Reports from Tonga's newspapers, January 7, 2009. An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.

TheTaimi on January 7 reports that a Hawaiian newspaper, the Star-Bulletin, has honoured Utu Langi who was raised in Tonga in his early years, for charity work on behalf of the homeless. Utu (41) a carpenter by trade is director of H-5, 'Hawaii Helping the Hungry Have Hope' a four years old charity. Utu approached a minister of the First United Methodist Church in Honolulu and started a program that distributes blankets to those who sleep along the road sides. He established H-5 and became a director of Next Step, which provides accommodation for up to 150 homeless people. Utu was named in the Star-Bulletin's list of ten people who have made the most positive contribution to Hawaii.

The Kele'a on January 7 reports that the services of seven heads of government departments have been terminated. They are: Edgar Cocker, Ministry of Tourism; Vuna Fa'otusia, Justice department; Linda Folaumoetu'i, Crown Law; Sione Taumoepeau, Ministry of Works; 'Eseta Fusitu'a, Prime Minister's Office; Litili 'Ofanoa, Ministry of Health; and the airport manager. The government had elected to assess its CEOs triennially, starting with those appointed in 2006. Some were, however, reviewed annually.

The Kele'a on December 31 questions the motive for the transfer of the mulit-million pa'anga Technical Assistance Vote from the Ministry of Finance to the Prime Minister's Office, and then speculates on the answers to its own questions.

It also reports that Suliana Moala, a co-director of the Lali Media Group that was liquidated recently, has started a new company, the Taimi Ltd. in New Zealand.