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Peacekeepers captors threaten trial of captive Fijians

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Syrian terrorist group which seized 45 Fijian peacekeepers since last week has threatened to try the captured soldiers by Sharia law unless their demands are met.

The Al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front wants to be taken off the United Nations (UN) terrorist list, wants humanitarian aid delivered to parts of the Syrian capital Damascus, and wants compensation for three of its fighters it says were killed in a shootout with UN officers, said Brig. Gen. Mosese Tikoitoga.

“Tikoitoga didn’t say if the demands would be seriously considered. He said the U.N. had sent hostage negotiators to Syria to take over discussions from military leaders”.

“Negotiations have moved up to another level with the professional negotiators now in place,” he said.

The Nusra Front accused the UN of doing nothing to help the Syrian people since the uprising against President Bashar Assad began in March 2011, Times of Israel report says.

“It said the Fijians were seized in retaliation for the UN’s ignoring “the daily shedding of the Muslims’ blood in Syria” and even colluding with Assad’s army “to facilitate its movement to strike the vulnerable Muslims” through a buffer zone in the Golan Heights”.

The demand release came one day before Fiji’s Former Prime Minister Steven Rabuka told Radio New Zealand on Wednesday “Fiji’s Muslim community could face a serious backlash if the peacekeepers were harmed by their captors”.

The comments prompted probe by Fijian authority.

Radio New Zealand quoted Fiji’s Broadcating Commission as saying, “chief operations officer assistant commissioner of police, Rusiate Tudravu, has confirmed a directive has been issued to look into Rabuka’s comments”.

Mr Rabuka stands by his comments saying he was pointing out something that could potentially happen, the Radio said.

Vakaafi to represent Tonga in 2016 Olympic Games

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The first Tongan marathoner to compete in the Commonwealth Games has confirmed he will represent the kingdom in 2016 Olympic Games.

As part of his preparation for the Olympics, Tongia ‘Toni’ Vakaafi will be in Papua New Guinea next year to take part in the 2015 Pacific Games.

Known to many of his friends by the nickname,  “Toni the Tongan Tornado”, he represented Tonga in the last Commonwealth Games.

The 39 year-old long-distance runner said: “he is grateful to his family for their faith in him and to the Kingdom of Tonga for giving him this opportunity to represent them and to realize his boyhood dream of competing in the Olympic Games”.

Toni from Vava’u group, Tonga’s second largest islands,  is now living in Orem, Utah with wife Monica and they have five children.

Tongan man dies in Arizona house fire rescue

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A 40-year-old man died in Mesa, Arizona, in the United States after he was injured in a house fire near Second Street and Stapley Drive on August 20 .  

Ben Maile, an operator with Dunn Transportation, died and his wife Sela Maile was severely burned in the fire that destroyed their house. 

Eight people in the house including Maile’s five children got out of the house unharmed.

Abc15 news report says “when Maile noticed smoke coming from his home, he rushed to get all seven people out safely”.

Maile rushed back to the house to rescue his wife.

Maile’s sister-in-law Stefanie Tai told the news, "He's the one who got everybody out of the house…and ultimately passed away from it."

Mesa Fire Cpt. Bob Tribbensee said, "The fire was in the carport and the rear of the house".

The deceased and his wife have two young kids.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Earthquake felt in Tongatapu

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tongans have reported feeling a magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck the eastern side of Tongatapu yesterday at 6.33pm.

It was centred about 175km east of ‘Ohonua, ‘Eua and 203 km east of Nuku’alofa.

Radio and Television Tonga news updates on Facebook says: “an earthquake, a bit shaky for several seconds”.

A commentator responded and said: "didn't even notice, cos i was on the road".

The Watchers website says “A strong and shallow earthquake measuring M6.0 on the Richter scale hit Tonga region on September 4, 2014”.  

Two Tongan inmates currently on death row

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Two Tongan men are awaiting execution in the State of California, USA, after they were convicted on two separate murder incidents decades ago, says recent report.

Siaosi Vanisi, 45, was found guilty and sentenced to death for killing a University of Nevada, Reno police officer in 1998.

Witnesses told the judge Vanisi repeatedly told them he wanted to kill a cop in the days before he hack to death Sgt. George Sullivan, a 19-year veteran of the force who left behind five children and a widow.

Vanisi struck Sullivan with a hatchet more than 20 blows while the officer sat doing paperwork in his squad car shortly before 1 a.m. on Jan. 13, 1998.

