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Ikale Tahi make changes for France test

Mana ‘Otai has made three changes to the ‘Ikale Tahi starting line-up for the test in Le Havre on Saturday 16 as the team take its second match during the 2013 European Tour.

Joe Tuineau will replace Uili Kolo'ofa'i at lock and Bayonne eighth man, Opeti Fonua pushing Viliami Ma'afu to the bench also with the much more experience Taniela Moa coming in for Thomas Palu.

Changes to the reserves will include Hale T Pole and Ilaisa Maasi whom they werent on the team last week taking the place of Suliasi Taufalele and Vili Faingaa.

From the Squad there has been another change with the inclusion of Hemani Paea replacing Suka Hufanga(injury). Suka has been with the team since the beginning of the Camp in Gruissan and it's a big blow for the team.

The French will miss him as he scored the winning try for Tonga against France at the last World Cup.

Great chance for Hemani Paea from the Oyonnax Rugby from the French Top 14 to be in the red team again. He made his debut back in 2007 against Korea and that was his only test for Tonga.

There is still hope for young Kolio Hifo from the Young Munster Rugby Club in Ireland to make it to the Wales game next week.

Team captained by Nili Latu:

      1 Alisona Taumalolo – Prop

2 Elvis Taione – Hooker

3 Tevita Mailau – Prop

4 Tukulua Lokotui – Lock

5 Joe Tu’ineau – Lock

6 Sione Kalamafoni – Flanker

7 Nili Latu (C) – Flanker

8 Opeti Fonua – Number 8

9 Taniela Moa – Scrum half

10 Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa – Outside half

11 Will Helu – Winger

12 Sione Piukala – Centre

13 Siale Piutau – Centre

14 Fetu’u Vainikolo – Winger

15 Vungakoto Lilo – Full back

Substitutes:

16 ‘Ilaisa Ma’asi – Front row

17 Taione Vea – Front row

18 Sila Puafisi – Front Row

19 Viliami Ma’afu

20 Hale T Pole

21 Samisoni Fisilau

22 Latiume Fosita

23 Tevita Halaifonua

Speaker’s Art Competition won by Unitec student

A student from Fanga ‘O Pilolevu, Tongatapu who studies at Unitec New Zealand won the Speaker's Art Choice Award of $1,000 cash prize.

The competition was launched on June 13 and the successful artist was announced his artwork would be permanently showcased at the Speaker’s Conference room.

Receiving the award on Friday, during a closing dinner of Pacific Parliaments Regional Workshop in Nuku'alofa, it was made known that Walter’s piece of art was named as 'Fatu'.

Parliament of Tonga's website says, the Fatu depicts the structure of the Tongan culture in the progress of its transformation and development over time.

In explaining his art piece, Holakeituai said “fatu” portrays the Tongan culture in three eras, the past, present and the future.

“It uses weaving; a traditional art that is common in the culture mostly seen in the production of mats.”

Holakeituai said the decision to use weaving came from the idea that weaving reflects mats; it brings a sense of exchanged conversations “talanoa” as it represents a place where meetings whether by a family, community or a large gathering is held, like the Legislative Assembly “Fale Alea ‘o Tonga.”

Reading the piece from bottom to top, weaving starts with brown fibers which represent early pure native culture.

The center which is signified by maroon fibers illustrates Tonga’s present. It shows western culture combined with the native culture (brown fibers).

The NZ Unitech student said on top of his art piece shows the future of Tonga culture which was made of a fusion of both native and western culture.

“This shows the native culture has been influenced by the western culture and have inherited some of it as part of the current culture and will likely continue to do so in the future,” according to Holakeituai.

In the open category award which was judged by the public, Tevita Pola’apau took first prize, followed by Talanoa Langi of Kolofo’ou. Second runner up was John Piutau with Walter Holakeituai’s art piece in fourth place.

Second to fourth prizes include mobile phones worth TOP$600, $400 and TOP$300 respectively under the auspices of the Tonga Communication Corporation (TCC).

Siaosi Taimani won first prize of the middle school category, followed by Lesieli Ngahe and second runner up was Annchanne Uele.

