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Tonga's internet speed more than four hundred times faster

By
Kalino Latu
-

King Tupou VI has launched Tonga’s high speed internet at a ceremony at the Tonga Cable Limited building today August 21.

Before the arrival of the new broadband service, internet users used bandwidth at a rate of approximately  20-30 megabits per second. The  new bandwidth increased up to 10 gigabits per second, that is more than 400 times faster.

The king in the presence of the Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano officially commissioned the service with the click of a mouse, which delivered high speed internet to the people of Tonga for the first time ever.

The US $32.8 million Pacific Regional Connectivity Project financed the development of a submarine cable system which is now delivering the broadband service. It is being supported by the World Bank Group, ADB, and TCC.

“Today marks a historical occasion for Tonga and the beginning of a new era, as the Kingdom for the first time connects to high speed Internet, which has been a dream of Ha’a Moheofo,” said Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano. “Faster Internet speed and higher bandwidth at cheaper and more affordable prices is a real opportunity for Tonga.”

“The social and economic benefits of the new high speed internet service will be many,” said Adrian Ruthenberg, Regional Director of ADB’s South Pacific Subregional Office at the ceremony. “The people of Tonga will be better connected to the rest of the world, the new service will help businesses to expand, creating jobs and will facilitate access to remote health and education services”

The 827km fiber optic cable system linking Tonga to Fiji via the Southern Cross Cable -the main trans-Pacific link between Australia and the United States – will provide Tonga’s population of 100,000 with affordable, accessible, information and communication technology services.

“The advent of highspeed internet is a landmark event for Tonga,” said Franz Drees-Gross, Country Director for the World Bank in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Pacific Islands. “The cable will make it faster and easier for Tongans to communicate which will bring profound benefits to development.”

The arrival of high speed broadband is the latest milestone of the project which will boost Tonga’s international connectivity.

The Tonga Cable Limited building was constructed to withstand extreme weather events, with the equipment which facilitates the internet service stored on the top floor in a temperature controlled room in case of flooding.

Featured image: subseaworldnews.com

'Alani Taione apologises following his nephew married to Hon Lupepau'u Tuita

By
Kalino Latu
-

UPDATED 18:30 – 20/08: ‘Alani Taione, a diehard democratic activist who had been known to many as an opponent of the Tongan monarchy has publicly made an apology to the king and the royal family this afternoon.

He offered his  apology following his nephew ‘Epeli Taione’s wedding with Hon Lupepau’u Tuita  last weekend in Fiji.

Hon Lupepau’u is the King of Tonga’s eldest niece and number sixth to the Tongan throne. She is also the eldest daughter of Princess Pilolevu, the only sister of King Tupou VI.

‘Alani is a young brother of ‘Epeli’s father. He was well known to foreign media as an anti-monarchist.

In August 2005 the anti-monarchist arrived with a group of about hundred Tongans at the ‘Atalanga – Auckland Royal Residence in protest against the government’s initial refusal to accept demand by civil servants who went on strike in Tonga for a fair pay rise.

Hon Lupepau’u’s grandfather, King Tupou IV was in  Auckland at the time for a medical check and he was at ‘Atalanga.

The protest turned ugly as a fight broke out outside the residence between the protesters and the royal staff. Some of the protesters swore at the ailing king who was in a house just about 20 metres from where the protest took place.

‘Alani threatened to burn down the residence and killed everybody.

The incident quickly reached the royal family in Tonga prompting Princess Pilolevu to walk down from the palace to Pangai Si’i where the civil servant strikers gathered.

During a speech she delivered to the strikers she broke down saying  something to the effect that “How can you bear to swear at my father. You couldn’t bear someone swearing at your own father”

In July 2006 ‘Alani  drove a car into the ʻAtalanga residence’s gate and set it alight. He then called out: “You fellas will be in hell”.

On one occasion he burnt the Tonga national flag in protest against the king and government’s reluctance to accept democracy for Tonga.

