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Heated e-mail exchange reveals Deputy PM ordered NEMO to stop distributing tinned fish and meat

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Samiu Vaipulu, ordered the National Emergency Management Organisation to stop distributing fresh tinned fish and meat to cyclone victims in Ha’apai.

The order was revealed in e-mails between the Deputy Prime Minister, Member of Parliament for Ha’apai 12, Mo’ale Finau and Acting Cabinet Secretary ‘Aholotu Palu.

The e-mails show Hon Vaipulu ordered NEMO to delay the distribution of supplies because he was irritated by complaints from Ha’apai people about the rancid tinned fish they were given in February.

MP Finau accused Hon Vaipulu of being unprofessional and lacking leadership skills.

The heated exchange of e-mails emerged after the government distributed packets of rice to cyclone victims which had a new ‘best before’ date stuck over the original, expired, date.

Hon Vaipulu, who is also the Minister responsible for NEMO, threatened to sue Finau after the MP told him it was a crime to put a sticker on packaging to cover the original date of the product while its best before date was actually past. 

The Governor of Ha’apai, Lord Havea Tu’iha’angana, said people were right to complain and that the government should have told them about the new ‘best before’ dates before the rice was distributed.

According to the packaging, the rice was exported from Vietnam to the Helen Investment Trading Co. Ltd.  A sticker on the packets says ‘Best Before 02-19-2015.’

Complainants were suspicious about why a sticker was on the packet and when they scratched it they could see another date they believed was the real ‘best before’ date, which said the rice should be consumed by April 15, 2014.

In a separate e-mail to Acting Cabinet Secretary ‘Aholotu Palu, Hon Vaipulu confirmed that his source of information was the Chinese owner of the supplier in Nuku’alofa who supplied the out of date rice and not Vietnamese authorities, as he had previously claimed.

Hon Vaipulu told Palu that he was told by the supplier that he had been informed by the Vietnamese exporter that the packages were pre-printed before the rice was put in.

The Deputy Prime Minister earlier told Radio Tonga that he had received a letter from the packing company and one from Tonga’s Health Ministry saying the rice was all right.

In an e-mail, Hon Vaipulu told Palu NEMO stopped delivering tinned fish and meat to Ha’apai because they complained.

MP Finau accused Hon Vaipulu of “nonsense” and said there was no good reason for him to stop the distribution of the fresh tinned fish and meat.

He said the Deputy Prime Minister did it because he was steamed up after the Ha’apai people complained.

MP Finau e-mailed the Prime Minister and asked him to order Hon Vaipulu to allow NEMO to distribute the fresh tinned fish and meat to Ha’apai cyclone victims.

The Governor of Ha’apai told Kaniva News NEMO should have publicly clarified the dates on the packing before they distributed it.

“People were right,”  Lord Tu’iha’angana said.

“The government always advises people on their radio programme to watch out for the dates on food packing they receive and make sure they are not expired.

“But now they are giving people rice with expiry dates that are quite confusing.”

The issue has become a social media sensation, with people calling for the Deputy Prime Minister to resign because of his public statements on the rice.  

The main points

  • Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Samiu Vaipulu, ordered the National Emergency Management Organisation to stop distributing fresh meat and tinned fish to cyclone victims in Ha’apai after they complained about being sent rancid food in February.
  • The order was revealed in e-mails between the Deputy Prime Minister, Member for Ha’apai 12, Mo’ale Finau and Acting Cabinet Secretary ‘Aholotu Palu.
  • The exchange of e-mails emerged after the government distributed packets of rice to cyclone victims last month which had a new ‘best before’ date stuck over the original, expired, date.
  • The Governor of Ha’apai, Lord Havea Tu’iha’angana, said people were right to complain and that the government should have told them about the new ‘best before’ dates before the rice was distributed.

News in Tongan

Kuo tu’utu’uni ‘e Samiu Vaipulu ke ‘oua toe tufa ‘a e kapaika mo e kapapulu kia kinautolu ne faingata’a’ia ‘i he saikolone ‘i Ha’apai.

Ko e tu’utu’uni ko ‘eni kuo fakae’a ia ‘i ha fe’imeili’aki ‘a e Tokoni Palemia ni, Memipa Fale Alea ma’a Ha’apai 12, Moale Finau pea pehe foki ki he Sekelitali le’ole’o ki he kapineti ‘Aholotu Palu.

‘Oku mahino mei he fe’imeili’aki ‘a e tolu ko ‘eni kuo tu’utu’uni ‘a Miu ke fakatatali hano toe tufa ‘o e ngaahi kapaika mo kapapulu ko ‘eni pea 'i he lau 'a Mo'ale na'a ne pehe ko e  mofisi 'eni 'a e fakafofonga Vava'u he launga a e kainga Ha’apai he kapaika kovi ne tufa ange 'e he pule'anga kia kinautolu ‘i he mahina Fepueli.

Kuo tukuaki’i ‘e Mo’ale a Vaipulu ‘oku ta’e fakapolofesinale mo mamaha ‘ene poto’i taukei fakataki.

Ko e mapuna hake ‘eni ‘a e fe‘imeili fe’ite’ita ni ko ‘eni hili ia hano tufa atu ‘e he pule’anga ki he kainga Ha’apai ‘a e ngaahi kofukofu laise kuo  fakapuliki hifo e ‘aho ia na’e tonu ke ‘osi ai hono faka’oanga’i ‘aki ha sitika oku tohi ai ha toe  ‘aho fo’ou ia ‘e taha.

Ko Vaipulu foki ‘a e minisita ‘oku fakamalumalu ai ‘a e NEMO pe ko e kautaha ia ‘a e pule’anga ‘oku ne tokanga’i ‘a e ngaahi fakatamaki fakanatula.

Ne iku ‘ena feto’aki ‘i he fe’imeili’aki ko eni ke  fakamanamana ai ‘e Vaipulu te ne faka’ilo ‘a Mo’ale hili ia hono tala ange ‘e he fakafofonga ko ‘enau me’a na’e fai ko e hia ia hono toe fakapipiki hifo ‘a e sitika ‘i he peketi ke ‘ufi’ufi ‘a e aho ke ‘osi ki ai ‘a e kei kanolelei ‘o e laise ko ‘eni ke fai ha ma’u meatokoni mei ai.

Ka ‘i ha tali a Mo’ale na’a ne fakaha atu kia Vaipulu ke fai mo ‘ai leva ‘a e faka’ilo ia ko ia he vave taha pea tuku ‘aupito ‘ene fakamanamana ‘oku fai mai mo e fakapiko.

Na’e me’a a e kovana Ha’apai Looti Tu’iha’angana ‘o pehe ‘oku tonu pe launga ‘a e kainga pea na’e tonu ke hanga ‘e he pule’anga ‘o fakamatala’i fakalelei kia kinautolu ‘a e toe ‘aho fo’ou ko ‘eni ‘oku fakapipiki hifo ‘i he laise na’e tufa.

