Results for Vava'u

The new month-long Tu'i Vava‘u Festival currently being held in Neiafu, Vava‘u, will feature the Miss Vava‘u Pageant from June 30 to July 5.

The first of two Jetstream J32 aircraft acquired by Real Tonga is expected to arrive in Tongatapu next week, according to the General Manager of Tourism Tonga, Stuart Perry, who said today that the strengthening of the inter-island domestic air service is critically important for the whole economy.

Creative Tongans are realizing that they can make a livelihood from handicrafts, after receiving training in cultural tourism awareness, says Sione Loseli who ran workshops in Vava‘u last week, under a Handicrafts and Cultural Tourism Support Program.

A state of emergency for Vava‘u and Ha‘apai was declared at 8:00am today as Severe Tropical Cyclone Ian strengthened to Category 5, battering the groups with damaging gales and heavy rains overnight and today, with powerful intermittent gusts that were forecast to increase to 110 knots (203km per hour) with momentary gusts to 155 knots (287km). However the 9:30am advisory from Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone warning Centre has downgraded Ian to Category 4 with gusts up to 135 knots.

Upgraded to Category 3, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ian is intensifying and currently threatens Tonga's northern Niuafo‘ou Island where damaging gale force winds are expected this afternoon and evening. The Fua‘amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) at 1:15pm also issued a gale warning for Vavau, and a strong wind warning for Niuatoputapu.

A woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Vava‘u for running over her husband with her vehicle in Kameli in October last year. She is on bail for sentencing next month.

A 19-year-old man from Tu‘anekivale died after shooting himself with a .22 rifle at his home on Tuesday July 30, the Vava’u Police reported.

A 27-year-old man has been charged with murder in relation to the death of his 17-year-old male first cousin whom he allegedly struck on the neck with an axe at a home in Neiafu, Vava'u early this morning June 18.

Three of six fishermen who went diving off Hakaufasi Reef in Vava'u have been missing since Wednesday, May 29 after they failed to return to their boat after their dive.