tongan royal family killed
He served as Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia, and . It comes after an Australian tabloid published claims that the late Tongan king and a former diplomat helped to conceal the killing of George Brown. Legal Statement. He has also covered land use, the failed attempt to remove San Francisco's elected sheriff for official misconduct and efforts to revitalize the long-downtroddenMid-Market area. Instead, dozens of Tongans flocked to the church to mourn the unexpected deaths and honor a prince viewed as a political reformer in Tonga's constitutional monarchy. It comes after an Australian tabloid published claims that the late. They were killed when a teenager racing her car crashed into their vehicle on Wednesday, July 5, 2006. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. I dont think it serves anyones interest for this 19-year-old girl to spend more time in jail, he said. She is scheduled to surrender Sept. 1 to serve the remainder of her sentence. But he would not release their names until the Tongan government made an official announcement. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma), Aisea Hefa, brother of Vinisia Hefa, 36, cries during a memorial service for Tonga's Prince Tu'ipelehake and his wife, Princess Kaimana, at First Tongan United Methodist Church in San Bruno, Calif., on Thursday, July 6, 2006. In 1969, Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu, a 21-year-old Auckland University student secretly married Tongan commoner and. Tonga a 170-island archipelago about halfway between Australia and Tahiti has a population of about 108,000 and an economy dependent on pumpkin and vanilla exports, fishing, foreign aid and remittances from Tongans abroad. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? Delgado, who was not injured, was jailed on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and engaging in a speed contest, Franklin said. The other side of the equation is the very serious harm" that Delgado's actions caused. Bill Waterhouse's widow also told the newspaper Matangi Tonga that there was "no truth to the stories". The accident happened on Wednesday in Menlo Park, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of San Francisco. You cannot paste images directly. Kalatini Ahio, Heilala Ahios husband, instead became the site of a vigil for stunned community members. Tonga's King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, a towering figure in the tiny Pacific Island nation for four decades, died in a New Zealand hospital on Sunday night. He was assisted by the Reverend 'Ahio and the Reverend Tevita Havea, the president and the secretary general of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. Defense attorney Randy Moore said he believed the sentence was too harsh. Display as a link instead, 17 things to do in Santa Cruz, the old-school beach town that makes for a charming getaway, Fox News finally reveals its kryptonite: the bottom line, This is me, this is my face: Actress Mimi Rogers on aging naturally, without cosmetic surgery, The Week in Photos: California exits pandemic emergency amid a winter landscape, Snowboarder dies at South Lake Tahoe resort, California to alter COVID rules in healthcare settings: Masks and vaccinations not required, Welcome to the world, baby Winter, born amid a snowstorm in Lake Arrowhead. "He is one prince that is known to be liked and loved, and who would mingle with commoners but at the same time would have honest respect for the kingship.". Read about our approach to external linking. Please try again later. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Los Angeles. Prince Tuipelehake, 56, and his wife, Princess Kaimana, 45, had arrived in the Bay Area on Tuesday and were scheduled to attend a large community forum Thursday night at a San Bruno church to discuss the needs of Tongans abroad, said the Rev. Many wore ta'ovala -- a Tongan skirtlike garment made of woven pandanus leaves worn as a symbol of respect -- over black clothes. Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news. He tootles around the island in a black, chauffeur-driven London taxi. Edith Delgado, 18, of Redwood City, Calif., allegedly was racing her car at speeds up to 100 mph (160 kph) on a highway in Menlo Park, California, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of San Francisco, when she tried to pass the SUV in which the royal couple was traveling, said highway patrol Officer Ricky Franklin. He had been chairing a Parliamentary National Committee for Political Reform, with support from Tongas regent princess, who is ruling as the ailing king seeks treatment for heart problems. Mr Brown's body had been found in a burnt car in bushland south of Sydney, with signs that he had been assaulted before his death. The sentence of two years reflects the seriousness of the offense, Fitzgerald said. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Runde ultimately went with the middle-ground recommendation of the probation department, saying Delgado has shown contrition and pointing out that she had no previous criminal record. Tonga's royal family has denied allegations they were involved in covering up the murder of an Australian horse trainer. Tonga is the last monarchy in the Pacific and most of its politicians are appointed by the 88-year-old king rather than elected. Tonga National Leadership Development Forum (TNLDF). While word of the royals death spread through the local community and the news made its way onto Tongan websites, authorities withheld the names of the prince and princess. Taufa'ahau ascended the throne after the death of his mother, Queen Slote, in 1965. Sovereign and Patron of the Orders of Puono, the Crown, the Cross of Tonga, the Royal Order of King George Tupou I, the Tongan Star and of the Royal Family Order 16 th December 1965-2006. Posted: 12:47 PM CDT Friday, Jul. 7, 2006. The couple and their driver, Vinisia Hefa, 36, were killed about 9 p.m. Wednesday as they traveled north on Highway 101 through the peninsula city of Menlo Park. But the Tongans who have become so intertwined with life in Euless. She has held the post of High Commissioner of Tonga to Australia since 22 August 2012.