Fakatatau ki he kofukofu ‘o e laise ko ‘eni nae ha ngali kehe hake ha sitkita ia oku tohi ai ‘a e ‘aho ke faka’aonga’i ki ai a ia ko e ‘aho 19 Fepueli 2015. Koe’uhi ko ‘ene ha ngali kehe na’e vau’i hifo ia ‘e he ni’ihi ‘oku toe ‘asi hake ‘a e ‘aho ia ‘e taha ‘oku ha ai ko e laise ko ‘eni na’e tonu ia ke ‘osi hono ‘aonga ‘i he ‘aho 14 ‘Epeleli 2014.

 ‘I ha fe’imeili’aki kehe ia ‘a e Tokoni Sekelitali Le’ole’o ki he kapineti mo Vaipulu na’e fakamahino ai ‘i he fakamatala ‘a Vaipulu ko ‘ene ma’u’anga fakamatala ki he palopalema ko eni kuo hoko ko e Siaina pe ko ia ‘i Tonga ‘a’ana ‘a e laise ne fakatau kae ikai ko e kau ma’u mafai ki he laise ni ‘i Vietinemi ‘o hange ko ia ne ne ‘uluaki fakamatala ki mu’a.

Na’e pehe ‘e Vaipulu kia Palu na’e fakaha ange ‘e he taha ko ‘eni na’e fakatau mei ai ‘a e laise ko e ‘u kofukofu o e laise na’e ‘uluaki pulusi ‘a e ‘aho ia pea toki omi ‘o fa’o ki ai ‘a e laise.

‘Oku ‘ikai ‘ilo ia pe ‘oku ‘uhinga ki he ha ‘a e fo’i fakamatala ko ia he ‘oku ‘uhinga ‘a e ‘aho ‘oku tohi ‘i tu’a ke ngata ki ai hano ‘aonga ‘o e koloa ko ia ki he me’a oku fa’o ‘i loto ka ‘oku ‘ikai ko e kofukofu.

Na’a ne tala ‘e ia ki he ongoongo fakalotofonua ‘a e letioo na’e ma’u ‘a e tohi mei he kautaha ngaohi kofukofu laise pea pehe ki ha tohi mei he potungaue mo’ui ‘oku sai pe laise ia.

‘I he ‘imeili foki ‘a Vaipulu kia Palu na’a ne fakaha mahino ai kuo ne ‘osi ta’ofi ke toe tufa ha kapaika ia mo ha kapapulu ki Ha’apai he ne nau launga.

Ko e ngaahi kapaika ‘eni mo e kapapulu lelei ki he kai na’e fakamahino  ‘e Mo’ale kuo ta’ofi ia ‘e Vaipulu ka ne fekau ke tufa pe ‘a e mahoa’a, suka mo e laise koe’uhi ko ‘ene ‘ita fakamolokau he launga ne ‘omi mei Ha’apai ki mu’a.

Na’e toe ‘imeili ai ‘a Mo’ale ‘o kole ki he Palemia ke ne tu’utu’uni kia Vaipulu ke tufa e kapaika mo e kapapulu ki he kainga.

Na’e pehe foki ‘e he Kovana Ha’apai ia ki he Ongoongo ‘a e Kaniva na’e tonu pe ke fakamatala fakalelei ‘e he NEMO ‘a e ngaahi ‘aho ‘oku ha ‘i he kofukofu pea toki fai hono tufa.

Pehe e Tu’iha’angana ‘oku tonu pe launga ‘a e kakai pea ko e pule’anga pe ‘oku ne mate tuuaki mai ‘i he’enau polokalama letioo ‘o fale’i ki he kainga ke nau tokanga ki he ngaahi ‘aho ‘oku ‘asi he kofukofu telia na’a kuo ‘osi hono taimi faka’aonga’i, pea ko ‘eni ko e pule’anga pe ‘eni ‘oku tamu’omu’a mai hono ‘omi e laise ‘oku faka’alonga ua e ngaahi ‘aho ia ‘oku ‘asi ai.

Kuo hoko ‘a e kaveinga ko ‘eni ke pupuke hake ai ‘a kinautolu ‘oku nau faka’aonga’i ‘a e ngaahi mitia fakasosiale hange ko e Feisipuka mo e Tuita ‘o ui ai ha ni’ihi kia Vaipulu ke fakafisi leva he vave taha mo ‘ene fai ‘a e ngaahi fakamatala ‘oku toe langa’i mamahi ia ki he kakai.

Pirate Birthday Party for Prince Taufa’ahau Manumataongo

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Prince Taufa’ahau Manumataongo, who would become king of Tonga in the future, turned 1 year-old today Saturday 10.

As the only son of Prince Tupoutoa and Princess Sinaitakala celebrating a birthday definitely can’t be boring for the cutie.

A pirate birthday party was organised for the little prince yesterday where kids, dressing up as pirates, arrived in Pangai Lahi with plastic swords, eye patches and had their faces painted to entertain the prince’s birhtday.

A formal celebration for His Royal Higness and the royal family is held at the Royal Palace today includes prayer service and a  feast.

News in Tongan

Kuo a'usia 'e he Tama Pilinisi ko Taufa'ahau Manumataongo 'a hono ta'u 1 he 'aho Tokonaki 10 o Mee. Ko e 'alo 'ulutefua pe 'eni 'e taha 'o Pilinisi Tupouto'a mo Pilinisesi Sinaitakala pea ko ia ai ko hano katoanga'i 'a e 'aho fakahifo 'o e pilinisi ni 'e ongoonga'a pe hono me'a kotoa.

Na'e teuteu'i ha paati 'i he founga faka'iulope 'a ia ko hano fakateunga 'o ha fanau 'i he teunga 'o ha  kau kaiha'a vaka.

Ne tu'uta ai ki Pangai Lahi 'a e kau kaiha'a vaka ko 'eni kuo nau teunga 'i he ngaahi teunga kaiha'a, to'o 'enau ngaahi heleta pelesitiki, ha'i fakapuli honau mata pea pehe ki he tokolahi ne vali foki ke fakafiefia'i 'aki 'a e 'aho' o e tama pilinisi.

'E hoko atu he 'aho ni 'i he Palasi Fakatu'i 'a e ouau katoanga e 'aho 'o Pilinisi  Taufa'ahau 'o kau ai 'a e lotu o e taumafa.

Man suspected for stabbing his girlfriend commits suicide

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A man, 26, suspected of stabbing his girlfriend in Ma’ufanga has committed suicide Tuesday 6 Tongan police have confirmed.  

Police were called to a property in Ma’ufanga where the body of the deceased was found.

The man has not been identified but said he was from Mataika, Vava’u and has just moved to Ma’ufanga.

