Gas supplies to the Ha'apai Group of islands have ceased for the past two weeks after Uata Shipping Company the owner of the sole inter island ferry MV Pulupaki restricted the shipment of hazardous goods onboard its passenger vessel; the lack of gas leaving tourism operators, businesses and home frustrated as they return to cooking on open fires.

Fokololo Mafile'o, the Manager for Tonga Gas Ltd. in Nuku'alofa, said this week that, their gas shipment to Ha'apai was stopped two weeks ago because the shipping company restricted the shipment of gas, a dangerous good.

"'Uliti Uata wants clearance and approval from the Ministry of Marine and Ports for the shipment so we have of this afternoon submitted a letter asking permission to ship our gas supply on deck the Pulupaki," he said.

Meanwhile, a yacht left Nuku'alofa on October 12 with 20 gas bottles for Ha'apai.

"This was solely arranged between the gas agent in Pangai, Pita Vi, and the yacht and we took down the bottles to the wharf," he said.

The total gas consumption for both Vava'u and Ha'apai is at 15 tonnes. Vava'u's consumption is 12 tonnes, while 3 tonnes is onward shipped to Ha'apai.

Fokololo anticipated that a ship from New Zealand arriving in Tongatapu this weekend to collect metal for recycling could possibly take some gas supplies over to Ha'apai.

Tourism hurt

Tourism businesses in Ha'apai are finding it difficult to operate with no supply of gas supply to the island for weeks and they need it for cooking and hot showers for guests.

Guest House owner Fifita in Pangai told Matangi Tonga Online on October 13 that her business had been operating without gas for a fortnight. "It is very difficult because I need it for cooking and hot showers for my guests.

"Now we solely rely on the electric kettle for hot water and for breakfast there's only toast because there is no gas to cook any eggs or bacon. So it's eating crackers and canned food from now on.

"Guests have complained because of no gas and there is nothing I can do about it, which is frustrating, said Fifita.

She added it is the same with her family. They are now just eating canned food or cooking outside because her family relies also on gas for their daily cooking.

The Fonongava'inga Guest House in Pangai is also has no gas supply and owner Langilangi is experiencing the same frustration that Fifita is facing in relation to her business.

"I rely on gas for cooking and my guests are free to cook their food but with no gas they are not able to do that so some have returned to Tongatapu because of this problem.

"It is stressful because all I have is the electric kettle for hot drinks and guests have complained because they did not know of this problem before coming to Ha'apai."

She added Pangai households are also suffering because some families have resorted to cooking in the old Tongan way, outside in the open fire, including hers.

Magdalana Malanowska, the owner of Mariner's Bar and Café in Pangai also confirmed the problem of having no gas in the island.

"I have a little bit of gas left for a few weeks but if there is no supply soon I will be affected because I have a restaurant and my cooking depends on the gas."

She confirmed that 70 percent of Ha'apai's cooking relies on gas so having no supply for weeks now is a problem especially now when there are more visitors in the island.

She confirmed the US Peace Corps are holding an eight weeks training and there are also members of a Coastal Cleaning group in Pangai.

"I hope for a solution because right now we are all affected," she added.

No transport

At the Sandy Beach Resort, the owner Boris Stavenow, said on October 8 that some tourism operators had run out of gas, which means they have to close their operations and cannot feed their guests. "It has a serious effect on Ha'apai and the tourism industry here."

"We at Sandy Beach have a fair stock of gas and will be alright for about another 10 days, but the majority of Ha'apai households is now back to open fires."

Boris said the problem of transportation of LPG gas bottles for cooking also extended to the oxygen cylinders required for the hospital.

"There is no official statement from Uata Shipping yet ... they are not answering my mails, I don't know the full story. Fact is, that no gas bottles or bigger gas containers are transported to Ha'apai," said Boris.