Results for People

Five Tongan sisters from Hawaii – Alexsia (19), Tiueti (16), Lela (15), Elisiva (14) and Nini (10) – were guests on America’s popular Ellen Degeneres Show yesterday, where the singers each received a cheque of $10,000 USD. The group are all daughters of Walter and Telesia Tonga, who immigrated from Tonga to Hawaii.

When Cyclone Gita blasted a dilapidated little Tongan fale into Fanga 'Uta Lagoon on the night of Monday February 13, home to a non-conformist Tongan artists group, the ferocious winds could not destroy the creative spirit of the Seleka International Art Society Initiative.

A falling tree branch on Taufa'ahau Road hit Senior Police Constable ‘Apisai Fihaki (36), knocking him unconscious and fracturing his right ribs, while he was responding to a call for emergency evacuation during Tropical Cyclone Gita. But recovering today at his home in Ha'asini, Fihaki said that saving people’s lives was the utmost priority. By Linny Folau

King Tupou VI urged Tongans to work with a cooperative spirit to rebuild their country after Cyclone Gita, in an address to the nation this evening, particularly mentioning the people of the worst-hit islands of Tongatapu and 'Eua. The first assistance to any hardship that happens in our country should come from us, he said.

An exhausting week-long walkathon around Ha’apai, ‘Eua, Vava’u and Tongatapu was completed last week by Frazer Mataitonga from the ‘Akanesi Mataitonga Trust. Frazer agreed to perform the challenge as part of a fundraiser to help the ‘Ofa Tui ‘Amanaki Centre, which supports handicapped children.

A New Zealand transport company is being held criminally liable over the bus crash that killed three Tongan passengers last year near the town of Gisborne in New Zealand.

The Tongan community in Utah are mourning the loss of 46-year-old Kolei Soseti Maile of St George, Utah, USA who passed away on Christmas day after an illness. He leaves behind a wife, four children and a football team – the Pine View High School football team – for whom he worked for as an offensive line coach.

Dr Palatasa Havea and Valeti Finau have been named on New Zealand’s annual Honours List. Both honourees are Tongan-born New Zealanders. The Honours List was released on New Year’s Eve 31 December by New Zealand’s Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Radiant bride, 'Anaseini Fifita Falemei Palu of Nuku'alofa, married her sweetheart Joseph James Halapua in Suva yesterday, 28 December, during the Christmas season of weddings.