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Tonga’s tsunami evacuation efforts still hampered by gridlock as vehicles spill onto footpaths, opposing lanes

By
Kalino Latu
-

While Tonga’s tsunami warning has since been cancelled, Thursday’s evacuation efforts revealed a repeated pattern of fleeing residents’ efforts being crippled by severe traffic jams and long queues.

Arrow 1: Vehicles are queuing in the correct lane, waiting in heavy traffic.
Arrow 2: An oncoming vehicle is forced to veer closer to the queued cars to avoid a vehicle driving in the wrong lane.
Arrow 3: A car is seen driving on the wrong side of the road, near the footpath, in an attempt to bypass the traffic.

Unconfirmed reports suggest waves reached Tonga’s remote northern Niuas islands late Wednesday. Authorities have yet to confirm these claims.

The tsunami alert triggered by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s eastern coast led to desperate drivers spilling onto footpaths and even into opposing lanes—repeating chaos seen in past emergencies.

A Facebook video appeared to show a vehicle driving in the opposing lane while traffic queued on the correct side.

When an oncoming vehicle approached, it was forced to squeeze toward the queued cars, pushing the original vehicle further onto the footpath of the wrong lane. Kaniva News was unable to confirm the authenticity of the video or determine when it was taken.

Local journalist Faka’osi Maama described the chaotic scenes during a PMN Tonga radio show: “Cars were barely moving—some drivers resorted to using footpaths just to get through.”

He admitted to doing the same, adding: “I had to drive on footpaths too to reach my stranded passengers in Fanga. I apologize, but there was no other way.”

Reports reveal that many in Tongatapu’s coastal areas began fleeing even before official warnings.

World Bank Flags Congestion Crisis

The evacuation struggles echoed last year’s challenges, when World Bank staff observed severe traffic bottlenecks during a tsunami evacuation.

Deputy PM Taniela Fusimalohi previously said that World Bank staff were in Tonga to advance plans for a bridge connecting Nuku’alofa with eastern Tongatapu via Folaha and Siesia – a critical project to ease traffic congestions.

With Pacific-wide alerts now canceled, questions linger over Tonga’s ability to manage mass evacuations amid recurring traffic crises.

Tongan travellers stranded as Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire raises safety concerns

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan travellers remain stranded in Vietnam after suspending trips to Cambodia and Thailand due to a violent border conflict that left dozens dead.

Jason Heimuli and his group visiting the Marble Mountains and the oldest pagoda and temple in Da Nang City, Vietnam, before border tensions disrupted their travel plans. Photo/Supplied

Despite a ceasefire agreement reached earlier this week, safety concerns persist, prompting cancellations and delays for the tourists from the kingdom.

Jason Heimuli, a Tongan tourist currently in Vietnam, told Kaniva News that his group had planned to visit Cambodia and Thailand as part of a one-month holiday.

However, escalating violence along the border forced them to abandon their travel plans. “We are worried otherwise we will get injured, so it was safe to cancel it,” Heimuli said.

Heimuli had previously shared on Facebook that they were visiting Singapore before arriving in Vietnam.

He said they were near the Vietnam-Cambodia border when they received warnings from the Australian government advising residents to avoid travel to conflict zones.

“We were trying to return and wait in the city,” Heimuli said.

The conflict, which lasted five days, resulted in at least 43 deaths—mostly civilians—and displaced nearly 300,000 people.

While a ceasefire was brokered during a meeting in Malaysia, Heimuli expressed doubts about its durability.

According to Al Jazeera, the ceasefire was described as “immediate and unconditional,” with reports suggesting U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic pressure played a role in the negotiations.

However, Thailand has since accused Cambodia of launching fresh attacks, allegations Cambodia denies.

Why Are Thailand and Cambodia Fighting at the Border?

By Kaniva News, adapted from BBC

Deadly clashes erupted last Thursday along the Thailand-Cambodia border, reigniting a long-standing territorial dispute.

