weather waterspout develops on the surface of the water and works its way upward. By the time the funnel is visible, a fair weather waterspout is near maturity. Fair weather waterspouts form in light wind conditions so they normally move very little.

If a waterspout moves onshore, the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning, as some of them can cause significant damage and injuries to people. Typically, fair weather waterspouts dissipate rapidly when they make landfall, and rarely penetrate far inland.

Time to audit Pulela’ā church’s accounts, says Wesleyan General Secretary

By
Kalino Latu
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The accounts of the failed Pulela’a church in Sydney should be audited, the General Secretary of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Dr Tevita Havea, told Kaniva News.

The Pulela’a church has been mired in controversy for years over its building in Glendenning in Sydney.

The church sank into financial chaos and began dealing with people who could best be described as operating outside the mainstream of the finance industry.

The church building was eventually sold to an Indian mission for an undisclosed sum.

The church lost five other properties in Australia as a result.

Dr Havea blasted the situation at the church, saying it was  time to free church members at Pulela’a from works of “arrogance.”

However, the General Secretary said it would be difficult for the church to take action against the Pulela’a leadership because, under church rules, the Pulela’a leadership  were the only ones empowered to call the quarterly or district meetings at which they could be impeached.

Ruin

Many members of the congregation who were persuaded to guarantee large debts faced ruin.

The Pulela’a church leader, Reverend Sione Pinomi, has become notorious for promises of miraculous financial salvation that never happen.

In the latest incident his congregation were told in December 2013 they would have their Christmas and New Year at Pulela’a. It did not happen.

A source told Kaniva News that members of the congregation had been told that the church property would be bought back.

Pulela’a lawyers have told the church’s headquarter in Tonga they will get millions of dollars and buy back the church’s  lost properties. 

Untrue

Dr Havea said that in the past promises that money would be obtained were untrue.

The General Secretary said the church believes what the Pulela’a lawyers have told them.

“The reverends at Pulela’a communicate with the church through their lawyers,” Dr Havea said.

“The lawyers wrote and said they are still working to fulfil legal actions and when that is completed the church’s properties would be returned to the church.

“The lawyers wrote to us many times and repeated this and that is why the church is still waiting.

“I think it is reasonable enough for the church to still wait because that is what it was told.

“It may take up to two or three years now for Pulela’a to complete these legal actions and the church still trusts and believe there would be an opportunity after all these legal endeavours.“

When asked if it was true the Wesleyan Church of Pulela'a would return to their property at Glendenning in the Christmas last year, leader of the Sant Nirankari Mission leader – which now owned Pulela'a responded – What happened to those Pulela'a leaders?

The Tongan Wesleyan Church has been accused of ignoring complaints against the Pulela’a leaders.

After its annual conference last year the Church relocated the Pastor in Charge of Pulela’a, Rev Viliami Tu'akoi to one of the churches in Vava’u, a move seen by some church members as a reward.

Hypocritical

A senior church member who talked to Kaniva News on condition of anonymity said the church was being hypocritical in its handling of the Pulela’a issue.

At it’s annual conference in 2013 the church stripped seven pastors – who had been found  to have embezzled several thousand dollars – of their titles and ordered to attend counselling.

They were also asked to pay back money they misused.

However, Dr Havea said no proceedings had been taken against the Pulela’a leaders.

Dr Havea said if an impeachment against the Pulela’a leaders had come through the fakakuata (church’s quarterly meeting) and the fakavahe fonua (church district meeting)  the church could have taken legal action.  

But he said it was the responsibility of the Pulela’a leaders – the people  who were being accused of misusing their power –  to call such meetings.

Dr Havea said the church needed to elect an independent person to chair the fakakuata and fakavahefonua so that people’s voices could be heard.

He also said it was time the church ordered its auditor to audit Pulela’a accounts and finance.

The Pulela’a leaders said they would raise millions of dollars to buy back the church property, but the church was still waiting to get monies promised by various companies and donors.

However, Dr Havea said there was hope that a miracle might happen.

Rev Pinomi could not be reached for comment.

The main points

  • The General Secretary of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Dr Tevita Havea, says the accounts of the failed Pulela’a church in Sydney should be audited.
  • Dr Havea blasted the situation at the church, saying it was  time to free church members at Pulela’a from works of “arrogance.”
  • The Pulela’a church has been mired in controversy and financial chaos for years over its building in Glendenning in Sydney.
  • The church building was eventually sold to an Indian mission for an undisclosed sum.
  • The Pulela’a church leader, Reverend Sione Pinomi, has become notorious for promises of miraculous financial salvation  that never happen.
  • In the latest incident his congregation were told they would have their Christmas and New Year at Pulela’a. It did not happen.
  • However, the General Secretary said it would be difficult for the church to take action against the Pulela’a leadership because, under church rules, the Pulela’a leadership  were the only ones empowered to call the quarterly or district meetings at which they could be impeached.

The background

Kaniva News reported last July that the Tongan church of Pulela’a had been sold to the Sant Nirankari Mission in Sydney.

The expenses for the building of the church had been made through secured loans but payments were regularly missed and the debts snowball.

The loan repayments heavily depended on donations by church members.  

Reverend Sione Pinomi of the church reportedly told the members in 2011 that a Trust Fund registered in the Cayman Islands has donated $10 million to help with church’s loans. Later on he told the church its debts had been paid off by the Trust.

At a celebration arranged by church members the chairperson of the Trust, Mr Davendor Deo, also known as David Maharaj said the loans with Westpac had been cleared by the Trust.

According to document produced by the receivership company, Deo obtained more than $50,000 dollars from the church as a "facilitation fees".

However in January 2012, the church went into voluntary administration and then receivership. The church had lost five other properties around Australia.

Isalemi Naikoto, a lay leader with the Uniting Church in Australia, who was part of the Free Wesleyan Church back in Tonga, told Radio Australia it was common for Pacific churches to rely on their members to fund ambitious schemes and it was time they looked after their members.

For more information

Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga’s property in Sydney known as Pulela’ā gets new owner (Kaniva Pacific)

Troubled Tongan church project in Sydney collapses (Radio Australia)

Free Wesleyan Church in Sydney lose their premises (Tagata Pasifika)

Ha’apai Cyclone victims: free tinned fish fiasco

By
Kalino Latu
-

Although people said they had received replacements after rancid cans of tinned fish were returned to local authorities  last week they feared  eating them might make them sick.

Some of the cans of Pacific Chief Sardines received after government food aid was distributed in Ha’apai had been punctured and had then leaked into their boxes causing a noticeable smell.

Government authorities have not yet issued any public warnings or recalls. 

The town officer of Pangai, Moimoi Fakahua, confirmed people had returned some of the sardines.

“Yes, there were cans of tinned fish we got back from the people and we have given them replacements,” Fakahua said.

When asked if he could estimate the number of damaged cans, the town officer said “there were many".

Talking to Kaniva over the phone Lesieli Soakai of Ha’ato’u said when her family opened the boxes they smelt terrible.

“We don’t know why they’d gone rancid as the expiry date was 29/06/2014.”

“We returned them to the town officer and got them replaced – but we still opted not to eat any. I heard people used them to feed their dogs.”

“We only eat tinned fish we receive from the distributions made by the Pentecost Evangelical Fellowships, because their expiry dates aren’t until 2016.”

“They are good ones and still fresh.”

According to experts, some canned sardines when storing above 95 F or 35 C could result in rupture or explosion. Failure to store canned sardines correctly can dramatically reduce their shelf life.

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