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Allegation Prime Minister has cancer upsets kingdom’s Chief Secretary

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Chief Secretary, Dr Palenitina Langaʻoi, said she was upset by news stories that Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has had cancer.

Langaʻoi expressed her concern during a press conference in Nukuʻalofa hosted by the Prime Minister on Friday.

Kaniva News has seen several posts on Facebook alleging the Prime Minister has had cancer.

The posts prompted Hon. Pōhiva’s supporters to reject the allegations.

Sione ‘Eniketi Tāufa, a diehard supporter of Pōhiva, said the Prime Minister went to the clinic for check-up and was not admitted to hospital.

“It was unfortunate that those at the radio put down the leader,” he said in Tongan on Facebook.

Tāufa alleged that one of the radio broadcasters in Tonga had announced the Prime Minister was hospitalised in Auckland.

This was denied by Pōhiva’s critics, who said the Tonga Broadcasting Commission did not say this when they announced the Prime Minister was in New Zealand for a health check-up.

“’Ave fakafalemahaki Palemia ki Nu’u Sila! Prostate cancer! Faito’o ‘aho ni!” Translated: (The Prime Minister is sent to New Zealand for medical treatment. Prostate cancer! He is admitted for treatment today”, posted Tongan correspondent Tevita Motulalo on Facebook.

The allegations were made after Hon. Pōhiva flew to New Zealand for a health check-up last week.

Dr Langaʻoi did not deny or affirm the allegation.

The Prime Minister returned to Tonga on Monday and returned to work.

Tonga’s Consul at the ‘Atalanga Royal residence in Epsom told Kaniva News the Prime Minister would return to Auckland for another health check-up in the coming week.

He said a routine health check would be conducted by Hon. Pōhiva’s specialist.

Hon. Pōhiva’s Kele’a newspaper ran a story about 10 years ago saying he had a health check up in Hawaiʻi to determine whether he had cancer, but was declared cancer free.

Drug smuggling

The Prime Minister told the media yesterday he was concerned that Tongan diplomatic passports were used by criminals to smuggle drugs from Tonga to New Zealand and Australia.

The Chief Secretary told the media yesterday they had the number of diplomatic passports used but when asked  by the media, she and the Prime Minister declined to say how many.

Prime Minister John Key told New Zealand media Hon. Pohiva did not advise him that the Tongan diplomatic passports had been issued to people who trafficked drugs to New Zealand.

Key’s comments came shortly after Hon. Pōhiva left New Zealand in August after his first official state visit to the country.

He was responding to media questions after Pōhiva told the Tongan Parliament he was concerned that the diplomatic passports had been used by traffickers.

Allegations of the misuse of Tongan passports was a focus of the New Zealand media during Hon. Pohiva’s state visit.

Pōhiva confirmed at a press conference in Auckland his government was dealing with the issue.

He said some of the cases predated his government.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Chief Secretary, Dr Palenitina Langaʻoi, said she was upset by news stories that Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has had cancer.
  • Langaʻoi expressed her concern during a press conference in Nukuʻalofa hosted by the Prime Minister on Friday.
  • Kaniva News has seen several posts on Facebook alleging the Prime Minister has had cancer.
  • The allegations were made after he flew to New Zealand for a health check-up.

Solar powered-tuk tuk arrives in kingdom

By
Kalino Latu
-

The auto rickshaws that widely operating in India, Pakistan and Indonesia had arrived in the Kingdom of Tonga.

The three-wheeler technologies powered by solar energy could help reduce the costs of diesel and petrol.

Known as tuk tuk and were popular among tourists in the Asian countries 12 vehicles began operating in Tonga last week and there was plan to import more.

The motor tricyles were brought by Solar Island Technology.

The company’s Managing Director Guido Schmitz- Krummacher told local media he hope the vehicle would be popularly used by Tongans.

The company came to Tonga seven years ago and they had been working on a number of solar projects in the country.

Super Cheap fails to pay TP$23,000 to Holonga committee despite court order

By
Kalino Latu
-

 The Holonga Vavaʻu Development Committee has yet to receive the TP$23,000 refund from Filimone Toʻaho and his Super Cheap car dealership despite a court order.