The conflict stems from a century-old disagreement over border demarcation, intensified in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to register an ancient temple in the disputed area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sporadic violence has occurred since, with tensions escalating in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed.

On Thursday, both nations offered conflicting accounts of the violence. Thailand accused Cambodia of deploying drones and rocket launchers, damaging civilian infrastructure. Cambodia claimed Thai troops violated a prior agreement by advancing on a sacred temple and initiating fire.

Both sides have since imposed border restrictions and increased military presence.

The situation remains volatile, with international observers urging restraint and dialogue.

Tonga updates tsunami status after earlier reassurance: Alert now in effect for the kingdom

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga has now issued an official tsunami alert for parts of the Kingdom, following a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the eastern coast of Russia.

This update comes after earlier reassurances from Tonga’s Meteorological Service that there was no tsunami threat to the country.

The National Tsunami Warning Centre has placed the northern islands of Niuas and Vava’u under active alert, with estimated wave arrival times between 10pm and 11pm tonight.

Officials have warned that the initial wave may not be the largest, and coastal residents are urged to prepare for immediate evacuation. Mariners are advised to move vessels to deep water as a precaution.

The situation evolved rapidly after the U.S. Geological Survey upgraded the earthquake’s magnitude from 8.7 to 8.8, prompting widespread tsunami alerts across the Pacific 

Senior officer Laitia Fifita from Tonga Meteorological Services confirmed the shift to a tsunami watch this afternoon, advising residents—especially in northern coastal areas—to stay away from the shorelines.

Emergency sirens have been activated, and wave heights are estimated to range between 30 centimetres and one metre 

The earthquake struck approximately 133 kilometres southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia’s Kamchatka region.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued alerts for several Pacific nations, including Japan, Hawaii, American Samoa, Fiji, and New Zealand 

In Hawaii, coastal evacuations are underway, with the first wave expected to arrive at 7.17pm local time.

Tonga’s National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) is actively monitoring the situation and has promised further updates after the estimated wave arrival time.

Authorities are urging the public to remain alert and follow all official instructions to ensure safety.

LDS Church addresses allegations against former missionary accused of abusing Tongan children

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued a statement following the arrest of James William Purdy, 28, of West Valley, Utah, who faces federal charges in the United States for allegedly sexually abusing minors in Tonga during and after his missionary service.

James William Purdy

Purdy was arrested in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 24, following a federal indictment issued on July 16, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Purdy traveled to Tonga in 2017 for his mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

While there, he allegedly sexually abused multiple minor boys. Purdy returned to Tonga in late 2019 to teach at a school in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. For years, Purdy allegedly groomed and sexually abused numerous male students, some of whom lived with him.

Purdy allegedly provided gifts, including electronic devices and access to the internet, food, toys, and money, in exchange for the performance of sexual acts.

Purdy was alleged to have surreptitiously recorded minor males in his bathroom at his various Tonga apartments.

Tongan police arrested Purdy in October 2022 after an eight-year-old boy disclosed being sexually assaulted during tutoring sessions. Despite being released from jail, Purdy allegedly continued to abuse children and fled Tonga in March 2023 using a forged passport, just before his scheduled trial 

The Mormon Church’s Pacific Area spokesperson, Richard Hunter, based in Auckland, said the Church was taking the allegations “very seriously.”

“It is unclear at this stage if he was involved in abuse as a missionary with us, my colleagues in Tonga were unaware of this until now,” said Hunter, who is based in Auckland, was quoted by RNZ as saying.

However, he admitted that it was “absolutely possible” that offending did occur while he was working with children on his mission.

“If our mission leaders in Tonga were aware of this, he would have been sent home immediately for breaking both the law and the commandments of God,” he said.

“We feel very sad for those whose lives have been impacted so horrendously. I’m hoping there will be opportunities in Tonga for victims to receive love and support from our congregations.

He said the church was co-operating with the police in Tonga and the US in all aspects of their pre-trial investigations.

