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Tonga handicrafts showcased at USA Sevens

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tonga and her handicrafts were showcased  for the first time ever at a booth during the USA Sevens Tournament in Las Vegas, USA from 13-15 February, 2015 in efforts to promote Tongan handicrafts and find new markets.

Marketing traditional items in a non-traditional market is a big step.

“I saw the potential of this from previous years and thought it should be tried. We included it in our workplan. The USA Sevens was great because you had all these people happy to watch a game, many of them Pacific Islanders who walk by and see a booth with authentic Tongan products. It really instils pride and is good promotion for Tonga as a country and not just handicrafts,” says Monalisa Palu, National Coordinator of the Tonga Handicrafts and Cultural Tourism Support Programme (HCTSP).

It is understood that normally competing teams have booths given to them for promotions at games. Although Tonga did not have a team in the USA Sevens, many Tongans flew and drove to Las Vegas to enjoy the games which Fiji won.

“People are wary of new ideas but we are thankful to our friends and relatives who supported this pioneer move. Others will try it later maybe but the first step is important and it was successful,” says Monalisa Palu.

The USA Sevens attracts about 70,000 spectators from different countries.

“Many of these people know of the Pacific because of their rugby prowess and having our products there is important. This is my first time to go and exhibit like this and I have learnt a lot,” says Setefano Tupou, a carver with networks in Hawaii.

This was the first time for Setefano Tupou and Monalisa Palu to showcase at the USA Sevens. “New Zealand and Australia are what we know predominantly as our markets but the US is massive and the potential for promotion of our products there can strengthen cultural ties, promote Tonga as a destination and possibly establish new trade opportunities,” says Monalisa.

“We cannot know the opportunities and challenges unless we try and this was the first time. People think of rugby games and the competition. I saw an arena full of people who know a little of the Pacific and could know more. It was basically self-funded by participants with some assistance from HCTSP but the lessons learnt can be shared widely for the benefit of our people.”

The Tonga Handicrafts and Cultural Tourism Support Programme aims to Enhance the Sustainable Livelihood Opportunities for Handicrafts and Cultural Tourism Experience providers.

Pōhiva concerns over scaling of examination marks

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Prime Minister Hon.‘Akilisi Pōhiva said he was concerned the scaling of examination marks by Tonga’s Ministry of Education might not reflect the real potential of the students as it was supposed to be.

Hon. Pōhiva who is also the Minister of Education made the remarks after receiving last year’s Form 7 Economics examination results, Radio and Television Tonga reported.

The initial results showed only 9 out of 121 students who sat the examination passed.

The ministry then scaled the raw marks allowing 66 students to pass.

Hon. Pōhiva believed with the current formula the ministry is using students who got higher marks after they were scaled would suffer at tertiary levels.

Scaling of students’ raw marks after an examination was a common exercise used by many educational institutions worldwide but it has to be justified and followed certain guidelines set up by the institutions.

Hon. Pōhiva said an expert from overseas would review Tonga’s scaling methodology and assessed its effectiveness.

Prince Tuʻipelehake taken to court over Fatai lease rights

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The wife of the late Prince Tuʻipelehake, Lady Fifita Hōleva Tuʻipelehake, has taken His Serene Prince Tuʻipelehake, the son of the late  Tuʻipelehake to court  over the lease of Fatai, an estate in Nukuʻalofa belongs to the Tuʻipelehake royal family.

Tongan news website Nepituno report says the land is currently leased to Air New Zealand Airline Company.

A statement by Prince Tuʻipelehake’s lawyer, Clive Edwards, reported by the website suggested Lady Fifita was seeking court order for a compensation from the Prince over the lease of the estate.

It said the court has yet to decide a hearing date for the case.

The plaintiff was late Tuʻipelehake’s fourth wife and they have no children.

Dismissed worker at Tonga Water Board seeks minister’s intervention

By
Kaniva Pacific
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An employee who claimed he worked for Tonga Water Board more than 20 years wrote that he has been dismissed from his work without reasons and he has approached the Minister in a bid to have him reinstated.

‘Ale ‘Akau’ola of Longolongo was one of about 10 employees sacked by the company recently and in a letter in Tongan to the minister, Hon. Poasi Tei on February 16 ʻAkauʻola said he was shocked when he was called to the office and was told of his dismissal.

In a confidential letter to ‘Akauʻola dated on 11 Febuary 2015, subjected – Termination of Service from Tonga Water Board, a person by the name ‘Elisiva Tapueluelu who signed the letter for the Management informed ‘Akau’ola of his dismissal.

“I wish to inform you the board’s decision on 10th February 2015, BD No. 01670 was as follows:

“The holder of the post of Assistant Aging Debtor Collector Mr. ‘Ale ‘Akau’ola contracted be terminated w.e.f. 12 February 2015.

“That the board and Management extend their thankfulness for all you have done for the board”.