It is Tongan custom to have a  fakalelei or reconciliation in occasion like wedding, funeral or birthday and for family members to re-establish their close relationship especially if there was falling-out. ‘Alani says this is an opportunity for him to ask for the royal family’s forgiveness.

In front of the Kaniva news’s video camera this afternoon ‘Alani repeatedly tried to hold back his tears as he was apologising to the king of Tonga, the Queen Mother, Princess Pilolevu and all the royal households for what he did for them.

He said he will also request an audience with Princess Pilolevu to express his apology to her in person.

We were told by reliable sources within the family who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not in a position to speak on behalf of the family,  the Taione considered launching a hulouifi before the king because of what ‘Alani did.

Hulouifi is a process of seeking king’s mercy or pardon where attended-members wear garlands of ifi leaves.

Princess Pilolevu did not attend the wedding:

Princess Pilolevu  and his husband Lord Tuita did not attend their daughter’s wedding in Fiji last weekend. The motive is unknown but our sources said they speculated that the princess might still hold a grudge against the Taione because of ‘Alani.

‘Alani said he has already met Hon Lupepau’u and personally delivered his apology to her.

“I met Lupepau’u and I apologised to her…I just felt how come the princess’s daughter become part of my poor family,” ‘Alani said in tears.

The Taione family will tomorrow perform the – ‘ave ‘o e fefine mali or returning the bride.

It is the last part of the wedding ceremony where the bridegroom’s family will accompany Hon Lupepau’u to meet her family after the wedding has been processed  in the state and the church as well as the First Sunday

A meeting was announced for ‘Epeli’s maternal side to be held at Mangere, Auckland  last night in preparation for their visit to Lupepau’u’s family in Tonga tomorrow.

Note from editor: An earlier version of this article was pulled at the request of the Taione family together with ‘Alani. The family request stated that ‘Alani’s statements in our first version of the article would not help with  what they are bound to perform tomorrow for Lupepau’u’s family and their expectation of  a warm welcome  and peaceful meeting. ‘Alani agreed and asked us to accept his family’s request.

Nuku’alofa teen’s death: Two charged

By
Kalino Latu
-

UPDATED: Police have charged two accused over the death of the 14 year old girl at Vaiola Hospital on Friday August  16.

A  34 year old woman previously arrested on Friday 16. Another 37 year old man was arrested on Saturday 17. They are sister and brother and were detained in relation to the death of the teen.

This morning they were both charged with manslaughter.

Police said the teen’s injuries appeared to have been caused by a strike she received while in a Nuku’alofa household.

She was rushed to the hospital on August 15 and died the following day.

Police investigation continues.

People’s wedding: Hon Lupepau'u marries ‘Epi Taione

By
Kalino Latu
-

An island resort in Fiji became the setting for a wedding that brought another dramatic change into the Tongan traditional arranged high level marriages set for members of the Royal family to make sure the blue blood is kept undiluted.

Hon Lupepau’u Tuita Taione 36 is sixth in line to the Tongan throne and is the king of Tonga’s eldest niece tied the knot with a commoner, ‘Epeli Taione 34  of ‘Utui, Vava’u yesterday Saturday 17.

Taione also known as Paddy Power in the global rugby union field is currently Tonga Rugby Union’s president.

The couple exchanged vows at a private church over the weekend. Guests included ‘Epi’s  uncle Sione Vaea Taione, Hon Lupepau’u’s cousin Hon Salote Maumautaimi Tuku’aho, other family members and friends.

Hon Lupepau’u’s parents, Princess Pilolevu and Lord Tuita did not attend the ceremony.  They were in Auckland last week August 10 and attended the wedding of their daughter Hon Frederica Tuita Filipe who married another commoner.

Hon Frederica Filipe is  a younger sister of Hon Lupepau‘u Taione.

Kaniva News could tell from posts and discussion by thousands of Tongans on  social media  as well as in local news  media regarding the nuptial ceremony  about 99%  applauded the wedding and Hon Lupepau’u’s decision to wed a commoner.