He was in the middle of a police investigation after his girlfriend was stabbed on May 5.

The girlfriend is recovered in the hospital.

The deceased was allegedly upset when he called his girlfriend’s mobile and a man answered his call.

He arrived at her house and stabbed her before fleeing the scene.

News in Tongan

Na'e ma'u atu ha tangata ta'u 26 kuo ne taonakita 'i Ma'ufanga 'i he 'aho Tusite 6 ko ha lau papau ia mei he kau polisi.

Na'e fetu'utaki ki he kau polisi ke nau vakai'i ha 'api 'i Ma'ofanga 'a ia na'e 'ilo ai 'a e sino o e pekia.

Ko e tangata ni 'a ia kuo pehe pe ko 'ene ha'u mei Mataika, Vava'u ko 'ene toki hiki atu pe ki Ma'ufanga ka na'e mahalo'i ia 'e he kau polisi ki hano hoka hele'i 'a hono kaume'a fefine 'i he Tusite 'aho 5.

'Oku fakaakeake 'a hono kaume'a 'i fale mahaki.

'Oku pehe na'e mamahi 'a e pekia 'i he'ene ta atu 'ana ki he telefoni to'oto'o 'a hono kaume'a 'oku tali mai ia 'e ha siana kehe.

Na'a ne a'u atu ai pe ki he 'api hono kaume'a 'o hoka hele'i ki mu'a pea ne hola mei he feitu'u ne fai ai e hoka hele.

Former PM Sevele elected to chair Tonga’s Pacific Games 2019 committee.

By
Kalino Latu
-

Former Prime Minister Lord Sevele 'O-Vailahi has been appointed chair of the executive committee that will run the 2019 Pacific Games in Tonga.

As head of the Tongan Pacific Games Committee, Lord Sevele will be in charge of efforts to raise funds to cover the  costs of the Games, estimated to be about TP$130 million (NZ$81 million).

Lord Sevele, who served as the Secretary General of the Tonga Amateur Sports Association and National Olympic Committee from 1990-1996, will lead the committee with members from the private and business sectors, according to TASANOC.

Lord Sevele’s leadership of the kingdom came under the spotlight in 2012 after a Parliamentary report accused him and his former Transport Minister, Paul Karalus,  of mismanaging the TP$119 million (NZ$74 million) lent by China for the reconstruction of Nuku’alofa.

The loan was managed by the Nuku'alofa Development Corporation, a Cabinet sub-committee established in 2008.

This followed the Nuku'alofa riots in 2006, the year Lord Sevele became Prime Minister.

The NDC was  chaired by Lord Sevele.

The Parliamentary select committee, led by Opposition Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva and Dr Sitiveni Halapua, found that the Chinese loan was illegally managed because Lord Sevele’s government had failed to abide by the Public Finance Management Act 2002.

The report said the NDC committee created two projects it said would cost Tongan taxpayers TP$44 million (NZ$27 million).

This was judged to be a significant departure from the original purpose of the loan and a cost well above the T$15 million (NZ$9 million) limit set by the Constitution.

Any expenditure above this limit must be approved by Parliament.

Sevele rejected the select committee’s report and finally took legal action against them.

His lawsuit was rejected by the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa, which said it had no jurisdiction to interfere with Parliament’s internal matters.

Sevele could not be reached for comment, but TASANOC said it would release statement about the new committee soon.

The main points

  • Former Tongan Prime Minister Lord Sevele 'O-Vailahi will head the executive committee that will run the 2019 Pacific Games in Tonga.
  • He will be in charge of efforts to raise funds to cover the costs of the Games, estimated to be about TP$130 million (NZ$81 million).
  • Lord Sevele served as the Secretary General of the Tonga Amateur Sports Association and National Olympic Committee from 1990-1996 before becoming Prime Minister in 2006.
  • Lord Sevele’s financial management came under the spotlight in 2012 when a Parliamentary report released accused him and his former Transport Minister, Paul Karalus, of mismanaging the TP$119 million (NZ$74 million) lent by China for the reconstruction of Nuku’alofa.

News in Tongan

Kuo fili ha palemia ki mu’a, Looti Sevele-‘O-Vailahi ke hoko ko e sea ia ‘o ha komiti pule ke nau fakalele ‘a e Pacific Games ‘o e 2019 ‘e fakahoko ki Tonga.

 ‘I he’ene hoko ko ia ko e ‘ulu ‘o e Komiti a Tonga ki he Ngaahi Keimi ‘a e Pasifiki, ‘e pule’i ai ‘e Sevele ‘a e ngaahi feinga pa’anga kotoa ke fua’aki ‘a e fakamole kihe Keimi ni ‘a ia ‘oku fakafuofua ki he pa’anga Tonga ‘e $130 miliona.

Ko Looti Sevele na’e hoko ko e Sekelitali Seniale ia ‘a e ‘Asosieisoni  Sipoti ‘Amatua mo e Komiti ‘Olimipiki Fakafonua a Tonga mei he 1990 ki he 1996, pea te ne tataki ‘a e komiti ni ‘a ia ‘oku memipa ai ha kau fakafofonga mei he ngaahi kautaha taautaha pehe ki he pisinisi ‘o fakatatau ‘eni ki ha lau mei he TASANOC.

Na’e fai ha tokanga ki he tu’unga fakataki ‘o Sevele ‘i he 2012 hili ia hano ‘o hake ‘e ha Lipooti Faka-Fale Alea ha ngaahi tukuaki’i ‘o ia mo ‘ene minisita Fefononga’aki ki mu’a, Paul Karalus ki hono ngaue ta'efakalao’aki ‘a e pa’anga Tonga ‘e TP$119 miliona na’e no mai mei Siaina ki hono toe langa fo’ou ‘o Nuku’alofa.

Ko e no ko ‘eni na’e tokanga’i ia ‘e he Koopoleisoni ki Hono Toe Langa Fo’ou ‘o Nuku’alofa, ko ha komiti si’i na’e fokotu’u ‘e he kapineti ‘I he 2008. Ko e ta’u ‘eni hili ‘a e moveu ‘i Nuku’alofa ‘i he 2006, pea ko e ta’u ia ne palemia ai ‘a Looti Sevele.

Ko Sevele na’e sea ‘i he komiti ko ‘eni.

Na’e ‘ilo ‘i he fakatotolo ‘a e Komiti Fili Faka-Fale Alea ne tataki ‘e he taki ‘o e fa’ahi fakaanga, ‘Akilisi Pohiva mo Dr Sitiveni Halapua na’e ngaue ta’e fakalao ‘aki ‘a e no mei Siaina koe’uhi na’e ikai ke muimui pau ‘a e pule’anga ‘o Looti Sevele ki he Lao ki hono Tokanga’i ‘a e Pa’anga ‘a e Pule’anga 2002.

