Four Tongan cousins who tragically lost their lives in a vehicle crash in the United States in 2013 were honoured on the 12th anniversary of the incident.
Maria Moa, 17, David Moa, 19, George Moa 19, and Rachel Fisiiahi, 19, were pronounced dead after a solo-vehicle crash around on state Highway 58 just north of California City, according to the Kern County coroner’s office.
Reports said at the time, there were five people in the car, with the sole survivor a male passenger who was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, according to coroner’s officials.
The cousins were returning home after a weekend spent attending a rugby match in Las Vegas when George Moa lost consciousness while driving, resulting in a collision that caused the vehicle to overturn.
Their memory was celebrated by family and friends, reflecting on the impact they had on their loved ones and the community.
The St Benedict Church in Oakland, California, celebrated the anniversary.
“Over 10 years now but forever remembered. Forever loved. May you continue to rest peacefully”.
Taufa Moa also shared the church’s tribute.
“Happy 12 years anniversary in paradise our beloved children! happy valentines too!!! umaaa atu ki si’o mou ngaahi fofonga takitaha si’emau fanau pele hoko atu aa si’omou mohe until we meet again!”
Commentary – Tonga must maintain a firm stance of vigilance in light of the recent cyber-attacks on Samoa, which have been attributed to the China-backed APT40 hacking group.
The incident in Samoa follows the ransomware attack experienced by Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC), the state-owned telecommunications provider, in the year 2023.
At the time, TCC reportedly said:
“Ransomware attack has been confirmed to encrypt and lock access to part of TCC’s system. This does not affect voice and internet service delivery to the customers, however, it may slow down the process of connecting new customers, delivering of bills and managing customers’ enquiries.”
TCC controls all fixed telephone lines and has a 70 per cent market share of dial-up and broadband internet.
It managed about half of the mobile phone services through its UCall service.
The Medusa ransomware group took credit for the attack on TCC, according to Cybersecurity expert Dominic Alvieri.
Sources claimed Medusa is known for attacking healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors. They have also targeted the government and finance sectors.
Pacific Islands Forum attack
The Pacific Islands Forum Fiji’s-based offices were victims of a cyber security attack last year.
China had been blamed for the damage.
However, Media outlet Global Times reported China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning as saying at the time the claim that it was involved in a cyber attack on the Forum is “politically motivated disinformation”.
Samoa Cyber Attack
An ABC report this afternoon said Samoa’s government has blamed the Chinese state-backed hacking group for a series of sophisticated cyber attacks,
It said the group has been conducting “malicious cyber operations against government and key critical infrastructure system” across the Pacific.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute analyst Blake Johnson said that APT40 typically “infiltrates networks and stays hidden for potentially quite some time” as it tries to siphon valuable intelligence back to the Chinese government.
Australia and key intelligence partners previously accused the Chinese group of conducting a wide-scale cyber espionage operation in the continent.
Australian experts say APT 40 has targeted regional government and private sector networks by infiltrating devices.
“By staying hidden it can regularly monitor activity, collect data and explore through the network to try to identify higher-value targets, like potentially senior government accounts that may contain sensitive government or personal information that could be used to China’s advantage,” he told the ABC.
The ABC said the Samoan report marks the first time a Pacific island nation has issued a public advisory which attributes cyber espionage to a Chinese government-linked group.
The ABC approached the Chinese Embassy in Samoa for comment but hasn’t yet received a response.
Tonga vulnerability
A 2016 research project undertaken in Tonga showed that the kingdom’s computer systems are susceptible and can be easily exploited by cybercriminals.
Dr Siuta Laulaupea’alu raised concerns in the project about how organizations and government departments in Tonga, as well as the general public, can effectively prepare for the anticipated rise in cybercrime and cyberattacks in the Pacific region.
Laulaupea’alu recommended that the government of Tonga start implementing measures to address the security weaknesses in their systems.
“Failure to act quickly on these vulnerabilities will lead to a higher number and greater depth of cybersecurity attacks.”
A security guard working at the Tonga Higher Education Institute (TIHE) has been sentenced to jail after police discovered drugs in his possession.
Falakiko Uatahausi
Falakiko Uatahausi pleaded guilty to one count of possession of 1.33g of methamphetamine and one count of unlawful possession of utensils.
The Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop sentenced him to 12 months, with the last six months being suspended.
The court was told that Uatahausi was caught red-handed while being in a vehicle parked near TIHE.