Tupoutoe Mataele, 41, was convicted in August, 2005 for the shooting death of Danell Johnson on Nov. 12, 1997, and the attempted murder of John Matsubayashi, Johnson's roommate.

Court document says Mataele and the victim, Danell Johnson, were involved in a group that was committing identity theft and drug dealing. 

Deputy District Attorney Mike Murray said that Mataele and a friend lured Johnson outside his Anaheim apartment and shot him in the head.

Tongan-born model competes successfully in European competition

By
Malia Lesina Kelela Latu
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Tongan-born model Tangi-A-Tonga Latu flew back into Auckland yesterday after successfully representing the kingdom in Kosovo’s Supermodel competition.

She won prizes for being the friendliest contestant and representing her country.

Latu flew to Europe on August 15 for the competition.

The competition involved 21 contestants from different countries

She competed against 15 entrants in the New Zealand Supermodel competition at the Ellerslie Event Centre in Auckland in July.

Latu began modelling in 2012 at the Davina Fashion show and won first prize of Best Modeling contestant.

In 2013 her family moved to New Zealand where she competed in the Bous Fashion show, after which she registered for the New Zealand Supermodel show.

She lives with her parents Lepuha Otukolo and Sela Otukolo and studies at Otahuhu College.

"I thank God for his support and guidance throughout this journey and I'm blessed to represent the Island of Tonga," Latu said.

Pohiva cautious in picking his candidate for Tongatapu 4

By
Kalino Latu
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Comment:

‘Akilisi Pohiva’s Democratic Party finally released its list of candidates for the November election this week.

The release follows months of turmoil during which he booted out six sitting party MPs.

The list confirms 16 party candidates which includes a mix of 12 familiar and fresh new faces.

The party has still not nominated a candidate for Tongatapu 4, the electorate currently holds by the Party’s ousted Deputy Leader MP ‘Isileli Pulu.

Tongan law does not endorse political parties, but the last general election proved that campaigning as a party to win the power and run the government could work in Tonga.

Read more:

Tonga’s Democratic Party won 11 seats in the 2010 election in the Tongatapu and Ha’apai electorates. The number increased to 12 before the election of the Prime Minister after independent MP ‘Aisake Eke declared he would support the Party.

Pohiva’s party only needed the support of two more candidates from among the independent MPs to form the government.

The problem was that Pohiva did not want to bow his head to the independent MPs.

Pohiva fought with the independents and said that if they became party members in return for rewards, then they would only work for rewards and not for the benefit of the people.

However, in many developed countries independent candidates hold the balance of power when major parties do not have enough numbers to govern on their own.

The question is,  how much of this is about promoting democracy and how much is simple horse trading.

If Pohiva had been prepared to horse trade he would have offered the independents ministerial posts. He chose not to do that.

As a result, the nobles, who automatically hold nine parliamentary seats under the Tongan constitution, stole the show and offered five independent MPs ministerial posts including the post of deputy prime minister. This gave them the numbers they needed to form the government.

For Pohiva and his party to hold power and lead Tonga after the November election, the longtime democratic campaigner has to be prepared to give and take.

He should consider independent candidates as friends as they are integral part of the democratic system, especially when the numbers are close.

Pohiva has removed six MPs from the candidate list he endorsed, but what is of serious concern to many was that he did not consult those MPs’ respective electorates. This will be a big challenge for him in the November election.

Historically, Pohiva’s choice of candidates has not always brought the results he expected.

In 1996 he split with his longtime political affiliate, Viliami Fukofuka and called on Tongatapu’s electors to vote him out. Fukofuka was still elected, although he fought a very tight contest and his supporters were almost outvoted

In 2010 there was a tight contest in Tongatapu 6 in which his party’s candidate won 735 votes while the first runner up independent had 731 votes.  In Tongatapu 5 the party’s candidate only won 302 votes while the two leading independent candidates gained 679 and 616 votes respectively.

Pohiva sacked another of his longtime political colleagues, MP Sunia Fili, from the Party in 2010 but Fili’s electorate still voted him in. Fili sided with the nobles and he was the one who nominated Lord Tu’ivakano to become Tonga’s Prime Minister.

Many of Pohiva’s supporters still believe he and his party will win this year’s election, based on his popularity and political fame.

However, it is still difficult to tell whether the Democratic candidates won seats at the last election because people voted for Pohiva and the party or whether they voted for candidates as individuals.

The six Party sitting MPs who were removed from the party’s list are still members of the Party, but claim they still have the trust of their constituents and will return to Parliament.

