The former Baltimore Raven Ma’ake Kemoeatu has saved the life of his young brother Chris Kemoe‘atu by giving him one of his kidneys.
Ma‘ake, 35, stepped in to rescue his brother after learning Chris, 31, ended his career as an ex-Pittsburgh Steeler in 2011 because he suffered a kidney disease.
Chris was lucky because Ma’ake’s organ was a “99 percent match”.
In a press conference at the University of Maryland Medical Centre on Wednesday, Ma’ake said: “I’ve seen him struggle and the last three years of his career, fighting through a lot because of his kidney. When we found out he needed a transplant, we had to stop our careers because his health was most important to us.”
Ma’ake quit football back in 2012 so that doctors could start processing the transplant.
The Bleach report says. “The process of getting Chris a new kidney certainly wasn’t easy. Between the weight loss and the heart complications, it was a long process. However, he eventually received the kidney that saved his life—all thanks to his brother”.
On March 13, 2010 Ma’ake signed a two year agreement with the Washington Redskins for US $7 million contract.
The Kemoeatus are two of the six siblings of Reverend Siketi and Ahea Kolovetekina Kemoeatu.
Four people have been injured following a massive crash that invloved a car and two vans on Taufa’ahau Rd this morning Wednesday 17.
The accident happened between Vaini and Nualei.
Police said a van from Kahoua was speeding and overtook another vehicle while a taxi van was coming the opposite direction.
The van crashed into a tree while the taxi driven by a 70-year-old man swerved to avoid collison but collided with a tree on the road side.
A 60-year-old Japanese worker was a passenger in the taxi.
Kaniva News understands the 70-year-old man was Sione Keni Kolo from Tofoa
Kolo was taken to hospital and was in stable condition while the Japanese passenger who suffered head injuries was flown to New Zealand for medical treatment.
The 26-year-old driver of the van was taken to hospital with one of his passengers for treatment.
A three-day workshop opened today at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa will end with a thanksgiving service to mark the International Day of Peace 2014.
Her Royal Highness Princess Pilolevu Tuita in her key note speech while opening the National Strategic Planning Workshop said: “Peace building strategies that go hand in hand with God’s words in the bible will ensure a sustainable way forward for Tonga”.
A Prayer Breakfast will be held on Saturday 20 September, 2014 to mark the International Day of Peace, and will conclude with a Church Thanksgiving service at the Nuku’alofa Church of Tonga to be led by the President, Rev. Semisi Fonua.
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 and it is observed around the world on 21 September.
The theme of this year’s International Day of Peace is the “Right of Peoples to Peace”.
In his vote of thanks, Speaker of Tonga’s Legislative Assembly and Honourable Chair for CPAD Tonga, Lord Fakafanua said:
“I want to also thank the district and town officers and participants here today. This is an opportunity to share recommendations that will map out the direction for Tonga’s future. We hope you will have a good and fruitful meeting this week and that you will return to your communities and share this good work and the lessons learnt.
Tupou Tertiary Institute has awarded 162 students with bachelor and diploma certificates on September 13 at the Free Wesleyan’s Centenary Church in Kolomotu’a.
The institute offers New Zealand accredited study programs in cooperation with Whitireia New Zealand, Wellington Institute of Technology and Bethlehem Tertiary Institute.
The graduation ceremony brought hundreds of students, family members, teachers and guests together.
Her Royal Highness Priness Pilolevu Tuita was the guest of honour and gave this year’s graduation speech.
Students were awarded in the following area of studies:
Whitireia New Zealand Programmes
Certificate in Office Administration and computing Intermediate
Certificate in Office Administration and computing Advance
Certificate in Information Technology
Diploma in Information Technology Level 5
Diploma in Information Technology Level 6
NZ Diploma in Business
Wellington Institute of Technology
National Diploma in Architectural Technology
Bethlehem Tertiary Institute
Certificate in Teaching Studies
Diploma in Teaching Studies
A 37-year-old man from Otara who punched, kicked and stomped on a police officer’s head last year has pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, the High Court in Auckland has heard.
Walter Geroge Tau’atevalu has pleaded not guilty to his charge of attempted murder.
Sergeant Simon Tate was left with facial fractures and a throat injury and has no memory of the assault after he was bashed by Tau’atevalu last year. He has just recently returned to full time work with the police.
Crown prosecutor Robin McCoubrey said a witness saw Tau’atevalu continued to attack and keep kicking Sgt Tate as he lay on the ground.
