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A collection of news-briefs from The Tonga Chronicle, Ko e Kele'a, Taimi 'o Tonga, Radio Tonga. For more details of these stories, feel invited to buy a paper from one of the locations mentioned in our Tonga Media pages
Rites set for Friday for Mr Tongilava
The body of Mr Sione Latü‘ila Tongilava, 75, of Kolofo‘ou, retired Secretary of Lands, Survey, and Natural Resources, is to be flown home and laid to rest at Takaunove Cemetery on Friday.
Mr Tongilava died in hospital at Sand Bruno, California, USA, on Oct. 29 after a prolonged illness.
TDS Major elevated as Noble of Realm
Maj. Siosaia Lausi‘i 42, of Vaini was appointed to succeed his late father to the noble title and estate of Ma‘afu by His Majesty King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV on Nov.1.
Legislative Assembly awaits Nov. 20
The 97th Legislative Assembly will be closed by His Majesty King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV on Nov.20.
The closure date was revealed by the Hon. Tevita Poasi Tupou, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Attorney-General , in the House on Monday.
Tonga College to add technical year by 1999
A form 7 programme in high technology subjects is to be introduced into the curriculum of Tonga College by 1999.
That was revealed by Mr Mana Latu, Acting Director of Education, during an address to some 2000 guests at a feast to commemorate the 115th anniversary of the college at Manamoui on Nov. 1.
He said that the program initiated by the Ministry of Education, the Parents and teachers Association, and the Ex-students Association would meet demands to cope with technical aspects of national development.
The anniversary began with a flag-raising ceremony and singing competitions for compositions based os the anniversary.
Fanga-‘o- Pilolevu Choir cane first in cappella singing, with Nukunuku second, Hepisipa of Longolongo and ‘Alu-pea-Ha‘u of Fasi-mo e-afi tied for the third and college tutors fourth. Other competitors were Sialata of Haateiho, Vaotuu, and Mataika/Halaleva. In accompained singing, Anoanomelie of Longolongo, Kolomotu'a tied Fotu e longo of Tofoa for the first and Mohetaha Ua of Vahe Hihifo came second.
Va‘epopua Church dedicated
‘Ofa-‘aki- ho-kotoa (giving all you have to God), a more than T$200,000 edifice for Vaepopua parishioners, was named and opened on Nov. 2 by Lopeti Taufa, Royal Chaplain and President of the Free Wesleyan Church.
The 27m x 12m building, begun last March and completed in July, was constructed by Filimoehala, funded by parishioners assisted by a fund-raising programme in the United States.
Members collected an additional T$13,942.60 on Sunday. A feast followed at Va‘epopua GPS.
Two to attend Commonwealth youth programme
Mr Viliami Takau and Ms Fatafehi Petelo, representing the Tonga National Youth Congress, will attend the Commonwealth Youth Programme South Pacific, in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from Nov.10-14.
Participants will discuss policy formulation for national, human resource development, and youth empowerment.
Writer publishes book about experiences in adopted land
How her life was "totally changed" by living in Tonga is the focus of a German language book published in Switzerland last month by Mrs Aneti M. Moimoi of Ngele'ia.
For Mrs Moimoi , Oct. 14 when a strong earthquake struck the Kingdom was an earth-shaking day in more ways than one, since her book, Der Traum von den freundlichen Inseln (The Dream of the Friendly Islands, was released in Germany that day.
The 400-page paperback took two years to write, Mrs Moimoi said, another two to edit and print.
The book recounts Mrs Moimoi's emigration from Germany and new life in what she terms "the island of my dreams".
The cover, exotic, no doubt, to European readers, features a beautiful sunset and coconut trees on the beach.
Mrs Moimoi credits her Tongan experience for changing her beliefs " about a lot of things", including religion: "I found my faith here."
The book also describes the efforts of the King and others to develop the country since her arrival here in 1979, as well as the author's personal development .
"I have always been writing," Mrs Moimoi says, "but when I came to Tonga, I thought this was the place to sit down and write as a career."
