Ma'ata's school held their Meet the Teacher Night today so we trotted off with 'Ofa to get a briefing on ... 'something.'

Wow, there's a lot of teachers taking care of Kindergarten at Chullora Public School.

Anyhow, nothing drastic is happening, they just wanted us to have an idea of what they are doing and how we can participate with our children's education (i.e. it's a partnership between school and home, not a one way thang)

We asked the teacher if she can give us a list of the music cd's they are using so we can get a copy for Ma'ata (not not the torrent versions, although ...) Apparently Ma'ata's teacher is using stuff mostly from the ABC Shop, so they're quite accessible.

Of course, Ma'ata Ngalo'afe is a little behind on her "Advance Australia Faire" but she pumps out some gusto words of her own during these and other songs (she just enjoys singing even if the words aren't quite right.)

Peanut / Nut Allergy can kill. I remember a couple years back, here in Australia, reading the news about a boy who died at a camp because although he was allergic to nuts the camp played a game where children were given different tasks. The boy volunteered to eat the peanut sandwich because no one else in his group would eat the peanuts, and for the remaining hours of his life the camp participants (staff and children) could only watch as he suffered and died (they did not have the training or the medication on hand to deal with the sudden death.)

Deaths from peanut allergy

Approximately 125 people die in the United States each year from food allergies.^[8][9] Peanut allergy is the most common cause of death from food allergies. ^[10]

The dangers of peanut allergy are real, even if sometimes misrepresented in the popular press.

Australian schools (at least here in Sydney anyway) seem to have become seriously aware of the issues, as a consequence both Ma'ata's school (Chullora Public School) and Sisitoutai's school (Bankstown Montessori Center) are "Nut Free Zones" to encourage awareness and prevent failure to save children's lives.

Unfortunately, some parents just choose not to understand the severity of this ailment.

Being from Tonga, we don't recall ever hearing of anyone with this kind of food allergy (the only food allergy common in Tonga is obesity, ha ha ha) but we've stopped buying peanut products for the kids as there are plenty of other foods for energy etc.

One mother at tonights meeting just had to argue that her kids don't eat anything else but Nutella (i.e. chocolate with peanuts.) Pray tell, what is she supposed to do? She can't argue with her kids about their food selection, God forbid?

Knock knock, anyone home ?

We would rather that our kids get peanut butter in their sandwiches for additional nutritional content, but I wouldn't wish the pain of an allergy attack on my kids let alone someone elses. Get a clue, educate yourself.

I used to look up to our wizened elders and wonder

"will I contribute to this life a shadow of the amount they've contributed?"

Taholo Kami just sent out an email of some musical recordings by his daughter Tae. To know just a little about what the family, and Tae have gone through in the past couple of years is to wonder at the contribution that they have made to this life.

1 March 2008 Update

Tae singing His Eyes are on the Sparrow  Click to hear/download song

Tae is still in hospital this morning. Tae was smiling by the time I got to hospital last night - the small session in surgery to drain the infection beside her nose seemed to have worked out well and Sina had called for me to pick up a hot chocolate and fish fillet burger from Mcdonalds for her to snack on. We hope all goes well from here on - her breathing has cleared up a little but we have to see what the doctors say today.

We had a long discussion yesterday while she lay on the bed and she says to me "Dad - I've accepted the situation - have you?"  She then proceeded to explain that she has been so richly blessed in her short life, she's had her miracle and she has overcome all her challenges, she is ready to go home  if God decides its time. The surgeon was stunned by her frankness on issues and spent more time discussing life and faith issues with her yesterday  then her condition...

The guys from the studio dropped off samples of her song yesterday. There is a version of Tae singing "His Eyes are on the Sparrow" and the song she wrote "Walk on, Walk Strong". The studio guys also did their own version of "Walk on, Walk Strong" which was quite stunning. I will upload it once I figure how to do it. We hope the song can be used to raise funds for a "Tae Kami Foundation" which can  assist with cases of Pacific Island kids who face a cancer challenge .  Check soon for a download.

Thank you all for your prayers and support - I will post an update from Tae later

Visit with the Kami's on Tae's website, or find her on Bebo. Definitely inspirational and sometimes quite devotional.