Other awards includes Samsung GT were also awarded today by the Hon. Speaker, Lord Fakafanua to ‘Ilisapesi Fonua, Lu’isa Fonua, Siunipa ‘Isitolo and Tevita Latu.

Their art work did really impress the Speaker’s art panel of judges.

‘Ilisapesi Fonua’s art piece depicts that although it is impossible to predict the future, the Tongan culture and traditions should be preserved.

Lu’isa Fonua’s art work portrays a Tongan Parliament today and tomorrow where it metaphorically represents an unrolled mat for nobility and the people to assemble and consult as equals.

Featuring the rapid silent takeover of Tonga’s small business sectors by Chinese Nationals and Chinese Tongans is Siunipa ‘Isitolo’s art piece. Titled as “Tonga Today” Siunipa added a subtitle that 70 percent of all businesses are owned by Chinese Tongan and Chinese nationals.

On the other hand local practicing artist Tevita Latu features his art work on influences of western ideas in different sectors of our society including religion, education and politics.

More than 60 art works were submitted from local artists for the Speaker’s art competition.

Vaiola Hospital Staff unpaid overtime work uncertain

Staff at Tonga’s main hospital who worked overtime within the period from July to October, have not received any wages for the work they claimed they were called in to do.

The Ministry of Finance in Tonga has not yet decided whether it will pay the overtime wages for the staff or not.

Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola the Health Director, according to sources, admitted the staff have not been paid yet.

The complainants claimed the authorities at Vaiola Hospital knew very well it did not have the budget to pay them to work extra hours, but they still called them to work overtime.

Dr 'Akau'ola conceded that there was shortage in the budget allocated for the overtime wages by the ministry.

He said an expert from Australia had reviewed the ministry’s overtime rate and entitlements.  

Following the review, Dr 'Akau'ola said a report has just been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for consideration, for them to make decision regarding the staff’s overtime payments.  

The complainants were mainly employees at the lab, transport operators, dispensary and at the dental department.

Speaking to the media on condition of anonymity because of fear of career blight, the staff raised the matter earlier in September, but still the hospital authorities called them up in October to do overtime jobs.

Mate Ma'a Tonga out with dignity

A wave of exultation swept across the Tongan global community, after the Mate Ma’a Tonga stunned Italy with 16 – 0 on Monday at Hallifax.

The victory is a breakthrough after Tongan rugby fans were shocked by their ‘Ikale Tahi team's loss to Romania 18 – 19 on Sunday.

Although the Mate Ma’a Tonga’s victory was a win-lose outcome, as it did not have a chance for the quarter final but it has won over its supporters' trust and faith.

It was not a match for the Tongan fans only. The Scots were far more supportive of the ‘Ikale Tahi, because a win over Italy means Scotland's Bravehearts would effortlessly go to the quarter final.

That's what exactly happened on Monday. The result meant Scotland topped Group C with five points after beating Tonga (26-24) and the USA (22-8), and drawing 30-all with Italy.

Tonga finished with four points from two wins, while Italy performed better than its last place in the group suggested.

Scotland will now take on New Zealand in the first quarter-final on Friday night, Tongan captain and Penrith-bound prop Brent Kite saying he would support the Scots after his team missed out.

"I hope they do well," Kite said. "I hope they go out there and give it their all.

"I was hoping Tonga could get into a quarter-final and show people we are coming along and show them there are reasons to play more international games and give little countries like Tonga and Scotland a go.

"I will be cheering for Scotland and any of those emerging nations that come through to the quarters. I hope they do themselves proud and the rest of the countries who would love to be there."

Italian captain Anthony Minichiello was also bitterly disappointed the tournament was over for his team after it showed a lot of early promise. After beating England 15-14 in a warm-up match, the Azzuri beat Wales 32-16 before drawing with Scotland and then losing to Tonga.

Diamond Langi of Tonga Crowned Face of Beauty International 2013

Diamond Langi of Tonga was crowned Face of Beauty International 2013 during the third edition of the beauty contest held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 12, 2013.

Diamond Langi, hailed from the village of Vaini, Tonga, will be in the Philippines to compete once again as Miss Earth Tonga 2013.

