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Eye infection outbreak affects hundreds

By
Kaniva Staff
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Health officials in Tonga have warned people to take extra hygiene precautions after more than 500 people in Tongatapu were diagnosed with conjunctivitis since March.

The highly infectious eye condition has mainly affected both infants and adults.

Medical Officers have been alerted to the viral infection and according to reports more than 200 cases had been registered this month.

People are being told to use separate towels and to wash their hands often.

Officials said the condition was highly infectious and passes very easily within families and between friends.

It causes a red watery eye with discomfort and blurred vision. In a few cases the discomfort can be severe.

Tanoa International Dateline Hotel begins accepting reservations

By
Kalino Latu
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Tanoa International Dateline Hotel has begun accepting reservations and is expected to open in September.

Previously known as International Dateline Hotel and was solely owned by the Tongan government,  the seafront  hotel was taken over last year by the Fiji based Tanoa Hotel group for redevelopment, aiming to transform it into a four-star standard.

Tatafu Moeaki, Tonga’s Secretary for Finance said the renovation would be completed by the “end of August planning to commission early September”.

“In fact they had already made reservation from second half of September 2016 and a Tongan wedding is also confirmed for Dateline last week of September.  I am told by the Reddy the renovation is running smoothly”, Moeaki said.

This means the renovation work will finish earlier than anticipated as it was initially planned to be completed by January 2017.

New directors for transport sector

By
Kalino Latu
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The government’s Ports of Authority Tonga, Tonga Airports Ltd and Friendly Islands Shipping Agency had been combined and brought under one roof.

The government has appointed new “Shared Directors” to oversee the organisation now known as Transport Sector.

They were Mr Stephen Edwards, Dr. Cpt Sione Tu‘itupou Fotu, Mr Viliami Takau Jr, Mr Tomifa Paea and Ms Helen Po‘uliva‘ati Toli.

Mr Edwards has been appointed as Chairperson and Dr Tu‘itupou has been appointed as Deputy Chairperson.

The directors have been granted an initial service term of one (1) year with a possible extension of up to three (3) years.

Europe Day, EU “takes pride” in its friendship with Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
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The European Union is proud of its strong connection with Tonga according to a message to the government by the European Union Ambassador to Tonga and the Pacific, His Excellency Andrew Jacobs.

The Union is celebrating the Europe Day  today May 9 marking the 66 years  since the it was found in 1950.

“We take pride in our strong partnership with Tonga. Our assistance of €17.4 million (TP$42,820,012.21) for the period till 2020 in improving energy efficiency and promoting renewable energy is vital for Tonga’s sustainable and inclusive development in the years to come”, Jacobs said.

“We continue to support civil society in the areas of private sector development, trade policies, public finance management, energy policy and gender”, he added.

“Indeed, the European Union has a long standing relationship and friendship with Tonga and other Pacific countries. Our partnership with Tonga and the Pacific is based on our shared values, on common concerns and on common aspirations.

“In the Pacific we are an important trading partner, a reliable investor, a generous donor of humanitarian and development aid, and a loyal ally in a fight against climate change.

“Three weeks ago, 175 countries signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change at the UN High-Level Signing Ceremony in New York. 15 countries deposited their instruments of ratification on the same day sending a signal to the international community on the paramount importance of this Agreement. Remarkably, six out of these 15 inspiring countries were Pacific Island States. The Pacific has done its share, now it is for the developed countries to deliver. A key objective of the EU for 2016 is to maintain this political momentum and alliance with the Pacific nations as we start moving towards the implementation of the Paris deal.

“We take pride in our strong partnership with Tonga. Our assistance of €17.4 million for the period till 2020 in improving energy efficiency and promoting renewable energy is vital for Tonga’s sustainable and inclusive development in the years to come. We continue to support civil society in the areas of private sector development, trade policies, public finance management, energy policy and gender.

“The European Union played an important role by providing €5.5 million in budget support to Tonga during its financial crisis in 2010, thus contributing to ease fiscal constraints. Additional €1 million was granted in 2014 to assist with the recovery in Ha’apai in the wake of Cyclone Ian.

“On Europe Day we celebrate not only Europe and all the achievements we must preserve, but also our strong partnerships around the world, including with our friends in the Pacific. The peoples of the European Union and the Pacific share challenges, ideals and ambitions.  Working together we can help make the world a better place for our children”.

Muslim leader in Tonga concerns over delays in registration application

By
Kalino Latu
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The leader of Tonga’s Muslim community has expressed his concerns over the government’s delay in the application to register the religious body in the kingdom.

The Muslim community was first formally established in Tonga in 1983, but the government has still  not approved its application for registration.

Imam Ilyas, or ‘Iliasi Manu, told Kakalu ‘O Tonga newspaper the Late King Tupou IV offered land for them to build a mosque, but he felt the congregation’s attempts to be registered were more difficult with the current monarch.

