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Tongan teen saves younger brother from fire in California

By
Kaniva Staff
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A teenage Tongan boy jumped nine feet and then climbed through a window to  escape flames and save the life of his younger brother.

Firefighters were called to a single-alarm fire at a home on the corner of Cherry Way and Haviland Avenue in the unincorporated community of Cherryland at about 8:45 p.m Friday 27, reports said.

Petelo Finau, 18, was in his room Friday night watching a movie when his uncle started screaming. Flames were in the kitchen, separating the 18-year-old from his younger brother, Francis, 13.

Finau jumped to safety out of a second-story window then jumped and climbed up to the ledge of a different window on the second floor to reach his brother.

“I had to jump out the window. I kind of fell. It was weird. Then I ran over…and had to pull myself up,” Finau said.

As Finau hoisted himself up to his armpits to help Francis, the 13-year-old, who has autism, was frozen with fear, according to reports.

“He can’t really comprehend as much as other autistic kids can, and he gets very scared of heights,” Finau said.

Finau tried to yank his brother out the window, but Francis, who saw the gathering crowd below, actually shut the window on his brother.

For almost a full minute, the 18-year-old waited and hoped.

“I honestly thought that he would have passed, and at that moment, I was thinking through all my memories of him and it really struck me at that moment how much he meant to me,” Finau said.

Finally, Francis opened the window again as smoke poured out of the home.

“When he opened that window again, I just felt the most relieved in my life where I could finally get the chance that I needed to get him out,” Finau said.

Neighbors rushed over with a chair and ladder to give Finau something to stand on, and he managed to get Francis out of the building.

“I think that this young man has some athletic ability that probably a lot of us aren’t blessed with, and I think that led to the positive outcome that we’re talking about,” said Chief John Whiting with the Alameda County Fire Battalion.

That athletic ability will serve Finau well in the U.S. Navy, where he is enlisting next month.

Francis is being treated for smoke inhalation, but doctors say he’ll be fine.

The cause of the fire was unknown.

The firefighters were able to battle the blaze in about a half hour.

Woman found dead in a storm water drain in Mangere

By
Kaniva Staff
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Counties Manukau Police are investigating the death of a woman who was located in a storm water drain in Mangere this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to Favona at 4:40pm, after a woman was found in the drain.

Upon Police attendance, it was discovered the woman was deceased.

Next of kin have been notified.

While enquiries will continue into the circumstances of her death, Police do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances.

Second Police officer arrested in connection with armed robbery

By
Kalino Latu
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A second Policeman in a Ma’ufanga armed robbery has been arrested yesterday Friday 2, according to Police commissioner Stephen Caldwell.

The armed robbery happened at a convenience store on May 20.

The first Policeman and another suspect were taken into custody on May 23 and were charged with robbery.

The second Policeman  is remanded in custody to appear at the Fasi Magistrate Court on Tuesday 9 June 2017, Caldwell said. 

The criminal investigations into this incident continue.

King calls for kingdom to unite to overcome problems as he opens Parliament

By
Philip Cass
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His Majesty King Tupou VI has called for concerted efforts to deal health, education and economic problems.

The king was speaking during the official opening of Parliament yesterday.

His Majesty said that since the last parliamentary term Tonga had continued to face major challenge.

He said Tongans needed to eat local food and live healthy lives.

He advised the government to develop the agricultural and fishery sectors as well as the tourism industry.

He said learning how to deal with an epidemic would be good example of individuals, communities and the national government working together to overcome a health issue.

On political matters, his Majesty reminded the public of their duty to convey their interests to the MPs, including both the People’s and Noble Representatives.

The King said it was vital for the government to consider focussing spending on health, education and boosting the economy.

The King also thanked foreign donors, including the governments of Australia, Japan and the People’s Republic of China, the European Union and international donor agencies for their contribution to building Tonga.

Radio New Zealand has reported that opposition MPS have warned that efforts to remove Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva will be intensified during the new session of the House.

Hon. Pohiva caused consternation last month when  he announced Tonga would not host the 2019 Pacific Games.

The Prime Minister cited  a 2013 economic report for the decision, but since then successive finance ministers saying the money had already been allocated.

The main points

  • His Majesty King Tupou VI has called for concerted efforts to deal health, education and economic problems.
  • The king was speaking during the official opening of Parliament yesterday.
  • His Majesty said that since the last parliamentary term Tonga had continued to face major challenge.
  • He advised the government to develop the agricultural and fishery sectors as well as the tourism industry.

For more information

King calls for national approach to address health, education and economic issues

King to open fresh session of Tongan parliament

TASANOC should stop making excuses and keep its promise on loan repayment, Minister says

By
Kalino Latu
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The Minister of Health Saia Piukala is calling on TASANOC to stop making excuses and commit itself to paying back its $600,000 loan from the government according to its promise.

Hon. Piukala was the Acting Minister of Internal Affairs and Sports when a TASANOC team met with the Ministry in a bid to secure the loan.

He said he approved the loan after a written agreement between TASANOC and the government was endorsed by the government’s solicitor general.

The Minister was responding after TASANOC Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau said yesterday they did not want to pay back the loan and were urging the government to convert it into grant.

The Minister said the loan was granted after the Tonga Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee failed to send 59 athletes to PNG to represent the country at the Pacific Games 2015.

The athletes arrived at the Fua’amotu Airport expecting to depart for PNG, but were turned back because they did not have airline tickets.

They were expecting to meet TASANOC officials at the airport to hand out their tickets but they found out the officials had already left for PNG.