They highly appreciate her pick to marry for love and not following  the strict  royal wedding policy.

We were informed the newly minted couple, Hon Lupepau’u and ‘Epi Taione with their entourage will leave for Tonga tomorrow to meet both families and relatives.

Royal wedding policy:

  • The first twenty in line to the throne must marry within the nobility.
  • The women must be given suitors to choose from.
  • King must consent to the wedding after going through paper works provided by the person who is going to wed.
  • There is no need for the royal members to really know who they are going to marry.
  •  The dating process is public and is done in-front of guardians or attendants of families of the women – a traditional process applies to both royal and commoners.

Passengers disappointed: MA-60 returns without landing due to bad weather

By
Kalino Latu
-

UPDATED: The passengers of Real Tonga airline who were unable to board its MA-60 aircraft  on Tuesday in Vava’u because the plane  returned to Tongatapu without landing due to a bad weather said they were upset by how the company treated them.

Kaniva News could not be able to contact the airline but two passengers, Darrin Spillane and Graeme Robertson told the local Kele’a Newspaper there were “no accommodation” provided.

When they contacted the airline to confirm what had happened and to discuss the problems they encountered they were only told the plane “Can’t fly” and “No one is flying on the plane today.”

“The problem the  airplane flew to Vava’u this morning but the weather minimal was not suitable for the aircraft to land ,” Fakatele ‘Akau’ola from the airline told the newspaper this week.

Most of the passengers were bound to arrive in Tongatapu on Tuesday and leave for their overseas destinations on the same day.

The airline’s Islander Aircraft reportedly flied 8 passengers from Ha’apai to Vava’u on the same day so they could return to Tongatapu on the MA-60 but could not make it due to the problem.

MA-60 could not land on the Ha’apai airport.

The aircraft took its first flight last Saturday 10 and the airline announced it was scheduled to fly twice a day to Vava‘u only and no other destinations in Tonga.

The Chinese MA-60 aircraft is designed to  “operate in rugged conditions with limited ground support and has short take-off and landing capability”

Despite US Federal Aviation Administration refused to certify it as well as  other European countries, Tonga has allowed the aircraft  to fly  according to its own  legislation and safety civil aviation regulations.

The aircraft type experienced many accidents in the past ranging from passengers suffered from injuries to death. The most recent one was in June this year when “An MA60 turboprop airliner with 52 people on board crash-landed at an airport in eastern Indonesia … leaving two passengers with minor injuries and forcing state-owned carrier Merpati to write off the plane”.

A 34 year old woman arrested after teenage girl dies

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 14 year old girl was rushed to Vaiola Hospital on August 16 with serious head injuries. She died at about 11 o’clock in the morning.

The victim’s injuries appeared to have been caused by a strike she received and it happened within a Nuku’alofa household. A 34 year old woman arrested by police and was due to appear in court today.

The police are looking at charging the woman with murder or man slaughter.

No further details released. Police investigation continues.

 

 

Canadian couple rescued with yacht after distress call

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Canadian couple have been rescued from their yacht near Vava’u  main island in Tonga last week.

The yacht hit and got stuck in a reef at Hunga Islands, one of the surrounding  islands of  Vava’u.

A distress call had been sent from the yacht at about 4:00am August 6.

Another yacht  Dorothea 3 responded and after two days of prolonged struggle they managed to free the yacht from the reef. It was then towed by the Hakau, a tug boat,  into Neiafu Harbour.

Fellow yachtsmen who were in the area came to the rescue of the couple including Canadian Paul  Bella Via and Alan Bowes as well as some locals.

The 42-feet aluminium Canadian yacht named Page is registered in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Canadian owners are Tod, a Vancouver’s  paediatrician, and his wife Louise were in the yacht.

Chinese aircraft: Tongan authorities "playing politics with people's lives"

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Chinese controversial MA-60 aircraft given to Tonga as a gift took its maiden flight on Saturday 10 despite condemnation from Tongan and the Pacific communities.

