Tongans worldwide mourn lost royals

Prince Tu'ipelehake supported last year's civil service strike, giving him the reputation of a man of the people. File Picture / Kenny Rodger

Tongans all over the world reacted with shock and grief as word spread yesterday of the deaths of two of Tonga's most popular royals in a car smash in San Francisco.

Prince Tu'ipelehake, nephew of the King, and his wife Princess Kaimana died after the sport utility vehicle they were travelling in was hit by a teenager racing a Mustang at 9pm on Wednesday (4pm on Thursday, New Zealand time).

Their Tongan driver, Vinisia Hefa of East Palo Alto, was also killed in the collision at Menlo Park, about 50km south of San Francisco.

The Associated Press reported that Edith Delgado, 18, appeared to have been racing a black Cadillac Escalade in her white Ford Mustang at between 130km/h and 160km/h when she attempted to pass the Tongans' red Ford Explorer.

Delgado struck the driver's door and the vehicle flipped several times before stopping on its roof.

Prince Tu'ipelehake, 56, chaired Tonga's national committee for political reform, whose findings are due to be reported to King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV by the end of next month and then debated in Parliament.

He was in the United States to discuss political reforms with members of America's large Tongan community, which numbers close to 40,000.

Last year Tu'ipelehake earned the title of "The People's Prince" when he led more than 3000 striking civil servants and supporters to present a letter of petition to the King asking for political reform.

Prince Tu'ipelehake was re-elected to Parliament this year, after a byelection, as a nobles' representative.

He stood out among the conservative nobles as sympathetic to a more democratic political system and vigorously defended freedom of speech amid Government attempts to curtail the Tongan press.

Princess Kaimana, 46, was a noble's daughter who studied at St Cuthbert's College in Auckland and had worked as a Tongan diplomat in London.

She was the president of the Tonga Girl Guides Association and belonged to development and women's committees. The couple had no children.

Yesterday, Tongans were seen crying in the streets of the capital, Nuku'alofa, as news of the royal deaths spread throughout the island group and was confirmed in an official announcement on public radio.

In New Zealand the reaction was also one of shock. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters expressed his sadness and condolences to the Tongan people on behalf of the Government.

Mr Peters said Prince Tu'ipelehake was a remarkable individual who recognised there was room for debate on reforming Tonga's political system.

"He pursued this goal with sensitivity and perception, mixed with a strong determination to achieve progress."

Mr Peters said Princess Kaimana worked alongside her husband, travelling with him and consulting women and young people to add to the committee's understanding of community views.

She also supported initiatives to improve the wellbeing of the Tongan people, he said.

Just last month Prince Tu'ipelehake had visited New Zealand to hold consultations with the Tongan community here as part of his work.

"The importance he placed on gathering the views of all Tongan people on the national political system was clear to see," Mr Peters said.

"It is a tragedy that his travel to the United States in pursuit of this goal led to his death."

National MP and former diplomat John Hayes said the news was a shock and serious blow to Tonga.

Mr Hayes recently met with Prince Tu'ipelehake and said he would be remembered for his unique contribution to democratic reform in Tonga.