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Hundreds of homes in Vavaʻu destroyed by Cyclone Winston

By
Alpha Latu
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Tropical Cyclone Winston destroyed about 230 homes in Vavaʻu before it left for Fiji group Friday 19.

Newshub New Zealand said the number has been revealed after “officials managed to reach the area today”.

Kaniva News was told there was an extensive damage to trees and crops and there were reports a yacht  had been blown and turned.

Most of the people whose houses were damaged sheltered at churches and community halls.

Some people were still without power and water.

Tonga Met Service said today at 7.15pm a gale warning remains in force for Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau.

It said the strong wind warnings previously in force for Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu have been cancelled, but remain in force for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

Met said heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all Tonga coastal waters.

Meanwhile Fiji group is currently facing the full force of Cyclone Winston.

Winston is now a Category 5 system the strongest a tropical cyclone can reach and it is  the strongest storm on record to hit Fiji.

The Fiji government has imposed a nationwide curfew and a state of emergency was declared as a result of the mighty cyclone striking with winds gusting as high as 325 kilometres an hour.

Communication was also cut to some of the outer islands including Lau group.

Fielakepa family feud takes another turn, young brother threatened with dismissal

By
Kalino Latu
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The ongoing feud in one of the Tongan nobility’s prominent families has taken another turn in the kingdom’s public services, it has been revealed this week.

Lopeti Aleamotu’a, the young brother of Tongaliuaki Aleamotu’a who recently won a court case he filed  against his uncle Lord Fielkepa was told to return home from Australia while he was there on a study program.

Lord Fielakepa told Lopeti “he had submitted a proposal to dismiss him” from his Majesty’s Armed Forces, Tonga Broadcasting Commission reported.

Lord Fielakepa is the Commander of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

His nephew Lopeti Aleamotu’a was a navy officer  at His Majesty’s Armed Forces since 2012.

His eldest brother Tongaliuaki challenged the king’s decision to bestow the title Lord Fielakepa on his uncle in court.

Tongaliuaki was the rightful heir to the title after his father died in 2007 but King Tupou VI conferred the title on his uncle Tongapo’uli Aleamotu’a.

It was alleged the proposed dismissal was made because the court case appears to have challenged  His Majesty’s will in which Lord Fielakepa denied.

The proposal was declined by the Forces’ Board and returned to the minister in charge for further review, the Commission said.

The Commission said it was apparent the decision by Lord Fielakepa to dismiss Lopeti was linked to the court case made by Tongaliuaki against him.

“Other conditions raised in the proposal to dismiss Lopeti from the Force, is the work conducted by Lopeti Aleamotu’as (sic) family, which deemed to go against the will and consent of His Majesty”, the report said.

It said the proposal was returned to the Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces  for further review.

Lord Fielakepa told Radio Tonga “he has yet to receive the decision of the Board”.

He told the radio the “decision to dismiss Lopeti has no relation with the land case between himself and Lopeti’s older brother which was heard in the Supreme Court late last year”.

Lopeti submitted a marriage proposal last month to Lupeolo Halaevalu Moheofo Virginia Rose, Her Royal Higgness Pilinisesi Pilolevu and Lord Tuita’s youngest daughter and it was accepted.

The details of the wedding celebration has yet to be announced.

READ MORE:

Land Court declares Tongaliuaki rightful heir to Fielakepa title, but uncle can appeal

Paternity challenged in Fielakepa court battle

Fielakepa: Tongaliuaki seeks compensation in court

 

Rugby referee, business man and ‘Ikaletahi manager laid to rest

By
Kaniva Staff
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One of Tonga’s long time rugby union referees and the late Manager of Tonga’s National Rugby Union team was laid to rest today with funeral prayers held at his village, Nukuhetulu.

Soape Tu’iono, 67, died last Saturday after a heart attack.

Soape
Soape Tu’iono was laid to rest at his home town, Nukuhetulu

Tu’iono had been a member of the Tonga Referee Association for more than 20 years and was the manger of the ‘Ikale Tahi team during the Rugby World Cup 2015.

His funeral service was attended by Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni, Minister of Police Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, Minister of Justice Vuna Fa’otusia and Hon Semisi Fakahau, the Minister of MAFF.

