<blockquote>''This is a [[Freice|Freician]] name. The last name is patronymic, not a family name; this person is referred to by the given name Kaana''</blockquote>
| office = [[Politics_of_Freice#Mayoralties|Mayor of Peka]]
'''Kaana Tenkel'''{{efn|Kaana's name is spelt with two letter "a's." Outside of Freice, it is common for his name to be spelt with only one "a."}} (born 12 May 1967) is the present [[Maaita of Freice]], being claimant to one-third of the jointly-held hereditary office. Prior to assuming the office, he worked as a civil engineer and transport planner in Freice and Riamo, inheriting the Tuaa share of the Maaita on his father's death in 2001.
| term_start = 10 June 2022
| term_end =
| deputy =
| predecessor = ''Office created''
| successor =
| office1 = Leader of [[List of political parties in Freice|Future Citizens]]{{efn|Kana's Empowered Citizens (March-July 2022)}}
One of the most eccentric of the island's rulers, Kaana came to international attention in 2022 when he was embroiled in what become known as the "Concrete Mixer Man Case." As Maaita, he has earned a reputation as a compratively hands-on ruler, although maintaining a strictly non-partisan position on political matters.
| term_start1 = 12 March 2022
| term_end1 =
| deputy1 =
| predecessor1 = ''Party created''
| successor1 =
| birth_name = Sakana Aotola Tenqel
==Biography==
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|5|12|df=yes}}
Kaana was the elder son and one of eight children of Tenkel Maairai, who served as Maaita from 1993 to 2003, and the singer Maalelidi Avautima. From a young age, Kaana enjoyed a very close relationship with his mother, who was more understanding of and attentive to his sensibilities than his father. He has since said of his parents that his father "distrusted what he saw as effeminacy" whilst his mother "understood me."
| birth_place = Weia, [[Freice]]
| relations =
| partner = [[Ama Selaia]]<br>(2017–present)
| children =
| party = [[List of political parties in Freice|Future Citizens]]
|criminal_charge = Trespassing<br>Misuse of property
|criminal_penalty = GR$50,000
}}
}}
<blockquote>''This is a [[Freice|Freician]] name. The last name is patronymic, not a family name; this person is referred to by the given name Sakana''</blockquote>
'''Sakana Aotola "Kana" Tenqel''' (born 12 May 1977)<ref name=": Name">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana Tenqel named as Concrete Mixer Man"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 11 February 2022</ref><ref name=": Name2">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Registration for candidacy - Tenqel, Kana Sotola"]. ''Kaunio Helito oe Faio''. Retrieved 6 June 2022</ref> is a Freician politician, businessman, former teacher, former journalist, and public figure who has served as leader of [[List of political parties in Freice|Future Citizens]] (formerly Kana's Empowered Citizens) since March 2022 and as Mayor of [[Politics_of_Freice#Administrative_divisions|Peka]] since 10 June 2022.
Kana came to national and international attention in January 2022, when Radio and Television Freice reported of a man being arrested for "lewd activity" in a concrete mixer.<ref name=": New">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Man arrested for 'lewd activity' in concrete mixer"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 14 January 2022</ref> Public interest in the "weird" nature of the case quickly spread across the country.<ref name=": New2">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete mixer man finds public following"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 21 January 2022</ref> He was brought to trial on 21 January 2022, and eventually found guilty of trespassing and misuse of property.<ref name=": waaaa">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Jury delivers mixed verdict"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 14 February 2022</ref> He announced his intention to remain in the public spotlight following his trial,<ref name=": waaaa">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Jury delivers mixed verdict"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 14 February 2022</ref> and established his new political party shortly thereafter.<ref name=": 1234">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Mixer Man Kana founds political party"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 13 March 2022.</ref>
Despite his misgivings, he followed his father into the Freice Posse (the local militia), although he served for only eighteen months before withdrawing. With the support of his mother and sister, he travelled across Olivacia, living for a period in Riamo where he studied at Portington University.