These MPs claim the Party’s proposed list of candidates for the coming election campaign has been influenced by people who are not party members. There have been heated exchanges between MP Pulu and Pohiva’s son-in-law, Mateni Tapueluelu, editor of Pohiva’s Kele’a newspaper, about whether Tapueluelu helped mastermind the Party’s election strategy.

Pohiva’s candidate list:

  1. ‘Akilisi Pohiva
  2. Semisi Sika
  3. Rev SImote Vea
  4. To be nominated
  5. Dr ‘Aisake Eke
  6. Salesi Fotu
  7. Sipola Havili
  8. Semisi Fakahau
  9. Penisimani Fifita
  10. Dr Pohiva Tu’ionetoa
  11. Tevita Lavemaau
  12. Mo’ale Finau
  13. Veivosa Taka
  14. Latu Malolo
  15. ‘Anisi Bloomfield
  16. ‘Ipeni Siale
  17. Peauafi Haukinima

The main points

  • ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s Democratic Party finally released its list of candidates for the November election this week.
  • The release follows months of turmoil during which booted out six sitting party MPs.
  • Historically, Pohiva’s choice of candidates has not always brought the results he expected.
  • If he and the Democratic Party want to hold power after the November election, they must be prepared to do deals with independent candidates.
  • Pohiva refused to do this after the 2010 elections and control of the house and the Prime Ministership remained with the nobles.

Petition points finger at top officials in Tongan police

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A petition has been launched by about 100 Tongan police officers seeking the minister’s decision over the process of police officials’ promotion, which they termed ‘discriminatory, unfair and dishonest’.

The petitioners asked the Police Minister, Hon. Siosifa Tu'utafaiva, to revoke all promotions and remove some of the top officials from their current posts.

Hon. Tu’utafaiva says he received the petition last week.

He said it was not new for the ministry to receive petition of this kind as it had some in the past.

“It happened when ‘Akau’ola was the minister of police. It happened when Clive Edwards was minister and it happened when Chris Kelly from New Zealand was Tonga’s police commissioner,” Tu’utafaiva said in Tongan.

“I am happy they came to me with what they wanted and we had a long meeting last Friday. I will meet with them again this afternoon at 2pm to look at what I have for them in response to their petition,” the minister added.

Loan scheme benefits overseas Tongan tertiary students

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Hundreds of tertiary education students in Tonga who wanted to continue studying overseas are now eligible for lower-cost-credit loans under a new Government-backed scheme launched last week.

The TP$10 million funding scheme, administered by Tonga Development Bank, allows TP$25,0000 funding for tertiary students to pay for their school fees and course related-costs.

The government agreed with the bank to offer loans to borrowers at 1 – 4 percent interest per year.

The 2014/15 government budget initiative will also benefit new businesses, support investments in rural areas and outer islands and promote small scale and family owned businesses.

Other beneficiaries included agricultural, fisheries, forestry, engineering and manufacturing sectors.

Tonga’s Minister for Finance and National Planning, Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke said: “This is part of a series of government led initiatives including the Investment Incentives launched recently which aims to expand private investment and to make Tonga an attractive destination for both domestic and foreign investment by enacting investor friendly policies, introducing new incentives to key growth areas and facilitating ease of doing in business.”

The CEO for the Ministry of Finance and National Planning Tatafu Moeaki together with Mrs. Lita Kami, Managing Director and CEO for Tonga Development Bank signed the agreement on behalf of their respective agencies.

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The new loan scheme is allocated as follows:

Funds General Objectives Repayment Period Max Loan
Agriculture Marketing and Production Fund
  1. To boost exporter’s confidence by providing a facility to allow the early payment to primary producers for their exports
  2. Investment in expanded agricultural production and value added activities.
 9  monthsRepaid end of period T$100k
Fisheries Development  and Export Fund
  1. Assist fishermen, vessel owner and exporters to generate increased exports, income and employment in the fisheries sector
 9 monthsRepaid end of period T$30k
Tourism Loan Fund
  1. To promote the development of new tourism products and event.
  2. To improve the quality of small-medium accommodations
  3. To develop a clean and beautiful tourist environment
  4. To support and encourage community participation in development of heritage sites and cultural events
  5. To support coordination within the tourism sector
 1 yearRepaid end of period T$25k
Manufacturing Loan Fund
  1. To promote the development of competitive and  value added products
  2. To stimulate innovation and product diversification
  3. To support production and marketing capacity of export ready manufacturers
  4. To promote and encourage cooperation and coordination in manufacturing sector
 1 yearRepaid end of period T$25k
Livestock Loan Fund
  1. To support livestock projects with economic benefits which might also benefit the community and aims at improving living conditions in rural areas.
 9 monthsRepaid end of period

 

 

 T$50
Forestry Loan Fund

1. To support forestry investment with economic benefits which might also benefit the community and aims at improving living conditions in rural areas.

