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Results for Letters

Sunday 29 October 2006
Ha'ateiho,Tongatapu,Tonga
It irks me to read Mele Payne Lynch's belittling our Kingdom and the peculiarities of our island from our fashion sense to our appreciation of our royal funeral, etc. For one, I have seen her picture on Planet Tonga and her fashion sense is a joke, somebody must have lied to her! - Fonua Fa‘otusia
Sunday 29 October 2006
Cheshire,UK
If the rumour about the oil in Vava‘u is true, then Tonga has the potential to become a rich Kingdom. As they say in this part of the world, 'where the oil is, wealth follows. With wealth comes prosperity and with prosperity follows a high standard of living. Once a Nation reaches this level, good health and education automatically follow. And citizens have the right to say we are a civilised Nation. Amen. - Senolita Swan
Sunday 29 October 2006
Moss Beach,California, USA
The emotional impulse and prejudice demonstrated by Sione Mokofisi and the individual from New York over my recent editorial comments in the Matangi Tonga is a matter of sentiment and twisted logic that influenced them to side step my point. Siosaia Moimoiangaha articulated my point very well. Richard Wolfgram added more premises with stunning examples illustrating the importance of why we should be concerned about the environment and make a conscious effort to restore the beauty of Tonga. - Mele Payne Lynch
Sunday 29 October 2006
Pago Pago, American Samoa
Richard Wolfgramm and Mele Payne Lynch your letters cannot generate any meaningful discussion on the the Environment and Resource Conservation in Tonga for the following reasons. - Sione Lousiale Kava
Sunday 29 October 2006
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Richard Wolfgram wants '“honest discussion,' but honesty to him seems to be a cheap thrill in bashing everything wrong about Tonga, and anything associated with Tongan people. - Sione Mokofisi
Friday 27 October 2006
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Two particular letters caught my attention for different reasons, but both letters have one thing in common ...– they make great lengths to sidestep the issue of environment/resource conversation raised by Mele. - Richard Tulifaukiave Wolfgramm
Thursday 26 October 2006
Atlanta, Georgia,USA
As a practitioner and activist for women'’s rights and gender equality, it is depressing to see the absence of any statement on the Forum Communique agreed upon by Forum Leaders as was recently released by the Forum Secretariat. Given the low level of representation and influence of women in politics and decision making throughout the Pacific and the continued violence against women, it is very hard to understand. - Amelia Kinahoi Siamomua
Thursday 26 October 2006
London, UK
I was fortunate enough to have witnessed the win that Tonga had over Samoa during their rugby league match here last Sunday (22nd October, 2006) in Leeds, England. It is this crucial win that has qualified us for the Rugby League World Cup to be held in Australia in 2008. - V. Maka
Wednesday 25 October 2006
Salt Lake City,USA
Ms. Mele Payne Lynch certainly can judge Tonga's 'Lavish display of delicious waste' against her distaste to see so many slaughtered hogs going to waste. It shows me how ignorant she is on Tongan traditions, however. - Sione Mokofisi
Friday 20 October 2006
Moss Beach,California, USA
I was watching the funeral and mourning ritual of the late King Tupou IV from a distance and savoring all the traditional excesses and richness affordable only on a royal budget. The Ha'amo, pongipongi tapu, appointment of Lavaka to Crown Prince Tupouto'a, cutting of the royal hair by a Maori Princess and King Tupou V's fashion statement have all been a perfect mix of mockery, excess and preserving tradition with no act of conservation. It was the Tongan version of the 18th century French overindulgence without the messy aftermath. - Mele Payne Lynch
Sunday 8 October 2006
UK
Looking around Nuku'alofa, it has changed immensely, jam packed with 4WDs in every streets. Every child, adult and animal has a mobile phone with their new models. The new trend for youngsters now, are Internet cafes. Soon it will be the iPods and computer games. It is very hard to imagine, Tongans accepting these new technology when a few years back it was looked down upon being "From overseas?" and bringing into Tonga trends of the 80's which was not accepted in Tongan culture then. - William Mariner
Friday 6 October 2006
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Please allow me a brief response to the challenge posed in your columns by MT Tuaileva "The Royal Spin", 5 October) against the Hon Prime Minister's public assertion that 23 out of the 32 members of the Legislative Assembly are elected members. -Lopeti Senituli
Thursday 5 October 2006
It is quite surprising and very interesting to find an overseas PR firm from Fiji sending out media release on the view of King George Tupou V of Tonga, and his strong belief that Tonga's Constitution is the Keystone of the Kingdom's peace and stability, bearing the Lord Chamberlain's insignia. In the U.S. we call this the Royal Spin, in trying to counter all the bad and negative press since his father died. - M. T. Tuaileva
Monday 25 September 2006
Auckland, New Zealand
Thank you for keeping us in the picture over the last few weeks. We continue to be in awe of what is possible today and your efforts at keeping us informed has helped to shape the thinking behind this short note. That we are revelling in the wonders of a world we never thought we would see in our lifetime was brought home to me even more when I was able to watch the three-hour formal burial ceremony of the late king at Mala'ekula from the comfort of an air-conditioned Auckland office , while thinking back to 1965 when I too, was at the same place and at a similar ceremony. - Sefita A Hao'uli
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Monday 25 September 2006
Canberra, Australia
I am not sure how many economists with a knowledge of Tonga'’s economy can share your views in your Editorial Comments on 14 Sep 2006, of the above title Tupou IV led Tonga toward a modern economy. I certainly do not, but I realise you were operating from a different set of assumptions, so I will not be making extensive comments on your Editorial. - Apelu Tielu
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Monday 25 September 2006
Port Moresby, PNG
I wanted to share with you my first meeting with the late King of Tonga. I was so humbled to see the King come out to meet the Tongan community in his pajamas and slippers. He actually met and shook the hands of everyone that was present there, all the children and adults, some 50 people altogether. I will forever remember this occasion because it showed what humility and simplicity meant. -Dr. Henry Ivarature
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Friday 22 September 2006
New Zealand
Condolences on HM'’s passing to our Tongan friends and people. I really wanted to congratulate you and your Team for the magnificent pictures you have posted on the web on the events covering this royal event. This afternoon I have had a chance to look through on a quiet moment and so very much appreciate what you have done.
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Monday 18 September 2006
Sydney, Australia
A Farewell to a Special King. King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. By Andrew Fifita.
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Monday 18 September 2006
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
We remember and thank His Majesty for his inspiration to the people of Tonga through his own fitness program. - Sune, Chris, Shane, Chas and Hayley Egan
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Monday 18 September 2006
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
'Etita, Fakatulou atu mo e Fu'u Toa-ko Hangai Tokelau, Loto Tatau mo e Fangatapu. - Pulotu 'Ilavalu, Kolofo'ou,
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