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Feimoefiafi’s boxing and kava fans shattered by his death as family mourns in Oregon

By
Kalino Latu
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Thousands of people have taken to social media to show their respect and grief over the death of US-based Tongan Sione Feimoefiafi.

And his children have spoken to US television about their father and how he inspired them.

Feimoefiafi, 49, of ‘Uiha, who  became a resident of Oregon, died at Vaiola hospital on Monday night following an afternoon brawl at the Tali’eva bar in Nuku’alofa.  

Five men have been arrested and are in Police custody facing various charges in relation to Feimoefiafi’s death.

Feimoefiafi was at the bar to watch the super bowl league tournament.

A source claimed the fight broke out after Feimoefiafi bantered with the men after the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams.

A post on Facebook appears to come from a person who claimed he confronted Feimoefiafi before the incident occurred.

He alleged that he wrestled Feimoefiafi to the floor before the other men kicked and punched them both.  

The person who made the post appeared to want to apologise to Feimoefiafi’s family.

A spokesperson from TASANOC has confirmed that Feimoefiafi was a former Tongan national boxer who represented the kinghdom in regional boxing tournaments.

Musical talent

A video clip shared on Facebook showed Feimoefiafi playing a guitar while performing a solo song to entertain kava goers and friends during a kava session.

Kava commenters said Feimoefiafi was amiable, friendly and big-hearted.

They said his musical talent made him unforgettable.

Paul Quinn Ta’ai told Kaniva news he met Feimoefiafi in Portland when he traveled there three years ago.

Ta’ai, a kava goer and an acoustic band player, said he knew Feimoefiafi when he grew up in Matahau while he was training there as a boxer.

He said he met Feimoefiafi at a kava party in US and Feimoefiafi invited him for lunch. They played music together during kava parties.

“I feel really sorry for his loss. He was a kind-hearted man,” Ta’ai said.

It is understood Ta’ai was one of many Tongans Feimoefiafi befriended and invited for a meal when they arrived in the US.

Boxing talent

Former boxer Maukakalaipakulaa Samiu Anitoni said Feimoefiafi was his very close friend and they excercised and trained together while they were boxing.

He said Feimoefiafi represented Tonga during the south Pacific Mini Games in the kingdom in 1989.

Anitoni said Feimoefiafi also represented Tonga in the Oceania boxing games.

He said he remembered Feimoefiafi as a man of good character.

Children speak

Feimoefiafi’s son told Fox News in Oregon his father had been his  main source of motivation and definition.

“Now that he’s gone, he’s even more of my motivation. I’m doing it for him, he really brought me joy,” 17-year-old Takanga Feimoefiafi said.

Last night members of his family in Oregon attended a basketball match where his 16 year old daughter Tala was playing.

“It was hard playing in the game, every struggle I went though, it went back to my dad,” Tala said.

“Every game I played in, he always came, so I was looking in the stands every time I scored a point or anything,” Tala said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses and support Feimoefiafi’s family.

The main points

  • Thousands of people have taken to social media to show their respect and grief over the death of US-based Tongan Sione Feimoefiafi.
  • Feimoefiafi, 49, of ‘Uiha, who  became a resident of Oregon died, at Vaiola hospital on Monday night following an afternoon brawl at the Tali’eva bar in Nuku’alofa. 
  • Five men have been arrested and are in Police custody facing various charges in relation to Feimoefiafi’s death.

For more information

Portland man killed in bar fight while visiting Tonga

Maroons attempted to poach Jason Taumalolo for 2019 Origin series, reports

By
Kaniva Staff
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Queensland’s bid to poach North Queensland Cowboys powerhouse Jason Taumalolo for this year’s State of Origin tilt looks to have been vetoed by NRL chiefs.

Maroons bosses have reportedly made moves to see if the wrecking-ball backrower could be cleared to quit Tonga and become available for their side for this season’s clashes with NSW.

But the NRL have blocked the move because Taumalolo has earned 10 Test caps for New Zealand, a tier-one rival to Australia, News Corp reports.

The juggernaut forward confirmed his allegiance to Tonga last June after representing the Kiwis at the 2017 World Cup.

“Under current RLIF (Rugby League International Federation) rules around eligibility, players cannot represent two Tier One nations,” a NRL spokesman said.

“If Jason Taumalolo were to play for Queensland, he would need to make himself available for Australia.”

Janet Tupou: Speaking life into your goals and seeing dreams come true

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Dr Janet Tupou

Hand over heart, speaking life into your goals and dreams can see them come true.

After sitting in my first ever lecture at university, I knew that I wanted to be the one on the other side of the lectern. Week after week for three years in my undergraduate studies, I failed to see any Māori or Pasifika educators on the stage.

