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Cyclone warning for Ha’apai cancelled

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga Met Services said 8:00pm the hurricane warning previously inforce for the Haapai group is now cancelled.

Severe tropical cyclone Ian category 5 was located near 20 decimal 4 South 173 decimal 8 west or 90km east-southeast of fonoifua or 165km east-northeast of tongatapu at 6:00pm.

Tropical cyclone Ian has estimated winds of 110kt near its centre with momentary gusts up to 155knots.the cyclone is moving south-southeast at 10kt.

The gale warning peviously in force for the Vava'u group is now cancelled.

A gale warning remains in force for the Ha'apai group, Tongatapu and 'Eua.

A strong wind warning remains inforce for the Vava'u group.

A damaging heavy swell advisory remains inforce for coastal waters of Tongatapu, eua and Ha'apai group.

A heavy rain advisory remains in force for Ha'apai groups.

On its current track, tropical cyclone Ian may bring:

Damaging gale force winds to Tongatapu, 'Eua and Ha'apai group this evening

Cyclone Ian strikes Ha’apai one casualty reported

By
Kalino Latu
-

[lastupdated]

 

Tonga Met Services said at 3:30pm today  Cyclone Ian  is moving south-southeast at 8kt and on this track it affected  the Ha'apai  Group and expected to continue in the next few hours.

Tongan local media report said telephone communication to outer islands had been cut off.

The radio FM89.5 report said the sea surged inland ravaging the new Fire Station building and the Tokaikolo Church in Pangai.

One woman was reported to have been injured in the cyclone the radio said.

The radio said they have yet to confirm the information.

Radio & Television Tonga report said electric power restored to most part of Vava'u.

Tonga Met Services says, on its current track tropical cyclone Ian may bring very destructive hurricane force winds to the Ha'apai group from now until later today and damaging gale force winds to Vavau until later today.

For Tongatapu and ‘Eua the cyclone may bring damaging gale force winds in the next 6hrs..

Cyclone Ian: funeral service postponed

By
Kalino Latu
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Cyclone Ian has been scaled down to category 4 but bad luck on the mango and breadfruit seasons as the cyclone has blown them down with a local reporter said “nothing left”.

Severe tropical cyclone Ian that was previously a category 5 system and expected to bear down in Vava’u in the last 6hrs has been cancelled with Tonga Met Services said people should still stay alert.  

The strong wind warning previously inforce for Niuatoputapu and Tafahi is now cancelled, said Tonga Med Services at 3:30pm today.

Moving north-northeast towards Fakakakai in the Ha’apai group, Cyclone Ian is expected to lie at about 20 km at 1pm today.

At the village of Longomapu in Vava’u people evacuated and moved to the  Free Wesleyan Church Hall as well as the Mormon Church buildings while heavy rain fell, Radio FM 89.5FM reported.

A  burial ceremony for a funeral supposed  to be buried  today was postponed because of the cyclone's damages.

Embalming is not available in the island and there is also no mortuary.

Kepuloni Savou from Ha’alaufuli Vava’u told the radio people moved to village’s hall and Mormon Church buildings.

Roofs were damaged and trees uprooted, he said.

The Tongan government announced a state of emergency for Vava'u and Ha'apai this morning .

Meanwhile  Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand issued a statement saying it is preparing to support Caritas Tonga's response to the cyclone.

And Oxfam is liaising with the Tongan Red Cross to prepare for an appropriate and coordinated response if required.

Oxfam New Zealand said it is expecting to send emergency staff to Tonga to assess the situation on the ground, and identify the most urgent needs.

Carlos Calderon, Pacific Humanitarian Manager for Oxfam New Zealand, says: "Once the urgent needs are assessed we are expecting to help coordinate the supply of clean water and sanitation for those affected by the disaster."

Hurricane warning for Vava’u cancelled

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga Met Services said this afternoon at 1:00pm the hurricane  warning previously in force for the Vava'u group is now cancelled but  remains inforce for the Haapai groups.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ian category 4 is now moving south-southeast at 6knots and on this track it is expected  to cross over the Ha'apai group in the next few hours.

On its current track, Vava'u is still warned however that Tropical Cyclone Ian may bring a very destructive hurricance force winds from now until later today.

For Tongatapu and Eua the cyclone may bring damaging gale force winds in the next 6-12hrs

A heavy rain advisory remains in force for the Vava'u and ha'apai groups.

Dr Eke Tonga's new finance minister

By
Kalino Latu
-

[lastupdated]

Independent MP  Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke told Kaniva News this afternoon he has accepted the Prime Minister of Tonga's invitation to become his minister of finance.

Last week the former secretary for finance at the Tonga Treasury  said there was nothing official yet but confirmed he has been approached by the Prime Minister for the ministerial post.