When I arrived here, every Tongan I talked to, loved the King. Yet, at the same time I have also heard some foreigners saying, "Wait and see, one day there will be a revolution." So far, Mrs Moimoi points out, there has only been peace in Tonga, "I am especially thankful for that, since I have experienced living in fear".
The former Anette Magdalena Moranz was born in the Hennigsdorf district of the then communist East Berlin, Where death at the hands or through the will of government officials of those trying to escape to the West was not uncommon.
Her own family managed to escape before the erection of Berlin Wall and settled in Hagen, North Rhine, in the state of Westphalia.
Still, the writer believes that democracy does not function perfectly anywhere on the planet and considers it, as `practiced, divisive rather than unifying.
Love is the real answer in and increasingly confusing world, she claims.
"People are losing faith in their political leaders; societies are falling apart; families too. When two cannot live in peace together under one roof, how can a country—let alone the whole world—live in peace? Laws have to be adjusted constantly. Laws are for criminals," Mrs Moimoi maintains.
She calls herself a dreamer, adding that if dreamers are idiots, so be it.
Mrs Moimoi is optimistic that her book will sell well and believes that it will help strengthen Tonga's public relations and tourism in German-speaking countries. Mrs Moimoi also writes short stories on Tonga, a volume of which quickly sold out in 1980, because "I didn't have a proper contact". She decided to write another book at the urging of her latest publisher, Tanner Verlag of Switzerland,
"You need someone like that to push you to avoid the Tongan ways—do it tomorrow," she laughs.
Mrs Moimoi strongly supports the Tongan writer's Group, which also include Mlles Pelenatita 'Asi , Kaloni Piliniuote Tu'ipulotu, and Loa Niumeitolu.
Mrs Moimoi helps get works—mainly poems and short stories—translated, printed, and published. The group is open to all, the writer says, and meets on Saturdays at the Kolofo'ou home of Miss Niumeitolu.
Because Tongan writers are few, she maintains, it's worthwhile to support them. But the group is hampered by a lack of funding and sponsorship.
Whether through such a group or alone , Mrs Moimoi says, finding the time, peace, and solitude needed to put thoughts to paper is difficult among the typically large families here.
What's next for the newly published author—a sequel, of course, "because my book kind of has an open end, and I'm sure people would ask—and because a lot has happened lately."
Meanwhile, starting this week , Der Traum von den freundlichin Inseln is being sold in the Friendly Island and Dateline book shops. In Germany, copies are available at travel agencies and book shops.
Mrs Moimoi, who thought she could sell her book locally only to tourists, has received five orders so far from Japanese volunteers and Tongans who do not read German.
Translation into English is a possibility, Mrs Moimoi said.
She is also thinking of offering copies to universities in the region.
Mrs Moimoi consider Tonga her permanent home and has "no wish" to live again in Germany. On the other hand, relatives visiting here have also learned to love Tonga.
At age 14, the future writer began vocational training in medicine and commerce. Latter she worked as a medical assistant and superintendent-secretary.
In 1979, at the peak of her professional career at an intensive-care hospital, se left it behind and came to Tonga. She and her first husband had discovered the Kingdom two years after their marriage. But here Mrs Moimoi was to find a new love and hove and family.
She has worked in a travel agency, operated her own shop, served as office manager in a construction company, and worked for the German Agency for Technical Co-operation.
A Tongan citizen, Mrs Moimoi lives in Ngele'ia with her daughter Magdalena,15, and Taniela, 12.
Saineha announces dux
Miss 'Emanita Tali of Masilamea was announced as dux of Saineha High School on Oct. 31.
Her younger sister, Fane, was top student in Form 5.
Polynesians at U.S. University publishing paper
Moana, an autonomous newspaper of Polynesian students attending the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, has Published its first edition.
