A new toilet block and an upgraded classroom for Angaha Government Primary Schools in ʻEua were officially opened February 12.
Funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects, GGP, His Excellency Mr. Yukio Numata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga commissioned the new school facilities.
Mr. Numata during his opening speech said: “Education is a significant tool for empowering people and developing resilient communities.In order to achieve this, children need to be educated in a safer and healthy environment which is the target of this project.”
His Excellency Mr. Yukio Numata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan. Photo/Supplied
GGP was introduced in 1989, to cater for development needs in isolated and developing countries including Tonga. “To date over 53 percent of the GGP projects completed in Tonga are implemented in the field of Education”, a statement said.
Tongaʻs Minister of Revenues and Custom Hon. Tevita Lavemaau who is also ʻEua’s Member of Parliament, “acknowledged the generous and significant assistance from the people and Government of Japan”.
Chief Education Officer for the Ministry of Education and Training Mr. ‘Isikeli Oko, “extended the heartfelt gratitude of the Ministry of Education and Training, and Angaha GPS Parents and Teachers Association for Japan’s assistance”.
“Between 1993 and 2010, Japan has assisted about $15million pa’anga and dispatched JICA volunteers into the education sector of Tonga. About 80% or more of University graduands in the past ten years have benefitted either directly or indirectly from Japanese assistance,” Mr. Oko said
Tongan man Dr Hilamani Hansen, 63, will appear in a Sacramento court in California tomorrow on 12 counts of fraud and one count of conspiracy in connection with an immigration scam.
Dr Hansen who is currently in a Sacramento jail cell, maintained his innocence and claimed he was someone who worked tirelessly to help immigrants achieve their dreams.
He was arrested Thursday last week after about more than a year of FBI and Department of Homeland Security agent’s investigation.
It has been revealed Dr Hansen “lied to the FBI agents” that “hundreds” of immigrants had become citizens through his adult adoption mechanism.
He said he lied because of his “belief and the things that sit in my heart; it’s going to work.”
Dr Hansen however entered a plea of not guilty Friday and is scheduled to be in court Wednesday 17 seeking bail.
FBI believed Dr Hansen was one of “an unknown number of thus-far-uncharged co-conspirators” who were “inducing more than 500 victims from coast to coast to pay a total of more than $500,000 in order to secure a status that will would relieve them of the fear of deportation”.
US authority claimed this was “the first and only such prosecution in the nation” and “none of the victims of the scam gained citizenship”.
The not-for-profit organisation aims “to aid, direct, educate and to assist the (immigrant) communities with available resources and information in their daily struggle in this great country of ours,” announces one of his several websites. On another site, he describes himself as “driven by a deep relationship with God, love for the disenfranchised and undocumented international citizens of the world.
An affidavit showed Hansen said “hundreds” of immigrants had become citizens through his adult adoption mechanism. Later, he admitted he lied to the agents about that and further admitted he had lied to prospective customers on that same point. The affidavit says he told the agents they were “dead right,” that “zero” immigrants had attained citizenship through him. He said he lied because of his “belief and the things that sit in my heart; it’s going to work.”
According to the Sacrament Bee report, “The 82-page affidavit, sworn to by FBI Special Agent Brady Cowan, reports that the search yielded paper and electronic documents and records concerning the “adult-adoption-to-citizenship scheme.”
“The seized material includes “files relating to victims of the scheme that contain identity information, payment records, adult adoption petitions, delayed birth certificates, evidence of mail and wire transactions, and other evidence of the operation.”
“Hansen’s organization was repeatedly successful in acquiring adult adoptions in Sacramento and Alameda Superior Courts until judges in both jurisdictions recognized obvious signs that the adoptions were not in the legitimate interests of the immigrants, according to the affidavit”.
A Tongan tribunal has ruled in favour of a former acting chief executive officer at Tonga’s Ministry of Education, Claude Tupou.
The decision confirmed Tupou’s chance to become Tonga’s new Education CEO.
Details of the tribunal’s decision were not immediately available to Kaniva News but local media reports said the Prime Minister has appointed Tupou.
The post was advertised last year and after interviews of applicants by PSC panel it was leaked to local media Tupou was the successful applicant.
