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Vava‘u braces as severe cyclone advances

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tropical Cyclone Ian, with  estimated winds of 110knots near its centre  with momentary gusts up to 155knots is predicted to make landfall in the southwest of Hunga at around 10am today.

Tonga Met Services on its latest advisory at 6:am this morning says on its current track, Tropical Cyclone Ian which has intensified over the past 6hrs to category 5 may bring:

Damaging gale to destructive storm force winds up to hurricane force winds from now until 3-6hrs later.

For the Ha'apai group Tropical Cyclone Ian may bring destructive storm force winds in the next 3-6hr and very destructive hurricance force winds in the next 6-12hr.

For Tongatapu and ’Eua the cyclone may bring damaging gale force winds in the next 12-18hrs.

Cyclone Ian could be deadly

By
Kalino Latu
-

Cyclone Ian was upgraded this morning at 2:15am to Category 5 meaning it could hit with the strongest wind gust at more than 280km/h which it will be extremely dangerous and causing widespread destruction.

Severe tropical Cyclone Ian is heading towards Vava'u after it  was located near 18 decimal 2 south 174 decimal 9 west or about 100km northwest of Hunga (vv) and 105km northwest of Longomapu (vv) or about 185km north-northwest of Lifuka at 1:00am, Tonga Met Services says.

Tropical cyclone Ian has estimated winds of 110knots near its centre with momentary gusts up to 130knots.

The cyclone is moving southeast at 5knots. On this track severe tropical Cyclone Ian is expected to lie about 50km west of Vava'u (near late) at around 7am tomorrow.

On its current track, Tropical Cyclone Ian may bring:

Damaging gale force winds to Vava'u with in the next 3hrs, destructive storm force winds in the next 3-6hrs and very destructive hurricane force winds in the next 6-12hrs

For the Ha'apai group tropical cyclone Ian may bring damaging gale force winds in the next 6hrs, destructive storm force winds in the next 6-12hr and very destructive hurricane force winds in the next 12-18hr.

For Tongatapu and 'Eua the cyclone may bring damaging gale force winds in the next 12-18hrs

A hurricane warning remains in force for the Vavau and Haapai groups.

A gale warning remains in force for Tongatapu,'Eua and nearby islands.

A strong wind warning remains inforce for Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi.

A damaging heavy swell advisory remains inforce for coastal waters of Vava'u and Ha'apai group.

A heavy rain advisory remains in force for the vava'u and ha'apai groups.

Family of Tevita Pasikala await DNA test result

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan family in Auckland claimed the body found in a burnt out car early this week was that of Tevita Pasikala, 24. 

But the deceased will not be officially identified until Wednesday next week.

Spokeswoman for the family, Sisifa Afu Tangi told Kaniva News Pasikala who resided in Auckland  headed to the Bay of Plenty to meet his wife’s family on Sunday 5.

Police were called to a road accident Sunday morning where a car crashed into  a tree before bursting into flames in the Bay of Plenty .

The incident occurred on Thornton Rd, just north of Whakatane, about 6am, said Inspector Peter Raynes of the police northern communications centre.

It is now understood it would take several days before police determine what caused  the gruesome death of the driver and the deceased’s identity.

Believing the body was that of Tevita Pasikala Ms Tangi, who is assisting police in their investigation said the deceased,  “is at the Hamilton Hospital to do a DNA to confirm his identity. We assumed his body was badly burned. It will not be ready until 22/01 but we are trying to see if possible that we can get it out earlier relatives are ready,” Ms Tangi said.

Since Sunday families and Tongan churches are gathering at Howick to pray for Pasikala.

The vehicle the family claimed to be that of Pasikala  was engulfed in flames after it hit a tree head-on.

The driver, who was the only person in the car, was dead when emergency services arrived.

Firefighters had extinguished the flames and were assisting police with their investigation.

Tonga's Finance Minister formally dismissed

By
Kalino Latu
-

Breaching cabinet solidarity was the basis for the Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano's decision to sack his Finance Minister,  Lisiate 'Aloveita ‘Akolo.

‘Akolo was given a letter on Monday in Auckland from the Prime Minister asking him to resign.

He defied the Prime Minister’s request and as a result he was formally dismissed yesterday afternoon.

The politicians in Tonga believed there was a “personal motive” behind the minister's dismissal with Opposition's 'Isileli Pulu saying, "It's hard to believe the PM could sack  'Akolo just because he told the people that the 5% COLA was unreasonble" as what the Prime Minister claimed.

The Prime Minister's letter to 'Akolo on Monday was written in Tongan.