He was in the driver seat near one of the shelters, and when approached by the police, illicit drugs were found in the vehicle, together with a smoking pipe.
Mr Bishop said: “Methamphetamine is a scourge in the kingdom of Tonga. It fosters crime destroys lives, places in intolerable burden on the health care service and the court must do all they can to stamp it out”.
The Judge acknowledged Uatahausi’s decision to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Mr Bishiop also noted that for the last 20 years, he has seemingly stayed clear of trouble, especially with regard to drug-related offences.
The court judgment revealed that Uatahausi has a history of possessing illicit drugs, dating back to September 5, 2005, when he was convicted of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, which resulted in a two-month suspended sentence.
“Sadly you have now re-offended”.
Announcing his sentence, Mr Bishop said: “I take your case starting point at 18 months’ imprisonment, which I reduced by six months to take account of your mitigating factors as already outlined. [12months]
“Count 2 is a less serious offence and the sentence there is six months concurrent”.
The six months suspension conditions included
a. He must not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment
b. He will be placed under Probation for the period of your suspended sentence
c. He must report to the probation office within 48 hours of your release from custody
d. He must complete a drugs and alcohol course at the direction of the Probation Officer during the suspension period.
President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Hamas, demanding an immediate release of all hostages by midday on Saturday.
He emphasized the critical importance of the situation, warning that “all hell is going to break out” if the group fails to return the hostages taken more than 15 months ago.
Mr Trump said the Gaza ceasefire should be cancelled if all remaining Israeli hostages are not returned by noon on Saturday.
The US president’s intervention came hours after Hamas has said it will delay the release of more hostages and accused Israel of violating their ceasefire deal, Sky News reported.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office late on Monday, the US president also said he might withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt if those countries do not take Palestinian refugees being relocated from Gaza, the Guardian reported.
Trump’s comments came after Hamas said it wasdelaying the release of hostages indefinitely over “violations” of the ceasefire deal, prompting Israel’s defence minister to put the country’s military on alert with orders to prepare for “any scenario in Gaza”.
Trump said the hostages should be released “not in dribs and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two”.
“We want them all back. I’m speaking for myself. Israel can override it, but for myself, Saturday at 12 o’clock – and if they’re not here, all hell is going to break out,” he said.
Trump indicated he had not spoken to Benjamin Netanyahu about the timeline he suggested. Asked about any concrete measures he was threatening to take to enforce his demand, Trump said: “You’ll find out. And they’ll find out too. Hamas will find out what I mean. These are sick people.”
He did not directly respond to a question on whether or not that would entail US military action.
A Tongan man recently appeared in Wellington High Court following a significant police operation that uncovered a staggering $673,000 in cash along with illegal drugs hidden in his vehicle.
Police allegedly seized methamphetamine, other drugs including cocaine, and more than $600,000 in cash. Photo / NZ Police
Sunia Mano To’ofohe, 45, was stopped by Police in May 2023 as he drove back from Auckland to Wellington, a report by the NZ Herald said this morning.
Inside the car police allegedly found 29g of methamphetamine, 5.9g of cocaine, 23 Oxycodone pills and almost $126,000 in cash.
Later that evening during a search of To’ofohe’s room at his Lower Hutt flat, police also claim to have found about 11kg of methamphetamine, spread across a number of different containers and packages.
The Crown says that during the search police also found 26 tabs of LSD, 80 more Oxycodone pills, 580ml of fantasy or GBL, 140ml of another controlled drug known as 1-4 Butanediol and 200g of cannabis. They also allegedly found a rifle, ammunition and a further $547,000 in cash.
Van der Lem told the jury police estimated To’ofohe had supplied almost a kilogram of methamphetamine between February and May 2023.
He said To’ofohe had photographed the drug as he weighed it on different dates, showing the weights in the packages.
Screenshots of his messages, allegedly show he had supplied 226g in eight months to one user alone.
The Crown also says To’ofohe was keeping handwritten records of his drug dealing. He even did a stocktake of the methamphetamine in his possession in early 2023, van der Lem said.
As a result of what the police allegedly found in his car, bedroom and home To’ofohe faces 15 charges, including possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, Oxycodone, GBL, LSD and 1-4 Butanediol for supply.
He is also charged with possessing cannabis for sale, possession of a firearm and ammunition, two charges of supplying methamphetamine and failing to assist in a search.
To’ofohe denies all charges.
His lawyer, Keith Jefferies, urged the jury to keep an open mind.