He said he decided to consult his constituency to get their opinions first before he makes decision.

More than eighty percent were in favour of the Prime Minister's request and Eke said that is "13 villages out of 16".

Tonga’s former Finance Minister Lisiate ‘Akolo was dismissed last week after he refused to resign.

PM Tu’ivakano was not satisfied with ‘Akolo over his performance on his ministerial duty.

"I will take it just to help the government as I think I have something to give the people through this post at this time the nation is in financial difficulties," Eke said.

The Prime Minister will officially appoint Eke this evening.

Eke was elected to parliament by  Tongatapu 5 constituency  in 2010 as an independent member with 679 votes.

The second runner up was Maliumoeao Takai with 616 votes.

Following  the opening of the Tongan Parliament in 2010 Eke announced his affiliation with the Democratic Party but said he would not sign their MOU.

Tonga's next general election is in November.

Cyclone Ian downgraded to category 4

By
Kalino Latu
-

A hurricane warning remains inforce for the Vavau and Haapai groups  after severe Tropical Cyclone Ian that was previously a category 5 system was  downgraded this morning at 9:30am to category 4.

Tonga Met Services  said Ian is moving south-southeast at 6knots and on this track it is expected to lie about 20km north-northeast of Fakakakai  in Haapai at 1pm today.

A gale warning remains in force for Tongatapu,'Eua and nearby islands.

A strong wind warning remains inforce for Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi.

A damaging heavy swell advisory remains inforce for coastal waters of  Vava'u and Ha'apai group.

On its current track, tropical cyclone Ian may bring:

Destructive to very destructive force winds to Vavau from now until 3-6hrs later.

For the Ha'apai group tropical cyclone ian may bring destructive storm force winds in the next 3-6hr and very destructive hurricance force winds in the next 6-12hr.

For Tongatapu and 'Eua the cyclone may bring damaging gale force winds in the next 12-18hrs

Vava‘u braces as severe cyclone advances

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tropical Cyclone Ian, with  estimated winds of 110knots near its centre  with momentary gusts up to 155knots is predicted to make landfall in the southwest of Hunga at around 10am today.

Tonga Met Services on its latest advisory at 6:am this morning says on its current track, Tropical Cyclone Ian which has intensified over the past 6hrs to category 5 may bring:

Damaging gale to destructive storm force winds up to hurricane force winds from now until 3-6hrs later.

For the Ha'apai group Tropical Cyclone Ian may bring destructive storm force winds in the next 3-6hr and very destructive hurricance force winds in the next 6-12hr.

For Tongatapu and ’Eua the cyclone may bring damaging gale force winds in the next 12-18hrs.

Cyclone Ian could be deadly

By
Kalino Latu
-

Cyclone Ian was upgraded this morning at 2:15am to Category 5 meaning it could hit with the strongest wind gust at more than 280km/h which it will be extremely dangerous and causing widespread destruction.

Severe tropical Cyclone Ian is heading towards Vava'u after it  was located near 18 decimal 2 south 174 decimal 9 west or about 100km northwest of Hunga (vv) and 105km northwest of Longomapu (vv) or about 185km north-northwest of Lifuka at 1:00am, Tonga Met Services says.

Tropical cyclone Ian has estimated winds of 110knots near its centre with momentary gusts up to 130knots.

The cyclone is moving southeast at 5knots. On this track severe tropical Cyclone Ian is expected to lie about 50km west of Vava'u (near late) at around 7am tomorrow.

On its current track, Tropical Cyclone Ian may bring:

Damaging gale force winds to Vava'u with in the next 3hrs, destructive storm force winds in the next 3-6hrs and very destructive hurricane force winds in the next 6-12hrs

For the Ha'apai group tropical cyclone Ian may bring damaging gale force winds in the next 6hrs, destructive storm force winds in the next 6-12hr and very destructive hurricane force winds in the next 12-18hr.

For Tongatapu and 'Eua the cyclone may bring damaging gale force winds in the next 12-18hrs

A hurricane warning remains in force for the Vavau and Haapai groups.

A gale warning remains in force for Tongatapu,'Eua and nearby islands.

A strong wind warning remains inforce for Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi.

A damaging heavy swell advisory remains inforce for coastal waters of Vava'u and Ha'apai group.

A heavy rain advisory remains in force for the vava'u and ha'apai groups.

Family of Tevita Pasikala await DNA test result

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan family in Auckland claimed the body found in a burnt out car early this week was that of Tevita Pasikala, 24. 

But the deceased will not be officially identified until Wednesday next week.

Spokeswoman for the family, Sisifa Afu Tangi told Kaniva News Pasikala who resided in Auckland  headed to the Bay of Plenty to meet his wife’s family on Sunday 5.