He said he believed if he could take the government to court over the registration application he could win, but at the same time he thought it was better for him to concentrate on educating the people to understand the Muslim doctrines.

This is what the Tongan constitution says about Freedom of Worship: “All men are free to practise their religion and to worship God as they may deem fit in accordance with the dictates of their own worship consciences and to assemble for religious service in such places as they may appoint. But it shall not be lawful to use this freedom to commit evil and licentious acts or under the name of worship to do what is contrary to the law and peace of the land”.

The religion was brought to Tonga by Ilyas’s late father, Fayaz Manu, also known as Fisi’ihoi Manu.

The Manus were originally Christian, but later converted to Islam.

Fayaz  was the first president of the Tonga Muslim League.

In 2011 there were 24 Muslims in Tonga.

In a report by Dr Moshe Tediman, Islam in the Kingdom of Tonga, the Muslim community’s small size is acknowledged as a problem.

Ilyas studied Islam at the Suva Muslim College and at the madrassah at Toorak Mosque in Fiji.

He also enrolled in the University of Islamic Call Society in Libya, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies in 1992.

In 1993, he was appointed imam of the Tongan Muslim community.

He was criticised in a 2002 report on the Muslim communities in Tonga and Western Samoa prepared by the director of the Fiji Muslim League’s Da’wah Department, but praised by the Regional Islamic Da’wah Council of Southeast Asia.

In February a Tongan Islamic convert in Australia, Alo-Bridget Namoa was charged with terror offences

The 18-year-old woman was charged with terrorist offences for having a knife and documents in connection to an alleged terror attack plot in Sydney.

Namoa was Catholic, but later converted to Muslim and married a Muslim man.

The main points

  • The leader of Tonga’s Muslim community has expressed his concerns over the government’s delay in the application to register the religious body in the kingdom.
  • The Muslim community was first formally established in Tonga in 1983, but the government has still not approved its application for registration.
  • Imam Ilyas, or ‘Iliasi Manu, told Kakalu ‘o Tonga newspaper the Late King Tupou IV offered land for them to build a mosque, but he felt the congregation’s attempts to be registered were more difficult with the current monarch.
  • He said he believed if he could take the government to court over the registration application he could win, but at the same time he thought it was better for him to concentrate on educating the people to understand the Muslim doctrines.

Government has no record of decision being made to allow bakeries to operate on Sunday

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan government said it has found no record to show an official decision was made to allow bakeries to operate on Sunday and sell bread to the public.

The revelation was made this week after a meeting in Nuku’alofa on March 7 to discuss a letter submitted to government by church leaders in July 2015.

The church leaders were concerned that selling bread on Sunday breached the law of the nation.

The Tongan constitution says: “The Sabbath Day shall be kept holy in Tonga and no person shall practise his trade or profession or conduct any commercial undertaking on the Sabbath Day except according to law; and any agreement made or witnessed on that day shall be null and void and of no legal effect.”

Tonga’s Police Minister, Hon. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, said the government was talking to the church leaders and the public and would hold a meeting with the bakery operators this week before making a decision.

He said the government ran programmes on local television and radio after the meeting to inform the public about the law. The programmes stressed that doing business on Sunday was prohibited in Tonga unless authorised by the Minister of Police.

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said the government had not found any evidence to show who made the decision to allow bakeries to operate on Sunday, or when it was made.

He said former Police Minister Sifa Tu’utafaiva had looked for evidence a decision on the issue had been made,  but could not find it.

“It was likely the decision was made 34 years ago in 1982 after Tropical Cyclone Isaac hit the kingdom,” Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said.

He said it could be that the then Police Minister made the decision under the Order in Public Places Act (CAP 37 as amended).

As part of its inquiries to find if a record of the decision exists, the government has appealed to any member of the public who might have a copy to hand it in.

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa told Kaniva News in a previous interview that as Minister of Police he had the authority to allow a person to do business on Sunday if that person has reasonable reasons to do so.

He said taxi drivers, for example, could apply for a permit to operate on Sunday, but they must give strong reasons to support their application.

In March 2015 Kaniva News reported that residents at Kolonga were working on Sunday on a dead whale that washed up on shore.

Police said at the time the residents did not breach the Sunday law because a bad smell began emanating from the carcass and it needed to be removed.

The main points

  • The Tongan government says it has found no record to show an official decision was made to allow bakeries to operate on Sunday and sell bread to the public.
  • The revelation was made this week after a meeting in Nuku’alofa on March 7 to discuss a letter submitted to government by church leaders in July 2015.
  • The church leaders were concerned that selling bread on Sunday breached the constitution.
  • The government has appealed to any member of the public who might have a copy of the decision to hand it in.

