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Tongan student receives top award at California State University

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan student girl was chosen among 2,100 graduates who were invited to take part in California State University, Northridge’s Honours Convocation on Saturday, May 13.

Angelina Finau was one of the only six individuals to be honoured with special recognition as outstanding graduating students.

They will be awarded with this year’s Wolfson Scholar, the top award given to a graduating senior.

“ It is presented each year in memory of CSUN’s first vice president, Leo Wolfson. Not only must the student have an exceptional academic record, but he or she must also have made significant contributions to CSUN or to the community through co-curricular and extracurricular activities”.

“I’m still processing the fact that I’m getting this amazing honor,” said Finau, 21, of Van Nuys, who will receive her bachelor’s degree in political science in two weeks.

“I can’t believe that this girl whose family comes from these little islands in the Pacific, Tonga, that nobody has ever heard of — I’m nobody special — is getting this award.”

Finau has helped find ways to improve the university’s graduation rates while working in CSUN’s Office of Student Success Innovations; researched water conservation habits of Los Angeles renters; explored ways to improve the performance of students in general education classes; appeared as the lead witch in a production of “Macbeth;” and spent a semester in Washington, D.C., where she got to shake hands with former President Barack Obama as CSUN’s Panetta Congressional Intern.

In addition to all of that, she has maintained a 3.9 GPA and volunteers as a student judge and coach for her former high school’s speech and debate team, and at New Horizons, a nonprofit that works with persons with disabilities.

“I’ve gotten to do so many things, I have been so blessed,” Finau said. “I remember being in Washington, D.C., on the steps [of the Lincoln Memorial] and thinking, ‘How is this possible for a girl from a little island that nobody has heard of?’ It was because of CSUN.

If you have that burning desire to do something, it’s possible, but you’ve got to seize the opportunities, and you have to have people to believe in you. The people here at CSUN believed in me.”

Finau, whose parents emigrated from Tonga in the 1980s, said she also found support from her family — in particular, her older sister, who has disabilities.

“She reminds me what it means to be kind, even when you’re really stressed out,” she said. “And she reminds me that, even if it is my worst day, I am doing something positive for the community.”

Finau said her time as a Panetta intern in the fall of 2015 helped her focus on what she wants to do with her life.

“What I learned was that no matter what talents you have, it is your civic duty to give back and change as many lives a possible,” she said.

To that end, Finau plans to attend graduate school in the fall, “because knowledge gives you the power and increases the resources you have to make a difference in people’s lives,” and eventually go to law school, she said.

“Jekyll and Hyde” criminal will serve 12 years after Supreme Court trial

By
Philip Cass
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A man described as a “Jekyll and Hyde” character will spend 12 years in jail for a series of assaults and robberies.

Summing up the case in the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Cato said Tevita Vaka was unrepentant and there was little prospect of him being rehabilitated.

Vaka, 28, was taken to the United States by his  natural mother when he was young, but returned in 2009.

He almost immediately offended and was sentenced to two years suspended.

Six years later he became involved in a series of violent and pre-meditated attacks and robberies.

Earlier this year he was sentenced to six years for the assault and robbery of a restaurant owner and his wife.

Vaka and his accomplice Rodney Toki were convicted after a trial by jury lasting several  days.

They  were  each convicted of two counts of robbery, serious housebreaking, causing serious damage to things and two counts of common assault.

On November 28 2015 they robbed an elderly couple  Mr and Mrs Swift  who lived in rented  accommodation  near the Vuna road not far from the NZ High Commission.

Mr Justice Cato described the assault as brutal and cowardly.

Later that night they assaulted a couple in a parked car and after they fled they robbed the vehicle.

“Mr Vaka is not unintelligent, and quite able  to conduct himself in a restrained and civilized manner, but as this offending demonstrates, he assumes an altogether different personality when engaged in criminal enterprise,” Mr Justice Cato said.

“It seems he has a Jekyll and Hyde personality, and that is what makes him unpredictable and a dangerous presence in society unless he takes stock of his life and takes steps to control his antisocial behaviour.

The judge said Vaka had been engaged in three robberies, two planned and serious within about four months of each other.

“He has it seems little regard for the wellbeing of others,” he said.

Vaka’s sentence was added to the term imposed on him in January, meaning he will spend 12 years in prison.

Toki was sentenced to six years, with the last 18 months suspended.

“Like many young offenders that come before the courts Toki has, I suspect, associates who have little to do in their spare time but drink with their peers and engage in criminal offending to gain easy money,” the judge said.

“As he will now find out, money earned in this way has serious consequences.”