[1]. [12] He returned to the palace on 17 January. I hope they convict her ass of reckless homicide and send her ass to Soledad for life. Delgado, of Redwood City, will receive credit for the year she already spent in county jail as well as for her good behavior as an inmate. Most Popular Now | 56,514 people are reading stories on the site right now. Prince Tu'ipelehake, 55, and Princess Kaimana, 46, were killed Wednesday in the Bay Area's Menlo Park when a teenager racing her car crashed into the Ford Explorer in which they were riding,. So vexing are the problems that police from Burlingame and San Bruno recently traveled to Tonga in order to better understand the culture and help youths adjust. Delgado's attorney, Randy Moore, was displeased. Delgado could have been sentenced to a maximum of three years in county jail for the July 5, 2006, deaths of Tongan Prince Tu'ipelehake, 55, his wife, Princess Kaimana Aleamotu'a Tuku'aho, 46, and their driver, East Palo Alto resident Vinisia Hefa, 36. [10] In 2013 he was appointed as Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Two members of Tonga's royal family were killed when a teenager racing her car crashed. He had close ties with Tonga's King Tupou, who died in 2006. Once again some jerk driver thinks they are in the movie "fast and furious" and thay cant even pass without hitting someone. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Instead of welcoming Tonga's royal family to Seattle, the South Pacific Islander community will mourn their deaths tonight with a service at St. Edward's Parish Hall in South Seattle. 0. In addition, she was ordered to pay restitution of an undetermined amount to the victims families and serve three years of supervised probation. Two members of Tonga's royal family have been killed in a car crash during a visit to the United States. She had faced a maximum of three years after being convicted in June of misdemeanor manslaughter and acquitted of more serious felony charges. At stake is the loyalty of young, college-educated voters who are a critical part of the Democratic . To avoid German colonization Tonga became a British Protectorate in 1900, the status it held until full independence in 1970. He's written extensively about San Francisco hosting the America's Cup, the city losing its professional football team to a new stadium in Santa Clara, and efforts to build a new arena in San Francisco for the Golden State Warriors. Posts Tagged. Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. "He was loved by the people of Tonga -- both the prince and the princess were," said Mahu'inga, who heads the local chapter of the Kainga Tonga USA community group. Marisa Lagos covers politics for The San Francisco Chronicle, focusing on San Francisco City Hall and its Board of Supervisors. She was killed in a car accident in San Francisco, California. Pasted as rich text. [11], On 15 January 2022, he was evacuated from the Royal Palace after the Hunga TongaHunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami. "And so our family suffers, our country suffers, because we lost a great prince. "Words cannot express how much of a loss we still feel, even after a year," the princess' cousin, Amelia Tupou Tonga, said at Delgado's sentencing hearing. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. With the killings of the royal family, chess pieces started to move, but it took a while before the moves concluded. Prince. Read about our approach to external linking. Historically, one of the most loved and admired members of the Tongan Royal Family was Queen Salote. All rights reserved. 2023 BBC. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Thus, it is appropriate to translate the nation's name as "land lying in the south." Location and Geography. [9] In addition, he was also non-resident Ambassador to Japan from 15 January 2010 to his succession in 2012. 2 Tongan royal family members killed in California car crash, authorities say. [13], Ahoeitu is married to a daughter of the high chief Vaea, Nanasipauu Tukuaho (his second cousin) and the couple have three children[14] and four grandchildren:[citation needed], Since his confirmation as heir presumptive, he got the traditional title of Tupoutoa, reserved for crown princes, which his older brother (the second) had to give up because he married a commoner, while two of his previous titles went to his sons. She was hired as a staff writer at the newspaper in 2006 and previously worked for the San Francisco Examiner and Los Angeles Times. On 5 of July 2015, she hosted a luncheon in honour for the coronation of her parents at Matakieua Villa which was attended by the Tongan Royal Family, Tongan nobility, members of the Tongan Government, foreign heads of royal houses, foreign royalty and foreign diplomats.[3]. Prosecutor Aaron Fitzgerald, who had sought a 30-month sentence, said he agreed with the judges decision. Tonga's royal family has denied an allegation that the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV was involved in covering up the murder of Australian horse trainer George Brown almost four decades ago.. Its a cultural thing, Foucrault said. He took over these posts from his elder brother Tupoutoa, at that time still the crown prince, later to become King Siaosi Tupou V (see below). 2 in Tongan Royal Family Killed in Calif. Marshals investigating; West Valley kids take Dr. Seuss from the page to the stage with 'Seussical' Two Grandview children killed in suspected drunk driving crash near Sunnyside With credit for time served, she will be facing seven more months in jail. Powered by Invision Community. Ms Delgado, who was uninjured, has been detained on suspicion of manslaughter and engaging in a speed contest, police said. Why are people treating me this way? A large contingent of family members, friends and government officials traveled from Tonga to Redwood City to assist with the identification of the victims, Foucrault said. Uhilamoelangi, a Tonga native and East Palo Alto resident, helped arrange the visit. He was later appointed as Prime Minister on 3 January 2000, a function he kept until his sudden resignation on 11 February 2006. Judge John Runde also sentenced Delgado to three years' probation at Friday's hearing in Redwood City. Sole daughter of Tupou VI, King of Tonga, Princess Ltfuipeka became the High Commissioner of Tonga to Australia on 22 August 2012,[1] after her father High Commissioner until then succeeded as the King of Tonga.[2].