Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has sent condolence letter to Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Voreqge Bainimarama expressing his sincere sympathy over the loss of lives and widespread devastation Cyclone Winston has left in his country.
Fijian officials said today Friday 26 there are currently 59,000 people in 275 evacuation centres. The death toll now remains at 44 including two people still missing.
The damage bill after various assessments of the damage in Fiji has already reached $650 million, the government says
In his letter, the Hon Pohiva said:
“I would like to express on behalf of the Government and People of the Kingdom of Tonga, our sincerest condolences and extend our deepest sympathies to all the victims and families affected by the unrelenting Tropical Cyclone Winston over the weekend.
The reports of widespread devastation, tragic loss of lives, homes and livelihoods in particular on the Western
Prime Minister of Tonga Hon ʻAkilisi Pohiva
Side of the island group has deeply saddened our nation.
We admire the resilience of the Fijian people and even though you will face many challenges in the days ahead, with the blessings of the Almighty and the strong leadership of your government we are certain that you will quickly recover and rebuild your nation.
Our prayers and thoughts remain with you and the people of Fiji in the coming days, please be assured that you have the support of our nation.”
Meanwhile His Majesty’s Armed Forces’ patrol boat VOEA Late departed for Vava’u yesterday loaded with relief supplies.
The ferocious Cyclone Winston affected about 230 homes in Vava’u and trees and crops were extensively damaged before it veered away and hit Fiji.
The cyclone struck the Vavaʻu group on Tuesday. It continued north before making a U-turn and slamming into the group again on Friday.
As this story was being written, some residents in Neiafu were still without electricity and water.
The man who was given the privilege of taking away and eating kings of Tonga’s fonos or food served with kava during special royal ceremonies died in his Sopu residence on Sunday 21 after he lost his battle with cancer.
Masanori Kawaguchi, 63, a Japanese business man who operated restaurant business in NukuÊ»alofa was buried at MalaÊ»eÊ»Äloa chiefly cemetery on Thursday, February 25. He was widely known to many Tongans as Masa.
Masa and his family were not alone. Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u attended a private royal prayer service at the consular house to pay their tribute to the deceased.
The sacred practice of kaifono allows only foreigners to take away and eat His Majesty’s fono given that the current king has no fahu or paternal aunt in Tonga to serve such cultural duty and privilege.
Masanori Kawaguchi is striking the fono at King Tupou VI Taumafa Kava in Pangai Lahi, July 2015. Photo/Facebook
Masa’s last kaifono was believed to have been during His Majesty King Tupou VI’s coronation celebration last year.
During the national royal event at Pangai Lahi he was seen escorted to the pangai (kava circle) where he hit the fono with his hand indicating to the king’s herald Motu’apuaka that he was the kaifono and he was there to take the royal fono away.
He was also Late King George V’s kaifono.
The former Japanese volunteer to Tonga during 1970s through JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) is servived by three sons and grandchildren.
A photo of two of his grandchildren in black clothes and taʻovalas was posted to Facebook this afternoon in memory of Masa.
The caption under the photo inferred how his Japanese family appreciatd the duty Masa was given to serve in Tonga for the royal family  in which they said it “incorperate both heritages”.
Tonga’s Office of Public Service Commission has announced the appointment of Dr. Lia Lātū Maka as their new Chief Executive Officer to be effective from March 1.
Dr. Maka holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Language Education (1996) and a Master in Education (1993) – both from the University of Nottingham, England. Dr. Maka also holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Politics (1984) from Macquarie University, Australia.
Dr. Lia Maka’s career in the public service began in 1984 when she was appointed as an Assistant Teacher Graduate in the then Ministry of Education, followed by senior positions in the Ministry, including Senior Education Officer, Acting Chief Education Officer, Acting Deputy Principal and Principal for Tonga High School until December 1999.
Dr. Maka joined the University of the South Pacific as a Lecturer in 2000 and later a Part time Lecturer, Editor and development consultant from 2003 to 2004.
In November 2004 to March 2015, Dr. Maka was employed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (Fiji) as the Head of a community development programme and as senior technical adviser to the Division of Education, Training and Human Development. More recently, Dr. Maka has been working as an International Development Consultant prior to taking up her appointment as Chief Executive Officer for the Office of the Public Service Commission.
Dr. Maka has sat on various regional professional committees namely the School of Social Science Program Advisory Board and TVET Standards and Quality Committee of the University of the South Pacific and was also SPC representative for the Council of Regional Organisation’s of the Pacific (CROP) Human Resource Development Committee for a number of years including that of the Australian Pacific Technical College.
The Public Service Commission welcomes Dr. Lia Maka’s appointment as the new CEO for the Office of the Public Service Commission and wishes her success in her term in Office.
Alo Bridget Namoa, the Tongan Christian who converted to Muslim, pleaded guilty to 31 counts of failing to answer questions relating to her husband’s terrorism charges, when she appeared via video link in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court Thursday 25.