The money was supposed to be paid after Super Cheap promised it would provide a passenger bus bought by the Committee.

The dealership failed to deliver the promised vehicle.

In a court document seen by Kaniva News, Lord Chief Justice Owen Paulsen approved the application by the plaintiff to force a refund.

The judge ordered that Toʻaho, trading as Super Cheap Tonga, pay $23,000 together with interest thereon at the rate of 10% per  annum from April 30,  2016 until the money was paid.

“The plaintiff Is awarded costs and disbursements in the sum of TP$1117,” Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said..

The ruling was made in August, but the Committee has yet to receive the money.

Committee member Mapa Taumālolo said they paid To’aho and his company TP$33,000 in 2014 for the bus.

When he failed to deliver the bus the Committee confronted him, but he only paid back TP$10,000.

Taumālolo said they had planned to take Toʻaho and his company back to court.

Toʻaho is expected to re-appear in court on November 14 as part of a fraud case.

He appeared in Nukuʻalofa Magistrate’s Court on October 3 accused of defrauding his clients of more than TP$70,000 .

Autorec Enterprise Ltd, a Japanese vehicle provider which imports vehicles direct from Japan, took Tōʻaho and his car dealership to court.

To’aho could not be reached for comment.

The main points

  • The Holonga Vava’u Development Committee has yet to receive the TP$23,000 refund from Filimone To’aho and his Super Cheap car dealership despite a court order.
  • In August the Supreme Court ordered the money be paid after Super Cheap promised it would provide a passenger, but failed to deliver the promised vehicle.
  • Committee member Mapa Taumalolo said they paid To’ha and his company TP$33,000 in 2014 for the bus.
  • When he failed to deliver the bus the Committee confronted To’ha, who refunded only TP$10,000.

For more information 

Super Cheap Car manager appears in court accused of fraud

Bus swerves to avoid turning van hit utility pole

By
Kalino Latu
-

A bus travelling westbound had hit a utility pole on Hihifo Road after swerving off the road to avoid colliding with another vehicle this morning.

The driver of the bus reportedly received minor injury in the mishap.

Eye witnesses who reported the incident online alleged a Nissan Pajero Van did not stop when it turned into Hihifo Road and came in front of the bus.b

Emergency C-Section saves baby; Vavaʻu mother stable after accident

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 23-year-old mother was in stable condition after her eight-month-old baby was delivered by an emergency caesarean Wednesday 9 following a motor vehicle crash in Neiafu yesterday.

The baby girl weighing 2kg was safe and sound while a 15-month-old child received head injuries in the accident.

An emergency medevac team had been flown from Tongatapu to Vavaʻu to address the situation, Tonga’s Minister of Health Hon Saia Piukala told Kaniva News last night

The baby’s  mum was “more stable now but still need to bring to Vaiola for further management tomorrow (today November 10)”, the minister said.

He said the medevac team was consisted of an anaesthetist, an obstetrician and a paediatrician.

The Minister alleged the driver of the vehicle, the mother’s husband, was intoxicated.

Vavaʻu Police were contacted for details of the accident.

Diabetes crisis grows as one in seven babies born with the disease

By
Alpha Latu
-

One out of seven Tongan babies is born with diabetes.

This startling claim is one of the highlights of Tonga Mo’ui Lelei, which airs on Tongan television tonight (November 10).

President of the Tonga Diabetic Association Dr. Taniela Palu said diabetes was a leading cause of blindness, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and lower-limb amputation.

He said 99.9% of Tongans were at risk of getting Type 2 diabetes.

Next  Monday (November 14) is World Diabetes Day.

According to the Tonga Health report Path to Good Health, Tonga has one of the most at-risk populations in the world for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and obesity.

In the introduction to the report, Health Minister Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala said: “NCDs will continue to cripple our families, our communities and our nation unless we strong and decisive action.”

The Minister said the kingdom was the first Pacific Island Country to launch a national NCD campaign.

