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Investigation underway after Lulutai’s controversial aircraft emergency landing with firetruck headlights as guides 

By
Kalino Latu
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A power failure on the domestic runway had forced a Lulutai aircraft to circle in the air for nearly an hour before making an emergency landing.

DPM Tainela Fusmālohi

The Twin Otter plane was returning from Ha’apai on Tuesday night when it was notified of the power outage.  

All efforts to restore the electricity were unsuccessful, forcing authorities to position two fire engines on the runway to guide the aircraft’s landing. 

The two pilots and one passenger on board finally landed safely after experiencing 40 minutes of turmoil. There have been no reports of damage to the aircraft. 

Deputy Prime Minister Taniela Fusimalohi, who also serves as the Minister of Civil Aviation, stated that Tonga Airport Limited (TAL) had been warned and that a full report detailing the incident has been ordered.

He told a press conference yesterday that TAL must “carry out their maintenance duties diligently.” 

The Minister of Police Piveni Piukala said that an additional problem contributing to the incident is that the electrician resides about an hour’s drive from the airport.  

He said that efforts by the electrician to provide guidance on resolving the problems over the phone were unsuccessful. 

The Minister said there was a lack of an immediate emergency response, suggesting a need for improvements in this area.

He said that the lights were repaired on Wednesday evening, March 12.  

Mr Piukala said that the power failure seemed to have originated from water entering the system, which caused the lights to malfunction. 

TAL could not be reached for comment.

TAL

The airport authorities had been recently involved in an alleged dispute following the previous administration’s privatization of Vava’u Airport, which transferred control to a New Zealand company.

Kaniva News had been reliably told some officials at TAL opposed the move.

The Eke government finally reversed the privatisation decision.

TAL continues to manage operations at Vava’u Airport.

Twin Otter 

Lulutai Airlines’ Twin Otter aircraft is at the centre of controversy due to allegations of mismanagement, safety concerns, and financial irregularities surrounding the national carrier.  

The Eke government has been conducting a review of the airlines and has indicated a possible shutdown after it was revealed that approximately $40 million has been invested in the controversial airline since its inception in 2020. 

The plane is scheduled for approximately $3 million worth of maintenance next month, according to the government, raising concerns about how the TOP$15 million aircraft was purchased. 

Alleged gang leader Lasalosi Vaitohi faces trial for ambush plot while behind bars 

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tongan Gang Leader Lasalosi Vaitohi is accused of having ordered and co-ordinated the ambush of a South Auckland rugby league stalwart in Otahuhu, Auckland. 

Armed police guard the scene of the fatal shooting of Peter Rasmussen at 240 Princes Street East, Otahuhu in August 2021. Lasalosi Vaitohi, Ethan Jessop and Daziea Leslie Huia (insets) are standing trial for murder. Composite photo / NZME

 Peter Rasmussen, 75, was fatally shot while trying to shoo off a gang member targeting his grandson, a prosecutors said, according to a NZ Herald report.  

Rasmussen was fatally gunned down on the doorstep of his home three-and-a-half years ago.  

He was trying “to shoo off a Crips 23 gang member who was there to target his grandson, jurors were told today as the trial began for a trio accused of murder”.  

Vaitohi, 32, appeared at trial via an audio-visual feed today but left part-way through jury selection, after having entered a not guilty plea.  

He was being incarcerated at the time of the alleged crime.  

He pleaded not guilty.  

Authorities allege Ethan Jessop, 24, shot Rasmussen in the leg with a recently acquired shotgun he nicknamed “Big Bad Beth”, while co-defendant Daziea Leslie Huia, 21, had arranged for a car to be used in the ambush and had participated in other planning. Both men sat in the High Court at Auckland dock today as the trial got under way following several days of delays that saw the selection of two different jury panels, the Herald said.

The case has drawn significant attention due to the bold claims of his involvement in the ambush while behind bars.

