Editor,

Condolences to all families that have lost their loved ones in this unnecessary tragic travesty that happened in our Island Kingdom. This kind of tragedy should never have happened, with all due respect to the Tongan Govt., they should really get to the bottom of who is responsible, and please Matangitonga, can you organise a campaigns for the people of Tonga demanding a full independent commission to call in all party involved and create transparency showing the world that this tragic incident of M/V Ashika where 90+ Tongans were dead, should have an answer to and closure, and have constructive suggestions on how to correct the system so that it would not repeat itself again in Tonga.

I feel real sad because there are lots of us Tongans abroad who love our King, Govt and people in Tonga, and always seek ways to help our little Island Kingdom, but it seems that the good old boys at "Nuku'alofa Club" seems to keep the status quo intact in Govt businesses like the Polynesian Shipping Line etc, and I feel sad that they did not answer our offer to bring a safe "American Coast Guard Approved Vessel" to use in the Interim, while the M/V 'Olovaha is being constructed in Japan, for the safety of our people.

I feel sad for the Honorable Tongan Consulate General Cecil Cocker, representative of the Govt. of Tonga to America, because he was excited when we presented the opportunity to have a "US safety Inspected Vessel from America" sent to Tonga to help the people of Tonga. We did not ask for any money up front but only to have a joint venture arrangement with Tonga Polynesian shipping line. We were turned down and they bought the vessel from Fiji. How much money did the Govt. spend for the M/V Ashika? You know the rest of the story.

I'm asking Matangitonga to please keep up your good work and ask the Govt. for an Independent Commission to investigate the truth. Tongans world-wide would appreciate your help on this campaign for the truth.

Tu'a ofa atu

M. T. Tuaileva
Director/American Pacific Islander's Foundation.

mttprod [at] gmail [dot] com

Editor's note: Attached were letters from Meteliko Tuaileva to Lord Dalgety, a member of the board of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesian Ltd, and Hon. Cecil Cocker, the Tongan Counsel General in San Francisco, proposing for the establishment of a new shipping company with a new ferry to replace the ailing MV Olovaha.
1.
"Thu, May 28, 2009 at 3:55 PM
The Honorable Lord Delgety Nuku'alofa, Kingdom of Tonga.
Proposed Vessel for the Kingdom of Tonga new Shipping Lines

Dear Lord Delgety,

Enclosed information on a Vessel that is available to me and had spoke with the Honorable Cecil Cocker in San Francisco, and he mentioned that you are the only person in Tonga that could understand if there is a demand for this kind of businesses to be able to operate and served the travelling public between each major Islands in the Kingdom for the general public.

This Vessel, has 3 thousand hours on it's new engine and all the latest of GPS/Technology with Satellite Positioning and Radar. Vessel has no lean and is free and clear with no debt. This Vessel could be operated by a Tongan Crew under Tongan Flags.

The Honorable Cecil Cocker had mentioned that you both were on a Board of Director for a Shipping Line in Tonga at one time, when he was with Govt in Tonga. Please let me know if there is an interest in creating an entity or you may already have a shell company established that could be utilized in creating the new Shipping Line for the Kingdom. Appreciated your interest
in this endeavor and looking forward to your comment and reply, my contact number is 808--636-0290.

Kind Regards
M.T. Tuaileva"

2.
"Mon, May 18, 2009 at 6:21 PM
'Aloha Cecil,

Enclosed descriptions of the ship proposed for "Kingdom Shipping Line" I like that name.

In my view, this vessel is ready to go, the "US Coast Guard" put $13 million dollars worth of new engines and electronics, less then 3 thousand hours in nautical miles.

It's a 30 million dollar ship if you were to build it today, and could have it operate under Tongan Flag, you'll have to work fast to get the joint venture with a new Tonga's entity and company.

Call me to discuss a plan that would be a win win situation for everyone.

Meteliko"