Results for Tonga

What could be the impact on Tonga of the merging of Mobile Oil and Exon? Stalini Naufahu, the president of Three Stars, a Tongan company that is the sole distributor of Mobile Oil in Tonga said, “very little in the immediate future, but the good news for Tonga is that Mobile is going to build six major distributing centres in the region, and they are awaiting for a go-ahead from the Tongan Government.” From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 4, December 1998.

Tonga’s biggest hotels face closure before the year 2000. The Pacific Royale Hotel, the International Date­line Hotel, the Friendly Islander Motel and the Royal Sunset Resort are fighting an up-hill battle to keep their doors open, and to remain in business. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 4, December 1998.

Tonga's economic downturn will not be turned around until the island country finds a way to get seriously into exports as a way of life. Incentives to attract investors and motivation to make people work remain elusive goals, while waiting for a plan of action. By Pesi Fonua. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 4, December 1998.

Europeans can't get enough of the South Pacific's natural tranquilizer. Kava, the root that makes an intoxicating beverage by the same name, and icon of the laid back lifestyle of the South Pacific Islands, has become a hot product. This year, 1998, the demand for kava could not be met by any of the kava growing countries in the Pacific. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 4, December 1998.

Tevita Vaikona, the British Super League star player was in Tonga for 17 days during November. He did not waste any time getting home to ‘Uiha, in Ha‘apai, “where as soon as the sun sets, the only thing to do is to go to sleep, there are no night clubs and no bars.” Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 4, December 1998.

The value of the Tongan pa‘anga has continued to drop against the currencies of Tonga’s major trading partners during the past eight months.

Neiafu, Vava‘u is undergoing a $7 million pa‘anga face lift, and will soon have a new market, a new town jetty, and a wharf complex including a cargo shed and a passenger shelter.

International pianist, Dr Marilyn Meier, has married an ‘Atenisi arts student, Tevita Tulikihakau, whom she met in Brisbane, last January.

The musical works of Queen Salote Tupou III are being revived by four guardians of Tongan history and culture, Dr Melenaite Taumoefolau, Dr Adrienne L. Kaeppler, Princess Nanasipau‘u Tuku‘aho, and Dr Elizabeth Wood Ellem who are compiling all the poems and songs that were written by the late Queen.