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2009
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Thursday 20 August 2009 9:59am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Australia will contribute $100,000 to the Tonga Red Cross to support survivors and victims' families of the Tongan ferry tragedy.
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Thursday 20 August 2009 9:30am
Auckland, New Zealand : My name is Alilia Molitika and I was wondering where are we able to get hold of the blue ribbons? - Sione Molitika Premium content -
Thursday 20 August 2009 9:30am
Australia : I think we can now understand why the ship sank and sank so fast. - Leigh Harkness Premium content -
Wednesday 19 August 2009 5:26pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Sitting in an upright position, the sunken MV Princess Ashika can be clearly seen in a video captured by a Remote Underwater Operating Vehicle working at over 100 metres on the Ha'apai seabed, including evidence of human remains observed by a navy survey team yesterday. Premium content -
Wednesday 19 August 2009 5:22pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The Tonga government has distributed $66,000 pa'anga to help the families of 33 persons in Tongatapu whose lives were lost in the MV Princess Ashika tragedy. The funds were allocated at $2,000 pa'anga per head and taken from a $15 million National Emergency Fund held by Government to aid in times of emergency. Premium content -
Wednesday 19 August 2009 4:33pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Fasi-moe-Afi bridegroom, Sione Valele 'Elone (43), was on his way to Ha'apai to be married to his sweetheart, Vahengalu He of Pangai. Travelling with him on the fatal voyage of the Princess Ashika on August 5 were his cousin, choir-master, Veuveuso 'Elone (34) and a friend, a North Otago rugby player, Matoni 'Aho (29). Premium content -
Wednesday 19 August 2009 12:44am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Almost two weeks after the sinking of their vessel, MV Princess Ashika the Chairperson and members of the board of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd. made a first public statement on August 17, expressing their condolences and sympathy to families who have lost members. Premium content -
Wednesday 19 August 2009 12:14am
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The loss at sea of a young family of four - Manukeu and Losaline Kauhala and two their three daughters - is a tragedy that has struck a heavy blow to the heart of two Tongatapu families. Premium content -
Tuesday 18 August 2009 11:11pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Newly-wed Heilala Fetu'u (23) longs to see the husband she married on July 30 and who was lost at sea only one week later. By Linny Folau Premium content -
Tuesday 18 August 2009 5:00pm
Palmerston North, New Zealand : Princess Ashika left in agony Near and far, never in the history Puatalefusi waited like a dream Fifth of August sealed the deal I am worthy, not to be seen Worthless Seaworthy, tales of my destiny Let it be Let it sail on the deep blue sea - Piliniuote Tu‘ipulotu Fifita Premium content -
Tuesday 18 August 2009 4:17pm
Pago Pgo, Amerika Samoa : 'I he taha 'o e ngaahi ngaue mana 'a e 'Eiki ko'ene faka'a e kui. Na'e 'eke 'ai 'ehe kau akonga mo e kau mamata ki he 'Eiki pe ko hai na'e faiangahala; ko e tangata kui pe ko'ene ongo matua'. Na'e tali 'e he 'Eiki na'e 'ikai faiangahala ha taha 'o e kaume'ani ka 'oku hoko e me'ani ke fakaha ai e mafai mo e naunau 'o e 'Otua. - Sione Lousiale Kava -
Tuesday 18 August 2009 1:42pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : The New Zealand Navy Vessel HMNZS MANAWANUI and the Tonga Defence Vessel VOEA SAVEA left Nuku'alofa yesterday the 17th August 2009. Premium content -
Tuesday 18 August 2009 9:45am
Palmerston North, New Zealand : Is it possible that the ship's disaster was due to the century-old mystery of "rogue waves?" For centuries sailors and scientists have not figured out how to predict rogue waves, and how to prepare for them. It is theorized that two collided waves formed a rogue wave with such monstrous force, which few ships could survive encountering a tall wall of water slamming them from any side, and without warning. - Sione A. Mokofisi Premium content -
Tuesday 18 August 2009 9:31am
Manila, Philippines : Economic growth in the Pacific region in 2009 is expected to dip below earlier forecasts, but will remain positive at 2.8%., says a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) publication released today. Premium content -
Sunday 16 August 2009 9:17pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A New Zealand navy vessel the HMNZ Manawanui arrived in Tonga at the weekend with a support team to assist in the reconnaissance of the sunken ferry MV Princess Ashika in the Ha'apai Group. Photos by Patricia Car Premium content -
Sunday 16 August 2009 8:48pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : A Blue Ribbon campaign in solidarity of the lives lost at sea was launched on August 14 in an emotional ceremony held outside the Shipping Corporation Office at Queen Salote Wharf, where many families have been camping outside in tents for days waiting on news of loved ones who were passengers on board the sunken ferry MV Princess Ashika. Premium content -
Sunday 16 August 2009 8:30pm
Nuku'alofa, Tonga : Donations to the Ashika Relief Fund have reached over $600,000 pa'anga the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Busby Kautok, said on August 14 on receiving a $2,000 donation from the Staff Association Committee of the Westpac Bank of Tonga. Premium content -
Sunday 16 August 2009 7:00pm
Hofoa,Tongatapu,Tonga : I wish to dedicate this poem to all those lost at sea. May the Grace of God be with us all in this difficult time. - Vaimoana Faka‘osi Premium content -
Sunday 16 August 2009 11:15am
Pago Pago, American Samoa : My younger brother died at sea many years ago and not a day comes by without me thinking about this brother. I can feel for the victims and the survivors and their families. My condolences to all. This has got to be one of the saddest day for Tonga. - Mafi ‘o Amerika Samoa Premium content -
Sunday 16 August 2009 10:00am
Cairns,Australia : Last week's Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders' summit, held in the northern Australian city of Cairns, saw the Labor government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd move to extend its control over the regional body. Despite earlier statements from a number of Pacific governments expressing disquiet over Canberra's stance on issues including Fiji, climate change, and regional trade, every PIF member state toed the line and signed the final summit communiqué drafted by the Australian government. -By Frank Gaglioti Premium content