Looks like we're making more headway into getting this up and running.

Hope to see everyone there, click on the timetable image to get a larger picture (possibly easier to read for those with ageing eyes, or artificially assisted eyes.)

Key Dates: Monday September 29th ~ Wednesday October 1st

Remember to bring your video camera, audio recording equipment etc. Best of all, make sure if you have a real job to get this booked on your calendar.

Well, we knew that people were reading the National Geographic, and we were a little disappointed with their recent article on Tonga, so I guess it wouldn't have gone unnoticed that someone should extend a hand to correct some at least one or two of the suspected errors in the article.

Mayor Miller Sends Letter to King of Tonga

...

I enjoyed reading about Tonga in the November 2007 issue of National Geographic. It was with great interest that I learned about your country and its current struggles. May I also extend my condolences on the passing of your father, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.

In the article, you noted that America has a reputation for wealth and power, yet it also has poor people in inner cities and rural areas such as Lubbock, Texas. I was surprised to read the reference to our city, and felt compelled to contact you.

...

In Texas, there are a gazillion (as in a whole lot of them) Tongans. As I understand, the population of Tongans in Texas centres around the Dallas / Fort Worth due to previous adventures of the local governments to increase population and increase the work force.

The high schools in the area have their history pages filled with Tongan kids in their athletics / football programs.

As a student at the Fort Worth based Texas Wesleyan College (now University) I had a chance to visit with friends living in Lubbock. Texas is definitely a country of its own, and proud of it.

Going to Texas from Tonga, the car rides are definitely looonger to get places.

The devils in the details.

We finished last-weeks yap rounds with an evening of drinks at the Dupinisia Restaurant and Bar. As I recall, I was soo late that the entrees were already finished, and there wasn't anything after that except liquids.

It's a good thing we had a BBQ going at the house, even if I missed out on that one as well. This isn't looking so good.

Briefing

Subject: National ICT Strategy Development to Augment National Development

The National ICT Strategic Planning workshop brought together stakeholders from Government, Civil Society and the Private Sector. Workshop delegates assessed and initiated various policies, programmes, project proposals which they have committed to refining over the next four months. Likewise, Government is ensuring a minimal number of these projects are fully functional, at the launch of the National ICT direction scheduled for mid 2008.

Government having finalised our National Strategic Plan in 2006, have embedded significant ICT within capacity development, service development, and provisioning. In recognition of the interdependency between ICT and National Development, the Government of Tonga has long sought and accepted assistance for various ICT initiatives including the recent SOPAC sponsored e-Readiness Assessment, and the National ICT Strategic Planning workshops held with the assistance of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Commitments from the Prime Minister and senior Government officials to workshop delegates have strengthened their resolve to pursue refinements of ICT Strategies for National Development. Although various Ministers continue pushing ICT as a significant enabler of National Development, the statements from the Prime Minister at the workshop was the first public direction to stakeholders

Participants have clearly identified human capacity retention and development as a core requirement for engaging the benefits of ICT. Several options are being investigated within the working groups targeting both long-term policies and short-term projects.

Augmenting the National Strategic Plan through ICT, six Working Groups have been formed from the workshop to refine ICT plans for: Education, e-Government, Homes and Communities, Industry, Legislation, Technology and Infrastructure.

“To ensure greater involvement of Civil Society and the Private Sector, Government must be a catalyst in the ICT arena.” says Alfred Soakai of the Department of Communications. “Government recognises and promotes long term economic growth must be led by Civil Society and the Private Sector, this Workshop is one of the initiatives of Government in the ICT field to move us all forward. We can do more, and bringing together all stake holders is an important beginning.”

The Department of Communications, again with assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat continue to support and direct discourse.

Where to Now ?

Interested individuals and organisations are invited to participate in online discourse at the following addresses:

http://groups.google.com/group/tg-educ/ Education Working Group
http://groups.google.com/group/tg-egov/ e-Government Working Group
http://groups.google.com/group/tg-home/ Homes and Communities Working Group
http://groups.google.com/group/tg-indus/ Industry Working Group
http://groups.google.com/group/tg-legis/ Legislation Working Group
http://groups.google.com/group/tg-tech/ Technology and Infrastructure Working Group
The discussions are public, including various documents, directions related to each group.