The New Zealand Herald report of the case said: “ Prosecutors said Vaitohi has been so incensed by the robbery of a drug house on his turf that he immediately set about orchestrating violent retribution in the days leading up to Rasmussen’s death. “

The original target of the gang-related ambush was Zharn Rasmussen, a member of the Killer Beez gang known on the street as ‘Obey,’ according to prosecutors.  

“Rasmussen, who was living at his grandfather’s house while on electronically monitored community detention, and his girlfriend, Irene Ting, had allegedly robbed a nearby Crips-affiliated drug house just a week earlier, sparking tensions that may have led to the violent retaliation.” 

During brief opening statements of their own, lawyers for Vaitohi and Jessup didn’t dispute that it was their clients on the calls referred to by prosecutors. But what they were discussing was not an intent to murder, the lawyers insisted, emphasising that at most their clients committed manslaughter. 

“That most serious of charges is a bridge too far in these circumstances,” said Ian Brookie, who represents Vaitohi. 

He asked jurors to be wary of interpreting phone calls in which they had no first-hand knowledge of the context. The Crown can’t prove that the elder Rasmussen’s death could have been known by Vaithohi to have been a probable consequence of what he was talking about on the phone. 

New Zealand MP Jenny Salesa pays tribute to the passing of a beloved Tongan ‘Dean for life’ teacher  

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan Member of New Zealand Parliament Jenny Salesa has paid heartfelt tribute to a beloved community matriarch whose unwavering dedication and leadership left an indelible mark on the lives of many.  

Leiola Finau. Photo/Supplied

Leiola Finau, a Tongan mother and teacher at the Catholic Church’s McAuley High School in Ōtāhuhu’s death has been remembered.

Known for her generosity and tireless efforts to uplift those around her, Finau’s passing has been deeply felt across the community.

MP Salesa described the mother as being a valuable teacher to the community’s children.

“May you Rest in God’s Eternal Love Mrs Leiola Finau. Thank you so much for your dedication, your service and for teaching so many of our McAuley Girls students which included our daughters”, Salesa wrote on Facebook.

McAuley High School is in shock following the devastating news.

” It is with great sadness that our school whānau announces that our dear friend and school mum, Leiola Finau, has gone to God this morning after falling ill this week”, it said on Facebook. 
 
“Leiola served McAuley as Head of Lea Faka-Tonga. She was a lot more than that to our school and faith community. From 2006, she has served as a support staff member before retraining to teach” a post on the school’s Facebook read.

It said Finau was recently a Dean over the last six years, receiving the title ‘Dean for Life.’

“Leiola became a pillar of the McAuley and Ōtāhuhu Parish Communities. She has always been an integral part of every Special Character event of the school. 
 
“We are beyond grateful that we were blessed with Leiola – her prayers for us, her heart, her leadership, and her service.

“She made it known to staff and students about her high expectations of us all.

“We will miss our uniform police, and her infamous “helloooooooooo.”

Finau was a teacher at Kelana High School in Tonga before relocating to New Zealand.

The McAuley School’s post regarding her passing stated that Finau “lived to serve God.”

“We can’t imagine McAuley without our Tongan mum but we know Leiola would expect us to do our best and continue to pray” read the post. 
 
“Our love and prayers go out to Hinemoa and all her siblings, George, Johnny, Sela and all her grandchildren. 
 
Leiola, mālō ‘i he me’a kotoa. Kuo lava ho fatongia, ho ngaue mateaki, ‘osikiavelenga mo e ‘ofa ‘iate kimautolu fanau ako mo e kau faiako hono koto’a”. 

Alarming photo of skinny dogs left behind while family on overseas holiday sparks concerns

By
Kalino Latu
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Disturbing images reveal emaciated dogs that have suffered from prolonged neglect and starvation. 

Animal Welfare encourages dog owners to embrace their responsibility and prioritizes the well-being of their pets. Photo/Tonga Animal Society Welfare (Facebook)

The Tonga Animal Society Welfare (TASW) shared the photo on Facebook, stating that the dogs’ owner was reportedly on an overseas vacation while leaving them unattended.  

