Results for Opinion

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

The Association for Safe International Road Travel commends the National Road Safety Committee in Tonga for its commitment to road safety; today it held a National Road Safety Workshop to design with a National Road Safety Plan addressing the problem of unsafe roads and irresponsible drivers. - Rochelle Sobel

The Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement strongly condemns the arrest and the drummed up charges brought against Fiji's second highest Paramount Chief and Leader of the Burebasaga Confederacy, Ro Teimumu Kepa.

Many thanks to Mr. Peter Goldstern (Solar power...21 July, 2009) for his technical advice, and innovative ideas for renewable energy sources for Tonga's future. -Sione A. Mokofisi

Please allow me to respond to the accusation by the Langafonua Tu'uloa Party that the Government is being disrespectful of the Commission by amending the Constitution so as to enable Nobles' and People's Representatives appointed to Cabinet to retain their seats in the current Legislative Assembly.

There are a couple of viable renewable options available for Tonga, one being the burning of Saafa grass to drive steam turbines which could produce cheap electricity as does the burning of 1 million tons of straw each year in Denmark. Burning grass is CO2 neutral because the grass takes the same amount of CO2 out of the air while growing, as is returned to the atmosphere when it is burned. Indeed this option entitles the user to Carbon credits. Saafa could produce electricity for less than the diesel component alone in the current electricity price. -Peter Goldstern