He suffered a brain bleed, head injuries, and broken bones on his face and throat from several blows.
The jury of nine women and three men will decide if Tau’atevalu is guilty of attempted murder.
But the defence councel Graeme Newell told the jury Tau’atevalu could only be found guilty if the prosecution proved he had intended to kill.
The court was told police were called after Tauatevalu became angry at his wife during an Otara Scorpions rugby league club function at the Manukau Velodrome before they left.
The officer followed their car and stopped it in Sandrine Ave in Manukau. Tate got off and went to speak with the passenger and it was then that he was attacked by Tau’atevalu who had got out of the vehicle.
Newell told the jury the event happened very quickly and in the dark. He said this would cast doubt on the accuracy of the witness’ evidence.
Six people were taken to hospital after a deck they were on collapsed in West Auckland yesterday afternoon.
A Tongan family gathered at a Covil Ave address in Te Atatu South for an 80th birthday celebration but it ended up in disaster when thirteen people, including eight children, plunged to the ground. They suffered minor injuries.
Ola Mahe, 40, said his family and other family members had just finished saying grace and when they went out to partake in a buffet set up in the deck it suddenly collapsed.
His 8-year-old son James who suffered a sore bum said the incident was a shock.
“We said our family prayer in the living room, and after doing the birthday song and blowing out the candles, then family [members] started to walk to get the food [on the deck]”, he told Herald.
It is understood the patients had been discharged from the hospital last night.
Price and tax cuts, a review of Asian immigration, an end to the issuing of Tongan passports, curbs on travel expenses by government ministers and the establishment of a marketing authority will be on the agenda for Tonga’s Democratic Party if it is elected in November.
Party leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva said his party’s immediate priorities would also include checks on the licenses of overseas fishing vessels and a ban on fishing sea cucumbers.
Other long term party goals include increasing the fisheries budget by TP$1.3 million (NZ$834,000).
Democratic Party candidate for Vava’u 15, Kulufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield, said his party would prioritise people’s needs and make sure the private sector operated effectively so it could boost government revenues.
The Party would cut water and power prices by 15 percent and would increase provision of solar power in villages and outer islands.
Kulufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield
As a majority of Tongans relied heavily on their families overseas for food, groceries and meat, the Democratic Party would reduce charges on freight and cargoes on individual goods sent from overseas.
The Democratic Party has also said it would limit the ability of overseas businesses to send money out of the kingdom.
The issuing of Tongan passports to foreigners has been a major issue in the country since the 1980s and the Party has promised to put an end to it.
Many problems, including not paying civil servants’ salaries on time, had remained unresolved for many years. The party recognised that sorting them out was essential to the smooth running of a democratic government.
Democratic Party leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva announced the party’s policies at a retreat for party members at Nuku’alofa on September 4-6.
In his keynote speech Pohiva spoke about the vision that inspired the party in 2010.
That vision included a government run by elected members of parliament, all of whom were voted into office by the people.
Pohiva said if the Democratic Party was elected to government in November its long term goals would include:
Cutting water and power prices by 15%
Increasing the provision of solar power to villages
Reviewing government board memberships
Implementing tax cuts
Reducing tax charges on freight from Tongans living overseas
Charging taxes on local flea market to balance the reduction of charges on cargo from Tongan overseas.
Paying civil servants’ salary on time
Increasing budget for fisheries by TP$1.3 million (NZ$834,000)
Reinstating the Planning Department and bringing it under the Prime Minister’s Office
Reviewing laws for subleasing of land by lease holders
Mortgaging of land to limit only to 15 years
Creating laws to control all government national assets
Reviewing the current electoral systems
Reviewing Asian immigration policy
Forming laws to control Chinese depositing money overseas.
Pohiva said that if the party was elected, within six months of achieving government it would take action in the following areas:
All government vehicles would operate only within working hours
All government public servants and ministers will travel economy class when going overseas.
Overseas travel that had already been paid from overseas sources would not be paid for again by the government
All payment for government travel would be made by the Treasury
Taking control of ministers’ overseas travel to reduce spending
Reviewing government board members’ meeting policy that a one-hour meeting deserves payment for a whole day.
Banning fishing of sea cucumbers
Authorising villagers to look after their coastlines and beaches
Establishing a marketing authority to sell local produce and products overseas
Ensuring overseas fishing vessels have valid licenses
Reviewing government portfolios that come under one ministry
The Retreat was opened with a prayer led by President Semisi Fonua of the Siasi Tonga Tau’ataina.