In 2007 it set up the Tonga Health Promotion Foundation (TongaHealth) to tackle the issue.

Tonga was awarded the World Health Organisation’ Healthy Islands Recognition-Best Practice for the ‘Kau Mai Tonga’ women’s physical activity programme.

Tonga’s Hala Fononga (National Strategy for Prevention and Control of NCDs 2015-2020) has four main goals. These are:

  • Tongan infants (age 2 and under) have a healthier start to life.
  • Tongans are leading healthier lifestyles, with a focus on children and adolescents.
  • Improved early detection, treatment and sustained management of people with or at high risk of NCDs.
  • Strengthened monitoring and surveillance supports evidence based action.

According to the World health Organisation one of the main causes of obesity in the Pacific is the replacement of traditional foods with imported, processed food.

In at least 10 Pacific island countries, more than 50% (and in some, up to 90%) of the population is overweight according to WHO surveys. The average age at which people develop diabetes and cardiovascular disease is getting lower.

The main points

  • One out of seven Tongan babies is born with diabetes.
  • President of the Tonga Diabetic Association Dr. Taniela Palu said diabetes was a leading cause of blindness, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and lower-limb amputation.
  • He said 99.9% of Tongans were at risk of getting Type 2 diabetes.
  • Next Monday (November 14) is World Diabetes Day.

For more information

National Strategy for Prevention and Control of NCDs

Pacific islanders pay heavy price for abandoning traditional diet

ʻIkale Tahi team to play Spain announced

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga Rugby Union has announced the ʻIkale Tahi team  to play against Spain at the Campo Central University Ground, Madrid, Spain at 4:00pm,  November 12.

The team:

  1. Tevita Mailau – Perpignan – prop
  2. Paula Ngauamo – Mont de Marsan – hooker
  3. Siua Halanukonuka – Otago Highlanders – prop
  4. Steve Mafi – Castres – lock
  5. Joe Tuineau – Dax – lock
  6. Dan Faleafa – Sc Albi – loose forward/lock
  7. Jack Ram – Auckland Blues – loose forward
  8. Tevita Koloamatangi – Waikato Chiefs – loose forward/lock
  9. Sonatane Takulua – Newcastle Falcons – halfback
  10. Kali Hala – Counties – inside back
  11. Fetuu Vainikolo – Oyonnax – outside back
  12. Latiume Fosita – Auckland – inside back
  13. Siale Ppiutau – Yamaha – inside back – (captain)
  14. Nafi Tuʻitavuki – Northhalpton
  15. David Halaifonua – Gloucester, UK

The reserves are:

16 Elvis Taione Kolomotu’a – Exeter Chiefs (UK)
17 Sione Lea – Taranaki (NZ)
18 Paea Fa’anunu – Dax (Fr)
19 Valentino Mapapalangi –  Manawatu (NZ)
20 Kotoni Ale – Manly (Aus)
21 Tomasi Palu – Wellington (NZ)
22 Tevita Taufu’i – Waikato (NZ)
23 Fetuli Paea – Sila Pelu Ua (TON)

Tonga’s national population census this month uses new technology

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongans who will participate at the  National Population Census on November 28 – December 16 will fill out their forms online.

The new technology means the national survey would be easy, fast and timely.

But to be able to do that, Tonga’s Statistics Department is currently training 92 trainees in Nuku’alofa on how to record information that could be gathered on tablets.

These trainees will test-run the new technological programme on certain households in Tongatapu on November 14-25.

Statistician Winston Fainga’anuku claimed Tonga was the first in the Pacific Islands to do her census online.

“The program is similar to the apps in the google play and it was designed through collaboration with SPC and myself. The questions are in English and Tongan,” he said in a statement published by the government’s Information website.

He said this was a significant move as in the past it was difficult for enumerators to make corrections on the spot.

“Now using tablets will allow supervisors to check the data and will be able to make correction if errors will be made. The technology will also allow enumerators to collect information such as the locations (GPS) of the houses.”

