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Tropical Cyclone Kofi heading to Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga is bracing for another tropical cyclone after the Fua’amotu Cyclone Warning Centre issued its tropical cyclone advisory number six  at 3:00pm 1 Saturday March.

Cyclone Kofi’s centre is expected to lie about 205km west-southwest  of Nomuka or 140km west of Nukualofa about midnight tonight, the Centre says.

The tropical cyclone remains in force for Ha'apai,Tongatapu and 'Eua and is now cancelled for Vava'u.

The  gale warning is now cancelled for Vavau and Niua but remains in force for Haapai,Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

A heavy rain advisory remains in force for all land areas.

An extreme high tide advisory remains in force for Tonga waters.

A heavy damaging swells advisory remains in force for Tonga waters.

Kofi is the second cyclone to visit Tonga after devastating Cyclone Ian that wrought havoc in the Ha'apai group on January 11.

Sexual assault: Tatakamotonga woman stabs intruder

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A 23 year-old woman stabbed a male intruder who allegedly tried to sexually assault her in her house in Tatakamotonga on Sunday 23, police said.

The woman, who was sleeping alone in her house, stabbed the 20 year-old man after he broke in and attempted to rape her, according to Police.

The accused, whose name has not been released, sustained three stab wounds from a knife the woman hid under her pillow.

The suspect fled the scene but police arrested him shortly.

He was taken to hospital and had been receiving treatment.

He was charged with indecent assault and was expected to appear at the Mu’a Magistrate’s Court this week.

The woman escaped charges because she acted in self-defence, according to police.

Tropical cyclone warning for Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
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An intensifying tropical depression is moving south-southeast at 10 knots of Tonga and could possibly become a tropical cyclone in the next six hours, the Tonga- Fua'amotu tropical cyclone warning centre says at 12:00pm Saturday 01 March 2014. 

If the depression continues to intensify, the centre is expected to lie about 290km west-northwest of Nomuka or 280 km  northwest of Nukualofa at 0700pm this evening.

The Centre also says a  gale warning remains in force for the group. A heavy rain advisory remains inforce for all land areas. An extreme high tide advisory and a heavy damaging swells advisory remains inforce for Tonga waters.

For Vava'u,Ha'apai,Tongatapu and 'Eua the Centre warned there is a north to northeast wind 20-30 knots with momentary gust up to  35-40 knots possibly increasing to damaging winds in the next 6-12 hours.

Overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms. Flash flooding includind sea flooding in the low lying areas of Tonga. Rough to very rough seas and north to northeast damaging swell.

For Niua, a north to northwest winds 20-25 knots rising up to 35 knots. Overcast with period of rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms. Rough to very rough seas, it says.

Tonga's bus association seeks removal of taxes

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tonga’s sole bus association, ‘Otu Motu Anga’ofa had sought the intervention of the Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano to remove taxes charged on diesel and spare parts.

Kaniva understands the association submitted a letter to the Prime Minister's Office on Friday 21.

Samipeni Finau, President of the Association  claimed the last bus fare rise was  in October 2008 and since then petroleum prices increased almost every month making it hard for bus owners to meet maintenance and fuel expenses.

Finau said marine transportation is exempt from diesel and spare part taxes and the association is asking the Prime Minister to do the same thing for the buses.

Finau also said bus owners take into account Tonga's financial plight and only charge bus riders what they think might be affordable for them.

He said the normal bus fare for adults from Niutoua to Nuku’aofa is TP$2.90 per person but Niutoua buses charged adult for TP $2 only.

Strong wind gusts forecast for Tonga

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Tonga Met Service has issued a  strong wind warning for all of Tonga land areas at 1pm today Friday 28.

It says an extreme high tide advisory remains inforce for all Tonga waters and fresh to strong winds as well as north to northeast winds are expected to be gusty at times.

It also says a tropical depression td15f lies over Fiji is slowly moving east-northeast at 10km/hr towards the group.

 Associated cloud bands with winds will affect the group, it says.

There are occasional rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms expected as well as fash flooding including sea flooding in the low lying areas of Tonga.

Six month-old baby death, parents charged

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A couple arrested over the death of their six-month-old baby son who died from dehydration and malnutrition, were released on bail on February 24.

The baby's mother, Siulolo Mafi, 28, and her husband, ‘Iteni Latu, 32, were arrested on February 18 and were eventually charged with child neglect and manslaughter.

Magistrate Salesi Mafi ruled that the couple have to be bailed out $1000 each and have to re-appear at the Nuku’alofa Magistrate Court on March 31.

Mafi also ordered that 'Iteni Latu had to surrender his passport.

On February 18 police received complaint from hospital authority saying the baby died as a result of his parents allegedly failed to seek medical assistance while he was sick on January 30.

The baby suffered from diarrhea and was vomiting police said.