Na’e pehe ‘e he lipooti na’e toe hanga ‘e he komiti ki he Toe Langa Fo’ou ‘o Nuku’alofa ‘o tanaki fo’ou ha toe ongo fo’i langa ‘e ua fe’unga mo e pa’anga Tonga ‘e TP$44 miliona ke toe kavahia ai e kakai totongi tukuhau ‘i hono taa.

Na’e vakaii ‘o mahino na’e ‘ikai kau ‘a e ongo langa  ia ko ‘eni ‘i he ngaahi me’a ne ‘uluaki fakataumu’a ki ai ‘a e noo pea toe ‘ova hona mahu’inga foki ‘i he pa’anga Tonga ‘e $15 miliona ‘oku tu’utu’uni ‘e he konisitutone. Ko ha paanga ke fai ‘aki ha ngaue ‘a e pule’anga ‘e ‘ova ‘i he lahi ko ‘eni ‘e pau ke ave ia ki Fale Alea ke alea’i pea fakapaasi mei ai.  

Na’e faka’ikai’i ‘e Sevele ‘a e lipooti komiti ko ‘eni pea iku ‘o ne fai ‘a e ngaue fakalao ki ai.

Na’e ‘ikai tali ‘ene faka’ilo ‘e he Fakamaau’anga Lahi ‘a Tonga ‘i Nuku’alofa, ‘i he ‘uhinga ‘oku ‘ikai hanau mafai ke kaunoa ‘i he ngaahi me’a fakalotofale ‘a e Fale Alea.

Na’e ‘ikai ma’u ‘a Sevele ke fai ha’ane fakamatala ka ne pehe mei he TASANOC ‘e vave ni pe ha’anau tuku ange mai ha fakamatala kau ki he komiti fo’ou ni.

 

Kali Fungavaka's father dies in Tonga

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Kali Fungavaka’s father, Tavake Fungavaka has passed away Saturday May 3 at Vaiola hospital in Tonga it was confirmed to Kaniva News today by a family member.

The cause of his death is yet to be confirmed  but he was in Tonga to attend the court hearing of five accused police officers charged over the death of his son.

Lepeka Fifita Fungavaka said Tavake's funeral awaits sisters and family to arrive from US and New Zealand.

Kaniva News however was reliably told  that following the first week of the hearing last month at the supreme court  in Nuku'alofa Tavake returned home one day in tears and told his sisters he did not even know  his son encountered such a brutal assault and beating.

His sisters advised him to return to US in fear his health condition was affected because he suffered from cardiac arrest.

Tavake was admitted to Vaiola hospital  last week.

His son Kali died on August 17, 2012 six days after he was assaulted in a police cell in Nuku'alofa.

Police are yet to release statement  on Tavake's death saying they need to contact next of kin in US and New Zealand.

Tavake resided in US and he was in Tonga together with Kali’s wife Audra, and mother, Rosemary.

His body will be buried in Tonga.

News in Tongan

Kuo malolo 'a Tavake Fungavaka ko e tangata'eiki ia 'a Kali Fungavaka 'i he Falemahaki Vaiola 'i Tonga 'i he Tokonaki ko hono 3 'o Mee.

'Oku te'eki mahino papau 'a e tupu'anga 'o e pekia ni pea na'e fakaha ki he Kaniva 'e Lepeka Fifita Fungavaka 'oku tatali 'a hono putu ki he famili mei muli.

Na'e 'i Tonga 'a Tavake ke fanongo ki hono hopo'i ' a e kau polisi 'e toko nima ki he mate 'a hono foha ko Kali.

Kaekehe 'oku 'i ai 'a e fakamatala falala'anga kuo 'omi ki he Kaniva 'o pehe 'i he 'uluaki uike na'e lele ai 'a hono hopo'i ko 'eni 'o e kau polisi, na'e foki atu ai 'a Tavake mei he fakamaau'anga 'o ne tangi mo hua'i atu hono mamahi ki hano ongo tuofefine 'o ne talaange ko 'ene toki 'ilo pe e mei he fakamatala he hopo na'e foua 'e hono foha ha ta lahi fakamanavee pehee pea fou 'i ha  mate matu'aki fakamamahi  fau. Na'e fale'i 'e hono ongo tuofefine ka me'a pea foki ia ki 'Amelika telia na'a puke he'ene mamahi ka ne tutui 'a Tavake ke nofo pe.

Ko Tavake na'a ne mahaki mafu pe pea ne puke 'i he uike kuo 'osi 'o iku leleaki'i ai ki vaiola.

Na'e mate 'a hono foha 'a Kali 'i he 'aofinima 'o e kau polisi 'i he 'aho 17 'Aokosi 2013 'aho ia 'e 6 hili hono ngaohi kovia ia 'i he malumalu 'o e kau polisi.

'Oku te'eki tuku mai 'e he kau polisi ha'anau fakamatala ki he pekia 'a Tavake kanau pehe 'oku tatali ke nau mu'aki fakaha ki hono kainga ofi 'i Amelika mo Nu'u Sila.

Oku nofo Amelika pe 'a Tavake pea na'a ne 'i Tonga fakataha mo e hoa 'o Kali, Audra pehe ki he fa'ee 'a Kali Rosemary.

Ko hono putu 'e fai pe i Tonga.

Mother who killed daughter awaits sentence

By
Kalino Latu
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The mother of 14-years-old Malia Pelenatita Kolo, who was brutally beaten to death with a heavy stick, hammer and a watering hose, will be sentenced on Wednesday, May 7 in the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

The 34-year-old mother Fifita ‘Ofa and her brother, Tomasi Ofa, 37, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, while the de-facto partner of the dead girl’s father, Mohulamu Toumohuni, 42 , pleaded guilty to abetment to bodily harm.

The trio appeared before Justice Charles Cato on Friday, May 1, for sentencing.

The court heard Malia Kolo left her mother in Kolonga in 2013 and did not return for several weeks, when  Toumohuni saw her in a flea market in Nuku’alofa on August10 of that year.

After Toumohuni contacting the mother Malia was then taken to ‘Umusi where ‘Ofa beat the girl all over her body with a sialemohe stick (a type of leucaena plant). After beating her for two hours the large stick broke into two pieces. 

At one stage Kolo tried to escape but Toumohuni tackled her and brought her back to her mother.

The mother continued beating her daughter, who sustained multiple blunt injuries, severe bruising and fractures.

On the same day ‘Ofa took her daughter  to Kolonga, stopping at  the home of Tomasi Ofa, the girl’s uncle.

The court was told the uncle beat the helpless girl again with a piece of watering hose and a hammer for about an hour and only stopped when the hammer hit Kolo on her fingers, causing them to bleed.

The 14-year-old was taken to Kolonga the next day, August 11. Because of her injuries she was made to wear a diaper and left neglected for days.