Police found she had a hunting knife and “document in Arabic text which provides instructions on how to make a detonator for an improvised explosive device connected with the preparation of a terrorist act,’ police allege in court documents.
The 18-year-old Tongan teenage wife was also facing terror related charges over an ¬alleged plot with her husband to stab a random member of the public.
Sameh Bayda
Her husband Sameh Bayda, also 18, was charged with terror-related offences earlier this year and remains on remand in Goulburn SuperMax jail.
Yesterday Namoa was granted bail by magistrate Christopher O’Brien but said a ¬detention application would be heard next Thursday.
The Crime Commission questioned Namoa over her boasts that she and her husband wanted to become the “Islamic Bonnie and Clyde” and why she was downloading Islamic State propaganda. She refused to answer the question.
She will be sentenced at the Downing Centre local court on May 13.
Alo-Bridget Namoa leaving Silverwater prison with her mother and family members earlier this month. Picture: Craig Greenhill Source:News Corp Australia
It wasn’t all brotherly love and mutual admiration when the Vunipola boys joined forces for England at Murrayfield last Saturday. Billy’s attempts to encourage Mako didn’t go down well. He was met by the ‘death stare’.
Days after being named as one of three vice-captains in the national team, 23-year-old No 8 Billy was named man of the match for his rampaging display in the 15-9 RBS 6 Nations win over Scotland.
But Mako, the older sibling by two years, was not prepared to be totally eclipsed, so the prop emerged from the bench to reinforce England’s previously shaky scrum and help conjure a try for Jack Nowell with a sublime ‘out the back’ pass to Owen Farrell.
All in all, it was a triumphant occasion for the giant Anglo-Tongan forwards who are becoming increasingly influential both for Saracens and their adoptive country. In fact, England’s new head coach Eddie Jones declared that Billy has all the credentials to become the world’s best player in his position.
His exploits brought a torrent of acclaim, but they didn’t spare him when he tried to galvanise his brother.
‘I always try and gee him up in the scrums but I can see he’s angry at me and telling me to shut up,’ said Billy. ‘I’m just trying to help him. He helps me whenever I’m carrying the ball.
Mako Vunipola, not to be out-done by his brother, gave a perfect out-the-back pass to Owen Farrell
‘It’s good fun playing with your brother. Not many people get to do it at international level. He’s definitely got better skills than I have — he’s more comfortable with ball in hand. For him to come on and put it out the back (to Farrell) was great, but he also did very well in the scrums.’
Mako confirmed that he was not best pleased to receive a set-piece pep talk, adding: ‘I try to focus on my job so when people tap me on the back or get in my ear it puts me off a bit.
‘If Billy does that, I give him the death stare, but sometimes we are blowing and you need that energy from the back five.
‘I was disappointed not to be starting but Eddie has always told us that it is a 23-man squad and everyone who came off the bench made an impact. The biggest thing for me was to scrum well but it was lucky I got the call from Owen and the pass went to his hands.’
Mako admitted that he gave his brother a ‘death stare’ when Billy’s encouragement put him off his game
So much of the post-match focus was on Billy Vunipola, and rightly so. He was the outstanding figure in the midst of a disjointed, untidy contest. His powerful ball-carrying was England’s trump card.
Just as significant was the fact that he lasted the full 80 minutes of a full-throttle Test match, something previously beyond him. He is also happy about the England environment these days, after claiming that it had been too sterile and joyless during the World Cup.
Asked about the new man in charge, he said: ‘I respond more to the love and compassion he shows the boys, me especially. He is very personable.
‘He has been really good for me since he came in. He has filled me with confidence and that is something I thrive on.
‘I don’t need someone to shout at me. I know what I have to do. I just need someone to reassure me and look after me.’
Billy celebrates with his back-row team-mates Chris Robshaw (left) and James Haskell, with the Calcutta Cup.
Jones has relaxed the off-field restrictions on the England players since he took over; allowing them to go out together for dinner and share a few beers from time to time.
Having bemoaned the lack of such socialising opportunities under Stuart Lancaster, Billy said: ‘It works better when you have a relationship with someone rather than just rocking up and playing for England.
‘We have had a few bonding sessions. It’s important for me to know what someone else is about, what motivates them; whether it’s their family or scoring tries. It’s something you can’t really measure or see but I definitely think it works. I’m enjoying being with the boys and being in camp.’
On Sunday, Billy will be pitched into a duel with Sergio Parisse. He described Italy’s talismanic captain as ‘awesome’ — despite his ill-judged drop-goal attempt in Paris last weekend — adding: ‘He can probably do what he wants!’
For now, England’s No 8 is not going to try to emulate the great Italian stride for stride and off-load for off-load, instead limiting himself to modest targets. ‘At the moment I’m just trying to stay in the team,’ he said.