It was during those years that I set out the goal to be a university lecturer to inject some diversity into that space. Six years on, you can find me in front of the lecture stage and classroom, doing just that.

After completing a Bachelor of Communications Studies and honours degree, I began studying a Masters focusing on emotional labour. In other words, I call it ‘mastering the art of wearing different masks.’

As I was studying, I began teaching on undergraduate papers, the very same ones I had taken a few years back. It was such a surreal moment, to be lecturing alongside the same educators that once taught me. And it still is.

I then began studying a PhD called (De)constructing Tongan Creativity: A talanoa about walking in two worlds, which was recently awarded. The topic came to me after noticing a lack of scholarship around creativity in Tongan culture while I was teaching.

I wanted to show all sides of the story, particularly from a Tongan perspective. I therefore wanted to explore what creativity meant for Tongan people, specifically Tongan youth in New Zealand, and that’s exactly what I did.

Identity crisis
Creativity is seen as a concept that can be seen as a threat to the Tongan culture. For example, for Tongans who are born in New Zealand, there can be an identity crisis in how to express one’s Tonganness in a Western world.

I found there is a lack of awareness of how much creativity and studying creative subjects at a higher level can better Tongan people.

My passion of exploring the notion of creativity at a deeper level is also put into practice in my teaching approaches, by way of allowing students to share their creative outlooks, voices and perspectives on any given topic that is discussed in a safe space. At the same time, to back up my talk, I walked the walk by studying my Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Teaching.

As well as lecturing full time, I am also a part time real estate salesperson. I use my skills to help educate and shed light on the complicated terminology and processes in this industry that often exploits people. How did I get to where I am today?

As a Christian, my faith has helped me power through achieving goals. Supportive family and friends, commitment and taking up incredible opportunities at institutions such as AUT has also played a huge part in my journey.

My ultimate goal as a teacher is to nurture belief in students to dream big and to achieve big. The classroom is my space to encourage students to be the best versions of themselves, because “Hand over heart, speaking life into your goals and dreams can see them come true.”

Dr Janet Tupou is a lecturer in Communication Studies and chair of the AUT School of Communication Studies diversity committee. This article was first published by Spasifik magazine and is republished by Asia Pacific Report with permission. Kaniva has a republication arrangement with Asia Pacific Report.

“It needs dedication, commitment, perseverance,” says Tonga new Chief Secretary Edgar Cocker

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s newly appointed Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Edgar Cocker said he was prepared to dedicate his life and commit to the job.

He said his role was to give the Prime Minister correct advice and help with government’s roles in growing the country’s economy.

The Public Service Commission has announced the appointment today.  

The announcement comes after Kaniva news and other media have reported last week Cocker has been picked by PSC for the role.

In his role as CEO of the Ministry of Commerce, Consumer, Trade, Innovation and Labour, before he was appointed to the new job, Cocker was instrumental in pushing for Tonga to support the PACER Plus trade agreement.

He also traveled to other Pacific islands incuding Samoa to discuss opportunities for Tonga’s exports.

“This is a national task of providing the correct advice to the PM on how to grow the economy, which also include the professionalism of devising and implementing of Government priorities,”Cocker said.

“It needs dedication, commitment, perseverance, speed, analytical skills and strategic thinking.”

Cocker holds a Master of Business Administration (1991) and a Master of Science in Community Economic Development (1990) from New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University), New Hampshire, United States of America.

Cocker was previously appointed to the public service in 2007 as the Director of Tourism.

He also held various positions in the private sector including Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd, Tonga Water Board, Friendly Islands Marketing Corporation from 1982 to 1992.

From May 1992 until December, 2000 Cocker was the Marketing, Trade, Investment and Product Development advisor for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Fiji.

He was the director for the Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Services under the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), at the US Territory of Northern Mariana Islands from 2001 to November, 2005.

The post of the Chief Secretary became vacant in July 2018 after former chief secretary and secretary to cabinet, Dr. Palenitina Langa’oi Tiueti, tendered her resignation.

Police shut down Tali‘eva bar as investigation continues into Feimoefiafi’s death

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tali’eva bar was forced to close its doors temporally after Sione Feimoefiafi died in hospital on Monday night.

Five men had been arrested in relation to the death of the 49-year-old.

The US-based Tongan had been watching the Super Bowl at Tali’eva when a  brawl erupted inside the bar. It then spilled out of the premise and at one stage Feimoefiafi was seen lying motionless in the road.

Police Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea has confirmed to Kaniva news this morning the closure has been ordered in relation to an investigation into Feimefiafi’s death.

He said a letter from the Police Commissioner’s office was sent to the Tali’eva bar yesterday.

Vailea said the bar will continue to be closed until further notice.

He said the liquor Licensing Authority is reviewing the bar’s liquor license.

