Project implementation of Pacific HYCOS activities in Tonga had been delayed since Oct
2008 due to difficulties within MLSNR to obtain operational budget and support for proposed
monitoring activities. It had been proposed that MLSNR undertake the regular joint
monitoring activities proposed for Mataki’eua and develop water resource analysis and
reporting skills as well as make improvements to the existing database including inclusion of
paper records and review identified anomalies as well as backup to Tideda.
This chapter provides a brief description of Tonga, its past and present climate as well as projections for the future. The climate observation network and the availability of atmospheric and oceanic data records are outlined.
This report describes the drilling program undertaken during November and December 1997 in the
Pangai – Hihifo and Koulo areas on the island of Lifuka. The purpose of the program was to:
* install seven water salinity monitoring boreholes;
* provide additional training for the Ministry of Works (MOW) drilling crew in the methods used in
the installation of the monitoring system used in this program; and
* instruct the local Tonga Water Board (TWB) staff in monitoring procedures.
Most of the 3000 inhabitants of Lifuka live in four contiguous
villages and have been supplied with water from a well in the middle
of the island since 1976. On commencement of operation, the water
rapidly became too salty for human consumption. The majority of the
island is low-lying and consists of highly porous, uplifted coral
limestone. Hydrogeological assessment found the fresh-water lens to be
very thin and strongly influenced by tidal mixing, sea level changes and
drought. Comparison with the morphology of Bermuda led a search for
e conuence of climate change and seismic events has created signicant environmental problems in
Lifuka, an island of 2,400 people (2011 Census) in Tonga’s Ha’apai Group. e subregion experienced an
earthquake on 3 May 2006 that measured approximately 7.9 on the Richter scale. It resulted in subsidence
of 23 cm of Lifuka Island, eectively creating instant sea-level rise. Erosion had already been already been a
problem on Lifuka for some decades; in the past 40 years, Lifuka has experienced signicant coastal erosion
The Australian Government’s Pacific Adaptation Strategy Assistance Program (PASAP) aims to assist the
development of evidence-based adaptation strategies to inform robust long-term national planning and
decision-making in partner countries. The primary objective of PASAP is: ‘to enhance the capacity of partner
countries to assess key vulnerabilities and risks, formulate adaptation strategies and plans and mainstream
adaptation into decision making’ (PASAP, 2011). A major output of PASAP is: ‘country-led vulnerability
In December 1998, Phase Two of the groundwater pollution study in Tonga was completed. This
Report summarises the activities undertaken to complete the study and presents the outcomes. The
Report relates to the conclusion of field studies commenced in June 1997 that were not completed at
that time due to lack of funds. Field studies, laboratory work and preparation of the results for this
completion of the Phase Two were conducted between August and December 1998