Endnotes:

The Tonga Strategic Development Plan is available online at http://www.tonga-now.to/Article.aspx?ID=600

The Working Groups currently meet online using GoogleGroups.

I wonder with a title like that, what will this drivel allude to?

Who knows whether the culprit in this story supported the Public Servants Association's strikes in 2006 that led to the 60, 70, 80 % pay rise for Public Servants. It may be that this is really an endemic problem with just the blood sucking section at the Vaiola Hospital.

In the last three years, we have had cause to visit the Vaiola Hospital for them to take four samples of blood. Now, I don't know about you, but I don't know of too many people out there who find it the least enjoyable to trip over to the Hospital to get blood taken out of them. We now have a 100% success record with the Blood Sucking section at the Hospital, where they have either lost the samples or otherwise found a reason to not conjure the report for which the blood was taken.

I think some of the sample was taken before the pay rise, and the last very recent is well after the promised improvements in Public Servant attitude and ethics. Since we all find it an urgent issue (sometimes relating to serious medical conditions) when blood is taken that the lab reports be efficiently and expediently returned to the doctors, it really is inexcusable for the blood team to be losing people's samples.

What is more inexcusable is to just sit on the 'lost thing' until a doctor or patient makes an enquiry requesting updates on the lab report status.

In our most recent fiasco with the Hospital Blood Unit, they are reporting to the doctor that 'Ofa didn't take a sample. Gee, that was pretty dumb of 'Ofa to go to the hospital, pay for the blood sample and an X-Ray. Turn up for the X-ray, but not for taking your blood.

Making mistakes is part of life, incompetence is something we try to avoid, being incompetent and then also trying to hide it is just plain inexcusable.

AND which government system will resolve this incompetence? Neither democratic nor monarchic government have exclusive rights to hypocrisy nor mediocrity, they seem to be in abundant measures these days.

So, Taimi 'o Tonga reports last week that the pharmacy department employs incompetents, and last night we find out further incompetence in the blood unit.

When Ma'ake heard our story on the missing blood sample his response was: Ko Tonga 'eni.

Ko e founga foki 'oku tau ngaue'aki 'i Tonga ni ke 'iai pe hato maheni, ka e tautau tefito ki Falemahaki. Ko e 'iai pe hato maheni pea faingofua ange 'a e fakalelei'i 'o 'u me'a ni. Ko e 'ikai pe ...

Ka te feinga kita ke fai he "founga totonu" mahalo ko ha'o mate palapala ia 'a'au.

The ABC Radio Australia broadcast over the week-end and this morning mentions that the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs believes that there is a general consensus among the Pacific Island leaders that Fiji's Interim Prime Minister, coup-leader Commander Bainimarama will not be welcomed at the Pacific Leaders meeting (retreat?) to be held in Tonga

To stay within our general irreverence, the thought came to me ...

Oz Minister: Hey local leader, I'm here to discuss Australia providing your shell-shocked economy with a few millions of Australian Tax Payer's money. ...

Local PM: (eyes gone glassy, glazed over ...)

Oz Minister: And by the way, what are your thoughts on that unsavory character (black fella) in Fiji, and I'm not talking about Waisale Serevi.

Local PM: (eyes gone glassy, glazed over ...)

Oz Minister: Oh, by the way, I don't think he should come to the party ...

So, the big guy on the block waving his big stick tells the little snot-nosed kid what he thinks? What do you think the snot-nosed little kid is going to say ?

The Kele'a has some interesting write-ups this week.

* Why are QSC Ex-Students adamant / belligerent about buying a TOP$3million property that is obviously not worth the money, and they wish to put it to use that is already provided by many other services in Tonga.

* What is the disagreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Prime Ministers' Office that lead to the delay in this year's budget ? Did they really try to spruce up the damned economy ?