The main points

  • A man described as a “Jekyll and Hyde” character will spend 12 years in jail for a series of assaults and robberies.
  • Summing up the case in the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Cato said Tevita Vaka was unrepentant and there was little prospect of him being rehabilitated.
  • Earlier this year he was sentenced to six years for the assault and robbery of a restaurant owner and his wife.
  • Vaka’s latest sentence was added to the term imposed on him in January, meaning he will spend 12 months in prison.

Tonga tourism hosts farewell reception for outgoing CEO Fekita ʻUtoikamanu

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga tourism hosted a farewell reception this afternoon in honour of outgoing CEO Fekita ʻUtoikamanu, who was recently appointed as UN’s new High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

The reception was attended by Tourism Minister Semisi Sika along with other senior officials of the ministry.

Members of tourism stakeholders and businesses also attended.

The three-year term of ʻUtoikamanu comes to an end today, just three months after she began working for the Ministry on January 3, 2017.

‘Utoikamanu of Kolomotu’a began her civil service career in 1983.

She was previously Acting Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Council of the University of the South Pacific (2015); Deputy Pro-Chancellor and Deputy Chair of the Council of the University of the South Pacific (2009-2016); Deputy Director General and Director of Education, Training and Human Development of the Secretariat of Pacific Community (2009-2015); Permanent Representative and Ambassador of the Government of Tonga to the United Nations, United States of America, Cuba and Venezuela and High Commissioner to Canada (2005-2009); and Secretary for Foreign Affairs and European Commission’s National Authorizing Officer for Tonga (2002-2005).

Born in 1959, Ms. ‘Utoikamanu holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics (1980), and a Masters in Commerce in Economics (1983) from the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

74-year-old man with suspicious injuries dies in Vaiola hospital

By
Kalino Latu
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A 74-year-old man from Longolongo was rushed to Vaiola hospital with critical injuries and was pronounced dead a short time later.

A Vaiola Hospital spokesperson has confirmed this to Kaniva News this afternoon. He said he would get back to us with more information.

It is believed the deceased inflicted the injuries on himself.

Paramedics were called to the Longolongo home after receiving reports of a man suffering severe injuries.

The identity of the man has not yet been released.

Police could not be reached for comment.

Japanese language gains popularity among Tongan students

By
Kalino Latu
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The Japanese ambassador to Tonga His Excellency Yukio Numata said studying Japanese is becoming increasingly popular among Tongan students.

Mr Numata was speaking at the award ceremony for Tongan students who competed during the Japanese Speech Contest 2017 in Nuku’alofa on Wednesday 10.

Twenty four students from Vava’u High School, ‘Eua High School and Tailulu College in Vava’u competed at this year’s competition. Twenty two students competed last year 2016.

Mr Numata said Tonga is unique in that the Ministry of Education has created text books of its own to help teach students understand the language in the Tongan context.

Since its introduction to Tonga in 1986, the Japanese language is now taught in seven high schools including trainee teachers at the Tonga Institute of Education.

The Minister of Education Penisimani Fifita said he was thankful for the People of Japan in assisting the Kingdom’s education with the Japanese language programme.

The competition

Milika Fifita of Tonga High School won the Open Category. She will be Tonga’s nomination to participate in the Japanese Language Program for overseas students (Outstanding Students) in Osaka, Japan, in September.

Arial Sanchez also from Tonga High School won the Form 6 Category while Tangimotia Havea from ‘Eua High School won the Form 5 Category. Salome Po’uli of Tonga High School won the Form 4 Category.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Sione Vailala Matoto who obtained his doctorate in philosophy  under a Japanese Government Scholarship.

Dr. Matoto spoke during the ceremony and encouraged the students to study their Japanese hard.

Also attended were Dr. ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki and Dr. SitiveniHalapua, Mr. Claude Tupou CEO for the Ministry of Education and Training and members of the Japanese Language Teachers Association in Tonga.

Minister Brownlee reflects positively on visit to Tonga.

By
Kaniva Staff
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Minister Gerry Brownlee concluded his first trip to the Pacific since taking on the role as New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and described it as a resounding success.

Minister Brownlee said “I’ve been humbled by the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me by the people of Tonga and have found learning more about this beautiful kingdom both rewarding and informative.

I’ve managed to pack a lot in to my two days here – I’ve met with His Majesty King Tupou VI and Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva, as well as several ministers, representatives of the Nobles, local business leaders and exporters.

A highlight for me was seeing the New Zealand-funded Tonga Village electricity upgrade project in action. Not only will projects like this make daily life a little easier for communities, but with resilient infrastructure comes more resilient economies.