Queen Mother reaches out to the Ha’apai victims

By
Kaniva Pacific
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HRH Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho has paid tribute to the courage and determination of the Ha’apai people to help them recover from their own horrible year.

Hundreds greeted the Queen and Hon.Lupeolo Halaevalu Moheofo Virginia Rose Tuita last week as they saw and heard for themselves how far the islands have come since its severe cyclone in the new year.

Her Majesty arrived in Ha'apai to meet and  distribute relief packages to victims of cyclone Ian.

The Islands were struck by a devastating Cyclone Ian on January 11 leaving one dead and about 5,000 homeless.

The Queen who is now 87 years old, appeared exhausted but looked tender and deeply moved.

The royal cruise visited the outer islands of Lifuka in Ha’apai including Mo’unga’one, Ha’ano and ‘Uiha where Her Majesty  and her entourage were surprised by dinghies of entertainers who arrived  by sea for the fakame’ite (entertainment) – a Tongan custom of welcoming royals.

 Five primary school girls performed a tau’olunga (group dance) in the dinghy accompanied by a local band of three players while the Queen watched from the VOEA Savea naval ship.

According to sources the Queen Mother explained how she was greatly saddened as she heard about the Cyclone Ian which wrought havoc on the six main islands of Ha’apai –  Lifuka, Foa, Ha'ano, Mo'unga'one, Lofanga and 'Uiha. 

Tongan-Utah football player critically injured in accident

By
Kaniva Pacific
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ALT LAKE CITY — Utah defensive lineman Moana Ofahengaue suffered a serious head injury in a motorized bike accident Sunday night.

University of Utah Hospital spokeswoman Kathy Wilets confirmed in a media release that the former Westlake High School star, a redshirt freshman, was in critical condition.

Wilets said that family members are “extremely optimistic about his recovery” and wanted to “express their gratitude for all the support that have received.”

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham released a statement as well.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Moana and his family during this very difficult time,” Whittingham said. “He is a beloved member of our team and we will support him in his recovery in any way we can.”

Ofahengaue’s father Tevita played for BYU from 1997-2000 and his uncle is Utah defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake.

deseretnews.com/home

 

 

Two arrests made in Kolofo’ou 2012 murder case

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Police have arrested and charged two male suspects with murder in connection with the death of a 44 year-old Chinese male in Kolofo’ou on Friday 15 June 2012.

The deceased was found dead in his electronic workshop next to the South Pac Builders Supply at the One Way Road.

Police arrested a 28-year-old Tongan male this week  Monday 24 followed by the arrest of a 33-year-old Chinese man this morning. They both remanded in custody until March 11 according Deputy Police Commander ‘Unga Fa’ao.

In June 15, 2012 police called to the scene and found the man died in a bedroom at the back of his shop.

There were no major injuries found on his body at the time but an initial examination led police to suspect it was a homicide, a report said.

The Chinese man arrived in Nuku'alofa in 2009 and he has a wife and a 12 year old daughter in China, police said.

Appeal to minister over ill Tongan woman deportation case

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Immigration Associate Minister Kate Wilkinson is being asked to use her special powers to override her department’s order to deport an ill Tongan woman from New Zealand.

The woman was reported by Radio New Zealand International to be suffering from diseases that are difficult to be treated in her home island in Tonga if she is returned.

A political leader in Auckland has called on the government to be compassionate and avoid deporting the woman.

The woman comes from Ha’apai where one person died in Lifuka island as tropical Cyclone Ian ripped through  on January 11 causing extensive destruction that saw about 100 percent of the houses being either damaged or destroyed.

There have been calls on New Zealand government earlier last week to reprieve Tongan over-stayers who are about to be deported to Ha’apai Islands.

“It is inhumane for immigration authorities to deport a Tongan woman with a heart and thyroid condition whose doctor has said she is unfit to fly,” Labour’s Pacific Islands Affairs spokesperson Su’a William Sio says.

“The woman, who doesn’t want to be named, has told media the nearest hospital to her Ha’apai home doesn’t have the facilities to treat people with heart problems. Immigration New Zealand is putting her life at risk”.

Immigration New Zealand told Kaniva News the case is left to the discretion of the associate minister.

As the woman's representative "has appealed to the Associate Minister of Immigration to intervene in the case no deportation action will take place until the Minister has made her decision," NZ Compliance Operations Manager Natalie Gardiner said.

She added that, “a common-sense, case by case approach is being taken with regard to Tongan nationals who are liable for deportation. A standard part of INZ's interview process before deportation is to assess any humanitarian considerations or international obligations that need to be taken into consideration”.

In December 2012 a Tongan tetraplegic man, Semisi Ma'afu Samiu, 61 was deported to Tonga despite appeals and pleas from the community leaders to the Immigration Minister to have mercy and let him stay in New Zealand with his family.

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