The airline said they fulfilled process required by “Rules and Regulation of the International Civil Aviation Organization” and Saturday’s flights “went smoothly”.

The claims were not strong enough to convince New Zealand’s government to lift its hold of $10.5 million dollars in aid to  Tonga’s tourism that had been suspended  in response to the Tonga government’s  acceptance of the Chinese MA-60 aircraft.

The government celebrated the arrival of the new 60-seat Xian MA60 turbo-prop aircraft last month attended by King Tupou VI.

The welcoming ceremony drew reactions from the Pacific communities after it announced the plane was not certified to fly in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the US.

Last Saturday New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued an updated travel advisory after Tongan authorities allowed the aircraft to fly saying “Travellers utilising the MA-60 do so at their own risk”.

“The MA-60 is not certified by comparable jurisdictions such as the European Aviation Safety Agency (EU), the Federal Aviation Administration (US) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (AUS),”  statement from New Zealand MFAT says.

The aircraft’s first flight on Saturday outraged Tongan  community with many accused the government for playing politics with people’s lives.

Many pointed up the 2009 incident after the former government purchased the doomed MV Princess Ashika that killed 74 innocent passengers at sea.

A Royal Commission found in 2010 the key causes of the 2009 tragedy “were both a failure to conduct due diligence and a failure of leaders to perform their duties properly.

It also said the, “purchasing of the MV Princess Ashika was totally unsuited for service in the open seas of Tonga.

Tongan authorities who were responsible for the purchase of the MV Ashika were all failed to conduct due diligence in the purchase of the vessel, ultimately resulting in the disaster, the report said.

They rushed “to find a replacement for Tonga’s other inter-island ferry, the MV Olovaha, the Commissioners found that due diligence was by-passed by various officials”.

Critics on social media where many Tongans met nowadays asked questions like: “When will Tongan leaders learn?” “Do they travel by the aircraft or not?”

Some highlighted what had happened when Tonga operated Royal Tongan Airline (RTA)  in early 2000 that declared bankrupt in 2004. Leaders wanted the people to fly on the RTA jet while at the same time  they traveled to and from  overseas using Air New Zealand aircraft.

Many critics compared Tongan leaders attitudes to how President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe refused in 2007 to fly in MA-60 aircrafts he was active in purchasing for his country but expected his countrymen to fly in it.

Tongan community reacts to kidnapping case

By
Kalino Latu
-

Five kidnappers who abducted two Chinese men in Tonga July 24 demanded $400,000 of ransom in order to release them from captivity, police statement says.

The victims, who are father and son were invited into a meeting at a residence in the village of ‘Umusi at Ma’ofanga, Tongatapu.

They were kidnapped during the meeting and remanded at a place out of Nuku’alofa, it says.

The accused had been arrested and charged with armed robbery on July 26. They are three naturalized Chinese men and two Tongans.

Investigation revealed T$400,000 had been paid by the relative of the victims to the accused.

Police recovered two cheques which amount to T$325,000 but could not be able to find the balance which was in cash.

Armed robbery is one of serious offences in Tonga which is punishable for 20 years’ imprisonment.

Police says the case is new. All the accused have been remanding in custody for a month.

Tongans on social media say this is a wakeup call for Tongan policy and law makers to  review “Policies and Legislation to protect our children and our island kingdom”.

One commenter on Facebook says: “It may be vey alarming to us but it’s a normal routine for these professional criminals! How can our small countries protect our Pacific people and children from this negative exposures”

Mechanical failure prompted king to travel by vessel – NZ warns air travellers

By
Kalino Latu
-

UPDATED 10:30am, 11/08: A quick change was made on the King of Tonga’s flight schedules for his royal visits to open outer islands Agricultural Show on a Real Tongan Aircraft after the airline revealed the plane had mechanical failure.

King Tupou VI was due to take royal tour around the main outer islands of Tonga by aircraft to open the Royal Agricultural Show 2013 beginning on August 7  but eventually travelled on the MV 'Otuanga'ofa.