A health officer who visited the village several days later discovered her lying helpless and in great pains.

The health officer ordered that the girl be admitted immediately to hospital on August 15.  

Kolo was admitted to Vaiola Hospital’s intensive care unit, but died the following day.

A post modem report says the victim died as a result of severe infection and sepsis and multiple organ failure. The victim’s death could have been prevented if she was given immediate medical care according to the doctor.

Ongoongo Faka-Tonga

‘E hilifaki ‘i he ‘aho 7 ‘o Mee ni ‘i he fakamaau’anga lahi Nuku’alofa ‘a e tautea ‘o e fa’e na’e ha’ana e tama fefine ta’u 14 ko Malia Pelenatita Kolo ne pekia hili ia hono  ta ‘o hange ha kehe ‘aki ‘a e va’a sialemohe, hamala mo e tiupi fana vai.

Na’e tali halaia ‘a e fa’e ta’u 34 ko Fifita ‘Ofa mo  hono tuonga’ane ko Tomasi ‘Ofa, 37, ki he tamate tangata lolotonga ia ne tali halaia ‘a e fefine 'oku nofo mo e tamai ‘a e ki’i ta’ahine, Mohulamu Toumohuni, 42, ki hono poupou’i ha fakamamahi ki he sino.

Na’e ha ‘a e toko tolu ni ‘i he Falaite 1 ‘o Mee ‘i mu’a ‘ia Fakamaau Lahi Charles Cato ke fai honau tautea.

Na’e fanongoa ‘i he fakamaau’anga na’e mavahe ‘a Malia Kolo mei he’ene fa’ee ‘i Kolonga he 2013 pea ‘ikai toe foki hili ha ngaahi ‘aho ‘o toki fakatokanga’i ‘e Toumohuni ‘i ha fea ‘i Nuku’alofa ‘i ‘Aokosi ‘aho 10, 2013.

Hili e fetu’utaki ‘a Toumohuni ki he fa’e ‘a e ki’i fefine na’e uta leva ‘a Malia ki ‘Umusi ‘o ta tavale  aki ‘e ‘Ofa ha fu’u va’a sialemohe ha feitu'u pe 'i hono sino ne ala ke tau ai ha ta. Hili ha houa ‘e ua ‘o e ta ko ‘eni na’e motu ua a e va’a siale mohe.

‘I he taimi ‘e taha lolotonga e taa na’e feinga ‘a Malia ke lele ka ne tekolo’i ia ‘e Toumohuni ‘o puke’i mai ki he’ene fa’e. Na’e hoko atu hono taa ‘o e ‘ofefine ni ‘o a’u ki he mafahifahi e konga ‘e ni’ihi ‘i hono sino, lavelavea pea takataka’uli mo fefulofulai.

 ‘I he ‘aho tatau pe ne nau fononga atu leva mo e ‘ofefine ni ke o ki Kolonga ka ne nau toe afe ‘i Veitongo ‘i he ‘api ‘ene fa’etangata, ‘a Tomasi ‘Ofa.

Na’e fakaha ki he fakamaau’anga na’e toe ta heni ‘e Tomasi a e ta’ahine ni ‘a ia kuo ‘ikai ke ne toe lava ha me’a ‘aki ‘a e housi vai mo ha hamala ‘i ha houa ‘e 1 pea toki tuku pe ko e tau ‘a e hamala ‘i hono ‘ulu’ulutuhu ‘o  fetoto’i.

Nae ‘ave leva mei ai ‘a e ta’u 14 ni ki Kolonga ‘i he ‘aho hono hoko 11 ‘Aokosi. Koe’uhi ko ‘ene lavelavea pea ‘ikai toe lava ‘o tu’u na’e fakatui leva hono taipa ‘o li’aki ai ‘i ha ngaahi ‘aho.

Na’e fou mai ha ‘ofisa mo’ui he kolo ‘i ha ngaahi ‘aho ki mui ai ‘o ne fakatokanga’i ‘a e toka-mo e-kafa ‘a Malia mo ‘ene faingata’a’ia pea ne tu’utu’uni ai ke ‘ave leva he vave taha ki fale mahaki.

Na’e leleaki’i ‘a Kolo ki Vaiola he ‘aho 15 o fakatokoto ‘i he loki ngaahi mahaki fakatu’utamaki  ‘a e falemahaki ka  ne iku ‘o ne malolo ‘i he ‘aho 15 ‘Aokosi, 2013.

Na’e fai hono sivi hili ‘ene mate pea ne fakaha ki he fakamaau’anga ‘i ha lipooti na’e mate ‘a  Malia tu’unga ‘i he fakapala ‘a hono ngaahi kafo pea ‘ikai  toe lava ‘a e konga lahi ‘o e to’oto’onga ‘i he sino ke ngaue lelei. Na’e toe pehe ‘e he toketaa ka ne ‘ave pe ‘o faito’o kei taimi ‘e iku mo’ui pe ‘a Malia.  

Tonga's MV 'Otu Anga'ofa runs aground

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Friendly Islands ferry, MV ‘Otu Motu Anga’ofa ran aground while trying to exit the Pasivulangi Harbour Thursday 30 April but causing no reported damage or casualties.  

FISA said the ferry hit a rock and its bow grounded taking it 10 minutes to pull itself off and returned to shore.

It said the hull was inspected and no damage found before it left for Niuafo’ou yesterday morning.

The 400 passenger inter-island ferry was built under Japan's grant aid project and was launched on 13 July 2010 in the ISB Company shipyard of Tokyo Bay, Japan before it took 7,900 km to sail from Tokyo Bay on 27 September 2010 and arrived in Nuku'alofa on October 15, 2010.

Ongoongo Faka-Tonga

Na'e toka e vaka ko ia 'a e pule'anga Tonga 'oku fakalele 'e he'ene kautaha ko e  Friendly Island Shipping Agency lolotonga 'ene feinga ke hu ki tu'a mei he Taulanga Pasivulangi 'i he 'aho 30 'Epeleli ka na'e 'ikai ha maumau pe lavea 'e lipooti.

Pehe 'e he FISA na'e tui'i e he taumu'a 'o e vaka ni  ha fu'u maka o toka ai pea ne fe'unga nai mo ha miniti 'e 10 'ene feinga ke mavahe mei ai pea toki lava.

'Oku pehe na'e sivi'i e sino'i vaka pea mahino pe na'e 'ikai ha maumau fefe ki mu'a pea ne tuku folau hake ki Niuafo'ou he pongipongi 'aneafi.

Ko e vaka pasese 400 lele fakavaha'a motu ko 'eni na'e fo'u 'i ha tokoni 'ofa fakapa'anga 'a Siapani pea na'e hifoaki 'i he 'aho 13 'o Siulai 2010 'i he iate vaka 'a e Kautaha ISB 'i Tokio pea toki tuku folau hake ki Tonga i ha kilomita 'e 7,900 mei he pei 'o Tokioo 'i he 'aho 27 Sepitema 2010.