In his letter the Prime Minister said:

"Ka ‘oku ou tui ;oku hoko ho’o ta’efeauna,ta’efiengaue fakataha ,pea mo e ‘ikai keke ‘ulutukua ke ke faka’apa’apa’I ‘a e tu’utu’uni pea mo e fevahevahe’aki na’e fakahoko ‘I he Kapineti ke ha ‘ata ki tu’a ‘oku to kehekehe pe ‘ikai lelei ‘a e langa ngaue ‘a e Pule’anga ki hono patoloaki ‘a e langa fakalakalaka o hange ko e faka’amu ‘a e Pule’anga ke fakahoko ‘a e COLA peseti ‘e 5".

[translated by Kaniva] But I believe your obstinate refusal, unwilling to cooperate and to give in and respect the decision and sharing made in the cabinet reflected disunity or created an impression that the government’s initiative to boost its development projects proposal like the initiative for the 5% COLA is unfavourable.

"’Kuo’u fakapapau’I ‘e ‘ikai pe ke nga’unu kimu’a ‘a e ngaahi fokotu’utu’u langa ngaue fakalakalaka ‘a e Pule’anga kapau ko e ‘ulungaanga mo e to’onga ngaue ia ‘oku fakahoko’aki ho’o fuafatongia.Koia ai ‘oku ou fiema’u ke ke fakahu mai ho’o tohi fakafisi mei he Lakanga Minisita Pa’anga mo e Palani Fakafonua kimu’a he ‘aho 8 Sanuali ‘a ia ‘oku fakahoko ai ‘a e fakataha Kapineti makehe ki he fokotu’utu’u fo’ou ki he toenga ta’u ‘o e Pule’anga".

[translated by Kaniva] I am certain there won’t be any improvements in the way how the government endeavour to implement its development project proposals if that is your attitude and behaviour towards your duty. I therefore demand that you submit your letter of resignation from [your] ministerial position as a Minister for Finance and National Planning no later than January 8 in a special Cabinet meeting held to set up the agendas for the government's final year while in power.

Hon. Clive Edwards, Minister for Justice told Radio ABC ‘Akolo has been “officially sacked” yesterday afternoon “because he has refused to submit a resignation".

According to Edwards the Prime Minister claimed ‘Akolo went on air and said the cabinet’s approval of the 5% COLA was unreasonable.

Akolo in response called upon the Prime Minister to show him the proof of his claim.

Edwards told the radio, “… on this occasion he was present in cabinet, he was a party to a cabinet decision and he goes on the air and television and say the government has no money to pay out this cabinet decision, and it's not reasonable, it's not a reasonable decision when he was a party to it and it was his recommendation".

Kaniva News listened to an Youtube clip recorded by the government's funded Radio &Television Tonga where ‘Akolo recently announced the 5% COLA approved by cabinet.

It was recorded in Tongan and there was nothing in the way how 'Akolo presented the announcement that could validate the Prime Minister's claim unless Tu'ivakano was referring to a different source.

Giant cyclone to strike northern Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

[lastupdated]

 

As Tropical Cyclone Ian oscillates since its first report early this week, Tonga Met Services at its latest advisory says it is expected to strike Tonga this evening bringing  a destructive hurricane force winds.

Ian now is rated as category 4 meaning it would hit with strongest wind gust measured at 225-280km/h causing significant roofing loss and structural damage, dangerous airborne debris and widespread power failure.

On its current track, tropical cyclone Ian may bring damaging gale force winds to Vava'u in the next 3-6hrs and very destructive storm force winds in the next 6-12hrs and very destructive hurricane force winds in the next 12-18hrs.

For the Ha'apai group tropical cyclone Ian may bring damaging gale force winds in the next 6-12hrs, destructive storm force winds in the next 12-18 and possible very destructive hurricance force winds in the next 24 to 36hr.

For Tongatapu and 'Eua the cyclone may bring damaging gale force winds in the next 24-48hrs

Severe tropical cyclone Ian category 4 was located near 17 decimal 1 south 175 decimal 8 west or about 170km south of Niuafo'ou or about 260km northwest of Vava'u at 7:00am this morning.

Tropical cyclone Ian has estimated winds of 90knots near its centre with momentary gusts up to 125knots.

The cyclone continues to intensify and is moving east-southeast at 4knots.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology rates the Australian tropical cyclone as the following:

  • Category 1 with strongest wind gust measured at less than 125 kilometres per hour. Usually causes minimal house damage but may cause damage to some crops, trees and caravans and water craft may drag moorings.
  • Category 2 with strongest wind gust measured at 125-170km/h. May cause minor house damage but significant damage to signs, trees and caravans, and heavy damage to some crops. There may be risk of power failure and small craft may break moorings.
  • Category 3 with strongest wind gust measured at 170-225km/h. May cause roof and structural damage, destroy caravans, cause power failure.
  • Category 4 with strongest wind gust measured at 225-280km/h. May cause significant roofing loss and structural damage, dangerous airborne debris, widespread power failure.
  • Category 5 with strongest wind gust at more than 280km/h. Extremely dangerous and causing widespread destruction.