The main points
Price and tax cuts, a review of Asian immigration, an end to the issuing of Tongan passports, curbs on travel expenses by government ministers and the establishment of a marketing authority will be on the agenda for the Democratic Party if it is elected in November.
Party leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva announced the party’s policies at a retreat for party members at Nuku’alofa on September 4-6.
Democratic candidate for Vava’u 15, Kulufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield, said his party would prioritise people’s needs and make sure the private sector operated effectively so it could boost government revenues.
Many problems had remained unresolved for many years and the Party recognised that sorting them out was essential to the smooth running of a democratic government.
Sam Tu’ivailala has become the first Tongan to be promoted to American baseball big league.
The 21-year-old pitcher from San Mateo started the season at Class A Palm Beach before joining AA Springfield and then moving to AAA Memphis.
This week he was called up by front rankers the Cardinals.
Tu’ivailala tweeted earlier this week about how he received the great news.
“Greatest feeling in the world telling my mom “I did it, I’m going to the big leagues!” Thank you everyone for all the love & support!” he tweeted.
“It was just a crazy feeling as soon as I heard it,” Tuivailala told the American Daily Journal.
Sam Tu’ivailala
“I knew in the back of my head … maybe there’s a chance, but obviously I didn’t want to look into the future and get my expectations up there. I knew if I just competed one day at a time, maybe I’d get my chance.”
Tuivailala only began pitching professionally two years ago.
He was originally an infielder.
The Journal has described him as having “an electric right arm” and he has been recorded at pitching up to 160kmh.
After his major league debut on Tuesday, Tu’ivailala told the Journal:
“I felt good,” Tuivailala said. “I was relaxed a little bit, just kept breathing. I was just trying to soak it in and just trying to have fun out there. I feel like I pitched well. I was just glad to get my feet wet.”
His mother Julie is Hispanic and his father Sione Latu Tu’ivailala comes from Houma, Tongatapu and Matamaka through his father, Samiu Tu’ivailala.
The main points
Sam Tu’ivailala has become the first Tongan to be promoted to American baseball big league.
The 21-year-old pitcher was called up by front rankers the Cardinals this week.
Tuivailala only began pitching professionally two years ago.
The American Daily Journal has described him as having “an electric right arm”
An emerging El Nino weather pattern suggests drought and strong winds will hit the kingdom in coming months, a statement issued by Tonga Meteorological Service says.
“Based on the global climate models and assessments of the Tonga’s current climate regime the chances of an El Niño developing in the coming months remains at 50%,” it says.
“The effects of El Nino on Tonga usually varies but for most of the time it brings cooler dry seasons (like we are experiencing now) and drier wet seasons than normal and more cyclones.
It was normal in El Nino seasons that Tonga was hit by two cyclones.
The El Nino advisory says, “With the current situation, and the El Niño development remaining possible for the coming months, it is recommended that water conservation measures be taken as much as possible, across the whole of Tonga as below normal to normal rainfall is the most likely outlook across the country in the next 3 months.
“The worst droughts to be recorded in Tonga in recent history happened during El Nino Years.
“El Nino is the movement of warm ocean water from the north of Australia to the South American coast along the tropics.
“It brings warmer than normal water to the central and eastern tropical Pacific which usually results in changes in weather and climate.
“El Nino is a natural occurrence and happens about every 3 to 7 years.
‘The 1982-83 and the 1997-98 caused water shortages to a point where water had to be distributed to the islands of Ha‟apai and caused food shortages as a result of devastation to Agriculture.
Tropical Cyclone “Isaac” (Category 4 Cyclone that affected most of Tonga Islands and most costly on record) and Tropical Cyclone “Ron” (Category 5 Cyclone, strongest ever recorded in Tonga‟s history affected Niuafo‟ou) occurred in 1982 and 1997 respectively”.
Sekope Fauolo of Ma’ofanga has been chosen as dux of Tongan Police Academy 2014.
Twenty students participated in the diploma training programme received their certificates today at a prize giving ceremony attended by Police Minister Hon. Siosifa Tu’utafaiva at Longolongo.
Female students won most of the classroom training courses while male students performed better at the outdoor training activities.
The first runnner up was Leaongo Manu of Felemea and the second runner up was Siaosi Bourke, of Longolongo
A special award for the best police woman under Leadership and Personnel Assessment was won by Na’uli Tu’itavake of Folaha.
This was the second training sessions given to new police recruiters under the academy’s diploma certificate programme.