Deputy PM out of touch with cyclone victims – Bloomfield

By
Kalino Latu
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 Advertorial

Written on May 2, 2014. Revisited on November 8, 2017

Ki he kau laukonga faka-Tonga, kiliki heni ke ke lau ai e kemipeini fili Fale Alea ‘a Kulufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield

Tongan Deputy Prime Minister Hon Samiu Vaipulu’s statement that  out of date rice distributed to Ha’apai cyclone victims was good for eating showed he was out of touch with reality, it was claimed this week.

Former Head of Secretariat of the Oceania Customs Organisation, Kulu ‘Anisi Bloomfield , blasted the Deputy Prime Minister’s comments and said his comment implied the “people are stupid.”

“It is an international trade requirements that the contents and the expiry date of the product must clearly written on the packing or otherwise it cannot be written on every rice seed,” Bloomfield said.

Bloomfield is an independent candidate for Vava’u 15 in the November election. He will stand against Vaipulu.

He claimed the Deputy Prime Minister did not care what had happened to the cyclone victims of Ha’apai.

His comments came after food relief on Ha’apai was found to contain packets of rice on which a new ‘best before’ date had been pasted over the original date.

According to the packaging, the rice was exported from Vietnam to the Helen Investment Trading Co. Ltd.  A sticker on the packets says ‘Best Before 02-19-2015.’

Complainants were suspicious about why a sticker was on the packet and when they scratched it they could see another date they believed was the real ‘best before’ date, which said the rice should be consumed by April 15, 2014.

While the cyclone victims were furious,  Vaipulu said this week nothing was wrong.

He told Radio Tonga he had met with the Chinese supplier who provided the rice and said that while the packaging had been re-printed, the rice was all right.

He said there was a letter from Vaiola Health Department and another from the rice packing company, but he did not identify the company or say what was in the letters.

Vaipulu said there were no insects in the rice and the stock was in good condition.

He also said that “experts in rice” said the dates put on the packaging means the quality of the rice would have deteriorated, but not expired.

Neither Vaipulu nor the Radio Tonga named the “experts in rice.” The Deputy Prime Minister said that when rice reached the best-before date the quality deteriorated by 10 percent but still in good condition.

This is the second time there have been complains about food aid given to the cyclone victims.

In March the government distributed its first food assistant for the cyclone victims but the Ha’apai people complained  that they were given rancid tinned fish and rotten plantains.

Bloomfield has called on government to stop dumping rubbish on Ha’apai.

Bloomfield claimed there was a pattern of negligence in the way the government handled food assistance for Ha’apai.

Millions of dollars donated by other countries was involved.

“There is need to investigate and to find out the procurement processes NEMO used to purchase this product and to find out the purchasing price,” Bloomfield said.

A source in the NEMO office at Vaololoa told Kaniva News the office looked for the cheapest price and for suppliers who could make bulk deliveries of whatever goods they wanted to send to the Ha’apai Cyclone Victims.

Bloomfield said the Food Safety Authority should investigate the issue.

He said it was appalling that the government only became involved when the people of Ha’apai complained.

“Our own people are desperate for food, as that is one of their basic needs, but that does not mean their desperation was something for the government to abuse and feed them with rubbish,” he said.

The main points

  • Tongan Deputy Prime Minister Hon Samiu Vaipulu’s statement that  out of date rice distributed to Ha’apai cyclone victims was good for eating showed he was out of touch with reality, it was claimed this week.
  • Kulu ‘Anisi Bloomfield said the government must stop dumping rubbish on Ha’apai.
  • His comments come after food relief on Ha’apai was found to contain packets of rice on which a new ‘best before’ date had been pasted over the original date.
  • Vaipulu told Radio Tonga the new ‘best-before’ date meant the quality of the rice had deteriorated, but not expired.

Ongoongo Faka-Tonga

Ko e lau ko ia ‘a e Tokoni Palemia ‘a Tonga, Samiu Vaipulu ‘o pehe ‘oku sai pe laise kuo ‘osi hono ‘aho faka’aonga’i ‘a ia na’e tufa ki he kau faingata’a’ia ‘o e saikolone ‘i Haapai ‘oku ne tala mai ‘a e hala’ata ha’ane ongo’i ‘e taha ‘a e mo’oni ‘o e me’a kuo hoko, ko ha lau ia kuo fai kiate ia ‘i he ‘uike ni.

Ko e  komeni na’e fai ‘e he Tokoni Palemia ‘oku fakahu’uhu’unga  mai ai ‘oku vale ‘a e kakai pea kuo fakaanga’i ia ‘e he pule ki mu’a ‘i he Va’a Ngaue Fakasekelitali a e Kautaha Kasitomu ‘a ‘Oseania i Fisi, Kulu ‘Anisi Bloomfield

Pehe ‘e Bloomfield, ko e fiema’u fakavaha’apule’anga ia ki he fefakatau’aki ke fokotu’u ‘a e ‘aho ‘e ‘osi ai ‘a e ‘aonga ‘o e koloa pea tohi mahino ‘i he kofukofu he taumaia ‘e lava ke tohi tahataha ‘i he fo’i tenga’i laise kotoa pe.

Kuo fakahingoa foki ‘a Bloomfield ‘e he Paati Temokalati ‘a e ‘Otumotu Anga’ofa ko ‘enau kanititeiti ia ke lele mei Vava’u 15 ‘i he fili ko ‘eni ‘i Novema. Pea te na fe’auhi ai mo Samiu Vaipulu pe ko hai ‘e fili’i ‘e he vahenga ni ki Fale Alea.

Na’a ne pehe ‘oku ‘ikai ha tokanga ‘e taha ‘a e Tokoni Palemia ia ki he me’a oku hoko ki he kau faingata’a’ia ‘o e saikolone ‘i Ha’apai.

Ko e lau ‘eni ‘a e kanititeiti ‘a e Paati Temokalati hili ia hono ‘ilo ko e ngaahi peketi laise na’e tufa atu na’e toe fakapipiki hifo ‘i ‘olunga he kofukofu ha sitika ‘i he funga ‘o e ‘aho ne ‘uluaki ‘i ai.

Fakatatau ki he kofukofu ko e laise ‘eni na’e hu atu mei Vietinemi ki he Helen Investment Trading Co. Ltd.  Na’e fakapipiki hifo leva ha sitikia ia ‘oku ‘asi ai ‘a e ‘aho ‘o pehe ko e laise ko ‘eni ko ‘ene  ‘kei kano lelei taha ‘e ngata pe ki mu’a  he ‘aho 02-19-2015.’