Where to get help

In Tonga

  • Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) Tonga, +676 22240

In New Zealand

  • Road Forward Trust, Wellington, contact Richard 0211181043
  • Better Blokes Auckland, 099902553
  • The Canterbury Men’s Centre, 03 3776747
  • The Male Room, Nelson 035480403
  • Male Survivors, Waikato 07 8584112
  • Male Survivors, Otago 0211064598

Tonga issues update as 8.7 after earthquake off Russia’s coast

By
Kaniva Staff
-

An 8.7 magnitude earthquake off the Russian coast on Tuesday night has triggered tsunami alerts across the Pacific, prompting watches and advisories in California, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Meanwhile, Tonga’s Meteorological Service has reassured residents that no tsunami warning has been issued for the Kingdom.

The National Tsunami Warning Centre in the United States issued a tsunami watch for the entire coast of California, with estimated wave arrival times ranging from 1:05 a.m. in Los Angeles Harbour to 1.15am in Oceanside and La Jolla.

Hawaii was also placed under a tsunami watch at 1:33 p.m. HST, with Maui County estimating the earliest wave arrival at 7:17 p.m. HST.

Alaska’s Aleutian Islands are under a Tsunami Advisory, with waves expected to reach Shemya and Adak later in the evening. The advisory indicates that tsunami waves are likely, though less severe than those under a full warning.

In Tonga, the Meteorological Service confirmed that no tsunami warning is currently in effect, and emphasised that official alerts will be issued only through its channels if conditions change.

The update comes as part of Tonga’s ongoing commitment to keeping residents informed amid rising regional concerns about seismic activity and oceanic threats.

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services in California stated it is “monitoring any potential impacts to the state” following the quake and tsunami watch.

Authorities across the Pacific continue to assess the situation, with updates expected as more data becomes available.

NZ sends detection dogs to Tonga amid concerns over yacht drug screening: Minister

By
Kalino Latu
-

The New Zealand government will deploy two additional detection dogs to Tonga as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and combat illicit drug trafficking in the Pacific.

Piveni Piukala Minister of Police

The move follows the ‘Aisake Eke government’s concerns over the lack of inspections of yachts arriving from overseas in Tonga.

The New Zealand initiative focuses on high-risk entry points, including ports frequented by yachts, with Tonga’s Vava‘u group set to receive the new canine units.

The move follows recent warnings from Tonga’s Minister of Police, Piveni Piukala, who raised alarms over gaps in maritime inspections.

Minister Piukala revealed that a yacht recently sailed unchecked from Vava‘u to Tongatapu, despite claims it had been inspected earlier.

“I was informed the yacht had already been cleared in Vava‘u, but this is, in my view, something to relook at. Every vessel must undergo fresh inspections at each port to prevent smuggling,” Piukala previously said in Tongan.

He emphasised the need for stricter protocols to close loopholes in maritime surveillance.

Canine Units: A High-Risk, High-Reward Tool

The detector dogs operate in a dangerous environment, as highlighted by the unsolved 2019 poisoning of Eto, a New Zealand-trained narcotics dog in Fiji.

Eto had helped seize millions of dollars’ worth of drugs before her death, which remains unresolved.

The Pacific Islands Detector Dog Programme, funded by New Zealand and implemented by New Zealand Police, has already placed trained dogs and handlers in Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, and the Cook Islands, 1News reported.

The expansion to Vava‘u aims to curb drug trafficking amid rising regional concerns, it said.

With the new canine teams, Tonga hopes to disrupt smuggling networks while honouring the legacy of fallen detection dogs like Eto.

In 2024, New Zealand detector dog Iti was on hand to help protect Pacific leaders and delegates at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga.

New Zealand provides trained police dogs to the Pacific region, including Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, and the Cook Islands, through the PDDP (Pacific Detector Dog Programme).

Tonga prepares for pineapple exports to New Zealand after decade-long assessment

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has approved a long-awaited export pathway for fresh Tongan pineapples, marking the culmination of more than a decade of rigorous assessments.

The news follows years of reports highlighting damaged pineapples and low prices, particularly in Vava’u, due to oversupply and stagnant local market demand.