But another media report later revealed the Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva who is also the Minister of Education allegedly refused to endorse the panel’s interview results. Tupou took it to tribunal.
Radio Tonga said today they contacted Tupou but he was not available to make comment.
The post had been vacant since June 2015 after the former CEO Emily Pouvalu’s contract ended in May, 2015.
[Photos: Paea Lavulavu, Vavaʻu] Cyclone Winston has caused havoc after battering the Vavaʻu group with expected winds topping at 150 km/hr near its centre at 245 km East North East of Neiafu.
The tropical cyclone toppled trees, lifted roofs and smashed vehicles.
The cyclone was moving towards Haʻapai and is expected to weaken further as it heads into cooler southern waters.
No deaths have been reported .
The cyclone warning still remains for Haʻapai and Tongatapu.
UPDATED: Tropical Cyclone Winston which swept through Tonga Islands in the last 48 hours was expected to make a U-turn north of Vavaʻu and heads back South West on Friday 18.
On its current track, the cyclone targets Vavaʻu groups with destructive winds.
The cyclone toppled trees and brought down power lines on Tongatapu, Vavaʻu and Haʻapai on Tuesday but the damage was light and moderate.
Tonga’s MetService said today Wednesday 17 at 4.15am Winston was expected to lie about 205km East-North East of Neiafu or 240km South East of Niuatoputapu at about 10:00am this morning.
Breadfruit trees were badly damaged by Winston in Tongatapu. Photo/Gano Tenisi
Near its centre, the cyclone is estimated to have an average winds speed of 110km/hr(60knots) with momentary gust of 150km/hr(80kts).
It said a storm warning remains in force for Vavaʻu.
A gale warning remains in force for Ha’apai, Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu.
A strong wind warning remains in force for Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
A heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all Tonga coastal waters.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for the Niuas, Ha’apai and Vava’u.
A flash flood warning remains in force for the Niuas, Ha’apai and Vava’u.
For Vavaʻu:
Destructive East to South East winds with average speed of 85km/hr(45 knots) and momentary gust to 120km/hr(65kts)gradually easing this morning to damaging gale force winds with average speed of 65-85km/hr(35-45knots) and momentary gust to 120km/hr(65kts).
Periods of rain,heavy at times with squally thunderstorms.
Very rough to high seas. A heavy damaging east to South East swell,and possible flash flooding including seas flooding in low lying areas.
For the two Niuas and Ha’apai:
Winston brought down trees and power lines in Haʻapai. Photo/Sela Telefoni
Damaging gale force winds with average speed of 65-85km/hr(35-45knots) and momentary gust to 120km/hr(65kts).
Periods of rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms. Very rough to high seas.
A heavy damaging swell and possible flash flooding including seas flooding in low lying areas.
For tongatapu and ‘Eua :
East to South East winds 45-55km/hr(25-30kts) rising up to 65km/hr(35knots).cloudy to overcast with occassional showers, possibly heavy at times. Rough to very rough seas.
Giant eel, “messed up crocodile” or unidentified lake monster?
An Aussie creature apparently photographed at Swansea, south of Newcastle in New South Wales, has confused and slightly frightened locals since it washed up on social media, the Newcastle Herald reports.
Ethan Tippa, who posted the photo on Facebook, typified the general response.
“What the f— is it?” he asked.
The answer, said marine biologist Julian Pepperell, is that it’s a pike eel.
The angle of the photo made it difficult to judge the creature’s length, but it seems longer than the species’ average maximum of 1.8 metres.
“I think it’s definitely a pike eel. The head is very indicative of that species,” Pepperell said.
“It’s hard from the photo to get an idea of the scale.”
The nocturnal pike eel is common in NSW waters, but surprisingly little is known about it.
Pepperell said the species is frequently caught by fishers at night who get “the fight of their lives” when they reel in a powerful, thrashing predator with a nasty bite.
“There are certainly people who are bitten by them in boats,” he said.
“They have incredibly strong muscle and their teeth are geared towards inflicting slashing wounds.”
An old fishers’ adage goes that a tinnie has room for a fisherman or a pike eel, but not both.