The newspaper, according to its first editorial or leader, "is to publish 'progressive' Polynesian journalism, providing information issues pertinent to our communities that mainstream media have inadequately addressed or neglected. We advocate social reform and equality by reporting important events, issues, and struggles of Polynesian at the university, at local high schools, in out communities, and in the United States. "The newspaper also supports "all struggles" that seek the eradication of racial, sexual, class , and gender inequalities in the university and community and is attempting "to bridge the gap between working- class Polynesian communities in Utah and academic."
Editor-in-chief Fuifuilupe 'Alilia Niumeitolu is Tongan, as are assistant editors 'Amelia Leafa Niumetolu and Tevita Orson Kaili; artists Vaimoana Litia Niumeitolu and Fuifuilupe A. Niumeitolu; and writers, Sepa P. Sete, and Daniel Pouesi.
Water tank for Tatakamotonga
A water tank for Tatakamotonga was dedicated on Oct. 31 by Rev. 'Aisake Kolo'ofa'i of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga and Hateni Pahulu of the Constitutional Church of Tonga.
This is the second such T$10,000 tank with pump for the village presented by the Central Planning Department.
The platform and connection pipes were funded with US$6,500 from the Ha'apuopuai Club of Palo Alto, California, in the United States.
According to the Town Officer Vakameilalo Tu'ifua, the installation work was done by youth and members of the Ha'apuopuai Club of Tatakamotonga, which provided the T$700 site.
Four to gain youth work diplomas
Ms Makelesi Tokelau of the Free Church of Tonga and Messrs Nailoni Mafi of Catholic Youth, and Enele Ma'afu Funaki, regional youth co-ordinator-South Pacific, are to receive diplomas in youth work in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on Nov. 13.
Meanwhile, the four are attending a week-long workshop in Honiara on the training of trainers. All four studied for six months in Honiara last year on the course week; then return home to work with youth groups for the practical qualification leading to the diplomas.
Emerging Leaders Project draws Tongan youth
Ms 'Anna Lata Fifita of the Anglican Church youth group is in the U.S. city of San Francisco this week attending the State of the World Forum's Emerging Leaders Project as a nominee of the Tonga National Youth Congress.
Ms Fifita, as representative of both youth and adults, is participating in the project designed to provide skills in both community assessment and community building. Her participation in the project was made possible by Peace Corps-Tonga.
The forum for leaders, thinkers, and specialists from around the world to address major issues and help find solutions to global problems opened on Tuesday and is scheduled to conclude Nov. 9.
Star forward Solomon Haumono
of the Canterbury (Australia) Bulldogs was in Tonga coaching local players on Wednesday at the USP Centre, 'Atele. Haumono, an Australian national player formerly of Kolomotu'a, played for Tonga during the 1995 Rugby League World Cup in Britain. In Nuku'alofa he is assisting both the Bulldogs' and Penrith Panthers' Coach during a four-day workshop to end on Friday for 70 coaches and trainer/strappers.
Five from Ha'apai will compete in tennis
Five Ha'apai tennis players have been selected to participate in a Tongatapu tournament in December. They are Faguna Vaitohi, 'Alani Kavakiholeva, Tule Hu'avi, Lehopo Teutau, and Setaleki Fonua.
Vava'u youngsters master soroban
Results of final soroban competitions for Vava'u primary schools from Oct. 30-Nov. 3 were announced on the final day. The winning schools by rank for Class 3 were Tu'anuku, Liviela, and Feletoa; for Class 4 Feletoa, Neiafu, and Makave; for Class 5, Neiafu, Feletoa and Ha'alaufuli.
Soroban teacher of the year honours for class 3 went to Mr Havea Tolopaki of Tu'anuku GPS; class 4 Mrs Falakika Taunaholo of Feletoa GPS, and class 5, Miss Moa'iha'angana Fakatulolo of Neiafu GPS.
Two died of food poisoning
Vakapuna Kafoa, 54, and Kaneisini Faka'osi, 61, also from Tofoa died from food poisining after eating eel bought from fish market at Nuku'alofa. According to Kaneisini's wife report; Vakapuna her Brother also stayed with them, bought the eel from town, but they didn't know where in Vuna or Faua, because her brother was not able to speak.
