It did not shock me that the Forum Secretariat reported last week that there is a crisis in Tonga, but we are so lucky the IMF has given Tonga a grant of $9m to help us through the next 6-12 months. But we have to think now of what to do about the current economic situation. We can easily make $10 million/yr from rootcrops, $10 million/yr from tourism, $10 million/year from squash and maybe $5 million/yr from bananas if we are lucky. We can try increasing fish export. We can also substitute imported fruits with local fruits. These can all be achieved within the next 5 years. Semisi Pone.
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Results for Letters
Friday 16 December 2011
Auckland, New Zealand
Wednesday 23 November 2011
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Sydney, Australia
It is not rocket science to figure out the impact of a monopoly in the market. Before Digicel (formerly known as Tonfon) came into business there was only one telecommunication provider in Tonga, the Tonga Telecommunication Ltd. During those days, an overseas phone call cost about $3 to $5 paanga per minute. Today, it costs less than $1 paanga to call overseas. What was the cause of this? It was caused by something called "competition". Leny Tukia.
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Wednesday 16 November 2011
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Talau, Neiafu, Vava'u
A sense of déjà vu came over me when I heard of the government's decision to impose on Vava'u a one-overseas-shipping service. People understand that competition will determine the costs of services. The farcical explanation given by the Acting PM for the one-shipping service policy is not only laughable, it is downright insulting. - Tuitokaloto Fakatakatau Taufa.
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Wednesday 9 November 2011
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Sapa'ata, Niuafo'ou (Tin-Can Island)
On behalf of the Parents and Teachers' Association, we would like to approach you with a request for your financial assistance in order to be able to purchase the necessary book prizes for the Niuafo'ou District High School Prize Giving Ceremony, scheduled for November 29, 2011. Letters from students are attached. -Viliami Vea, 'Aloma Kata, Tevita Kata, Latai Lama, Susitina Peei (Niuafo'ou District High School); and 'Ana Emberson, the Niuas Foundation.
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Saturday 3 September 2011
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Glenfield, Sydney
Another peoples' power uprising and another tyrant takes off with his tail between his legs. This time it's Muammar Gaddafi. But it's too late. The Gaddafis failed to read the writing on the wall. Next stop for them is the International Criminal Court - if they are lucky! Rajend Naidu.
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Wednesday 31 August 2011
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Pago Pago, American Samoa
Will this "Faster Internet Service" create job or just faster service. I am now wandering why I spend extra money on a car that can go from 0 miles/hour to 60 miles/hour in 60 seconds here in American Samoa when the speed limit is 30 miles/hour and suicidal to go at any speed over 50 miles/hour. Do we really need a "faster internet service" and much more so than improvement to our infrastructure, hospitals, schools etc.? - Sione Lousiale Kava
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Saturday 20 August 2011
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Pago Pago, American Samoa
Hi ai a e He, Hi ai a e He
Tonga E, Tonga E, tu'u 'o va'inga mokomoko pe
Hi ai a e He, Hi ai a e He
Ikuna pe Ikuna'i te tau fiefia pe
Hi ai a e He, Hi ai a e He
Ko e va'inga keta fakaha ho ta anga'i tangata
Hi ai a e He, Hi ai a e He
Malohi, Fo'i pe Mahanga, Te u kei Tonga pe ki he ngata'anga.
Hi ai a e He, Tonga. Mafi 'o Amelika Samoa.
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Friday 19 August 2011
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Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
The Internet and World Wide Web (www) hold the keys to global knowledge once the privilege of a few who were lucky to be educated overseas. This is more powerful than the mere use of e-mails, visiting Websites, and chatting on your mobile phone. A computer makes world information available "ubiquitously" (anywhere, and everywhere). Sione Akemaihakau Mokofisi
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Friday 5 August 2011
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Auckland, New Zealand
Since the appointment of Commander Chris Kelley, and based on public perception of his impeccable performance, he has been instrumental in restoring both local and overseas faith in local law and order - the foundation that must be laid before any society can talk prosperity. - E.L. Saafi.
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Friday 8 July 2011
Mataika, Kolofo'ou,Tonga
Tonga can not simply shut down a main diplomatic mission because of her poorly financial situation. Relations have to be nurtured . . . I would also like to know whether any diplomatic mission uses emails and the telephone as the main- or only method of establishing and maintaining its relationships? - Katalin Baranyi.
Wednesday 6 July 2011
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New Zealand
I would like to know if you could help me in locating a man who went to Tonga and has not yet returned. His name is Tione Maille. - Faye Attwood.
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Thursday 30 June 2011
Canberra, Australia
A focus on the cost figure without paying due consideration to the practical processes by which these costs contributes to the economy borders on negligence. In that, I agree with Katalin that closing of foreign consular offices (under the label of cost-savings) needs very careful consideration. Peni Fukofuka.
Thursday 23 June 2011
Pago Pago, American Samoa
We may have lost the wisdom of the greatest visionary leader of Tonga if not of the whole Pacific Region. - Mafi 'o Amerika Samoa.
Wednesday 22 June 2011
Pago Pago, American Samoa
The declaration of the Republic of Minerva in 1971 led to the Conference of the Neighboring Island States in 1972 at which the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of Tonga made a claim over the Minerva Reef. Sione Lousiale Kava.
Sunday 19 June 2011
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Pago Pago, American Samoa
Editor, By no mean, to take away anything from Vaha'i's accomplishment. Before, Vaha'i, there were other Tongans graduates from West Point; there was a David Rotorua Lousiale Kava, Class of 2009, now training with the Army Special Forces; before David, there were the brothers Taumoepaea, who are probably still serving somewhere in the world in the US Army.
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Thursday 16 June 2011
Suva, Fiji
I am a Tongan woman married to a non-Tongan man and I cannot get Tongan passports for my children who were born in Tonga and another country in the 1990s. The amendments to the Nationality Act 2007 apply only to those born on or after 14 September 2007, in short, the amendments are not retrospective. I have been told by Tongan Immigration officers that for my children to get Tongan passports, they will have to go through the process of 'naturalization'. - Tupou Taiamoni Finau.
Thursday 16 June 2011
Suva, Fiji
I find it very strange that Ratu Tevita defied his bail conditions in Fiji, became the subject of an extradition application and yet the Tongan government allowed him a holiday to Australia despite the pending extradition application. The purpose of Ratu Tevita's visit to Australia is immaterial. He is and remains a subject of an extradition application. Freddy Kavaha'apai.
Tuesday 14 June 2011
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Pango pngo, American Samoa
Great imagination but you may have missed proper island protocols. What must be understood, is that Blood is thicker than politics, especially in our island nation. Ma'afu, Tu'i Fiji, will not be the one serving Ratu Tevita Uluilakepa Mara . . . There will Ceremonial Attendees serving Ratu Mara and Ma'afu. Sione Lousiale Kava.
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Tuesday 14 June 2011
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Auckland, New Zealand
Please, Bainimarama, Please, the ball is in the Tongan's side of the court, but the delay in returning the ball with a forehand needs someone with strong guts. Getting rid of the Wildcat is doable, but we need a Brave Mouse to hang the bell on to the cat's neck. - Dr Fotu K.V. Fisi'iahi.
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Tuesday 14 June 2011
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Suva, Fiji
I would like for someone to tell me, whether giving a fugitive from Fiji a Tongan Passport will benefit the country in the future, or we better give it to these stateless children who are born in Tonga to Tongan Mothers, and are the future of Tonga. - Sitani Masima.
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