The photo of the long, sharp-toothed and clearly dead creature has been shared thousands of times on social media, with many identifying it as a pike eel.
It was probably “relatively old”, Pepperell said, and could have died from a net entanglement, been hit by a boat or died of old age.
Some questioned whether the image was Photoshopped, or whether it had really been seen.
Dougie Boyd, of the Commercial Fishermen’s Co-Operative, thought it was genuine.
“I don’t think it’s been Photoshopped,” Boyd said.
“I’ve seen some monsters, but none that big.”
Pike eels are not poisonous to eat, and are frequently sold in the market of southeast Asia.
Comment is being sought from the Department of Primary Industries.
Tongan police this morning had to tell swimmers at a Nukuʻalofa pier to get out of the water and return home, including some sightseers in the area who already aware there was cyclone warning in place.
Photos uploaded to Facebook this afternoon showed people apparently gathered at Uafu ‘Amelika to swim in high seas brought by Cyclone Winston.
Police central communications officer Telesia Adams said a Police unit arrived at the pier this morning and told swimmers to leave in which they cooperated.
She said special forces were standby on Tongatapu and their tasks included petroling the coastal areas since the weekend.
She said Police patroled all areas in Nuku’alofa, Hahake and Hihifo because of the cyclone alerts.
Flooding and Cyclone Winston
After about 48 hours of major flooding and minor evacuation in Tongatapu, waters level were slowly receding throughout the areas this afternoon.
Met Sevices said at 7.15pm today “the flash flood warning previously in force for Tongatapu and ‘Eua is now cancelled but remains in force for Ha’apai and Vava’u”.
Police this morning told these people to leave and return home. Photo/Patrick Mila (Facebook)
It said the Category 2 tropical cyclone was located closer to Neiafu, Vava’u than Lifuka in Ha’apai and Tongatapu at 4pm this afternoon.
At its current location the cyclone was about 260km North of Nuku’alofa or 110km North of Tofua or 130km North-Northwest of Lifuka or 40km West of Late or 105km West of Neiafu at 04:00pm this afternoon.
It said the cyclone is still moving Northeast at about 26km/hr(14knots).
On its current track, the cyclone is expected to lie 195km North-Northeast of Tofua or 180km North of Lifuka or 80km North-Northeast of late or 60km Northwest of Neiafu at about 01:00am tomorrow morning (17/02/2016).
Near its centre,the cyclone is estimated to have an average winds speed of 95km/hr(50knots) with momentary gust of 130km/hr(70kts).
For Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua:
Damaging gale force East to Southeast winds with average speed of 65-85km/hr(35-45knots) and momentary gust to 120km/hr(65kts). Periods of rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms.
Very rough to high seas. a heavy damaging east to Southeast swell and possible flash flooding over Ha’apai, including seas flooding in low lying areas.
For Vavau:
Expect destructive North to northeast becoming Northwest winds tonight with average speed of 95km/hr(50 knots) and momentary gust to 130km/hr(70kts). Periods of rain, heavy at times with squally thunder storms. Very rough to high seas. A heavy damaging East to Southeast swell developing, and possible flash flooding including seas flooding in low lying areas.
For Niuas:
Damaging west to northwest winds 65-70km/hr(35-40kts) from mid-night tonight.occassional showers, heavy at times. Rough to very rough seas. A heavy damaging west to Southwest swell developing mid-night tonight.
A storm warning remains inforce for Vava’u.
A gale warning remains in force for Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu.
A heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all Tonga coastal waters.
The heavy rain warning previously in force for Tongatapu and ‘Eua is now cancelled but remains in force for Ha’apai and Vava’u.
Haʻapai Islands in north of Tongatapu have been feeling the effects of Cyclone Winston with strong winds, while the rest of the islands was reported to have experienced heavy rains and flooding.
Social media users reported the strength of the winds at the moment in Lifuka and Foa are likely to cause damage to trees and powerlines.
Tonga Met Services said at 1.15pm this afternoon Cyclone Winston was expected to move close to Haʻapai islands’ of Late, Tofua and Lifuka at 4pm today.
By that time Winston’s centre would lie at 120km Northwest of Tofua or 190km Northwest of Lifuka or 160km West-Southwest of Late, it said.