Cyclone Ian heightens threatening Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tropical Cyclone Ian that wandered around the South Pacific islands of Fiji and Tonga early this week was this evening reported to be a massive hurricane threatening Tonga Islands

In the latest advisory, Tonga Met Services says  Ian now a category 4 cyclone  is expected to strike Niuafo'ou in the next 3-6hrs bringing destructive storm force winds to the Vava'u group in the next 18-24hrs and  damaging gale force winds to Ha'apai within the next 18-24hrs.

A strong wind warning is now in force for Tonga’s main island Tongatapu and 'Eua,  Niuatoputapu and Tafahi islands.

Severe tropical cyclone Ian category 4 was located near 16 decimal 9 south 176 Decimal 4 west or about 170km southwest of niuafo'ou or about 320km northwest of Vava'u at 8:00pm this evening.

Tropical cyclone Ian has estimated winds of 90kts near its centre with momentary gusts up to 125kts.

The cyclone continues to intensify and is moving east-southeast at 3kts.

Ratu Mara denies given land in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara known as Roko Ului who has been given sanctuary in Tonga after he fled Fiji in 2011 has denied he was given an island in the kingdom.

The Fiji Sun report in December 23 said, “Due to his close ties to the royal family, Princess Pilolevu Tuita, the sister of the late King George Tupou V and the current King of Tonga, Tupou VI, gave him one of her islands.

Roko Ului is said to be developing the island for eco-tourism,” the website says.

The Sun also said Mara, “now  holds one of the most prominent positions in the kingdom, as private secretary to the King of Tonga, King Tupou VI.”

The Radio & Television Tonga news in Tongan today says Mara denied he was given an island in Tonga by the “king”.

Asking whether he owned the island of Makaha’a situated at northern Nuku’alofa, Mara told the radio  Makaha’a is leased out to Princess Pilolevu and he has no part in it.

The former Fijian military colonel was land force commander in Fiji in 2010, effectively the second most powerful man to leader Frank Bainimarama.

He and his colleague Brigadier General Pita Diriti were accused and arrested for mutiny and sedition against  Bainimarama.

Diriti was sentenced last December to five years imprisonment.

While on bail Mara’s family were allegedly got in contact with their royal cousins in Tonga.

In May 2011 the  Tongan Naval boat Savea, secretly picked up Mara  in the  south of Ono-i-Lau and took him to Nuku’alofa 370 km away from Fiji.

Mara is a second cousin of King Tupou VI and  is now staying with his royal cousins in Tonga

Tonga cyclone warning reissued

By
Kalino Latu
-

Forcasters at Tonga Meteorogical Services have warned Tropical Cyclone Ian is again threatening Tonga.

A gale warning is now in force for Niuafo'ou and Vava'u

A gale alert remains in force for Ha'apai groups

A strong wind warning remains in force for Niuatoputapu and Tafahi

A heavy rain advisory remains inforce for Niuafo'ou

Tropical cyclone Ian category 2 was located near 16 decimal 6 south 176 decimal 8 west or about 170km southwest of Niuafo'ou or about 375km northwest of Vava'u

At 7:00am this morning.tropical cyclone Ian has estimated winds of 65kts near its centre with momentary gusts up to 80kts.the cyclone continues to intensify and is moving northeast at 3kts but is expected to move southeast in the next 6 to 12hours.

On its current track, tropical cyclone ian may bring damaging gale force winds to Niuafo'ou in the next 3 to 6hrs and to Vava'u in the next 18 to 24hrs.

Hidden agenda behind Finance Minister’s removal, Pulu claims

By
Kalino Latu
-

The removal of Tongan Finance Minister Lisiate ‘Akolo was a political decision, Opposition frontbencher ‘Isileli Pulu told Kaniva Pacific this week.

‘Akolo was sacked by the Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano, who accused him of not supporting Cabinet’s decision to approve a cost of living allowance (COLA) for civil servants.

Pulu, who was Tourism Minister in 2012, said there was a hidden agenda behind the Finance Minister’s sacking.

He said ‘Akolo was the only member of Cabinet to stand up to the Prime Minister and was not popular because he constantly questioned other minister’s spending.

Lord Tu’ivakano wrote to ‘Akolo, who was in Auckland, telling him to resign or be dismissed.

‘Akolo received the letter via the Tongan consulate on January 6.

In the letter, the Prime Minister said ‘Akolo did not support Cabinet’s decision on December 20 to approve a five per cent pay rise for civil servants.

In his letter the Prime Minister said the Solicitor General had advised that it would be legal to pay for the rise from the government’s contingency fund.  

Cabinet originally approved a 20 percent rise.