Ahead of the Face of Beauty International Beauty Contest at the Colosseum Theater on Tuesday 12, the 38 contestants from all over the world were taking in all the major tourist attractions in and around Pattaya in order to promote themselves and the show. 

On Friday afternoon the group of beauties made their way to The Sanctuary of Truth in Naklua to visit this magnificent wooden structure dedicated to worldwide religions.

The contest is being held to promote tourism in Thailand and of course the seaside city of Pattaya.

The Sydney based Model will be arriving at the Sydney International Airport at 10.45 am tomorrow Thursday.

Supporters have called on social media for Lang’s fans to “bring your banner's & flowers and your peeps and lets congratulate her together”.

Face of Beauty International 2013 complete results:

Winner: Diamond Langi of Tonga
The first runner-up: Li Mi of Bangladesh
The second runner-up: Shasha Chen of China
The third runner-up: Fonthip Klinpakdee of Thailand
The fourth runner-up: Yana Haenisch of Namibia

MMT receives in cash TOP$10,000 VIP Package

A VIP package the Mate Ma’a Tonga team decided should be given to its president, Semisi  Sika was returned to help with the team’s budget.

All member countries in the Rugby League World Cup 2013 were offered a VIP package for travel and accommodation.

Tonga National Rugby League Cup agreed to give it to Sika. “[But] I decided to donate all that in cash for the team to assist with their budget. It's worth about $10,000.00 Paanga, the  equivalent,” Sika responded to a question by Kaniva News.

The Mate Ma’a Tonga could not make it to get into the quarter final in their pool C after they were edged out by the Scotland team in their opening match.

It is understood supporters of the Tongan team however are planning a celebration event to mark what they call a “superb performance” made by the Mate Ma’a Tonga team in England while attending the RLWC 2013.  

Semisi Sika is the Member of Parliament for Tongatapu 2.

Ha’apai named among top global regions to visit

Ha’apai groups where Captain Cook awarded the name Friendly Islands of Tonga has been named by the Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 regions in the world to visit.  

Known as FoʻiʻOneʻone – a metaphorical name used because its people are regarded as more experienced and practised in life among other Tongans, it is  one of the three largest group of islands in the Kingdom of Tonga.

Lonely Planet has  praised it in its guide's Best in Travel 2014 edition for its lush, reef-fringed islands, swaying palm trees and tropical sunshine.

It was also lauded for its excellence in viewing breaching humpback whales, technicolour tropical fish, scintillating sea kayaking, and even a smoking volcano – all amid a sleepy, seductive Tongan outlook on life.

The news was a tremendous boost to the Ministry of Commerce Tourism and Labour’s endeavour to improve the industry in Tonga.

Last month it hosted workshops to discuss Enhancing Tonga Tourism Statistics  in Nuku’alofa and Vava’u.

Lonely Planet, however is one of the largest travel guide book publishers in the world and  is still one of the definitive voices in the travel world, and tourists around the globe rely on when planning their 2014 holidays.

“Lonely Planet’s travel experts have trekked the globe to hand-pick the best trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the upcoming year,” its website says.  

Haʻapai along with 9 other regions has been picked “after fierce debate and hundreds of suggestions from our extended family of travel experts, authors, editors, bloggers and tweeters, these are the top 10 … regions poised for greatness in 2014,” Lonely Planet says.

The top-ranked cities, countries and regions have been revealed in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014 book released on Tuesday which comparatively grouped the little islands of Ha’apai together with Texas – USA, West Coast – New Zealand and Yorkshire – Englan.

Do you think the Lonely Planet made the right choices? You are welcome to make comments here at the Kaniva Pacific News Webite.