I believe Tonga has many opportunities to grow its economy – through enhanced export trade, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism.

As with any nation trying to grow its economy, I’m aware Tonga faces many challenges and I’m eager to see how New Zealand may be able to help Tonga overcome some of them.

The reason I chose to visit Tonga so early in my tenure as Foreign Minister is because I value the close and cooperative relationship between our two nations. My predecessor placed particular emphasis on the Pacific over the last eight years and I would like to assure people that I intend to do the same.

I believe maritime security should be an essential focus for both New Zealand and Tonga as illegal ocean activity undermines all Pacific nations.

Tonga and New Zealand have close ties in the Defence, security, justice and energy sectors and I look forward to building on the already strong relationship between our two countries”.

Lord Nuku will keep title, estate after court case says Attorney general

By
Kalino Latu
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Lord Nuku will not be stripped of his title and estates despite being ordered by the courts to pay TP$5 million to Lord Luani.

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the Land Court has ordered Lord Nuku and a Chinese mining company to pay the current Lord Luani TP$5,556,000 in compensation for a dispute over a block of land in Malapo.

Since the story appeared, Tongans have been using social media to speculate about whether rules that can be used to strip nobles of their title and estate if convicted of a crime could apply.

There has been some confusion about how the rules apply.

Under Clause 23 of the constitution, no civil servant or Member of Parliament convicted of a criminal offence shall hold office under the government or shall be qualified to vote for nor to be elected a representative of the Legislative Assembly, unless he has received from the King a pardon, together with a declaration that he is free from the provisions of this clause.

The Land Act section 37 also states that if a noble has been convicted in the Supreme Court, he can be stripped of his title along with his estate.

READ MORE:

However, Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu said Clause 23 of the constitution and section 37 of the Land Acts only applied if the noble was convicted in the Supreme Court of criminal offences that entailed a jail sentence of two years or more.

He said Lord Nuku was not convicted in the Supreme Court of criminal offence. He was convicted and sentence in a civil court case and so he would retain his title and estate.

Lawyer Sione Fonua, who represented Lord Luani in court, said that according to Tongan law, Lord Nuku could file an appeal, but he must convince the judge he has good grounds to do so.

In 2012 Lord Lasike’s title and estate were stripped of after he was convicted for illegal possession of 2.22 ammunitions.

His conviction was overturned by a Court of Appeal decision and his title and estates were restored.

It was his case that triggered a move by nobles in Parliament to pass a law to reduce the penalties for the illegal possession of firearms from seven years imprisonment to only one year, as well greatly reducing the fines that can be imposed.

Akilisi Pohiva, then leader of opposition, said the law had been passed by parliament only to serve the interests of two of its noble representatives.

He referred to Lord Tu’ilakepa and Lord Tu’iha’ateiho who at the time face court cases after they were charged with possessing ammunition and firearms without licenses.

The main points

  • Lord Nuku will not be stripped of his title and estates despite being ordered by the courts to pay TP$5 million to Lord Luani.
  • Since we carried a story about the court case, Tongans have been speculating about whether provisions that can be used to strip nobles of their title and estate could apply.
  • Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu said Clause 23 of the constitution and section 37 of the Land Acts only applied if the noble was convicted in the Supreme Court of criminal offences that entailed a jail sentence of two years or more.
  • Lord Nuku was not convicted in the Supreme Court of criminal offence. He was convicted and sentence in a civil court case and so he retain his title and estate.

For more information

Land Court finds Lord Nuku and mining company were trespassing

Siotame Drew Havea honoured with the 2017 Harris Wofford Global Citizen award

By
Kaniva Staff
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National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is pleased to announce that the 2017 Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award will go to Siotame Drew Havea.

Nancy Gehron (Peace Corps Tonga country director) noted in nominating him that Havea “is a well-known Tongan citizen for his work supporting youth, democracy, civil society and leadership in Tonga.”

Havea has spent his life striving to eradicate poverty through a ‘community first’ approach to development and to create safe spaces to voice opinions for the historically underrepresented groups of young people and women in Tonga.

In the Kingdom of Tonga’s recent transition to democracy, Havea was instrumental in ensuring that common people – not just nobility and royalty – held leadership positions in the fledgling democracy.

He has worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone can realize their full potential.

Havea has long been heavily involved in leadership roles with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community based organizations (CBOs) that relate to Tonga and the Pacific Island community at large.

Havea currently serves as the chairperson of the Civil Society Forum of Tonga, the umbrella organization for all NGOs and CBOs in Tonga.

He is also president of the Tonga National Youth Congress, chair of the Tonga National Leadership Development Forum, and member of the board of Tonga Red Cross Society.