The Crown will call more than 20 witnesses and produce 11 photo booklets during the trial before Justice Cheryl Gwyn. It is expected to continue at least this week.
Police are continuing to search almost a week on for the person responsible for a stabbing that left a man critically injured in Auckland’s Birkenhead.
Armed police block off Birkenhead Ave on Auckland’s North Shore. (Source: Supplied)
A man was found with serious injuries on Birkenhead Ave by a member of the public at around 2pm on February 4.
Hato Hone St John said it responded to the incident with one ambulance and two rapid response vehicles.
“One patient, in a critical condition, was transported to Auckland City Hospital.”
A witness told 1News that they saw a badly injured man lying on the side of the road on his back at around 2pm.
“An elderly lady stopped to help him, then a cop car pulled up.”
North Shore area commander inspector Stefan Sagar earlier said that police did not believe it was a “random incident”.
Police said today the victim was recovering from his injuries.
“Since the incident occurred, police have completed a scene examination and area canvas as part of the investigation,” a spokesperson said.
Anyone with relevant information could call police on 105.
A Chorleywood historian and former tutor to the son of the King of Tonga has died, aged 88.
Ian Foster (L), Late King Tupou V (inset)
Ian Foster, who wrote books on the history of Chorleywood, Chenies, Loudwater and Heronsgate, was born in West Lancashire and briefly attended St Martin’s School in Northwood, before reading History at Trinity College Dublin.
After 15 years of teaching at King’s College in Auckland, New Zealand, Ian was returning to the UK by sea when he received a request from the King of Tonga to tutor his son for his Oxford entrance exam. This job led to Ian spending six months at Tonga’s royal palace.
In the late 1980s, Ian taught at The Beacon School in Amersham, was a keen member of Chorleywood Cricket Club, and settled in Heronsgate a few doors down from his sister Gill Gibbins.
Gill said: “Ian was a very gifted teacher who made children think for themselves.”
Ian met his future wife Kate in The Land of Liberty, Peace & Plenty pub in Chorleywood, and the couple were married at St John’s, Heronsgate, in 2011.
Kate said: “We were complete soulmates from the beginning and our marriage was wonderful.”
The arrival of the first French Marist missionaries in Tonga in 1836 marked a significant moment in the kingdom’s history, as it facilitated the introduction of Catholicism and advancement in formal education throughout the islands.
Despite its significance, this history remained largely unknown to the broader public because it was documented exclusively in French.
Given that Tonga’s official and secondary language is English, the French historical context presents a linguistic barrier that restricts the engagement of Tongan and English historians and impedes the opportunity for varied interpretations and discussions for about two centuries.
As such, the new book and its author have received recognition on social media as groundbreaking contributions to the history of the church and Tonga, with numerous commenters saying about two centuries years of previously unacknowledged history have finally been brought to light.
Dr Felise Tāvō has this week announced the publication of his book, “Catholic Church in Tonga”, focusing on its history, the missionaries and timeline.
The book, written in English, covers various aspects of the Church’s history, including the establishment of what appeared to be the first high school in Tonga, Apifo’ou College, which was founded in 1865 by the French Marist priests.
Tāvō said additional readings were still required on diaries, letters, and documents stored at the church’s archive at Toutaimana headquarters in Tonga.
“The research has yet to be completed as I have yet to read the multi-volume diaries by the French missionaries such as Lamaze, Blanc, Castagnier, Reiter and others at Toutaimana’s archive”, he told Kaniva News.
“If that’s done, there will be a possibility for better understanding and more corrections to our history”.
He plans to visit Tonga next year to continue his research and writings.
He acknowledged that prior research and endeavours had been made to translate and compile the history. However, he has not yet identified any published works resulting from those initiatives.
Tāvō, a dux of ‘Apifo’ou College and former priest, previously said that ‘Apifo’ou College had undergone different names in its 160-year history, should one count from its foundation at ‘Ahopanilolo.
It was first named St Stanislaus College in 1865 and renamed as Blessed Peter Channel College in 1889, Kolisi Katolika / The Catholic College in 1892, St Peter Channel College in 1954 and St John High School in 1964. St. John’s High School was renamed ‘Apifo’ou College in 1987, which marked its merger with Saint Mary’s High School.
St Mary’s High School was established in 1965 for girls.
The book also details several notable incidents regarding the interactions between the Marist priests and King George Tupou I, who was regarded as the Founder of Modern Tonga, before and after the Civil War of 1852.