Police were called to a road accident Sunday morning where a car crashed into  a tree before bursting into flames in the Bay of Plenty .

The incident occurred on Thornton Rd, just north of Whakatane, about 6am, said Inspector Peter Raynes of the police northern communications centre.

It is now understood it would take several days before police determine what caused  the gruesome death of the driver and the deceased’s identity.

Believing the body was that of Tevita Pasikala Ms Tangi, who is assisting police in their investigation said the deceased,  “is at the Hamilton Hospital to do a DNA to confirm his identity. We assumed his body was badly burned. It will not be ready until 22/01 but we are trying to see if possible that we can get it out earlier relatives are ready,” Ms Tangi said.

Since Sunday families and Tongan churches are gathering at Howick to pray for Pasikala.

The vehicle the family claimed to be that of Pasikala  was engulfed in flames after it hit a tree head-on.

The driver, who was the only person in the car, was dead when emergency services arrived.

Firefighters had extinguished the flames and were assisting police with their investigation.

Tonga's Finance Minister formally dismissed

By
Kalino Latu
-

Breaching cabinet solidarity was the basis for the Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano's decision to sack his Finance Minister,  Lisiate 'Aloveita ‘Akolo.

‘Akolo was given a letter on Monday in Auckland from the Prime Minister asking him to resign.

He defied the Prime Minister’s request and as a result he was formally dismissed yesterday afternoon.

The politicians in Tonga believed there was a “personal motive” behind the minister's dismissal with Opposition's 'Isileli Pulu saying, "It's hard to believe the PM could sack  'Akolo just because he told the people that the 5% COLA was unreasonble" as what the Prime Minister claimed.

The Prime Minister's letter to 'Akolo on Monday was written in Tongan.

In his letter the Prime Minister said:

"Ka ‘oku ou tui ;oku hoko ho’o ta’efeauna,ta’efiengaue fakataha ,pea mo e ‘ikai keke ‘ulutukua ke ke faka’apa’apa’I ‘a e tu’utu’uni pea mo e fevahevahe’aki na’e fakahoko ‘I he Kapineti ke ha ‘ata ki tu’a ‘oku to kehekehe pe ‘ikai lelei ‘a e langa ngaue ‘a e Pule’anga ki hono patoloaki ‘a e langa fakalakalaka o hange ko e faka’amu ‘a e Pule’anga ke fakahoko ‘a e COLA peseti ‘e 5".

[translated by Kaniva] But I believe your obstinate refusal, unwilling to cooperate and to give in and respect the decision and sharing made in the cabinet reflected disunity or created an impression that the government’s initiative to boost its development projects proposal like the initiative for the 5% COLA is unfavourable.

"’Kuo’u fakapapau’I ‘e ‘ikai pe ke nga’unu kimu’a ‘a e ngaahi fokotu’utu’u langa ngaue fakalakalaka ‘a e Pule’anga kapau ko e ‘ulungaanga mo e to’onga ngaue ia ‘oku fakahoko’aki ho’o fuafatongia.Koia ai ‘oku ou fiema’u ke ke fakahu mai ho’o tohi fakafisi mei he Lakanga Minisita Pa’anga mo e Palani Fakafonua kimu’a he ‘aho 8 Sanuali ‘a ia ‘oku fakahoko ai ‘a e fakataha Kapineti makehe ki he fokotu’utu’u fo’ou ki he toenga ta’u ‘o e Pule’anga".

[translated by Kaniva] I am certain there won’t be any improvements in the way how the government endeavour to implement its development project proposals if that is your attitude and behaviour towards your duty. I therefore demand that you submit your letter of resignation from [your] ministerial position as a Minister for Finance and National Planning no later than January 8 in a special Cabinet meeting held to set up the agendas for the government's final year while in power.

Hon. Clive Edwards, Minister for Justice told Radio ABC ‘Akolo has been “officially sacked” yesterday afternoon “because he has refused to submit a resignation".

According to Edwards the Prime Minister claimed ‘Akolo went on air and said the cabinet’s approval of the 5% COLA was unreasonable.

Akolo in response called upon the Prime Minister to show him the proof of his claim.

Edwards told the radio, “… on this occasion he was present in cabinet, he was a party to a cabinet decision and he goes on the air and television and say the government has no money to pay out this cabinet decision, and it's not reasonable, it's not a reasonable decision when he was a party to it and it was his recommendation".

Kaniva News listened to an Youtube clip recorded by the government's funded Radio &Television Tonga where ‘Akolo recently announced the 5% COLA approved by cabinet.

It was recorded in Tongan and there was nothing in the way how 'Akolo presented the announcement that could validate the Prime Minister's claim unless Tu'ivakano was referring to a different source.

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