2. To support nurseries specifically for sandalwood seedlings production and other seedlings such as fruit trees, vegetable seedlings etc.

 9 monthsRepaid end of period T$50k
Construction Loan Fund

1.   To support and cater for investments that require capital equipment , tools and safety gear.

2.   To provide capacity building and training in specialized fields.

 9 monthsRepaid end of period 1.T$50k2.T$10k
Retail and Wholesale Loan Fund

1.   To support small medium enterprises in the retail and wholesale business with expansion and service development.

 9 monthsRepaid end of period T$25k
Other priority sectors 

1.  To support other financially viable investments currently not provided for in the current fund allocation.

 9 monthsRepaid end of period T$25k
Student Overseas Tertiary Education Loan Fund
  1. To promote and enhance the academic and professional skills of Tongans that need to further their study abroad but cannot afford the costs, diploma level and upwards.
  2. To support qualifications from an accredited institution.
 4 yearsRepaid end of period  T$25k

 

Samoa honours Ban-Ki-Moon with chief title

By
Kaniva Staff
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was on Sunday given the title of 'Tupua' or 'chief' in south-eastern Samoa by villagers whose homes had been struck by a tsunami nearly five years ago.

Wearing traditional 'siapo lavalava' around his waist and a beaded 'palefuiono' with feathers on his head, the Secretary-General sat across from Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi in a roofed social centre in Siupapa, a sub-village of Saleapaga.

“It has been agreed by consensus that you be confirmed with the title of Tupua,” the Prime Minister said following a traditional 'ava drinking ceremony.

Surrounded by more than a dozen chiefs from local families, as well as the Speaker of the Parliament, Afioga Hon Laauli Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, and other senior officials, the Prime Minister said the Secretary-General will be addressed as “Your Excellency Prince Tupua Ban Ki-moon of Siupapa Saleapaga.” An elderly woman in the village confirmed that the holding of such an already rare ceremony has never before occurred in the village on a Sunday.

Taking a polished coconut with the 'ava drink, Mr. Ban toasted the village and pledged the UN's support to working with the local communities: “I know your country is facing a lot of difficulties. First of all by climate change, rising sea tides. That's why I am here to show my strong solidarity and unity with the people of Samoa and many other small island States.”

Seated nearby were Mr. Ban's own chiefs, of sort, including his Special Envoy for Climate Change, Mary Robinson, and Valerie Amos, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. Also joining him was Wu Hongbo, who serves as Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Small Island Developing States, which is due to begin tomorrow in the capital, Apia.

Among the topics that will be discussed at the summit over the next four days are adapting to and mitigating climate change, building resilience, and sustainable management of oceans.

These are important topics for the communities in Saleapaga, which on 29 September 2009 braced an 8.1 magnitude earthquake that caused sea levels to rise up to 46 feet, according to official measures.

Lafi Lesa was working in Apia when she heard the news and drove back that morning. There were at least 189 people killed that day, including five from her family.

“It was devastating,” she told the UN News Centre. “Sometimes we go back during the day, but not at night, because it might happen again.”

After the tsunami, the community moved to its farmland, a 50-minute walk uphill. Instead of fishing, they grow bananas and taro, and raise cattle.

The Government has since installed sirens to warn of a potential disaster, and people are educated in how to evacuate quickly. People still go to the beach to enjoy the sun, but the cement foundations of many houses remain desolate under coconut trees, some which are still broken years later.

“People want to go back because there was easy access to roads and to operate their small businesses. Up here, because it's more or less farmland, it is hard for them, and they can hardly adapt to changes,” said Ms. Lesa.

Despite having a 25-year-old daughter who works in a bank in the capital, Ms. Lesa decided to remain on the coast after the tsunami. She has a small shop and also represents her family in the village council.

With only one road to the village, however, and few opportunities for education and alternative livelihoods, she worries about the future of her community. Ms. Lesa said that she was overwhelmed by the number of delegates participating in the conference, and she hopes that their decisions this week will lead to real action.

– United Nation

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