The approval follows a detailed review of import health standards and pest risk assessments, which vary for each exporting country. Tonga’s Ministry of Trade and Economic Development said this morning.

Last month, NZ MPI officials joined Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (MAFF), the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED), and a New Zealand importer on a joint mission to Vava’u to evaluate and address challenges in the pineapple export process.

A key requirement for the trade pathway is the construction of a new, HACCP-compliant packhouse in Vava’u, as existing facilities do not meet New Zealand’s strict biosecurity and food safety standards.

MTED has prioritised the project, with MAFF and NZ MPI providing technical guidance to ensure full compliance not only for pineapples but also for potential future export commodities.

The new export initiative is set to benefit Vava’u’s 252 commercial pineapple growers by providing an alternative market during peak harvest season (October–December), reducing oversupply in local markets and increasing Tonga’s export revenue.

“This is a significant milestone for Tonga’s agricultural sector,” said a spokesperson for MTED.

“Access to New Zealand’s market will create new opportunities for our farmers and strengthen our economy.”

With the packhouse development underway, Tonga is now one step closer to shipping its first commercial pineapple consignment to New Zealand, paving the way for expanded trade opportunities in the future.

In 2023, the Philippines was New Zealand’s top supplier of fresh and dried pineapples, followed by Ecuador, according to World Bank data.

For processed or preserved pineapples, the leading exporters were Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Tonga’s Catholic history, long preserved in French, reaches new heights with new English translation

By
Kalino Latu
-

Documentation of Catholicism’s arrival in Tonga continues to grow, thanks to the latest contribution from the Church’s own esteemed Tongan scholar, Dr Felise Tāvō.

The cover of the new book

Announcing the new book Marist Priests in Tonga: Stories of Mission online this week, Tāvō highlighted the scarcity of English-language literature on this history, noting such works are “few and far between.”

The 1842 arrival of Tonga’s first French Marist missionaries proved historically significant, introducing Catholicism while advancing formal education across the islands.

However, this transformative period remained obscure to most, as its records existed largely in French.

The new book is an English translation of a detailed 145-page study originally written in French by historian Dr Caroline Toutain in 1992.

The work was commissioned by the late Bishop Patelesio Finau to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Catholicism in Tonga, the same year.

Although initially intended for translation by the late Fr Kale (also known as Fr George Callet), a French priest who served in Tonga for decades, the task was ultimately completed by Marist Brother Edward Clisby, then a teacher in Ha’apai, according to Tāvō.

However, as Br Clisby’s translation appears to have been lost, Dr Tāvō took on the project to ensure this valuable historical record remains accessible.

Leveraging his expertise in French and deep scholarly insight, Dr Tāvō has committed to continuing the documentation of the Church’s history preserved in French-language texts.

Earlier Works in English

The latest book comes after Dr Tāvō launched the publication of his previous book, “Catholic Church in Tonga” in February, focusing on its history, the missionaries and timeline.

That book, written in English, covers various aspects of the Church’s history, including the establishment of what appeared to be the first high school in Tonga, Apifo’ou College, which was founded in 1865 by the French Marist priests.

In 2023, Dr Tāvō launched Marists’ Presence and Perceptions in Tonga 1840–1900, an English translation of Dr Toutain’s 1987 French research.

Originally commissioned by then–Education Minister Dr Langi Kavaliku, the research aimed to fill the gap in English-language histories of the Church’s establishment in Tonga, which had largely overlooked the eyewitness accounts written in French by Marist missionaries during this pivotal period, according to Tāvō.

His publications join a small but significant group of existing works that have painstakingly preserved fragments of the faith’s early days in the Kingdom.

Tāvō previously said that additional research is still required, particularly through diaries, letters, and documents stored at the church’s archive at Toutaimana headquarters in Tonga.

“The research has yet to be completed as I have yet to read the multi-volume diaries by the French missionaries such as Lamaze, Blanc, Castagnier, Reiter and others at Toutaimana’s archive,” he previously told Kaniva News.