Kaniva News was unable to verify the authenticity of the information independently.

TASW has urged the community to contact them if they need help caring for their dogs. 

The post described the dogs as “skinny,” and said that was heartbreaking.  

“We have received so many call outs this week from friends of TAWS about dogs who appear to have been left at home without food and water while their families travel”, it said on Facebook. 

It advised the community, “If you want your dog to keep your property safe and secure while you are away, you need to make sure somebody is feeding them”. 
 
“If you have asked or paid someone to feed your dogs and you are concerned about them, let us know and we are happy to do a drive by and a welfare check and report back to you. 
 
“Please be responsible pet owners and make sure you leave food and water for your dogs even if you are only travelling one or two days”.   

On social media, several people said the revelation was unacceptable. 

One wrote: ” Very sad and irresponsible.” 

Another person wrote: ” Awwwwww they look so sad n hungry.” 

“Whereabout is this property pls? Care to share? May be we can do something about it?”  

TAWS describes itself on Facebook as “a not for profit organisation to help animal welfare in the Kingdom of Tonga”.

Tonga’s Police Minister rejects ‘suspicious’ Sunday air ambulance landing request as concerns mount over drug trafficking crisis

By
Kalino Latu
-

The minister of police, Piveni Piukala, said he had declined the Air Terminal Services (ATS) boss’s request to grant a permit for an aircraft to land in Tonga on Sunday. 

ATS Boss Paul Karalus (L) and Minister of Police Piveni Piukala

Mr Piukala made the move in response to his growing concern over the escalating trafficking of illicit drugs across the kingdom’s borders. 

The Minister said he received the request through the Acting Commissioner of Police to allow the medivac aircraft to airlift two alleged tourist patients who had been in an emergency state in Tonga on Sunday, 2.  

He claimed the request had been originated from the ATS boss Paul Karalus.  

Kaniva News contacted Mr Karalus for comment.  

Mr Piukala said that, upon further inquiry, he felt that the request may not have been intended for medical evacuation purposes, as initially claimed.  

He said he learned from the Minister of Health that the Ministry had not been informed of patients requiring emergency airlift transport to overseas facilities.  

Mr Piukala said the Minister of Health claimed the tourists had been discharged from the hospital a day after their admission and were residing in a motel.  

Suspicious

Mr Piukala said he became even more suspicious after learning that the air ambulance had not arrived the following Monday.  

The Minister also questioned the procedure and wanted to know why such a request came from ATS, not the Ministry of Health.

He said he had contacted the Acting Commissioner of Police and informed them that he had declined the request because there was no ” life-threatening” case.  

Mr Piukala said he had been concerned regarding the “timing of the request”, which had been made amidst the ongoing drug trafficking crisis impacting the country, he told Katalina Tohi of Broadcomm 87.5FM.  

The news comes after the Minister recently said he had received photographs of ships allegedly lowering their cranes into the seas in Vava’u, implying that that may be one of the ways used by drug traffickers.  

The Minister announced last week that new initiatives have been implemented to enhance border security in order to combat drug trafficking.

ATS 

ATS is a local Tongan company and one of only two in the Pacific that has been approved to conduct Ground Service Provider (GSP) operations at airports. The other company, also named ATS, is based in Fiji. 

ATS Tonga shareholders are EM Jones Group, TETA Tours, and Pacific Forum Line. These companies have been ground handlers since 2004, when the Government mandated the establishment of a single GSP to enhance the security of international services at Fua’amotu Airport and Lupepau’u Airport. 

ATS with  20 years of service to Tonga’s aviation has established ground handling contracts with all international carriers operating flights into Tonga. These carriers are required to utilize ISAGO-registered Ground Service Providers (GSPs) wherever such services are available. 

Sunday law 

Tonga prohibits any business activities and trading on Sunday.  