The Justice of the Peace’s operated businesses including bookshop and stationery business in Nuku’alofa and  a gift shop at Tonga’s International Airport.

A relative of his said  Tuʻiono  suffered a heart attack and died at Vaiola Hospital on February 13.

His eldest son Viliami flew from New Zealand to farewell his father.

Soape is survived by his wife Pauline and three children.

Cyclone Winston shuts down Foa causeway

By
Kaniva Staff
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The continuous gale force winds which battered Haʻapai since Monday have led to Police closing down the Foa causeway earlier today.

Local media reported no injuries or death.

It said the decision was to protect motorists from danger after large swells, coinciding with a high tide, have washed rocks and debris onto the road.

Last month Police and emergency services in Pangai, Ha’apai pulled  out a car from the sea at the causeway while a man was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

The incident happened after a car attempted to cross over to the other side of the causeway when it was struck by a big wave.

Cyclone Winston 

Meanwhile the storm warning previously in force for Vava’u group is now cancelled, the Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre said at 4.30pm Friday 19.

It said the heavy rain and flash flood warnings previously in force for Vava’u is now cancelled, but remains in force for Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou.

Met said a gale warning is now in force for Vava’u and remains in force for Niuatoputapu,  Niuafo’ou and Ha’apai.

Winston, a category 4 cyclone, was located 170km north-northwest of Neiafu at 3.00pm this afternoon.

Storm warning for Vavaʻu cancelled, gale warning remains

By
Kaniva Staff
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The storm warning previously in force for Vava’u group is now cancelled, the Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre said at 4.30pm Friday 19.

The heavy rain and flash flood warnings previously in force for Vava’u is now cancelled, but remains in force for Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou.

It said Winston, a category 4 cyclone, was located 170km north-northwest of Neiafu at 03:00pm this afternoon.

However Met said Winston’s  current track apparently  it would lie  about 265km west-northwest  of Neiafu or 260km south-southwest of Niuafo’ou at about 1 am tomorrow morning (20/02/2016).

A heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all Tonga coastal waters, it said.

However a gale warning is now in force for Vava’u and remains in force for Niuatoputapu, Niuafo’ou and Ha’apai.

Met also said a strong wind warning remains in force for Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

Near its centre, the cyclone is estimated to have an average winds speed of 195km/hr(105 knots) with momentary gust of 275km/hr(150 knots).

Citizenship opportunity for Kiwis in Australia annouced

By
Kaniva Staff
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New Zealanders who have lived and worked in Australia for five years or more will get easier access to citizenship under a new deal.

This has been announced today by the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and New Zealand Leader John Key after a two-hour meeting in Sydney.

“What we are announcing today is a new pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders,” Mr Turnbull told reporters.

It is understood more than 300,000 Kiwis are living across the ditch on Special Category Visas (SCV), which even stops them from applying for jobs in the Australian Defence Force – including those who have called Australia home since they were babies.

But this deal however can only benefit those New Zealanders who were already living in Australia up to today. It may not apply to those Kiwis who would arrive in Australia in the future and apply for citizenship.

Key thanked Turnbull for the opportunity saying: “the steps taken today will help tens of thousands of Kiwis to one day become Australian citizens”.

“The second-class status of Kiwis across the ditch has been a thorn in the trans-Tasman relationship since an Australian Government clamp down in 2001 denying them access to welfare and many other entitlements”.

NZ commits NZD60,000 for immediate Cyclone Winston help

By
Kaniva Staff
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The New Zealand Government yesterday committed NZD60,000 to Tonga to immediately assist with Cyclone Winston response, NZ High Commissioner in Tonga, Sarah Walsh said today.

The money is to pay for a chartered flight from the capital Nuku’alofa to Vava’u once conditions permit, to support the Tonga National Emergency Management Office with technical assistance and to respond to other initiatives if necessary.

The flight would assess damage, deliver essential supplies such as tarpaulins, tents and mosquito nets, and deploy additional emergency personnel to Vava’u.

“New Zealand will continue to monitor the situation and stands ready to provide further assistance if required,” Ms Walsh said.