Sources said the bar wasn’t open to the public yesterday at 4pm, its normal opening hours.

Vailea said Police investigation continues.

Read more:

Five men arrested in connection with Feimoefiafi’s murder

Tonga’s volcanic island shows signs of life as mysteries of mud and Mars intrigue scientists

By
Philip Cass
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A volcanic island that rose out of the sea in Tonga three years ago is showing signs of life and plants and wildlife appear.

A NASA team visiting Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai and found plants taking root, a barn owl and hundreds of sooty terns.

Dan Slayback of Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Centre said the island was covered in a sticky, mysterious mud.

Slayback said his team was baffled by what the mud was made of and where it came from.

He described it as light-coloured, sticky and clay-like.

“We didn’t really know what it was, and I’m still a little baffled of where it’s coming from, because it’s not ash,” Slayback said.

Rock samples were collected for mineral analysis.

A high resolution 3D map of the island is being produced using data from a drone survey and GPS mapping.

A second visit is planned for next year.

Mars

NASA have said previously said that Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai could help NASA understand some of the mysteries of Mars.

The space agency said lessons learned on Earth might help understand similar-looking landforms on Mars and elsewhere in the solar system.

“Everything we learn about what we see on Mars is based on the experience of interpreting Earth phenomena,” Jim Garvin, chief scientist of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre, said.

“We think there were eruptions on Mars at a time when there were areas of persistent surface water.

“We may be able to use this new Tongan island and its evolution as a way of testing whether any of those represented an oceanic environment or ephemeral lake environment.”

According to NASA the island could last another 30 years.

However, the American space agency said three decades was the outside limit and it could last as little as six years.

The main points

  • A volcanic island that rose out of the sea around Tonga three years ago is now attracting plant and wildlife.
  • A NASA team visited Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai and found plants taking root, a barn owl and hundreds of sooty terns.

For more information

Mystery mud on new volcanic island baffles Nasa scientists

NASA Shows New Tongan Island Made of Tuff Stuff, Likely to Persist Years

Five men arrested in connection with Feimoefiafi’s murder

By
Kalino Latu
-

Five men have been arrested in connection with the death of 49-year-old Sione Feimoefiafi in Nuku’alofa.

The deceased, from Puke, was rushed to hospital yesterday afternoon Monday 4. He was pronounced dead at around 9:08 pm, Police said.

Police made the arrests this morning Tuesday 5 February between 8.30am and 9.30am, a statement said.

Police also said the death occurred after “a brawl at the Tali’eva Bar in Nuku’alofa.”

The suspects are;

  • 51-year-old man from Fatai
  • 48-year-old man from Sopu
  • 43-year-old man from Sopu
  • 42-year-old man from Fua’amotu
  • 39-year-old man from Tofoa

All suspects are in police custody while investigation continues.

Read more:

Tongan US dies following brutal bar attack after attending father’s funeral

Fly Niu optimistic gov’t will approve partnership proposal to build kingdom’s international airline

By
Kalino Latu
-

The director of Fly Niu airline said he was optimistic the government would approve a proposal to work together to build an international airline for Tonga.

Fly Niu director ‘Atu Finau was in Tonga in December and presented his proposal to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.

He previously met the Prime Minister in Auckland and discussed his plan before he was invited to come to Tonga and present his idea to the cabinet.

Finau said if the government agreed the money generated by the business would stay in Tonga.

As Kaniva news reported, last year Finau proposed operating a service between Auckland and Tonga using two aircraft.

It is planned to include a regional services beginning with Fiji and Samoa.

Fīnau, an aviation consultant and engineer with 25 years experience, said he had access to aircraft from companies in Canada and Iceland which would be ideal to operate in Tonga.

Finau said Fiji and Samoa had their own national airlines which served their people internationally, while Tonga has none.

He said the government as partner would help remove certain taxes and duties which would give  the airline an opportunity to provide cheap airfares for its passengers.

He said the feedback he got after his presentation was encouraging.

The Prime Minister’s media spokesperson said the cabinet continued to discuss the matter and a decision would be announced soon.

The proposal was submitted after the airline was forced out of the kingdom 15 years ago when the then government announced its one domestic airline policy and gave the right to operate local flight services to the late Crown Prince and his business partners’ airline, Peau Vava’u. The airline went out of business in 2008.

The main points

  • The director of Fly Niu airline said he was optimistic the government would approve a proposal to work together to build an international airline for Tonga.
  • Fly Niu director ‘Atu Finau was in Tonga in December and presented his proposal to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.

For more information

Fly Niu airline presents gov’t proposal to operate Auckland-Tonga flights

Fly Niu airline presents gov’t proposal to operate Auckland-Tonga flights

Tongan US dies following brutal bar attack after attending father’s funeral

By
Kalino Latu
-

A man died in Vaiola hospital last night after he was brutally attacked apparently during a fight inside Tali’eva bar in Nuku’alofa yesterday afternoon.