Tevita Palu, Real Tonga Chief Executive Officer said the company experienced a number of problems so far.

“‘Uhinga ki he laiseni ‘o e vaka, mo e kau ngaue pea ‘i ai mo e me’akehe ne maumau e vaka ‘e taha ‘o uesia ai e fefolau’aki,” ko ‘ene lau ia ki he pepa Kele’a. Translated as: “I mean there's an issue with the aircraft’s license, and the employees and some other issues, one aircraft had mechanical failure and they affected the flight schedules,” he told the  local Kele'a newspaper.

The Real Tonga leased aircraft from Air Chatham and it was the air plane that serviced the Niuas but the lease ended on August 6.

An anonymous source told the paper there is a substitution aircraft but it could not be able to land on the Niuas. The source said a small aircraft that could land on the Niuas was available but it assumed the king would not like to travel on it.

The MA-60 aircraft gifted from China was apparently not allowed to operate when the king's flights to the two Niuas were scheduled and it could not service the two islands for landing reasons.

The royal trips were arranged to be at Niuatoputapu on August 7,  Niuafo’ou on August 8, Vava’u on August 10, Ha’apai on August 14, and ‘Eua on August 17, before ending up with the  Tongatapu two days event on August 23-24.

Losaline Ma’asi from the Ministry of Agriculture told the paper they made regular checks with the airline office while the king was in the outer islands but confirmed the aircraft still could not be able to operate.

Too early

The problems revived a heated debate emerged when Air Chatham was about to leave Tonga in March this year saying it was not fair for the government to set up and subsidize a local airline, Real Tonga company,  to compete with its airline.

Critics warned at the time that government had pressed the wrong button when it was revealed it re-engaged in airline services considering its long history of failed aircraft ventures, including11 failed and bankrupted airlines in the past.

Deputy Prime Minister Hon Vaipulu, who was instrumental in setting up of the Real Tonga Airline was insistent at the time assuring Tonga’s domestic air travellers “they won’t be affected when the current domestic airline Chathams Pacific pulls out in March.”

The situation escalated into a stage that cost Tonga's millions of grant from New Zealand after PM John Key's government learnt last month the kingdom accepted a controversial aircraft as a gift from China.

Despite New Zealand's attempt to intervene for safety reason by holding its grants for Tonga's Tourism Hon Vaipulu announced the "aircraft is safe" and few things to be completed before it  "start the service to our people."

New Zealand releases warning

New Zealand today Saturday 10 has  warned its citizens after it confirmed Tonga has allowed the MA-60 aircraft to fly its zone.

"The MA-60 has been the subject of serious concerns amongst aviation experts. It is not certified to fly in New Zealand and would not be allowed to do so without a thorough certification process under Civil Aviation rules. The MA-60 is not certified by comparable jurisdictions such as the European Aviation Safety Agency (EU), the Federal Aviation Administration (US) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (AUS),” Mr McCully says.

“In the absence of an internationally respected certification process for Tongan conditions, it is the government’s obligation to draw the attention of the travelling public to these issues and our Tongan travel advisory has been updated accordingly.

“The New Zealand Government has put support for the Tongan tourism industry on hold, and we will not be spending taxpayer money promoting tourism in Tonga until we are satisfied with the safety and reliability of this new air service.

“We are in discussions with the Tongan Government on this issue. I reiterate my offer of support to Tonga to assist them in ensuring aviation safety, a critical component of tourism in the Pacific islands,” Mr McCully says.

MFAT’s updated travel advice on the MA-60:

Tonga’s domestic airline fleet currently includes an MA-60 aircraft. This aircraft has been involved in a significant number of accidents in the last few years. The MA-60 is not certified to fly in New Zealand or other comparable jurisdictions and would not be allowed to do so without a thorough certification process under Civil Aviation rules. Travellers utilising the MA-60 do so at their own risk.

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