Top 10 regions

  1. Sikkim, India
  2. The Kimberley, Western Australia
  3. Yorkshire, England
  4. Hokuriku, Japan
  5. Texas, USA
  6. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
  7. Mallorca, Spain
  8. West Coast, New Zealand
  9. Hunan, China
  10. Ha'apai, Tonga

Top 10 cities

  1. Paris, France
  2. Trinidad, Cuba
  3. Cape Town, South Africa
  4. Riga, Latvia
  5. Zurich, Switzerland
  6. Shanghai, China
  7. Vancouver, Canada
  8. Chicago, USA
  9. Adelaide, Australia
  10. Auckland, New Zealand

Top 10 countries

  1. Brazil
  2. Antarctica
  3. Scotland
  4. Sweden
  5. Malawi
  6. Mexico
  7. Seychelles
  8. Belgium
  9. Macedonia
  10. Malaysia

Tongan MP witnesses LAX shooting in US

Tongan MP Semisi Sika said he and his sister Lupe Tu’i’one were lucky they came out of LAX Terminal 3 just before it was shut down by police following a shooting spree this morning at about 9am PT.

US Police said a  suspect was taken into custody at Los Angeles International Airport Friday after a shooting at a Terminal 3 checkpoint left a TSA employee injured and produced "mutiple victims."

NBC News reports that one TSA employee was killed and a second employee was wounded in the gunfire. The report could not be immediately confirmed by police or airport officials.

MP Sika wrote in a Facebook chat with Kaniva News saying, “I was driving by the terminal when people were rushing out . Its terminal 3 , Virgin America's arrival

“I was lucky to get out before the shut down.

“I went to pick up my sister at Delta and got out on time.

We're at Marriott here at LAX , roads are closed , helicopters are all over above us”, MP Sika told Kaniva News.

He said the shooting took place at Terminal 3 but they were at Terminal 6 after his sister arrived on Delta Airline.

Police, who shut down streets around the airport, said a possible second suspect was also taken into custody outside Terminal 2.

The gunman was wounded in the incident, the Los Angeles Times reports.

CNN reports that a gunman approached a checkpoint at the terminal and opened fire. Airport officials said the incident began at 9:30 a.m. PT.

Luke and Alexa Sieber of Green bay, Wisc., were in line at an airport counter when they heard eight shots followed by another burst of 20.

"It was an automatic weapon," Luke Sieber, a 25-year-old consutlant, said.

Witness Brian Keech said he heard "about a dozen gunshots" from inside the security gate at Terminal 3, which serves Allegiant Air, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit, Virgin America and other airlines.

MP Sika is also the president of the Mate Ma'a Tonga team and he is in the US on a business matter.

Man who died in Kolonga accident identified as Kiripatian

UPDATED: The person who died following a motor vehicle accident at Kolonga in the Eastern side of Tongtapu Monday 28 October at about 11am was a Kiripati national according to police.

The deceased was a passenger of a car driven by a 43years old male of Kolonga, a statement from Police says. 

"The car travelled on a southerly direction and up on a slope at Kolonga where the car ran into an electric pole besides the road causing car crash, thus the death of the passenger, it says. 

“The driver of the car has been charged with manslaughter, driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor, & driving without driving license.”

The statement did not disclose the name of the victim and the identification of the driver. .

Rugby League Cup 2013: A lot of pride in Tonga – Hon. Vaipulu

The Acting Prime Minister, Hon Samiu Vaipulu said the Mate Maʻa Tonga's loss 24 – 26 to Scotland's Braveheart in England yesterday was a win for Tonga.

He said it was a superb performance and the nation was indeed on a real high after the match despite the fact they did not expect a defeat.

There are a lot of pride in Tonga about the way Mate Maʻa Tonga had conducted itself, he said in Tongan in a statement released to Kaniva News.

Vaipulu presented his message in the Tongan formal way of speaking to the fonua or the public when addressing them on national matters.

He began with the fakatapu, asking the Almighty Father and then the king and the royalty to allow him to speak and convey his message of support and gratitude to the Mate Maʻa Tonga team.

He mentioned the Prime Minister as he is currently out of the country, the government and the people of Tonga in general saying he spoke on their behalf to extend his sincere and warm appreciation to the Mate Maʻa Tonga for their hard work.  

The Acting Prime Minister lauded the captain of the team and all Mate Maʻa Tonga officials for the collaborative efforts that successfully made it to present to the world of Rugby League such a brilliant performance.  

Hon. Vaipulu appeared extremely elated and thankful in the way he presented his message in Tongan.

He concluded by saying that the sporting fund of TOP$400,000 the government has granted earlier this month  to help fund the  players allowances has now been confirmed.