Domestic violence increases, a workshop in Nukuʻalofa was told

By
Kalino Latu
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The numbers of domestic violence in Tonga continue to rise according to an information released by the Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) in a workshop in Nukuʻalofa this week.

The details of the claim were not available to Kaniva News.

“According to the statistics that we have, there is not much difference between the numbers of criminal cases and domestic violence cases,” Tupou Lanumata from the Centre said in a statement.

The WCCC organised a two-day workshop to bring in youth leaders so it can share with them what it has designed to help the youth avoid violence, aggression and bullying.

“The reason why we chose youth leaders is because they can make an impact in their communities by sharing what they have learned here to their colleagues so that they know the right person to pick when it comes to marriage.”

She said the centre has conducted two workshops in the past about the same issue and the participants developed 10 tips of how to keep a healthy and respectful relationship.

The workshop was funded by UN Women.

READ MORE

Level of violence against women increases beyond critical point, says centre director

Mate Ma’a Tonga fans flock to St Mary’s for fan open day

By
Kaniva Staff
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HUNDREDS of fans turned out at St Mary’s Leagues Club last night for an open training session and meet-and-greet with Tonga’s rugby league stars.

NRL stars Feleti Mateo, Tony Williams, David Fifita were just some of the players on hand to sign autographs while coaching staff including legends Andrew Johns and John Hopoate posed for photos.

The session kicked off at 3.30pm before players came to meet the fans at 5.30pm.

DJs kept the party atmosphere going throughout while the merchandise stall was overwhelmed with demand for Tonga jerseys, tracksuits and hats.

–St Mary’s Star

Further charges laid against Lord Tuʻihaʻateiho

By
Kalino Latu
-

More charges have been laid against Lord Tuʻihaʻateiho, who was remanded on bail yesterday Thursday 5 to appear in court on May 9.

He is charged   with unlawful possession of ammunition after an incident at his Haʻateiho estate.

The further charges include assault, killing an animal and causing a disturbance.

Lord Tuʻihaʻateiho was arrested on Wednesday, May 4 and remanded in custody after a complaint to Police on April 15.

His estates are Haʻateiho, Tungua and Haʻateiho Siʻi  in Haʻapai and Vavaʻu.

READ MORE:

Noble charged with possession of ammunition after Ha’ateiho incident

Supreme Court sentences driver who fled scene of fatal collision to three years’ in prison

By
Philip Cass
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The Tongan Supreme Court has sentenced a man to three years imprisonment for reckless driving causing death.

Vaka Fanua was driving without a license when he lost control of his car, hit a minibus and then ran away from the scene of the accident as the driver of the other vehicle lay dying.

He was sentenced to four and a half year’s prison with 16 months of the sentence remitted.

In his report, the Hon. Justice Cato said Fanua had driven at a speed and in a manner which was dangerous to the public and had not paid proper care and attention. He had tried to overtake the minibus and had hit the vehicle   causing it to overturn and thereby caused the death of Mr. Tikisinale Kena, a  young  man also in his 20s.

Kena, who was driving the minibus, was thrown out when it rolled and died later in hospital.

Fanua tried to overtake the minibus in the middle of an unmarked, sealed, straight stretch of road. It was the middle of the afternoon and there was no oncoming traffic.

He was driving so fast that he swerved off the road, skidded on a patch of gravel and in attempting to regain control drove back into the middle of the road and hit the bus at least once.

The prisoner and the other young men with him ran away.

Fanua was found guilty  by the jury after a four day trial.

Hon. Justice Cato said Fanua  had   limited   education,   some   health   problems and was described by his mother as “quiet  person who  may  have  been  injuriously  led  by others  in his extended  family.”

Fanua’s family has apologised to the family of the deceased and made  compensation  in  the  form  of  a  cow  and  mats,  which   has  been  accepted.

When released, Fanua has to be of good behaviour for two years and lice where directed. He will also be on probation. If he breaks any of these conditions he may be liable to finish the suspended part of his sentence.

In his report, Hon. Justice Cato said this was the first time such a case had been heard since the Traffic Act was amended in t010 to reflect the seriousness of such crimes.

The main points

  • The Tongan Supreme Court has sentenced a man to three years imprisonment for reckless driving causing death.
  • Vaka Fanua was driving without a license when he lost control of his car, hit a minibus and then ran away from the scene of the accident as the driver of the other vehicle lay dying.
  • He was sentenced to four and a half year’s prison with 16 months of the sentence remitted.
  • In his report, the Hon. Justice Cato said Fanua had driven at a speed and in a manner which was dangerous to the public and had not paid proper care and attention. He had tried to overtake the minibus and had hit the vehicle causing it to overturn and thereby caused the death of Mr. Tikisinale Kena,a  young  man also in his 20s.
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