* Why is the President of the Free Wesleyan Church preaching holier than tow when everything points to the other with his own actions ? (Read: recent appointments)

You know it hurts when you give credit to the Kele'a for breaking news that should have been covered by the other mainstream papers, but they conveniently led slide ...

It seemed at first that the freeze on parliamentary reports from the Tonga Broadcasting Commission was supposedly an internal matter, but according to the latest Pacnews report, there has also been a ban on recordings inside parliament which tends to support the view that Government forced the closure of the weekly program from TBC covering debates in parliament

TONGA BROADCASTER'S PARLIAMENT BAN CONTINUES

Thursday July 5, 2007, 4:01 pm

NUKUALOFA, July 5 Asia Pulse - The Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) says it is still being prevented from covering parliament despite assurances from the government that a ban has been lifted.

The prime minister's office said a ban on the TBC's daily parliamentary reports has been lifted after a reporter apologised following complaints from cabinet ministers about a lack of balance.

But Katalina Tohi, the manager of Television Tonga and part of the TBC, said this was simply not true.

Ms Tohi told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat Programme it was extremely frustrating, especially for radio and television outlets which need audio and vision.

She said journalists are still unable to record the proceedings of parliament.

"We really don't understand, we get calls from people everywhere asking why aren't you doing the parliamentary reports," Ms Tohi said.

"But then there it is, you can't do anything."

The reporting of parliament by TBC staff has been on hold since 15 June.

(Pacnews)

Hard to know who to believe in anymore ? Well, what did you think, this is war! After-all, it is politics.

There's a strange thing about the Kava import restrictions (bans?) in Australia.

Apart from the fact that it seems the federal government is jumping on solving the symptom of the problem, to assuage public opinion against their inactions over the 'aborigine problem.' After all, the rampant alcohol abuse by aboriginal communities have not lead to bans of imports on alcohol, which has a world ready list of documentation on the damage it does to body and soul.

Let's just say that the Australian Government doesn't really want to bite the bullet and take the action required to resolve the actual problems of the people in aborigine communities. Kind of like the problem with Sydney's transport system.

But then again, Tongans crave for their own freedom to run their own country as they see fit. We have our own Sunday laws we do not want changed by outsiders and their own traditions. Let Australia set their own standards, just push them if you think it is wrong.

There is also the problem that some of the complainants, Kava Resellers/Importers, could probably be blamed for the current excess shown by some aborigines. After all, the Kava plants and their crushed cousins didn't take the nearest bus to Arnhem land, someone had to take it there and then demonstrate their wonderful qualities to the poor sods out there.

Let me here it again ? Who are the people suffering from not having Kava instead of Coffee ? Who are the people suffering from abuse of alcohol, soft drugs?

Photo courtesy of ThinkQuest Library entry on Samoans by Enchanted Lake Elementary School

Tonga-Now to continue - Minister of Finance

5/07/2007 10:42:11 a.m.

Responding to the overwhelming reaction to the announcement of the closure of Tonga-Now, the Hon. Minister of Finance, Siosiua T.T. 'Utoikamanu, has reviewed his decision to allow Tonga-Now to continue to operate. The Minister has received extensive support messages and responses from Tongans and concerned individuals from both here and abroad for the need to keep the Tonga-Now website because it is a major source of information about the Kingdom.  The Minister has also instructed that it shall report in a non-biased and professional manner and to keep informing readers about the latest events in Tonga, particularly on economic and revenue reforms and related issues

It was a nice little bit of local drama, that further gave credence to Kele'a's current edition which accused there having been conflicts between the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance. Seeing as how there is so much incredible articles in the Kele'a and their online partner TongaStar, it is hard to give them credit, but Tonga-Now.to being scheduled for closure sure put a lot of interest into the Kele'a's print.

Welcome back Tonga-Now.to, even if you hadn't left the building (anyone seen Elvis?)

I really think Tonga-Now is doing great service for the Government and People of Tonga. Keep up the high standard of reporting and give us enough information so we can make up our own minds about what is going on.

I haven't been onboard a US Destroyer, and am unlikely to, but if we get lucky enough with the below invitation from the visiting US Destroyer John Paul Jones, that would be exciting stuff (to say the least.)