Na’e hu’uhu’u ha tokolahi ‘o e kau launga pe ko e ha ‘oku toe fakapipiki ai ‘a e sitika ‘i he peketi pea ‘i he’enau vau’i hifo kuo e’a hake ha toe ‘aho ia ‘e taha ‘a ia ne nau tui ko e ‘aho totonu ia pea ‘oku ‘asi hake ai ko e kei kanolelei taha pe ‘a e laise ko ‘eni ‘o ka kai ‘e ngata ia ‘i he ‘aho 15 ‘Epeleli 2014 ‘a ia kuo ‘osi ‘osi ia.

Lolotonga e kilia ‘a e kakai he pango kuo hoko kuo hu mai ‘a Vaipulu ia  he uike ni ‘o tala mai ‘oku ‘ikai ha me’a ia ‘e fehalaaki.

Na’a ne pehe ‘e ia ki he Letio Tonga kuo ‘osi fetu’utaki mo e Siaina na’a ne ma’u mei ai ‘a e laise mo ne pehe na’e toe paaki fo’ou ‘a e peketi ka ‘oku sai pe laise ia.

Na’a ne pehe na’e ‘i ai ‘a e tohi mei Vaiola pea mo e taha mei he kautaha kofu laise ka na’e ‘ikai ke ne fakahingoa mai ‘a e kautaha ko ia pe te ne fakamatala hangatonu mai ko e ha ‘a e lau ‘a e tohi ko ia.

Na’e pehe ‘e Vaipulu na’e ‘ikai manua ‘a e laise pea ‘oku kei ‘i he tu’unga lelei pe ‘a e sitoka ia ko ia.

Na’a ne toe pehe na’e ‘i ai ha lau ‘a e kau ‘taukei ‘i he laise’ ‘o pehe ko e ngaahi ‘aho kuo ‘asi ‘i he kofukofu ‘oku uhinga ia ‘oku holo ‘a e kano lelei ‘o e laise ka ‘oku ‘ikai ke ‘osi hono taimi.

Na’e ‘ikai ke hanga ‘e Vaipulu mo e Letio Tonga ‘o fakahingoa mai pe ko hai ‘a e kau taukei ko ‘eni i he  laise ‘oku nau fakamatala mai.

Na’e pehe ‘e he Tokoni Palemia ko ene a’u ko e a e laise ki he ‘best before date’ pe aho ‘e ngata ai e lelei taha ‘o e laise ki hano kai pea ‘e holo pe ia ‘aki ‘a e peseti ‘e 10 ka ‘oku kei sai pe ia.

Ko e tuo ua ‘aki hake pe ‘eni ha launga ‘i he tufa tokoni me’akai kuo fai ki he kau faingata’a’ia ‘o e saikolone.

I Ma’asi na’e tufa atu ai ‘e he pule’anga ‘enau ‘uluaki tokoni me’akai ki he kau faingata’a’ia ‘o e saikolone ka na’e launga ‘a e kau Ha’apai hono tufa ange ha kapaika kuo nanamu mo ha ngaahi kau fusi  kuo pala.

Kuo fakatokanga ‘a Bloomfield ki he pule’anga ke tuku hono fetuku e veve ki he kainga Ha’apai.

‘I he lau ‘a Bloomfield foki ne ne pehe kuo ‘asi mahino mai eni ‘a e sipinga ngaue  ta’e tokanga ‘i hono leva’i ‘e he puleanga ‘a e tufa me’atokoni ki he kainga ne faingata’a’ia ‘i he saikolone ‘i Ha’apai.

‘Oku kaunga ki he tufa ko ‘eni ‘a e lau miliona ko e pa’anga ne ‘ofa atu mei he ngaahi fonua tu’unga he saikolone.

Pehe ‘e Bloomfield ‘oku fiema’u ke fakatotolo’i ‘a e founga ‘oku fai’aki ‘e he NEMO ‘a e fakatau ‘o e koloa pea kumi ke ‘ilo ko e ha e mahu’inga totonu ‘oe ngaahi koloa.

Na’e pehe foki ‘e ha mau’anga fakamatala mei he ‘ofisi ‘o e NEMO mei vaololoa ki he Kaniva oku nau kumi pe ki he ma’ama’a taha e ala ma’u pea mo hai e fale koloa te ne lava ‘o ma’u ‘a e lahi ‘o e koloa ‘oku ‘amanaki ke nau ‘ota ke ‘ave ki he kau vikitima ‘o e saikolone ‘i Ha’apai.

Na’e pehe ‘e Bloomfield ‘oku totonu ke  hu mai mo e Pule ki he Malu ‘o e Me’akai ‘o fakatotolo’i ‘a e me’a ko ‘eni. Na’a ne pehe foki ‘oku fakamamahi ‘a e toki ulo pe pule’anga ke hu mai he taimi ‘oku launga ai ‘a e kakai ‘o Ha’apai.

‘Oku vivili e tokanga ‘a hotau kakai ko ‘eni ki ha me’akai  he ko e taha ia ‘enau fiema’u tefito ki he mo’ui, ka ‘oku ‘ikai ‘uhinga ia ke hoko ‘enau hohoi ko ia ke tu’u atu ai ‘a e pule’anga ia ‘o ngaohi kovia mo fafanga’aki kinautolu ‘a e veve, ko e lau ia ‘a Bloomfield.

Former speaker and parliamentarian, Lord Fusitu’a passes away

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Legislative Assembly's Noble Representative for Niua and renowned parliamentarian, Lord Fusitu’a (87), passed away on Thursday evening, April 24.

The Honourable Fusitu’a has a distinguished parliamentary history, serving as the longest Member of Parliament. At the height of his political career, the Hon. Fusitu’a was Speaker of Parliament from 1990 –1998.

This week, the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, will lead members of His Majesty's Government and Cabinet in paying their respect to the Late Lord Fusitu'a and family.

Messages of condolences and sympathy have been conveyed from the Honourable Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano who is currently on official meetings overseas. Flags around the Kingdom will be flown at half-mast to pay tribute and honour the Hon. Fusitu’a.

The Noble, Hon. Fusitu'a is a member of His Majesty's nobility and is the hereditary estate holder of the villages of Faletanu, Ma’ufanga, the eastern side of Angaha in Niuatoputapu and including Sapa’ata in Niuafo’ou.

His Lordship is married to Lady Fusitu’a (Hon. ‘Eseta Fusitu'a the Government’s former Minister for Information and Communications and Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet.

The funeral service for the Late Lord Fusitu’a will be held on Saturday, 3 May 2014 at 3pm in the afternoon at the Free Wesleyan Centenary Church, following which will the interment at the Mala’e’āloa Cemetery, Nuku’alofa.

– GOVERNMENT OF TONGA MEDIA RELEASE

Ongoongo Faka-Tonga.

Pekia ‘Eiki Sea Malolo mo e Memipa Fale Alea fuoloa -‘Eiki Nopele Fusitu’a.