‘Akau’ola reportedly said he was told by the Hon.  Tei he would seek the Attorney General’s legal advice before he could make his response.

‘Akau’ola said he would seek Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohva’s intervention if Hon. Tei would not resolve the problem.

PM Office warns fake email using Siosiua Poʻoi Pōhiva's name

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tonga’s Prime Minister’s office has warned the public about a “disrespectful”, “uncertified” and “wrongful” email being circulated in the internet under a fake email address using the Prime Minister’s private assistant secretary’s name Siosiua Poʻoi Pōhiva.

The bogus email used the address spooipohiva@gmail.com.

“The Office of the Prime Minister warns the public, and in particular the recipients of the abovementioned email address, that a contemptible act has been found to have used the above email address in circulating …unacceptable allegations against the Acting Chief Secretary and Secretary for Cabinet, Mr AholotuPalu.

“It is in fact Mr. Siosiua Poʻoi Pohiva has no email account at Gmail, as mentioned above, instead he only has an email account with the YAHOO, which is spooipohiva@yahoo.com.

“Mr. Siosiua Po’oi Pohiva has also written a letter, alerting the public of his non-involvement in any allegations whatsoever, which seems to have stated on this unauthorized and faked email account. (spooipohiva@gmail.com).

“With this in mind, it is believed the intention was to jeopardize the working relationships between Po’oi Pohiva, Prime Minister’s PA, and the Acting Chief Secretary and Secretary for Cabinet, ‘Aholotu Palu.

“It should be also noted this hateful act is an insult against the persistent effort and ability of the Hon. Prime Minister and his new government in the pursuit of their vision”

Tongan man awarded NZ$ 3 million compensation after inhaling toxic chemicals

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A Tongan-American man who suffered a disease that caused more than a half of his lung fail to function properly has been awarded a NZ$ 3,457,562.76 after an Orange jury in the United States announced its verdict last week.

Tanu Vatuvei, 38, of Lenox suffered a severe lung disease that “characterized by fixed airway obstruction” after years of inhaling diacetyl at his workplace. Diacetyl is a chemical “commonly used in the food flavouring industry to mimic the taste and texture of butter”, prnewswire website reported.

In court, the trial attorney for Mr. Vatuvei, Mr. Jacob Plattenberger said: “Tanu did nothing wrong, he simply went to work, day in and day out, without complaint, and for that, the defendants robbed him of a normal life by exposing him to toxic chemicals without his knowledge,” it said.

Vatuvei’s  attorneys argued the supplier of the chemical, Citrus and Allied Essences Ltd., “was aware of the hazards of breathing it in, but did nothing to warn the employees about it”.

Diagnosing with “bronchiolitis obliterans”, the effect of the toxic chemical affected Vatuvei’s life condition “to the point where it is difficult for him to get around without losing his breath”, according to the news.

The website said: “Vatuvei, worked with diacetyl on a daily basis for nearly ten years at an Orange County flavor manufacturing plant, Mission Flavors & Fragrances, Inc”.

When he was at the age of 34, “Mr. Vatuvei contracted bronchiolitis obliterans as a result of his exposure to diacetyl and he was left with only 40% of his lung function”.

Upgrade to Vavaʻu International terminal

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A screening equipment has been placed at the Vava’u airport and a scheduled upgrade to its runway would be put into effect soon as part of the airport’s efforts to meet the international aviation security standards.

The upgrade was announced as the Airport company has revealed a planned new international air service to be introduced between Vavaʻu and other countries.

The upgrade included “new bathroom and toilet facilities, new signage throughout the terminal and an upgrade to the check-in counter area”.

The screening equipment would be used to screen passengers and hand-held luggage on departing international flights, a statement from Tonga Airport Ltd said.

“An upgrade to the airport’s runway by McConnell Dowell will begin in early March until the end of June 2015”, it said.

Mr Viliami Ma’ake, the Chief Executive of Tonga Airports Limited said:  “we are currently in discussions with Fiji Airways to explore opportunities for direct flights from Nadi to Vava’u and also connecting Vava’u directly to Australia, Samoa, New Zealand and the US”.

Former Justice Minister says Pōhiva’s letter to acting AG “terrifying” and “unwise”

By
Kalino Latu
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Our source of information for this story was Nepituno News (www.nepituno.to). The website interviewed Mr Clive Edwards in Tongan. Kaniva News’ story is based on a translation of Edward’s interview in Tongan.

Tonga’s former Minister of Justice, William Clive Edwards, has blasted a letter issued by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva in which he accused the Acting Attorney General of interfering in a criminal case, saying it was “political,” “terrifying,” “unwise” and “substandard”.

As reported in Kaniva News earlier this week, the Prime Minister wrote to Tonga’s Acting Attorney General, ‘Aminiasi Kefu and demanded he respond to what he described as his “grave concern” over his involvement with a firearms case in which Lord Tuʻilakepa was ordered by the Supreme Court to pay a fine of TP$10,000 (NZ$6396).