Our correspondent in Tonga said the deceased, Sione Feimoefiafi of Utah, arrived in Tonga last month to attend his father’s funeral in Tongatapu.

Feimoefiafi intended to return to US shortly but now his family is planning a funeral for him.  

A vicious assault was captured on video and shows attackers punched a man in the head, kicked and dragged him to the floor. It has been claimed that the victim in the video was Feimoefiafi.

At one stage he was seen being dragged from inside the bar outside where he was left motionless in a road while his attackers continued to kick him.

Some people had been seen trying to intervene and break up the attack.

The video had been widely shared on Facebook since yesterday. It looked like it has been downloaded and re-uploaded to Facebook by various Facebook users and groups.

One share  has attracted 838 reactions, 566 comments and 317 shares.

Another share has attracted 917 reactions, 317 comments and 225 shares.

The video has been met with horror online.

Many commenters have condemned the brutality and call on authorities to inflict the maximum penalty on those who were responsible for Feimoefiafi’s death.

Authorities could not be reached for comments.

Septic waste dump fishing ban lifted but Vava‘u fishers still uneasy, says local diver

By
Kalino Latu
-

Despite the lifting of a ban on fishing in the Pangaimotu area, Vava’u fishers still feel uneasy, a local source says.

The government banned fishing and swimming in the sea off Pangaimotu and its surrounding islands after more than 50 septic tank trucks of human waste were illegally dumped in the mangroves near Pangaimotu.

The ban was lifted towards the end of last year and the government said it was safe for fishing and swimming.

An Australian business man in Vava’u, Ian Jones, was convicted by a Vava’u court and fined TP$1000 on June 20, 2018 for the dumping.

The conviction came after an inspection by the Health Authority found infectious disease from the waste in the sea near the dumping site.

The ban affected residents of Pangaimotu, Toula, ‘Utungake, ‘Utulei, Talihau and Neiafu.

Pangaimotu diver Tupetaiki Ma’ilei ‘Otukolo, 49, told Kaniva news the pollution has caused huge trouble for the welfare of the Vava’u residents.

He said although the ban had been lifted he and many other fishers and divers still had an uneasy feeling the pollution could contaminate seafood.

‘Otukolo said he had yet to return and dive at the site since the ban was lifted.

He said some local fishers have fished in the area since the lifting of the ban and he had not heard that they had found any problems in their seafood.

“This was our main source of life and the impact on us was huge,” ‘Otukolo said in Tongan.

“The Pangaimotu people were so angry with the palagi business man and there was a protest march staged last year here to show our disappointment.”

The fine  

‘Otukolo said the fine inflicted by the court on Jones was not enough.

According to an Appeal court judgement on November 2018, the TP$1000 fine was the maximum fine under that regulation.

The prosecutor, Tonga’s Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu appealed and asked the Magistrate to impose that fine as well as three months imprisonment, both being the maximum sentence to be imposed for such offence, but the Magistrate only imposed the TP$1000 fine.

Kefu then appealed to the Supreme Court that the sentence was manifestly inadequate, and that a custodial sentence was warranted by the damage caused by the offence to the environment.

Jone’s lawyer William Clive Edwards Senior opposed the appeal saying that a report submitted by the prosecutor as a basis to find that the lower court was wrong in the sentence was not before the Magistrate at all.

He said it was unfair, and improper, that the Supreme Court, sitting as the appellate court, was given such a document to find that the lower court was in error in failing to have considered it.

Judge Laki Niu  said he had “come to the conclusion that the Magistrate cannot be faulted in declining to impose an imprisonment sentence upon the respondent.”

Mr Niu  ordered that the appeal be dismissed and that the parties bear their own costs.

Mr Niu said the Magistrate properly took into account Jones’ guilty plea and his payment of TP$4000 right away in November 2017.

“He also properly considered that the respondent had not re-offended since then. And, he properly considered that the same offence for which the respondent had paid, $TP2000, was the same offence he was being charged again under regulation 7 [and] was being twice punished for the same act.”

The main points

  • Despite the lifting of a ban on fishing in the Pangaimotu area, Vava’u fishers still feel uneasy, local sources say.
  • The government banned fishing and swimming in the sea off Pangaimotu and its surrounding islands after more than 50 septic tank trucks of human waste were illegally dumped in the mangroves near Pangaimotu.
  • The ban was lifted towards the end of last year and the government said it was safe for fishing and swimming.

For more information

Employee of company which illegally dumped human waste in Vava’u speaks out

Vava’u residents react with fury at fishing ban as accused free to leave Tonga
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