Cremation Law passed in Parliament.
Parliament passed a motion to amend the Laws relating to Health Care to legally allow cremation as an alternative means for preparing a body for burial. Currently the law only allows burial of the complete body either through ground burial or burial at sea.
Student in Hospital after beating from Tutor.
'Unaloto Lolohea, of Ma'ufanga, a student at the Sia'atoutai Theological College is in the intensive care unit of the Vaiola Hospital after sustaining injuries from a beating handed out to him by a Tutor of the college (Rev. 'Ikani Tolu.)
Reports provided to the newspapers tell that the young man was rushed to Vaiola and preliminary observations indicate possible brain damage. The young man could not focus his eyes properly, blood was seaping from his ears, speech was difficult and he was unable to maintain proper balance when trying to walk and had difficulties controlling his body.
KAILALO HAKALO
Ko e hingoa Soana, ko e hingoa faka‘ofo‘ofa pea fielau ‘a hono tala ‘e he hiva, Give me hope Soana, ka ko e toki me‘a faka-No Hope mo‘oni ne fetaulaki ia mo KLH koe‘uhi ko ha fu‘u paipa Neesi fetifeti pukupuku ‘ulu nonou pea toe fakamamahu‘i foki ko Soana ne ‘osi ai ‘ene ‘amanaki lelei he fa‘ahinga fakahoko fatongia na‘n ne fakahoko ‘i Vaiola, lolotonga ia hano leleaki‘i atu ‘e KLH ha ki‘i mahaki .
Ko e houa fakakatoa ‘e 2 miniti ‘e 16 na‘a ne tatali ai mo ‘ene mahaki ke lava ke sio ki he Toketa hili hono paasi ‘ene faile ki he loki ‘o e paipa toketa. Ko e me‘a fakaveli‘ulu mo‘oni kia KHL ko ‘ene siosio noa pë ia mo ‘ene mahaki, kae toutou ui mai pë kimui, ‘e he ki‘i paipa neesi fakahokohoko. Hei‘ilo mahalo ne mo‘oni pë e paipa neesi ia ne vivili ange mahaki ia ko ë he‘ene mahaki.
Ne a‘u ki ha tu‘unga ne fiu ‘a KLH he fifili pë ko e hä ko ä e me‘a ‘oku hoko, he ne toe a‘u ange mo ha fu‘u neesi ia ‘e taha ‘oku teunga kehe pë ia ‘a ia ‘oku mahino nai ne ‘ikai ngäue ia mo e taunoni atu ha ongo me‘a ko hona fämili pea ne taimi nounou mei ai kuo ui mai ia kae keitatali pë ‘a KLH. Na‘e toe a‘u ia ki ha tu‘unga ne ‘ohovale pë kuo ui mai e fakahokohoko ia ‘e ha siana ia ‘oku ‘ikai ‘ilo ‘e KLH pe ko e fu‘u le‘o pë ko ha fu‘u haua holo pë ia ‘i Nuku‘alofa.
Ne si‘i fiu ‘a KLH he fakama‘uma‘u he fa‘ahinga ngäue ta‘etiane pehë kuo hä mei he kau paipa pingiki ‘o si‘i lea atu, pea ko e toki sio ‘a KLH he me‘a ‘oku ui ko e fievaleloi pea mo e fakalanulanu ‘a e paipa neesi ‘o hangë ha feke he tuli tonuhia. Ko me‘a mälie e tuai mai ‘a e ‘u‘u vaka he kane vave mai mahalo na‘e si‘i fakahekekeka ai pë e mahaki ia ‘a KLH. Ka ko e me‘a ne mei ongo ha‘o kiu atu ki he langi kuo fakahokohoko mai koe ‘e he laumälie ko ‘eni, pea lï koe ki he feitu‘u ‘o e to‘e mo e ngaimgai‘i.
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