However, there are exceptions including emergencies.  

The Minister of Police, with the approval of the Cabinet Minister, has the authority to permit an individual or company to conduct business operations on Sunday, provided that they present valid and justifiable reasons for such a request. 

Police in Australia launch appeal to find missing boy Luke

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing boy Luke.

The 14-year-old was last seen leaving an address in Broadmeadows on Friday, 7 March about 3pm.

Police and family have concerns for his welfare due to his disappearance being extremely out of character.

Luke is perceived to be of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, about 184cm tall, with dark, straight hair.

He was last seen wearing a yellow t-shirt, maroon tracksuit pants, a grey hoodie and blue and gold shoes.

He does not currently have his phone or access to money.

Police have released an image of Luke in the hope someone recognises him and can provide information regarding his current whereabouts.

Anyone who sights Luke or with information is urged to contact Broadmeadows Police Station on (03) 9302 8222. 

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Trump administration launches new ‘self-deportation’ app

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Ted Hesson, Reuters

WASHINGTON -The Trump administration rolled out a new app on Monday that will allow immigrants in the United States illegally to “self deport” rather than face possible arrest and detention, building on President Donald Trump’s deportation push.

FILE PHOTO: Colombians deported from the United States arrive at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection app, called CBP Home, will offer an option for someone to signal their “intent to depart,” the agency said.

“The CBP Home app gives aliens the option to leave now and self-deport, so they may still have the opportunity to return legally in the future and live the American dream,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. “If they don’t, we will find them, we will deport them, and they will never return.”

Trump, a Republican, has vowed to deport record numbers of migrants in the U.S. illegally. Trump’s initial deportation numbers lagged the monthly average in fiscal year 2024 under Democrat Joe Biden, although Biden’s deportations included many recent border crossers.

The Trump administration has taken other steps that could pressure immigrants in the United States illegally to leave.

A Trump administration regulation set to take effect April 11 would require people lacking legal status to register with the federal government or face fines or jail time.

CBP Home replaces an app known as CBP One that was launched under Biden. The Biden-era app included a feature that allowed some one million migrants in Mexico to schedule an appointment to request entry at a legal border crossing.

Republicans criticized the Biden program, saying it facilitated mass migration to the United States and did not adequately vet migrants.

Trump shut down CBP One hours after taking office, leaving migrants with pending appointments stranded and unsure of next steps.

Tonga’s ‘Apifo‘ou College to celebrate 160 years  

By
Kalino Latu
-

 ‘Apifo‘ou College, Tonga’s oldest high school, is organizing a reunion to celebrate 160 years. 

The new chapel’s conceptual design.

Founded in 1865 by the French Marist Brothers at Ahopanilolo as St Stanislaus College, the biggest Catholic school has had different names since then.  

In 1987, while it was known as St John’s High School, it merged with St Mary’s High School and was renamed Apifo‘ou College.

Another historical event marking the anniversary was the publication of the first book in English about the school’s history.  

As Kaniva News reported recently, the new book has been recognized as a groundbreaking contribution to the history of the church and Tonga.

The book “Catholic Church in Tonga” focuses on its history, missionaries, and timeline and has been translated from French by Dr Felise Tāvō, an ex-student and former dux of Apifo’ou College.  

The celebration is set to take place next month, April 24 until 28. 

This year’s anniversary is all about gearing up to rebuild the school’s chapel, which was damaged by Tropical Cyclone Gita in 2018. 

The program for the celebration:  

Wednesday 24 April – Mass at the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate 

Friday 25 April – 160th Anniversary Ball, to be held at the Hall in ‘Apifo’ou 

Saturday 26 April – March from ‘Ahopanilolo to ‘Apifo’ou, AGM. 

Monday 28 April, Mass at ‘Apifo’ou College to commemorate the day of Peter Sanele, the patron saint of the college.  