“In the past using manual print out forms would take six months for data entry, checking, coding and the editing and compiling the report would take more than two months. Now we have the tablets to ensure data quality and improve the timeliness of data collection”.

US refused update request on Peace Corps director injured in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

The U.S Peace Corps office in New York has declined to answer questions regarding the conditions of its staffer who was recently been discharged from a hospital in New Zealand.

As Kaniva News reported at the time, Nancy Gehron, 56, was seriously injured after she was attacked while jogging along a footpath behind one of the houses on the waterfront in Sopu on July 16 this year.

She was admitted to Vaiola hospital before she was flown to New Zealand for medical treatment.

Two accused, Sione Lau’i and Hemaloto Makafilia, appeared in court in relation to the attack.

Gehron appeared publicly in Tonga last week, apparently the first time since she was hospitalised.

Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for 22 new US Peace Corps volunteers who volunteered to work in the kingdom last week, Gehron said she still  had “hope” and that meeting Tongans and the way how they hugged her was “beautiful” and “unforgettable.”

She told the volunteers that her “bandages are gone and each day I feel lighter with hope”.

“It wasn’t until after my assault that I truly felt its power,” Gehron said.

“Tongans I knew well and Tongans I hardly knew would come to me and embrace me, they would hold that embrace long and meaningfully and it had tremendous curative powers.

“I love that feeling, I hope you all learn to hug like a Tongan, that will help you through your service as it has helped me through my journey.”

Gehron told the volunteers they could help Tonga in many ways, especially teaching literacy in Tongatapu schools and the outer islands.

Kaniva News wanted to know about Gehron’s condition and whether or not there had been any change to her living and working circumstances since she was discharged from hospital.

She offered condolences by many Tongans on professional and social media for the injuries she received in the attack.

Tongans overseas planned to raise funds for a reward for anybody who could help locate the assailants.

However in a very short response from the US Peace Corps Office in New York yesterday a spokesperson told Kaniva News: “Thank you for your message. However, Peace Corps is prohibited by law, including the Privacy Act, from providing this information”.

According to Peace Corps it will celebrate its 50 anniversary in Tonga next year.

There are 41 Volunteers in Tonga working with their communities on education projects. During their service in Tonga, Volunteers learn to speak Tongan. More than 1650 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Tonga since the program was established in 1967.

The main points

  • The U.S Peace Corps office in New York has declined to answer questions regarding the conditions of its staffer who was recently been discharged from a hospital in New Zealand.
  • As Kaniva News reported at the time, Nancy Gehron, 56, was seriously injured after she was attacked while jogging along a footpath behind one of the houses on the waterfront in Sopu on July 16 this year.
  • She was admitted to Vaiola hospital before she was flown to New Zealand for medical treatment.
  • Two accused, Sione Lau’i and Hemaloto Makafilia, appeared in court in relation to the attack.

For more information

“Peace corps operations continue as normal,” US office says as police follow leads after attack

Fundraising to find US Peace Corps’ attacker as fury surges among Tongan community

Gunshot fired from car, charges laid after seizure of firearms and drug

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Police investigating a Saturday morning shooting had charged three men for illegal possession of firearms and drugs.

The charges were made after a gun was allegedly fired from a rental car in Havelu at about 3am, Police said.

Police were working on a tip off after they received complaints gunshots were fired from the car.

An on-duty Police officer was patrolling the area when he spotted the car and had followed it along Tāufaʻāhau Road.

A Police statement said: “The suspects’ vehicle was stopped at Havelu opposite ‘Api Mataka where Police Officers seized a .22 rifle, 31 .22 live ammunition, 5 ammunition shells and 24.41 gram of illicit drugs suspected to be methamphetamine, from inside the vehicle.

“They have all been charged with possession of an illegal firearm and illicit drugs.

“Two of the suspects have been bailed out today while one suspect is still in Police Custody. They will all appear at the Magistrate Court on Monday 14th November 2016.

“Chief Superintendent Tevita Fifita says that the quick and timely response by Police have helped in ensuring public safety, and its great further drugs and firearm have been removed from our community where they may cause harm to others”.

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