“Tonga and New Zealand have a very close relationship and many ties, and the thoughts of New Zealanders are with the people of Tonga at this time.”

Cyclone Winston threatens Tonga, despite swaying towards Fiji

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tropical Cyclone Winston has changed tracks and made a U-turn today Thursday 18 at 12pm north of Vavaʻu group and on its current track it was swaying towards Fiji group.

However because of its extreme force and size met services predictions show the cyclone may still significantly  impact the Vavaʻu group.

Weather Watch New Zealand said: “Winston is a major storm and poses a direct threat to the small islands around Tonga”.

Tonga Met Services said “a storm warning is now in force for Vava’u”.

Winston was expected to move  North East of Neiafu  at 7am tomorrow morning (19/02/2016), it said.

On Monday it arrived in Tonga as Category 2 cyclone and it  left trail of destruction in the Group.

It caused major  flooding in Tongatapu and several trees were blown down. It did similar damage to Ha’apai islands.

Winston battered  Vava’u on Tuesday  wrecking homes, cutting power and smashing vehicles.

The extent of the destruction however according to our correspondent in Vava’u was moderate.

Tonga Met Services said today Thursday 18 at 1.40pm severe Cyclone Winston was located near the East South East of Niuatoputapu or East North East of Neiafu, Vava’u.

It is now moving  slowly west north west of Vava’u at 4km/hr (2knots).

On its current track it was expected Winston would arrive close to Fiji’s island of Lakeba on Saturday 20 at 12pm.

Tonga Met Service said:

“Situation: Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston category 4 was located near 17.0 South and 170.8 West  or about 340km East-Southeast of Niuatoputapu or 380km East-Northeast of Neiafu (Vavaʻu)  at 12:00pm this afternoon. The cyclone is slowly moving west-northwest at 4km/hr (2knots). On its current track,the cyclone is expected to lie about 210km northeast of Neiafu or 180km southeast of Niuatoputapu at 7am tomorrow morning (19/02/2016). Near its centre,the cyclone is estimated to have an average winds speed of 165km/hr (90knots) with momentary gust of 230km/hr(125knots)”.

Met said  a storm warning is now in force for Vava’u.

A gale warning is now in force for Niua Toputapu and Ha’apai.

A gale alert is now in force for Niuafo’ou, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

A strong wind warnings remain in force for Niuafo’ou, Ha’api, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

A heavy damaging swell warning remains inforce for all Tonga coastal waters.

Hansen denied bail over alleged immigration fraud

By
Kaniva Staff
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The alleged Tongan fraudster  who  was on charges of immigration and citizenship fraud has been refused bail in a California court.

Hilamani Hansen, 63, has been charged with 12 offences, including 11 counts of fraud and one count of conspiracy. He entered a plea of not guilty Friday.

Hansen’s wife Viola was in the courtroom with his passport and was prepared to surrender it to the government.

According to Sacramento Bee report, it says U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison Claire said she is not convinced, based on the evidence before her, that Hansen is not a potential flight risk. Federal Defender Heather Williams told Claire, “There is no security available that we can lay our hands on,” but she suggested a bond backed up only by the signatures of Hansen and his sister.

That “is not enough,” the judge said.

The court was told Hansen of Elk Grove, induced more than 500 undocumented immigrants from coast to coast to pay a total of more than $500,000 in order to secure permanent U.S. status that would relieve them of the fear of deportation.

Prosecutors said Hansen “lured victims of the scam with false promises of citizenship attained through a program wherein he and associates would arrange for them to be adopted as adults by American citizens.

“From there, prosecutors say he assured the victims, it would be a smooth pathway to naturalization”.

Hansen will reappear in court in March.

READ MORE: 

FBI probes US-Tongan company involving alleged immigration scam, Tongan victims speak out

Moderate earthquake rattles Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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A 4.9 magnitude earthquake has been felt across Tongatapu island this evening.

Earthquake-report.com reports the quake struck at depth 257 km hypocentre.

There were no reports of damage or tsunami alert.

The quake was reported on Facebook with many saying “another quake” implying the quake occured after the 5.7 magnitute earthquake that jolted the kingdom on Tuesday.

That quake strongly hit waking many people up at about 4.02am.

 

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