Russia’s goals are unchanged, Zelensky says, as strikes kill 11 in eastern Ukraine

By
Kaniva Staff
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At least 11 people were killed and 30 wounded, including five children, in an overnight attack on the town of Dobropillia, about 15 miles from the frontline in the Donestsk region of eastern Ukraine.

The attacks come as the Ukrainian war is at a critical point, with the United States having halted military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv as part of efforts to pressure it into accepting a peace agreement. The move has left Ukraine even more vulnerable to Russian attacks.

Trump has said he is “strongly considering large-scale banking sanctions and tariffs” on Russia until a “ceasefire and a final peace settlement agreement” with Ukraine is reached.

His statement comes after Moscow launched a massive drone and missile attack on Ukrainian energy and gas infrastructure on Thursday.

In addition to those killed, the latest strikes injured more than 30 others, Zelensky said, including five children.

Authorities said that more people could be trapped under the rubble, with at least eight residential buildings in the area damaged in the attack.

The Ukrainian police service said a Russian ballistic missile, rockets and attack drones hit eight multi-storey buildings as well as a shopping centre and dozens of cars.

The Ukrainian president described the strikes as “a vile and inhumane tactic of intimidation that Russians often use.”

Zelensky has said he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia next week ahead of negotiations between Kyiv and Washington. After that, his team will stay in Saudi Arabia “to work with our American partners,” he added, according to CNN.

Double murderer is first US inmate executed by firing squad in 15 years

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A man from South Carolina, convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a blunt object, has become the first death row inmate in the US to be executed by firing squad in 15 years.

Brad Sigmon was declared dead at 6.08pm by on-site medical staff after three prison guards who volunteered for the grisly task fired at his heart with rifles from 15ft away.

Sigmon, 67, was convicted of murdering David and Gladys Larke with a baseball bat in 2001 before kidnapping his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint. She managed to escape as he shot at her.

He had requested death by firing squad over the other two state-approved methods of execution: electric chair and lethal injection.

Sigmon’s last meal was four pieces of fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, biscuits, cheesecake, and sweet tea, according to Daily Mail.

Now, it has been revealed that during his last words, Sigmon listed four Bible quotes that he said showed that ‘nowhere does God in the New Testament give man the authority to kill another man’.

‘I want my closing statement to be one of love and a calling to my fellow Christians to help us end the death penalty,’ he said through his attorney. ‘We are now under God’s grace and mercy.’

After the guards shot Sigmon, his arm started to tremble and strain ‘as if he was trying to break free from the restraints’, according to his lawyer Gerald ‘Bo’ King.

In a statement, he also added: ‘It is unfathomable that, in 2025, South Carolina would execute one of its citizens in this bloody spectacle.’

Since 1977 only three people had died by firing squad, all three of them in the state of Utah. The last to die had been Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010.

Ahead of Sigmon’s execution, anti-death penalty protesters held a rally outside the jail in the city of Columbia.

They held signs saying “all life is precious” and “thou shalt not kill”.

The state allows witnesses to observe the death from behind bulletproof glass, but the executioners are hidden from view to protect their identities.

South Carolina passed a law in 2023 requiring that the identities of the execution team members remain secret.

Sigmon received two death sentences for brutally murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents, David Larke, 62, and Gladys Larke, 59, on April 27, 2001.

Having hatched a plan while high on crack cocaine the night prior, Sigmon showed up at the Larkes’ home with the intention of tying the couple up and kidnapping his ex Rebecca Armstrong at gunpoint.

Instead, Sigmon beat the Larkes to death with a baseball bat, hitting each of them nine times.

Sigmon then kidnapped Armstrong, but she managed to escape by jumping out of his moving car.

Sigmon confessed to the crime immediately.

He told jurors during his trial that he had no excuses for his behavior, but when Armstrong fell out of love with him something within him snapped.

‘Do I deserve to die? I probably do,’ he told jurors. ‘I don’t want to die. It would kill my mom, my brothers, and my sisters […] I just want to live for my family’s sake.’

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