Kuo pekia ‘a e taha ‘o e kau mo’unga’i tangata na’e to’ukupu ola ‘aki ‘e Ha’a Moheofo mo e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga, ka ko e Hou’eiki Memipa Fakafofonga Fale Alea Lolotonga ‘o e Kau Nopele ki he Ongo Niua, ‘aia ko ‘Eiki Nopele Fusitu’a (ta’u 87), ‘i he efiafi ‘o e ‘Aho Tu’apulelulu, 24 ‘o ‘Epeleli, 2014.

Ko ‘Eiki Nopele Fusitu’a – ko e taha foki ia ‘o e Kau Hou’eiki Memipa fuoloa ne kei laumalie mai mei he kau tangata ne nau ngaue mateaki mo hakeaki’i e ngaahi fatongia fisifisimu’a ‘o e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga ‘i he ngaahi ta’u lahi kuo maliu atu.

Ne a’usia ‘e he ‘Eiki Nopele, ‘a e tumutumu ‘o ‘ene fakahoko fatongia ‘i he Fale Alea ‘o Tonga, ‘i hano fakakoloa’aki ia ‘a e fatongia mamafa tukituki ‘i hono fakanofo ia ko e ‘Eiki Sea ‘o e Fale Alea ‘o Tonga, mei he ta’u 1990-1998.

‘I he uike ni, ‘oku ‘amanaki fakahoko atu ai ‘e he Pule’anga Tonga ‘a e faka’apa’apa faka’osi ki he ‘Eiki Nopele – Fusitu’a kae’umaa ‘a hono famili moe kainga.

Ko e ‘Eiki Palemia Le’ole’o, Samiu Vaipulu te ne tataki atu, fakataha mo e Hou’eiki Minisita ‘o e Kapineti, ‘a hono fakafofonga’i ‘o e Pule’anga ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio, lolotonga ‘a e ngaahi ouau ‘o e me’afaka’eiki ni.

Kuo a’utaki mai foki mo ha Tohi Fekaungamamahi ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia, Nopele Tu’ivakano ki he Famili ‘o e ‘Eiki Nopele, neongo ‘oku lolotonga me’a ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia ki he ngaahi fatongia fakataha fakatu’apule’anga ‘i he fonua muli.

Ko ‘Eiki Nopele Fusitu’a, ko e taha ia e Kau Nopele ‘a ‘Ene ‘Afio, pea mo e Hingoa Nopele Tukufakaholo ‘oku ne ma’u tofi’a ‘i he ngaahi kolo ko Faletanu, Ma’ofanga, kauhala hahake ‘i Angaha, kae’uma’a‘a Sapa’ata ‘i Niuafo’ou.

Na’e ma’u hoa ‘a ‘Eiki Nopele Fusitu’a mo Hon. ‘Eseta Fusitu’a, ‘Eiki Minisita Malolo ‘a e Pule’anga ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio ki he Fakamatala mo e Fetu’utaki, pea mo e Sekelitali Pule Malolo mo e Sekelitali ki he Kapineti.

‘Oku ‘amanaki ke fakahoko ‘a e me’afaka’eiki ‘o ‘Eiki Nopele Fusitu’a ‘i he ‘aho Tokonaki ‘o e uike ni, 3 Me, 2014, he taimi 3:00 efiafi ‘i he Fale Lotu Senituli- Siasi Uesiliana Tau’ataina ‘o Tonga, kimu’a pea toki hoko atu ki he ouau telio ‘i Mala’e’aloa.

No injuries reported after Real Tonga's Queen Air crash landed in Eua

By
Kalino Latu
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UDATED: Emergency crews responded to 'Eua  Airport after the Real Tonga Airline's Queen Air crash landed this morning.

Tevita Palu, Director of Real Tonga airline has confirmed this to Kaniva News today saying another aircraft has been dispatched to the island to report back on the incident.

The airline later said there were seven passengers and one crew member in the plane but no one was injured.           

It said the Beechcraft Queen Air (A3-CIA) landing gear failed to function causing the plane's pilot to "belly" land the aircraft at 'Eua airport.

The Queen Air was owned by the New Zealand Catham Airline before Real Tonga secured a lease of the plane early last year.

The plane was produced by the Beechcraft Corporation, "an American manufacturer of general aviation and military aircraft, ranging from light single-engined aircraft to twin-engined turboprop transports, and military trainers".

Press Release

“This morning at approximately 0700, Real Tonga’s aircraft was involved in an incident on landing at ‘Eua airport, the airline's press release says.

Initial reports from the Captain, indicate that the nose landing gear failed to deploy and the Captain was required to perform a “belly” landing.

The flight was a scheduled service between Tongatapu and ‘Eua. There were 7 (seven) passengers on board and one crew member. There were no injuries to either passengers or crew.

Real Tonga’s Chief Executive has expressed his gratitude that nobody was hurt and he advised that a team, consisting of senior management and engineering personnel have been dispatched to ‘Eua to make a proper assessment.

Police and the Ministry of Transport have been notified. The aircraft was scheduled to operate a flight to Niuafo’ou later today and this service has had to be cancelled.

All other Real Tonga flights are operating as normal. There are no other details available at this time and an update of the situation will be provided once the necessary reports have been submitted from the evaluation team.”

Ongoongo Faka-Tonga

Na'e hoko ha fakatu'utamaki 'i he pongipongi ni 'i  'Eua 'i ha to 'a e vakapuna 'Ea Kuini 'a e Kautaha Real Tonga 'o mavahe mei he lele'anga vaka 'o tangutu lelei 'i he musie. Ko hono fakapapau'i 'eni 'e Tevita Palu ko e Talekita 'o e Real Tonga ki he Kaniva he pongipongi ni.

Hili hano fakapuna atu ha vakapuna 'e taha a e kautaha ke ne lipooti mai 'a e me'a ne hoko ne mahino ai ko e kau pasese 'e toko fitu mo e kauvaka 'e taha ne 'i he vaka. Na'e ikai ha lavea pe mate.

Ko e palopalema ne hoko ko e 'ikai lava 'a e kia e vakapuna pasese fitu ni ke ngaue pea ne fakatu'uta ai ia 'e he pailate 'aki a e kete 'o e vaka 'o ne olo'i atu he lele'anga vaka 'o fakama'uma'u mai mei he musie.

Ko e vakapuna ko 'eni Queen Air ko e ngaahi ia 'e he kautaha 'Amelika ko e Beechcraft Corporation pea fakatau e he kautaha vakapuna Nu'u Sila ko e Catham 'a ia ne nau faifatongia pe 'i Tonga ki mu'a pea toki to'o e fatongia ko ia 'e he Real Tonga.

Na'e toki lisi leva 'a e vaka ni mei he Catham 'e he Real Tonga .i he konga ki mu'a 'o e ta'u kuo osi.

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