Despite some drawbacks, especially since the king had already accepted the Protestant Wesleyan Church and became a member, he subsequently developed a close relationship with the priests. This included the king’s frequent visits to the priests at Ma’ofanga, where he received various gifts from them.
Tāvō has invited all who are interested in the book, especially the ex-students of the Apifo’ou College, to buy it, as all proceeds will go to the college.
He said: “But why should anyone buy this book? Apart from doing it for a worthy cause, the chapter on the history of ‘Apifo’ou alone makes it worth getting a copy according to former Principal Fr. ‘Ekuasi Manu in his Foreword to the book (see first comment below). But a more important reason, I think, is the sources upon which this book is based, namely, the much overlooked records left behind by about 40 French Marist missionaries sent to Tonga since 1842, many of whom died there for the faith.
Once again, all proceeds from the sale of this book, either online or at ‘Apifo’ou, will be donated to the college. Given the goal, may I urge my fellow ex-‘Apifo’ou to consider buying a hardcopy or at least spread the word”.
You can buy the book here:
Those in Tonga can now buy a hardcopy of this book at ‘Apifo’ou for $50 Tongan Pa’anga. Please enquire at the college during office hours.
For those in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and anywhere else but Tonga who would like a hardcopy of this book, you can now buy it online for $25 USD (excl. shipping) from Lulu Press via this link: bit.ly/4jipyVR
“Once again, all proceeds from the sale of this book, either online or at ‘Apifo’ou, will be donated to the college. Given the goal, may I urge my fellow ex-‘Apifo’ou to consider buying a hardcopy or at least spread the word”.
COMMENTARY: While authorities have identified some of the causes of recent fatal traffic accidents in Tonga, a warning by a former Lord Chief Justice after a fraudulent driver’s license issued by the Ministry of Transport had been revealed in court should not be ignored.
Incoming Minister of Transport Taniela Fusimalohi. Photo/Fale Alea ‘o Tonga
During the previous month, there were three fatal motor vehicle accidents, one of which resulted in the tragic loss of two young children. Law enforcement authorities have indicated that excessive speed and alcohol were contributing factors in these incidents.
A traffic incident in the Hahake district of Tongtapu involved a father and son, with the son serving as the driver. The father succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident. According to police reports, alcohol was a contributing factor in the incident.
Another crash in Tongatapu claimed the life of a young medical doctor, Police said, citing alcohol as a possible contributing factor.
This week, a crash in Vava’u killed the driver of a heavy truck, who was a young father.
These fatalities did not include several road accidents which involved injuries, severe damages, and posed a danger to other drivers and pedestrians.
Recently, footage captured instances of what appeared to be reckless driving on the road had been shared online. Notably, one vehicle was observed overtaking others while travelling in the oncoming lane, narrowly avoiding a collision with an approaching vehicle.
Government Reviews
The Eke government is currently conducting reviews of all ministries and departments.
The purpose was to assess management’s and operations’ effectiveness, efficiency, and overall performance.
It was to ensure each ministry was functioning properly and delivering intended outcomes in line with government goals.
However, it has also been indicated that the objectives included reviewing to identify potential deficiencies that allegedly pertained to mismanagement and the abuse of authority.
Transport concerns
There has been longstanding suspicion that the Ministry of Transport may have issued driver licenses in an under-the-table manner.
In 2021, a court decision revealed that the then Lord Chief Justice was shocked to learn about a disabled driver who killed a woman was driving with a license for which he had never taken a theory or practical test.
Siolosi Hu’akau, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing death and one count of dangerous driving causing bodily harm after the death of a 76-year-old mother in Tongatapu.
Stella Fungavaka died after Hu’akau lost control of his vehicle, swerved onto the right lane and collided head-on with the Fungavakas’ vehicle.
Hu’akau told the court he did not sit any driving tests, and his license was issued at the counter through his mother.
“He admitted to Police that he was not aware of the speed limits because he did not obtain his driver’s licence validly – it was given to him over the counter through his mother”, the judgement document read.
He was physically and emotionally dependent on his mother and was attached to her.
Hu’akau could not read or write, having only completed class 1 at school. He is described as having the mind of a child.
In sentencing the driver, the former Lord Chief Justice said: “Having regard to his physical and mental handicaps (particularly that he has the ‘mind of a child’), it is extremely regrettable that he was ever allowed to drive a motor vehicle in the first place.”