‘I’m working every day to get better and try and get closer to those who are at the top. Toby (Faletau, his cousin) as well. They’re very good players and I want to be in that bracket but I’ve got to keep doing what I do — trying to get over the gainline.’
If Billy and Mako keep doing what they do, they could have a profound impact on the outcome of this Six Nations campaign.
A 10-year-old boy from Haʻakame died last night in a housefire while his two older brothers escaped the blaze shortly after 11pm, Wednesday 24.
A cousin has confirmed  the victim was Mahe Fonohema and remembered him as a generous young boy.
Sosefina Fonohema said on Facebook Mahe has a heart of gold and always wanted to share his food with her whenever she came to his house.
Condolences are pouring in for the victim across social media with many expressing how they wished to share with them the grief of his mother, Sapulina Fonohema.
Social media users have reported the fire last night on Facebook and said they tried in vain to rescue the boy from the house.
They  eventually brought him out of the blazing but everything they did to save his life was too late.
Some reports said the firefighters arrived but the house had already collapsed.
Tongan authority would not respond to our request for comment.
R.I.P Mahe Uhila..peheage mai koe lele atu ne toe felave…fanogo kiho leo he ui o tuti miniti hoko pe ke puli koe…sii tagi ho faee moho ui…toka aa ihe noga ae eiki
His Serene Highness Prince Tuʻipelehake closed the doors on parliament this morning and said His Majesty King Tupou VI is warning that this is cyclone season and it is important for people of Tonga to stay vigilant.
In a less than one minute speech His Serene relayed His Majesty’s condolence to residents of Vavaʻu following the deadly cyclone which hit the neighbouring islands of Fiji over the weekend claiming more than 40 lives.
Cyclone Winston destroyed 29 houses in Vavaʻu and affected two hundreds more. Trees and crops were extensively damaged.
The Prince said the king was grateful for the leadership of Speaker of the House at this year’s special session and also for overseas countries for what they have done to assist Tonga.
The special parliament was opened on February 1 and this morning the Speaker announced the 2016 session would open in June 2.
Tonga National Reserve Bank has issued a warning about bogus bank notes being circulated in Tongatapu.
The national bank said it received $20 paʻanga notes with fake new design of ‘King Tupou VI banknote series’.
It said the counterfeit banknote did not carry the watermark of the “King’s effigy with a lighter text reading NRBT” in which it should be “visible when the banknote is held up to the light, a security thread embedded in the banknote; and the ultraviolet fluorescent – showing the denomination of the banknote on the front of the note”.
“The Reserve Bank is concerned that there could be more of such $20 pa’anga counterfeit banknote circulating around”, a statement said.
“The public is hereby advised to check all banknotes particularly the $20 pa’anga new designed banknote before accepting them”.
The bank warned that fake paʻanga note has no value and urged public “to report any counterfeit banknotes to the Reserve Bank. Makers and distributors of counterfeits are breaching Section 59 and 61 of the Criminal Offences Act 1988”.
A three-day workshop which began in Nuku’alofa yesterday was an opportunity for small Pacific countries to discuss climate technology, action plans and sources of funding so they could receive what available for them at Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN).
CTCN is a new global network for climate technology solutions created by the United Nations.
The international body took the lead in combating causes and effects of climate change with cleaner and low-carbon technologies.
“The Climate Technology Centre and Network works to accelerate the use of new technologies in improving the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in developing countries who are dealing with the impacts of climate change on a daily basis,” it says.
An official statement from Tongan government said members would look at various technologies and technical supports available at CTCN for the region.
They would also look at best practices and experiences they can share in order to help them prepare national action plans that could meet CTCN requirements for assistances it can offer.
They would also deliberate on how they can get funding for the intiative.
The workshop which runs from February 24 – 26was the first regional workshop on Climate Technology for the small Pacific islands.
In his opening speech Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Climate Change, Honourable Siaosi Sovaleni said: “We, as Pacific countries wishes to access technology solutions, capacity building and advice on policy, legal and regulatory frameworks tailored to the needs of our individual countries”.
About 40 stakeholders from Tonga and around the regions attended the workshop.
A power failure at Fuʻamotu International Airport in Tonga early this month has delayed hundreds of travellers who were about to leave for New Zealand and Australia.
The flight was still able to take off but queue for departure was growing in the terminal and passengers were complaining.
Power was eventually restored in less than half an hour.
Tonga Airport Ltd (TAL) manager Viliami Maʻake said the problem was immediately addressed.
“For some reason the back-up generator did not start and technical staffs later identified that the fault was due to a faulty part which has now been fixed”, Maʻake said.
He said: “The airport terminal runs primarily on the main power supply from Tonga Power and a back-up power supply provided by the TAL that takes over whenever there is a main power failure and this has happened from time to time”.
The incident happened on February 9 after the main power failed to operate at 8.37pm but was shortly fixed and operations at the airport returned to normal at 9pm.