'Akolo denied that he had not supported cabinet’s decision and said he had acted in accordance with government's directions.

He flew back to Tonga on January 7, hoping to see the Prime Minister.

However, when he tried to attend a special cabinet meeting in Nuku'alofa he was stopped by a security guard and told that the Acting Cabinet Secretary wanted  him to hand over his letter of resignation immediately and leave.  

The Prime Minister is now Acting Finance Minister.

Tonga’s Minister of Justice, Clive Edwards, told radio 89.5FM the decision to sack ‘Akolo was entirely the Prime Minister’s.

He said the meeting was held for Lord Tu’ivakano to listen to his ministers’ views on his decision to sack ‘Akolo.

A total of 10 ministers attended, two of whom asked the Prime Minister to be lenient.

The Minister for Public Enterprises Hon Fe’aoVakata was absent.

Meanwhile, former cabinet colleague, ‘Isileli Pulu, said he did not think ‘Akolo had been forced to resign because of how he handled the Cost of Living Adjustment issue.

“That sounds ridiculous because it had been approved,” Pulu said.

"'Akolo was very clear and straightforward in the way he  broadcast the cabinet decision on the COLA and how they previously approved a 20% and then finally agreed to 5%,.

“What came to my mind when I heard this was I knew for sure that only ‘Akolo can challenge the Prime Minister in the cabinet.”

Pulu said this was especially true when it came to   over-spending by some ministries.

‘Akolo seconded Pulu when he moved in the House that the government reconsider how it used its travel budget.

“I think the Prime Minister and his ministers were not satisfied with their Finance Minister on that,” Pulu said.

"When I was in the Cabinet the ministers who spent all their budget before the next financial year personally approached the Prime Minister and asked for more.

“When the PM agreed the Cabinet ministers all agreed.

“It was difficult for a person in such an environment to become Finance Minister.” 

Pulu said that now Lord Tu’ivakano was Acting Finance Minister, he should work in the Treasury and watch its offices struggling every two weeks to find the money to pay civil servants’ wages.

The main points

  • Tongan Finance Minister Lisiate ‘Akolo has been removed from Cabinet on the orders of the Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano.
  • Lord Tu’ivakano accused the Finance Minister of not supporting Cabinet’s decision to approve a five percent  cost of living allowance for civil servants.
  • 'Akolo denied that he had not supported Cabinet’s decision and said he had acted in accordance with government's directions.
  • Opposition frontbencher ‘Isileli Pulu, who was Tourism Minister in 2012, told Kaniva Pacific there was a hidden agenda behind the Finance Minister’s sacking.
  • He said ‘Akolo was the only member of Cabinet to stand up to the Prime Minister and was not popular because he constantly questioned other minister’s spending.
  • The Prime Minister is now Acting Finance Minister.

Hon Akolo’s resignation fuels speculation

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Finance Minister has been told to resign it has been  confirmed this afternoon by his CEO Tatafu Moeaki.

Moeaki said he “just confirmed it this morning" as the minister arrived back to Nuku'alofa from Auckland before lunch time.

No further details given and the Prime Minister, Hon Lord Tu’ivakano has yet to respond to our email.

Hon 'Akolo was in Auckland when he received a letter from the Prime Minister demanding he tenders him his resignation.

The letter was handed to the minister yesterday afternoon by Stafford 'Aho the Tongan counsul in Auckland.

The reliable source who disclosed the news for the minister’s resignation in Auckland this morning spoke on condition of anonimity because the minister left for Tonga expecting to meet the Prime Minister.

 He told the Tongan Producer at Radio Planet FM 104.6, Kite Tu’akalau, ‘Akolo queried the Prime Minister over his  wife's overseas travel spending.

Lady Robina Tu'ivakano Kaho mostly accompanied the Prime Minister when travelling overseas on business matters.

'Akolo did not return a call for comment from Kaniva this morning.

It is understood the Prime Minister was also under intense pressure from the rest of his cabinet ministers to do something against Hon Akolo. 

The finance minister allegedly opposed the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) approved by the cabinet in early December.

The government finally approved a 5% COLA after 'Akolo insisted the government has no money to fund the pay rise.

In 2012 PM Tu’ivakano’s cabinet met to process requirements needed after Tonga won the bid to host  the South Pacific Games in 2019.

In the meeting the agenda was met with strong resistance from Hon Akolo saying Tonga could not afford to fund the South Pacific Games.

Hon Clive Edwards, the Minister of Justice  told Talaki  newspaper at the time Lord Tu’ivakano was furious at ‘Akolo’s attitude and he reprimanded him during the cabinet meeting.  

Hon Edwards also told the paper the cabinet ministers were suspicious that 'Akolo was leaking information to Opposition Leader 'Akilisi Pohiva.

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