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Video: Tonga investigation into police brutality

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tongan Police have launched an investigation into a horrific online video showing a police officer brutally beating a teenager appeared to be a high school student.

Grant O’Fee, Tonga’s Police Commissioner after watching the video vowed the officer responsible must be held acountable.

The video was uploaded to Facebook yesterday by a person known as Sione Langi.

It quickly attracted 120 outrageous comments within hours with many expressing astonishment the video shows to prove police brutality against their own people still exist in Tonga.

The video shows a man in police uniform running after the teenager. He beat him to the point the teenager fell to ground while the officer continued to kick him. In the end he struck him with an object appeared to be a stick.

The reason behind the beating is unclear, but according to the recording, it appears the incident happened after a brawl broke out among school students.

O’Fee said they received a complaint and a full Investigation is underway.

“We have not backed away from this issue and we won’t start now,” says Commissioner O’Fee.

“This is a serious blow to our effort to gain the trust and confidence of the public, nonetheless we will pursue this complain vigorously.”

The incident emerged after two Tongan police officers have been jailed last month  for the manslaughter of Auckland constable Kali Fungavaka in August 2012. The 38-year-old father-of-five died in Nuku'alofa a week after receiving severe beatings in a police cell.

Police asked for anyone with information regarding the video that could help with the investigation to contact witness4tongapolice@gmail.com which the Commissioner has full access to or contact Phone Number 21 626 or mobile number 771 6810”.

Search called off for Nomuka fishermen

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The search for the three family members from Nomuka who went missing while on a fishing trip on July 30 has been formally suspended after 5 days of searching.

'Elone Taulafo went missing while fishing with his son Sione Filipe Taulafo and his son-in-law Sofele Folau early Thursday last week.

Over the last five days, there have been three extensive searches over the Ha’apai waters but to no avail.

The  New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion search plane sent out to look for signs of the fishermen has made no sightings of their boat or debris.

During the searches locals assisted a navy vessel of the Tongan HMAF with members of the police tactical response team as well as assistance from the Rescue Coordination Centre in Suva.

Police Commissioner, Grant O'Fee said families have been told the search operation has been called off.  

Honolulu police wanted Bensemann Vaka’uta

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Honolulu Police are working to confirm whether the person by the name Bensemann Vakauta they are looking for since 2012 is the same person New Zealand Police wanted to speak to early this week or not.

Auckland City police urged Vaka’uta, 22,  to present himself at a Police station after they were called to apartments inside the old Auckland Railway Station building  at 3pm, where a stabbing had occurred.

A woman at the Auckland 111 call centre  who answered the phone has told Kanva News this afternoon New Zealand Police are “no longer interested” in Vaka’uta. She declined to comment when she was asked whether Vaka'uta  was the same person wanted by Honolulu police.

Vaka'uta could not be reach for comment.

At the same time the Honolulu Police Department are seeking the public`s assistance in locating a person by the name Bensemann Vakauta who was wanted for a $50,000 warrant on October 2012. He was described as 21 years old at the time and has black hair and brown eyes.

Kim Buffett from Honolulu crimestopper could not confirm whether the Vaka’uta wanted by police in Auckland was the same person Honolulu police wanted.

“We cannot confirm this is the same person but we will forward this information to the detectives here”, Buffett said.

Two killed in separate car crashes

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

The Tongan police believed speed and alcohol were factors in crashes that claimed two lives last week in two separate road accidents.

A 25-year-old man from Lapaha died after he allegedly driving a rental car at high speed crashing into a tree at the Taufa’ahau Road in Vaini on July 31 at around 11.30pm. He sustained major injuries and died in Vaiola hospital on Saturday , August 2. Four passengers in the car received minor injuries after the car “swerved” and “crashed” into the tree, police say.

Fourteen kilometres north of the scene, the 22-year-old victim was heading east along Salote Road early Saturday morning 2 August when he crashed his vehicle into a power pole at around 12.20am leaving his five passengers with minor injuries. He died at the scene.

Investigation continues according to Tonga's Police Commissioner, Grant O'Fee.

Three missing Nomuka fishermen named.

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Tonga Police and emergency services are searching waters off Ha’apai group for three Nomuka men who went missing while fishing on July 30.

'Elone Taulafo and his son Sione Filipe Taulafo as well as his son-in-law Sofele Folau are still missing and the search operation has yet to find them.

The father is said to be in his 50’s and the sons are in their 20’s.

Since Thursday a large search and rescue team, including a New Zealand’s Air Force Orion and assistance from Fiji’s Rescue Coordination Centre in Suva had been scouring the coast of the Ha’apai Islands.

The Orion P-3 from New Zealand conducted aerial search on Sunday 3 August for 5 hours, while His Majesty’s Armed Forces Navy Boat with members from Tonga Police Tactical Response Group searched at sea since Friday, according to Tonga’s Commissioner of Police, Grant O’Fee.

Local boats are assisting in the search.

Man dies of heart attack after returning from kava-Tonga party

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A man from Talafo’ou died of a heart attack after returning from a kava party on July 25.

Tongan police said the 39-year-old Fredrick Ale was sleeping in his car before a friend found him dead.

Medical officer at Vaiola hiospital confirmed the cause of death was heart attack.
 