The cyclone is estimated to have an average winds speed of 95km/hr(50kts) with momentary gust of 130km/hr(70kts).
It also warned that a gale warning remains in force for Tongatapu,’Eua, Ha’apai, Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu.
A heavy damaging swell warning remains inforce for all Tonga coastal waters.
A heavy rain warning remains inforce for Tongatapu,’Eua and Ha’apai and Vava’u.
A flash flood warning remains inforce for Tongatapu,’Eua,Ha’apai and Vava’u.
Meanwhile the New Zealand government has issued a warning for its citizens in Tonga about Cyclone Winston.
It said New Zealanders in Tonga should be aware that Tropical Cyclone Winston is expected to make landfall soon.
It is expected to hit Ha’apai on 16 February as a Category 2 cyclone, and strengthen to a Category 3 cyclone as it moves over Vava’u on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Models predicting the path of Cyclone Winston differ, but suggest the weather system will remain over Tonga for a number of days.
The Tonga National Emergency Management Office transmits updates on Radio 1 at frequency 1017 AM, and will be transmitted to all islands. The Fiji Meteorological Service also provides regular regional updates.
New Zealanders in Tonga are advised to follow the advice of the local authorities at all times (including any evacuation orders) and seek suitable shelter. Visitors and tourists staying in travel accommodation should follow the guidance of the accommodation management and/or tour operators.
It is generally considered sensible practice not to venture outdoors and remain well away from the sea.
New Zealanders in Tonga are advised to update their registration information (external link) or take this opportunity to register(external link) with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is also important to keep family and friends in New Zealand updated on your welfare.
New Zealanders in Tonga requiring urgent consular assistance may contact the New Zealand High Commission in Tonga on the following numbers: +676 23122 or after hours on +676 881 7022.
Police have arrested a 23-year-old man they believed he was the driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident which caused the death of a young father last weekend at Vahaʻakolo Rd.
Police alleged the victim, Liufau Tāufa, 26, was hit at 12am midnight, Saturday 13 infront of the Maamaloa Side School and Tupou High School at Vaololoa.
The ambulance arrived and confirmed the victim was dead at the scene.
Police have charged the Tofoa driver with reckless driving causing death, Telesia Adams, Police Communication Officer at Longolongo Police Headquarter said.
The accused remains in police custody.
The victim from Talau, Neiafu, Vavaʻu but was staying at Halaʻovave with his family is survived by his wife Vika Tāufa and children.
Members of the public were concerned after an image posted on Facebook shows Tongan youths swimming at high seas brought by Tropical Cyclone Winston.
The photo was posted by a local who said the activity was spotted at a pier in Nuku’alofa waterfront.
Tonga’s MetServices report at 7.10am this morning said Tropical Cyclone Winston Category 2 was located 290km west of Nuku’alofa at 4:00am.
The cyclone is moving Northeast on its current track,
The cyclone is expected to lie 260km Northwest of Nuku’alofa or 150km West-Northwest of Kao at about 1:00pm
This afternoon near its centre, the cyclone is estimated to have an average winds speed of 95km/hr(50kts) Â with momentary gust of 130km/hr(70kts).
Seini Kauvaka who posted the photo to Facebook was concerned for the safety of swimmers.
“What’s wrong with our people? Cyclone warning category 2 cyclone Winston and people are at the wharf hoooooooooooooooi”, Kauvaka asked of those swimmers.
Only in tonga Cyclone warning catergory 2 cyclone Winston And the wharf is packed Tulihopo kiai
The photo prompted a raft of comments from concerned Tongans who said there was also a possibility for a tsunami after the 5.7 magnitude quake rattled the kingdom this morning. There was no officla tsunami alert after the earthquake.
“What happened if a tsunami hit right now, hooooi,” a woman wrote.
“Manie pe koe oo atu o tulihopo he hako naa mole ha moui masii koe atamai ia ene kovi” , another woman wrote saying these people swimming in high seas are dump as they are at risk of losing their lives.
Met Service said a storm warning is now inforce for Vavau.
A gale warning remains in force for Haapai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua and  is now in force for the two Niuas.
A heavy damaging swells remain inforce for all Tonga coastal waters.