He said TASANOC promised him the loan would be paid back the “very next week” after receiving their share of funding from the Oceania and Olympic Games.

Hon. Piukala said he was disappointed after he read on Kaniva News yesterday that TASANOC members did not pay the loan as promised and later questioned its validity.

He said it was clear from the beginning the agreement for TASANOC to pay it back was legally binding.

He said the team from TASANOC included Hasiloni Fungavai, Dr.’Amanaki Fakakovikaetau, ‘Epeli Taione, Dr.Taniela Fusimalohi and heads of various sport federations whose athletes were left stranded at the airport.

TASANOC Secretary General Takitoa Taumopeau told Kaniva News an AGM in 2015 “challenged” the validity of the loan and asked whether the government is allowed to lend money to an individual or a private organisation.

The AGM told Taumoepeau to write to the Minister of Finance and urge him to convert the loan into a grant.

Hon. Piukala claimed the government had granted the national sports authority more than a million pa’anga before the loan to help prepare and send the athletes to PNG and for TASANOC to question the validity of the loan was nothing but just finding excuses which was unacceptable.

For more information

Fusimālohi resigns amidst uproar over claims of too much politics and no work at TASANOC

Court orders money seized in Havelu raid to be confiscated

By
Philip Cass
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The Supreme Court has ordered that money found by police during a raid on a fraudulent Chinese medical clinic in Havelu should be confiscated.

The money was found in the bedroom of Yin Lin Wei who was convicted in 2015 of falsely claiming to be a doctor.

During the raid police found $TP28, 289, US$81 and CYN985.

Mr Justice Cato ordered that the Attorney General convert the money into pa’anga and deposit it in the Tongan Confiscated and Forfeited Assets Fund.

In his report on the case, the judge noted that the application to have the money confiscated under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crimes Act 2000 had been made only a day before the two year limitation period was due to expire.

Hosting Pacific games in 2007 led to “huge loss” says Samoan MP

By
Philip Cass
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Samoa has made a bid to host the 2019 Pacific Games, but parliamentarian Olo Fiti Vaai said the country lost millions when it last held the Games in 2007.

“We did it before and it was a huge loss on the government,” Vaai said.

“What’s going to change now?”

Last week Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the country was “eager” to host the event.

He said Fiji also wanted to make a bid.

According to Radio New Zealand, the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee has been advised to start negotiations with the Pacific Games authorities.

Malielegaoi told the Samoan Observer the country had the necessary facilities, but needed to upgrade the swimming pool and Apia Park stadium.

The Samoan bid comes on the heels of the announcement by Tongan prime Minister’Akilisi Pohiva that the kingdom would not host the Games

However, Vaai questioned whether Samoa could afford the necessary expense if other changes were required to get the facilities up to international standard.

“Don’t let the ego and pride take over, making it seem like Samoa is able to host any international event,” the MP said.

He said there were no proper records of how much was spent to host the Games in 2007.

He claimed a lack of control in expenses and expenditures caused problems for the government.

In recent years Samoa had hosted the Oceania Weightlifting Championships, the Commonwealth Youth Games and the All Blacks test against Manu Samoa.

The main points

  • Samoa has made a bid to host the 2019 Pacific Games, but parliamentarian Olo Fiti Vaai said the country lost millions when it last held the Games in 2007.
  • Last week Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the country was “eager” to host the event.
  • However, Vaai questioned whether Samoa could afford the necessary expense if other changes were required to get the facilities up to international standard.
  • “Don’t let the ego and pride take over, making it seem like Samoa is able to host any international event,” the MP said.

For more information

M.P. explains anti Pacific Games bid stance

Samoa to bid for 2019 Pacific Games

Raw: Brawl erupts following school parades in Nukuʻalofa

By
Kalino Latu
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TASANOC refuses to pay back loan, urges government to convert it into grant

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s national sport organization TASANOC has refused to pay back $600,000 it borrowed from the government saying it was pushing for the Minister of Finance  to convert it into grant.

The money was given to assist more than 50 athletes who arrived at Fu’amotu airport two years ago to find their names weren’t on the passenger list to PNG to represent Tonga during Pacific Games 2015.

On Tuesday Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said TASANOC has yet to pay back its loan.

TASANOC Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau has said the national sport authority’s AGM in 2015 had “challenged” the validity of the loan.

He said members of the AGM asked whether an individual or a private organisation could borrow money from government.

He said he was told by the AGM to write to the Minister of Finance and urge him to convert the loan into a grant.

It is understood the paper works for the loan were processed after the money was granted.

Taumoepeau said he has written to the outgoing Finance Minister ‘Aisake Eke asking for the conversion and he has yet to receive a response.

He said he wanted to follow it up with the current Minister of Finance Tevita Lavemaau.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva was dissatisfied with how the TASANOC handled the athletes travel in 2015 and had demanded an immediate report.

At the time it has been revealed the government had already provided TASA with TP$464,000 as its contribution towards the players travel costs.

For more information

Stranded sport teams leave for PNG, PM demands report from TASA

Fusimālohi resigns amidst uproar over claims of too much politics and no work at TASANOC

Man in custody for attacking woman with machete after argument over car damage

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tokomololo man had allegedly injured a woman from Pahu with a machete after he thought she had vandalised his car on Monday night.

The 31-year-old woman who suffered serious injuries had been recovering in Vaiola hospital.

Police said the 29-year-old man has been charged with grievous bodily harm.

A date was to be set for the accused to appear in court.

Police investigation continues.

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