It's not as if the US haven't been visiting, as friendlies, for the longest time. It's just great to have a general invitation from a greater nation.

 It is a tremendous honor to be in Tonga on the 4th of July. Tonga and the United States have been allies in the Global War on Terrorism and in other coalition operations for many years. Just as the war for American independence required out forefathers to take a stand, Tongan and U.S. forces today are working together to fight oppression and tyranny. In celebration of the U.S. Independence Day, U.S. Ambassador Larry M. Dinger and I will host a reception for royal, government, and business leaders aboard JOHN PAUL JONES on the 4th. The evening promises to be a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and strengthen those friendships that already exist. It's also a perfect way for my officers and crew to showcase our great ship. Aside from the reception, we're all looking forward to experiencing all that Tonga has to offer.

-James J. Housinger, Commander, Commanding Officer USS John Paul Jones

Revenue Services Department, elsewhere known as the blood sucking animal of Government or one of the two eventualities of life (death and taxes, but I'm not sure which one ?)

Revenue Services is pushing out a survey for their Consumption Tax 'partners' (those who earn enough to be taxed more) trying to get a feeling for how many would be willing to fill out their tax forms online.

Personally I would have hoped that Revenue would have had this in place for a few more meaningful (head-ache ridden sections) such as filling out those forms to get anything into the country.

But its a start.

Maybe next time you look into Tonga, all our Consumption Tax paying business will be submitting their forms online (except when they need the submission back-dated, so they'll take it in to the first cousin on their wife's best friend's mother's side.)

Go Tonga!!

Don't know what kiteboarding is all about, but I guess we're not too young to learn. 

The tropical island of Va’vau in the Kingdom of Tonga is confirmed as the gathering point for women kiteboarders seeking the adventure of a lifetime at the Cindy Mosey Island Odyssey.

Although few thought the first-ever odyssey held in remote Kadavu, Fiji, could be surpassed, organiser Cindy Mosey (NZ) has searched the Pacific Ocean to create a whole new experience for women kiteboarders and decided upon a destination alive with the song of whales.

“Tonga is such a special place to me. Having sailed its islands and kiteboarded there extensively over the past few years, I know it’s going to be an absolutely awesome event and I’m so excited about seeing everyone in beautiful Va’vau,” said Mosey.

Source: wake.co.nz | Cindy Mosey Island Odyssey heads to Kingdom of Tonga

A nice piece of scare-mongering journalism ?

I think most people in Tonga agree with portions of this news release over at the NZ Herald. 

A large number of Tongans arrested after last year's riots in the capital Nuku'alofa were beaten up by security forces, according to a report.

A community taskforce on human rights in Tonga has compiled what it called a comprehensive 77-page report which documented the treatment of people arrested and detained since the riots on November 16.

Source: Police, military 'beat up' Tongan riot suspects - 14 May 2007 - NZ Herald: World / International News

Unfortunately, they reference their source as "A community taskforce" which just happens to not have a name and scares any discerning person that this just might be a rehash of an old, discounted report from the beginning of the the "Riot Response" word fight between Government and Anti-Government people.

Other stories by the author gives us an outline of where their 'expertise' lies, and it doesn't seem like they have that much of an experience with the political, social problems in the Pacific or Tonga to be a good authority for such a piece of writing?

We'd all like for those involved with illegal activities to face their day in court, whether they be senior, junior, noble or peasant. But I'd sure as hell would like to know what value is there is sensationalising untested reports?

So, while the New Zealand Herald champions the cause of those who burned the town down, we are left with the understaffed Tonga Police to champion the cause of those unfortunate bystander businesses who were burned to a crisp, let alone the innocent employees that no longer have jobs or a livelihood.

Go figure the priorities of these people.

The annual Children's Sunday, known in other places as White Sunday (for the traditional white clothing by the children) was on again last week. Coinciding with a deluge of rain that continues three days later, it was a good day of sorts.

What tends to be forgotten through these festivities and remembrances, oh how sweet things are in memories, is the hard work and toil by some to get to these days. As will have been common through many households, either Grandma is up late mending pieces that don't meld together well, or she's creating the whole outfit for Sunday.