Fasi-mo e-Afi house gutted by fire

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A Fasi house, located between the International Dateline Hotel and the Emerald Hotel, has been destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon.

The two-storey Vuna Rd, Fasi house completely ablaze when crews arrived shortly before 5.30pm, local media reported.

The Fire Service believed no one was home at the time.

The house was now un-liveable with the worst of the damage to about 2/3 of the building.

Fire safety officers investigate the cause.

Hunt continues for Vaka'uta

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Auckland City Police want to speak to 22 year-old Bensemann Vakauta, in connection with the stabbing of a man in the central city earlier today.

He is urged to make contact with Police or present himself at a Police station.

Police were called to the scene at 3 o'clock this afternoon, where a stabbing had occurred at some apartments inside the old Auckland Railway Station building.

The 40 year-old victim remains in hospital tonight in a serious condition.

Vakauta is considered by Police to be extremely violent and the public are warned not to approach him. 

Anyone who knows where Bensemann Vakauta is should call 111 immediately.

Information can also be given anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Exhibition of Fata-'O-Tu'itonga

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Kiliki ki he ongoongo faka-Tonga

by Katherine Mawson

The Tongan/New Zealand artist, Uili Lousi, opened his first exhibition in New York City at the MC Gallery today, July 31, 2014. The title of his exhibition is “Making Space Speak”. His work depicts the inner movements of the Royal Tongan Motifs, "making space speak … magic, perhaps, between worlds".

Uili is a self-taught artist who began his journey as an academic interested in philosophy and pure mathematics. His professional career has been in the health and fitness industries. His life long interest has been in the mathematical dimensions of Fata-O-Tu'i-Tonga, or, The Royal Tongan Motifs. His artwork depicts the motion of The Royal Tongan Motifs in stillness, and expresses their rhythm, impulse, and symmetry in space. The repetitive motifs create a visual matrix, presenting a dialectical process of transition from traditional to contemporary, and representation to abstraction. He takes The Royal Tongan Motifs into a new realm of Pacific/Moana Art, one that permeates space, emitting Light and Energy. It is form beyond the formless.

Beyond the beauty and aesthetics of Uili’s work is also a compelling backstory of this first exhibition. Uili arrived in New York towards the end of June this year, intending to show his work but without a space in which to show it. As he said during his moving opening speech, “I had a vision and that vision was to show my work in New York City”. Through a series of serendipitous meetings and hard work he was able to secure space in a midtown gallery and open the show to the public just over five weeks later. Surely a defining moment for Uili as he realises his dream.

Uili's success is a testament to his dedication, commitment and hard work in navigating the many different spaces of Manhattan since the day he arrived. Uili and I met quite by chance and I am sure that was the case for many others who were at the opening last night. Uili really lives his work and through his work and I am sure others that know him would agree. Below are some comments from folks attending the opening:   

“A stunning display of juxtapositions- a harmony of South Sea patterns that waves and weaves throughout Oceania. Uili’s work is hypnotic and opens your eyes to shaping and weaving that surrounds us everyday. In NYC, I see his work woven into the structures that shape our skyline, into the pulsating grid of its streets and avenues. ” Etieni Leomiti

“I am full of admiration for this Tongan artist who made a dream come true through determination, dedication, and Polynesian connections.” Tekau Frere

 “A vibrant exhibit of work that depicts movements between different spaces and between different cultures through the use of geometric shapes derived from Uili’s Tongan heritage and from his interest in mathematics. His use of symmetrical shapes provide great depth, making his work unique, vibrant and staying true to the inner movements which makes his work quite abstract. As a Tongan, the inner movements between different spaces resonates well with me as it speaks also to navigating experiences and spaces not just as a Tongan person but also with experiences of migrating and living in New Zealand and now in New York. Truly a proud moment for me to be at Uili’s opening and to share his achievements” Malia Talakai

Uili Lousi "Making Space Speak"

MC Gallery

549 West 52nd Street, 8th Floor

(Between 10th and 11th Avenues)

Hours:

Monday and Tuesday by appointment

Wednesday to Friday 12.00-6.00pm

Saturday 1.00-6.00pm

Free newspaper for the Tongan community

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A free fortnightly newspaper for the Tongan community in Auckland has been proved successful after it was launched early this month.

Indige Bizcom Ltd publisher Kitekei’aho Tu’akalau has unveiled the Tau’ataina (The Independent) as part of an expansion made to the company’s radio broadcasting service.

The 24 pages tabloid-sized paper which is published in Tongan language serves more than 3000 Tongan readers within Auckland.

“We are running short every week according to our readers’ needs so there is plan to increase the print,” Tu’akalau said.

While most Tongan local newspapers become embroiled with Tonga’s current political chaos with some overtly stand by the government campaigning against radical democrats, Tu’akalau said, Tau’ataina keeps to its ethic.

“We are not competing with any newspapers as we are independent and free,” he said.  

Tu’akalau said the editorials and columnists are centrist and the paper has a mission to share with readers the “knowledge” and experiences they have.

The producer of the Dateline Tonga radio programme said negotiations are underway with agents in Australia, Hawaii, the United States and Tonga to publish the paper in those countries.

Tu’akalau holds a degree of Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the Auckland University of Technology in 2005.

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