The Peace Corps Connection

For Havea, the Peace Corps connection is a lifelong one. His father, a ministry of education officer, was instrumental in Peace Corps coming to Tonga in 1967, when Havea started junior high school.

At that time there were five Peace Corps volunteers teaching at his school.

His father also likely helped arrange housing for Peace Corps staff, because Havea’s family lived between the Peace Corps country director on one side and the Peace Corps medical officer on the other.

He recalls that Peace Corps staff were always passing through his living room.

After attending college and graduate school in the United States, the opportunity arose for Havea to become Peace Corps staff in Tonga.

He was an Associate Peace Corps Director (APCD) for twenty years, from 1985-2005.

His whole approach on life and development was vastly influenced by his experience with the Peace Corps.

He gained an appreciation of community-based development after seeing how countless volunteers immersed themselves in their communities.

He also credits Peace Corps Volunteers with instilling in him a sense of idealism as well as showing him the importance of equality, gender sensitivity, and volunteerism.

About the Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award

The Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award honors an outstanding global leader who grew up in a country where Peace Corps Volunteers served, whose life was influenced by the Peace Corps, and whose career contributed significantly to their nation and the world in ways that reflect shared values in human dignity and economic, social, and political development.

It is the highest honor bestowed upon a global leader by the NPCA. For more information, visit NPCA’s award page, and to attend the awards ceremony, register for Peace Corps Connect, NPCA’s annual conference taking place in Denver, Colorado August 4-6, 2017.

Nanisē Fifita’s dismissal was legal; government does not persecute media, TBC chair says

By
Kalino Latu
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The government dismissed former Tonga Broadcasting Commission CEO Nanisē Fifita on legal grounds and not as an attempt to persecute media, the new chairman of TBC said.

‘Ahongalu Fusimalohi said the government has the right to terminate Fifita’s job according to the law governing the selection and appointments of its chief executive officers.

He said the law was updated in 2015 to require that all government chief executive officer posts must be publicly advertised and as many applicants as possible attracted before the selection of the successful candidate.

The government had fired Fifita based on good reasons and not because the government was trying to obstruct media freedom, Fusimalohi said.

In Tongan he said: “Koe mo’oni kuo tuku ‘ehe poate ‘a Nanise ki tu’a meihe ngaue ka ‘ i he ‘uhinga kehe ia meihe pehee tokua ‘oku feinga e pule’anga ke fakafaingata’a’iai e tau’ataina e ongoongo.”

Fusimalohi vehemently denied reports on local media quoting him as saying the decision by the government to dismiss Fifita was illegal. He said he did not say that.

He said the Public Enterprise Act stipulated the Minister of Public Enterprise must agree in principle to the person who had been chosen to take up the job before formalising their appointment.

Fusimalohi said the TBC board disregarded this part of the law and went ahead and renewed Fifita’s contract without seeking the Minster’s consent.

It is understood the renewal of Fifitaʻs contract by the former TBC Board chairman relied on a clause on her contract that said it would automatically be renewed once it expired.

Fusimalohi said his Board had no choice but to terminate Fifita’s contract as it would not be “legally binding” to keep her while at the same time the government disagreed with her appointment.

The government and sacked TBC boss saga has attracted international interest.

The president of the Public Media Alliance, Paul Thompson, said his organisation had been following the moves in Tonga.

Thompson reportedly said he wrote to the Prime Minister and the King of Tonga asking them to protect the integrity of the TBC.

The main points

  • The government dismissed former Tonga Broadcasting Commission CEO Nanisē Fifita on legal grounds and not as an attempt to persecute media, the new chairman of TBC said.
  • ‘Ahongalu Fusimalohi said the government has the right to terminate Fifita’s job according to the law governing the selection and appointments of its chief executive officers.
  • He said the law was updated in 2015 to require that all government chief executive officer posts must be publicly advertised.
  • The government and sacked TBC boss saga has attracted international interest.

For more information

Bringing fairness to Tonga’s state broadcaster

Pohiva declares war on TBC, declares it an obstacle and constraint on gov’t

Government trying to intimidate state broadcaster, Edwards claims

Teen’s chest injured in accidental shooting in Vava’u

By
Kalino Latu
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A 16-year-old teenage boy was critically injured after he was shot in the chest near Taoa.

He was flown to Vaiola hospital in Tongatapu and is currently in a stable condition, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said this afternoon.

The incident happened in a tax allotment, Kaniva News has learnt.

The cause of the shooting is under Police investigation, but health authority believed it was accidental.

The spokesperson said he could not release further details of the victim and any of the information they get in relation to the incident citing Police ongoing investigation.

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