Early Sunday mornings it's dads and grandads turn to help out and their spitting the pig, cleaning the earth oven. Unfortunately for my kids their dad isn't into that part so their not feasting on their dad's sweat, but on GrandPas and the uncles. Thanks guys.

Visit bTonga

I'm on the mailing list somwhere because I got this press-release from somewhere reminding me of the gathering of Pacific Island leaders in New York and their more important (?) sideshow (?) in Washington DC where they get to meet people who can really decide the fate of this planet.

The statement and information from the Department of State on the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders currently held in Washington DC is available on the following link:

See page:  http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=May&x=20070507165352ajesrom0.7856714.

Thank you,

A few friends from NY have been telling us things are happening, and every now and then you get a glimpse on CNN that our people are actually in the USA shaking and baking, or grovelling and drooling, somewhere in there lies the truth.

Visit bTonga

The Kele'a newspaper(?) has hit the headlines again with some inflamatory accusations/stories that were quickly rebutted by parties mentioned in the articles. The two largely discussed items for the past week is a story involving Filokalafi 'Akau'ola and another story denouncing Government for supposedly preventing its departments and commissions from advertising in the Kele'a.

The weirdest thing about the issues above, is that they both blatantly ignore a premise of journalism highlighted in the Society of Professional Jourists' Code of Ethics, and in Tonga's own Media Council Code of Ethics.

Tonga Media Council: General Code of Ethics for the News Media

In order to maintain public trust, freedom of speech and the credibility of the news media, journalists are urged to remain within the following guidelines derived from international standards and with valuable input from a broad cross section of the media in Tonga. The word "publish" is used here to mean released to the public by any news media.

1. Accuracy and Balance

a) Report and interpret news stories honestly, striving for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts. Do not suppress significant available facts or give distorting emphasis.

b) Do your utmost to provide balanced coverage by proving a fair opportunity for any individual or organizations mentioned in a news story to respond to allegations or criticism before publication. Failing that, you should provide a reasonable opportunity for response after the news item has been published.

c) Do not allow personal interest, belief, commitment or perceived benefit to sway your accuracy, fairness or journalistic independence. Strive for objectivity.

d) Distinguish clearly between fair comment, conjecture and fact.

a & b clearly violated. Respondents to both articles stating that at no time did the Kele'a contact them or their office with regards to their story, independent of the fact that the stories were inaccurrate.

c & d seem to be influencing factors in rejecting a & b.

Visit bTonga

We seem to be getting more information about the new rubbish collection service bestowed upon us by our illustrious, no hankey-pankey government.

It is only now that we seem to be getting informed that the TOP$10.00 a month fee is not voluntary, and that ALL households will be required to pay whether they use the service or not.

Tonga-Now: Trial rubbish collection service conducted

The service will cost each household TOP$10 and is a new compulsory charge under the Waste Management Act 2005. Each household will be charged for the service whether or not he/she makes use of it.

Seems to have been overlooked as an issue while they were promoting the new dump / rubbish pick-up.

When we first heard the news about the $10 monthly fee I thought that it was exceedingly generous and that the only way that they were going to make this profitable (i.e. make enough money to buy new trucks 'cause the roads are going to kill the trucks they are using now) is to somehow either get a majority of Tongatapu residents signed up, or force everyone to pay.

We were previously using a private firm, Waste Management Ltd, to pick up our rubbish at a cost of $8 pa'anga per pick-up, and now Government is going to pick-up my rubbish FOUR times a month for only $10 pa'anga a saving to me of ($8.00 x 4 - $10 = $22.00). Geezz living in Tonga is just getting cheaper!!

Visit bTonga

I must have missed this one when it first came out, but when I finally saw it I thought how cool can this be.

The Talaki are purposely printing the mobile phone numbers for their reporters which seems to me to be the first time I've seen this in any newspaper. Of course, the scale of people and news is much smaller in Tonga but it sure looks cool that the Talaki want to reach out to their readership and for getting news leads as soon as possible.

When you have some local event happening, or just seen the latest accident speed-dial these guys/gals and get someone on the spot.

Way to go Talaki team.