Results for Letters

I am so disgusted that the captain call the Main Island for help and took no measure to warn the passengers or get them on top deck before this ill fated piece of trash vessel went under. - Maika Tatafu

I was very saddened to hear of the terrible ferry tragedy in Tonga and have since been following the details via Tonga Online. - Sally-Ann Wilson

Marek & Olivie have made contact! Here is an email from Marek we have just received. We feel very lucky. - Marek and Olivia

Everyone in our industry have known for years that the Olovaha was not safe and also the Ashika. This was a known fact, but elements within the Government continued to cover this up with paper work. - Thomas M. Uata, Uata Shipping Line

With this tragedy, I hope there will be a Coronial Inquiry and investigation on this matter so that those lost souls was not in vain and those accountable be put to Justice or resign immediately pending investigations. - William Mariner

It is with sadness to watch on the television about the catastrophic incident that happened to the Ashika at Ha'afeva that caused many lives missing. Our prayer, love, and condolences goes to all families in Tonga, UK, and Japan who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. We pray that God's peace and blessing be with you all and God's grace and love abiding, too, may guide you all in this time of sorrow. May our heavenly father can comfort all families, kainga, villages, and churches also give everyone strength to withstand and stand shoulder-to-shoulder and support during this time of grieving. - Viliami T Tiseli

I know that this is not the time to point finger and ask who is responsible for inspecting this vessel (Princess Ashika) before allowing it to service my people? To that person and to that department who allows for this vessel to operate in the Kingdom of Tonga are fully responsible for this tragedy. - PK

I am looking for our two friends who were backpacking in Tonga, and were planning on traveling to Vava'u by ferry. If anybody has seen or heard from them, please could you ask them to phone Bruce & Lucy in New Zealand, 0064 75447113. - Lucy Goodchap

Great to see the active interest in energy options for Tonga. With regards to coconuts, it would be terrific if we could find a use for them other than falling on windshields. Unfortunately my analysis shows based on 100 coconuts/tree/year and 100 trees per hectare that it would take 14,000 hectares (70% of Tongatapu) of coconut trees to provide the energy equivalent of 700 hectares of Saafa or Siale Mohe Mohe. Not to mention the difficulty of collecting the coconuts versus mechanized mowing of flat straw/bush pastures. -Peter Goldstern