Lord Tu’ilakepa, one of the king’s 33 nobles and a former Speaker of Tonga’s Legislative Assembly, could have been jailed. Had he been jailed for two years or more he could have lost his title and noble’s privileges.

You can read the Prime Minister’s letter in full here

Edwards, who was Lord Tu’ilakepa’s legal counsel, said he was shocked to find such a letter has been written to the kingdom’s senior legal officer, who was supposed to be independent.

The former Justice Minister, said that for the Prime Minister to say the Acting Attorney General had interfered in Lord Tu’ilakepa’s criminal case implied the court’s ruling was unjust, not independent and partial.

Edwards said the doctrine of the separation of the powers, in which the executive (the Prime Minister and cabinet), the legislature (Parliament) and the judiciary (the courts and legal system) all acted independently, was important.

It protected the kingdom from the danger that the executive might interfere with the courts.

Edwards said the Prime Minister should have given the Acting Attorney General the chance to respond to the letter before any official statement was released to the media.

He said the Acting Attorney General worked under the Judicial and Disciplinary Panel and his appointment or dismissal lay within the power of His majesty and not the Prime Minister or cabinet.

Edwards said the Prime Minister’s letter was an embarrassment for a democratic country like Tonga.

In his interview with www.nepituno.to Edwards appeared to blame the Prime Minister’s new advisor, Viliami Tāufa, for the letter. The former Justice Minister said he was not the right person for the post as his expertise was based on research on cattle and dairy farming.

Edwards claimed the Prime Minister had called a meeting with the Acting Attorney General and the Solicitor General before Lord Tu’ilakepa was sentenced.

In the interview Edwards alleged the Prime Minister had told the Acting Attorney General that cabinet would make a final decision about his situation.

Edwards said the Prime Minister’s letter terrified him because it was a threat to the judiciary.

He denied the Prime Minister’s claim that the Acting Attorney General had pleaded to reduce Lord Tu’ilakepa’s sentence.

The main points

  • Tonga’s former Minister of Justice, William Clive Edwards has blasted a letter issued by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva in which he accused the Acting Attorney General of interfering in a criminal case, saying it was “political,” “terrifying,” “unwise” and “substandard”.
  • As reported in Kaniva News earlier this week, the Prime Minister wrote to Tonga’s Acting Attorney General, ‘Aminiasi Kefu and demanded he respond to what he described as his “grave concern” over his involvement with a firearms case in which Lord Tuʻilakepa was ordered by the Supreme Court to pay a fine of TP$10,000 (NZ$6396).
  • Edwards, who was Lord Tu’ilakepa’s legal counsel, said he was shocked to find such a letter has been written to the kingdom’s senior legal officer, who was supposed to be independent.
  • The former Justice Minister said the Prime Minister should have given the Acting Attorney General the chance to respond to the letter before any official statement was released to the media.

For more information

Link to original nepituno story in Tonga here

Pōhiva says Interim Chief Secretary to cabinet's contract lawful

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. ʻAkilisi Pōhiva said the current Interim Chief Secretary (ICS) and Interim Secretary to Cabinet (ISC)  was employed according to Tonga’s employment rules.

The Prime Minister was responding to a letter from the Public Servants Association (PSA) alleging the current ICS and ISC’s employment contract was “invalid” and “unlawful”.

Hon. Pohiva said after he sought advice from the office of the Attorney General he was satisfied with the way how the interim secretary was officially appointed.

The Prime Minister went on to say the “blame” should be put on the Public Service Commission (PSC) as it “failed to make an appointment of a substantive office holder within the statutory requirements of 12 months. This is not the fault of the incumbent, and it is incorrect and improper to blame him”.

The current ICS and ISC contract with government would end soon and an interview was conducted in Nuku’alofa recently by a PSC panel to appoint a new Chief Secretary and Secretary to cabinet.

The panel’s recommendation has been withheld following a complaint launched with the Prime Minister’s office.

For more information

You can read the Prime Minister’s response in full here

Controversy: new appointment of Tonga’s Chief Secretary to cabinet goes to tribunal

By
Kaniva Pacific
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In response to a leaked information that was shared over social media early this week saying that Dr Pelenatina Langaʻoi has been officially appointed as Chief Secretary and Secretary to cabinet, the Prime Minister’s Office said the process for selecting an appointee was still ongoing.

A spokeperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Viliami Taufa did not deny Dr Langa’oi was intially recommended by the panel for the post but said the decision has yet to be officially announced.

“The situation is not finalized yet and work is continuing. It is with the tribunal and are yet to make their final recommendation”, Taufa said.

We understand the decision by PSC’s panel to choose Dr Langaʻoi headed to the tribunal after a complaint was launched with the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva in relation to what has been reportedly described as a “procedural error” occurred during the interview process.

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