“If that’s done, there will be a possibility for better understanding and more corrections to our history.”

Laini Koula ‘Univesiti Manuofetoa appointed new Commissioner of Prisons

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The Government of Tonga has officially appointed Laini Koula ‘Univesiti Manuofetoa as the new Commissioner of Prisons, effective Tuesday, 29 July 2025.

Mr. Laini Koula ‘Univesiti Manuofetoa, 42, of Holonga, Vava’u and Fatai, Tongatapu, has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Prisons, effective today, Tuesday, 29 July 2025.

The 42-year-old from Holonga, Vava’u and Fatai, Tongatapu assumed his new role during a formal ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The newly appointed Commissioner signed a three-year contract and took his oath of office before the Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, who serves as Minister for Prisons.

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet.

Manuofetoa brings extensive experience to the position, having dedicated his entire career to Tonga’s corrections system. He first joined as a Junior Prison Officer in 2004 and steadily rose through the ranks over the past two decades.

His career progression includes serving as a Cadet Officer from 2013 to 2015, Superintendent of Prisons from 2015 to 2019, and most recently as Deputy Commissioner of Prisons since 2019.

Educated at Holonga Primary School in Vava’u and Seventh-day Adventist Church Mangaia Primary School before attending Tupou College, Manuofetoa has consistently pursued professional development.

He holds a Master of Business Administration (2016) and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management (2014), both from the University of the South Pacific.

His qualifications also include a Diploma in Police Management obtained in 2012, and he is currently working toward a Bachelor of Laws degree.

Prime Minister Dr. ‘Aisake Eke expressed confidence in the new Commissioner’s ability to lead the prison service, stating that Manuofetoa’s extensive experience and educational background make him ideally suited for the role.

The Prime Minister extended his congratulations and best wishes for success in the challenging position.

As Commissioner, Manuofetoa will oversee all operations of Tonga’s prison system, with the expectation to implement modern reforms while maintaining focus on rehabilitation and humane treatment of inmates.

His appointment comes at a time when the government is seeking to strengthen the corrections system through professional leadership and evidence-based policies.

The ceremony concluded with traditional formalities, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a transformative period for Tonga’s prison administration under Manuofetoa’s leadership.

Last Tongan to escape Lahaina fire comes back as Maui marks two years since deadly blaze

By
Kalino Latu
-

Vava Lapota, a Tongan town officer from Neiafu, Vavaʻu, who narrowly escaped Hawaiʻi’s deadly Lahaina wildfire in 2023, has returned to the devastated town two years after the tragedy that claimed 102 lives.

Vava Lapota and his brother at the site of the Lahaina wildfire—now partially redeveloped (inset). The larger image shows Tongan flags among others honouring those lost in the tragedy.

Among the victims was a Tongan family of four—Fa’aoso Tone, Malui’fonua Tone, Salote Tone, and Tony Takafua—who perished in their vehicle near their home.

Lapota, who described himself as the last Tongan to flee before authorities locked the gates to prevent more vehicles from entering the fire zone, arrived back in Lahaina this week after spending the last two years in Tonga.

“I was nervous at first, but growing up with hurricanes in Tonga—and with the fire raging in those strong winds—I managed to stay calm,” Lapota told Kaniva News.

Lapota, who is visiting his brother in Lahaina, said he was amazed by the rapid recovery of the fire-damaged area, noting how beautiful it looked.

He shared poignant images of flags lining the roadside, the Tongan banner among them, standing as a tribute to those lost in the August 8, 2023, disaster.

Lapota said: “This place holds so much pain, but also the memories of those we lost.”

His emotional return comes as the community continues to mourn the lives lost in one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history.

Authorities confirmed that all 102 victims have been identified, but two individuals remain unaccounted for as of February 2024.

Lapota’s survival and return serve as a poignant reminder of both the devastation and resilience of those affected.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, while officials emphasise ongoing efforts to improve emergency response and wildfire prevention measures.

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