Since entering into Freician politics, he has become a prominent public figure, generating a significant following. He relies heavily on social media, particularly Twatter, to maintain communication with his supporters, and is the most followed Freician on the platform.<ref name=": 1234abc">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete Mixer Man becomes most followed in four days"]. ''Guri Telegraph''. Retrieved 13 March 2022.</ref> He is described as a populist, adopting a broad platform that includes economic and social liberalism, civic nationalism, anti-corruption, and political reformism.<ref name=": 1232124">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "What is Kana's new party?"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 15 March 2022.</ref>
Kaana was never initially destined to succeed to the Tuaa share; he was the youngest of five children. In 1978, his father died and his eldest brother Maaife became claimant to the share. On his death in 1980 of cancer, the claim transferred to the next oldest brother Jauivusa, who also died of cancer in 1985. Tauinasa Tenkel was disinherited in 1992 by court order due to mental instability. None of these brothers had legitimate children at the time of their death (the law allowing illegitimate children to inherit only being enacted in 2001). When the childless Seseeisa Tenkel became claimant in 1992, Kaana became second-in-line. On Seseeisa's own death in 2016, Kaana became heir.
==Early life and education==
==Maaitaship==
Kana was born to a middle-class family in Weia on 12 May 1974 to Tenqel Meipa and Valeia Tara.<ref name=": alw">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who am I?"]. ''kana.fa''. Retrieved 6 May 2022.</ref> His father was a successful businessman who had served as an economic advisor to Sema T. Anamia, the first leader of Freice following self-government, whilst his mother was a housewife.<ref name=": 11alw">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana: Son of Elite or Man of the People?"]. ''Guri Telegraph''. Retrieved 14 April 2022.</ref> His family enjoyed a long-term prominence within the local community, accumulating vast wealth through its fishing and building businesses.<ref name=": 11alw">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana: Son of Elite or Man of the People?"]. ''Guri Telegraph''. Retrieved 14 April 2022.</ref>
In accordance with the constitution, Kaana became Maaita on 20 January 2023, succeeding Tevee Enneedi. As the sole inheritor of the Tuaa share of the office, he automatically took on the role without prior negotiation with co-inheritors. The Representative Council formally appointed him in a ceremonial vote to a ten year term.
He went to Tespana School, a fee-paying school, from 1985 until 1990, but decided not to go to university despite pressure from his father.<ref name=": alw">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who am I?"]. ''kana.fa''. Retrieved 6 May 2022.</ref> Instead, he took work as a journalist and then as a newspaper editor. He became chief editor of the prominent broadside publication ''Maporgo''.<ref name=": 1ae">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Ask Kana: Your Questions Answered"]. ''Kaposa Tama''. Retrieved 19 April 2022.</ref> He left this position in 2000, taking up work as a journalism teacher and later a photographer.<ref name=": 1ae">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Ask Kana: Your Questions Answered"]. ''Kaposa Tama''. Retrieved 19 April 2022.</ref> He returned to journalism in 2010, working for Tama Adune oe Faio (later Kaposa Tama), until he was fired following his trial.
As Maaita, Kaana has maintained the non-partisan nature of the office, but adopted a more hands-on approach than his recent predecessors. He personally opened the new session of the Representative Council in November 2023, rather than sending a message to be read by the Council's president as previous Maaita's had done.
On 22 December 2023, he travelled to [[Pohnpenesia]] for an extended Christmas stay. His wife Makeeia became regent during his absence, the first formally-recognised regent in Freician history.
==Concrete Mixer Man Case==
==Concrete Mixer Man Case==
Kana came to public attention when he was arrested on 12 January 2022 after being caught by police officers in a remote part of [[Politics_of_Freice#Administrative_divisions|Kekna]] with a concrete mixer, a box of poetry books by various Freician and Riamese authors, a tub of glue, and three stoats.<ref name=": New4">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete mixer man finds public following"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 22 January 2022</ref> He was taken to a nearby police station and booked for lewd activity. He was reported to have willingly surrendered himself and his possessions to the police.<ref name=": New111">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who is Concrete Mixer Man"]. ''Riamese Broadcasting Corporation''. Retrieved 23 January 2022</ref>
Kaana came to international attention following his arrest on 12 January 2022. He was caught with a concrete mixer, poetry books, glue, and three stoats, and was arrested and booked for "lewd activity". He was reported to have willingly surrendered himself and his possessions to the police. It was later determined that the equipment used in the event were stolen, with the concrete mixer likely taken from a construction site he was working at. The stoats were of unknown origin.
Upon further investigation, it was found that the concrete mixer was stolen from a nearby construction site, with initial reports indicating that the site was Kana's place of work.<ref name=": New111">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who is Concrete Mixer Man"]. ''Riamese Broadcasting Corporation''. Retrieved 23 January 2022</ref> It had been reported stolen three days earlier. The tub of glue is believed to have been taken from a nearby college, as were the poetry books. However, it is unknown where the stoats came from. Some news outlets have speculated that Kana owns the stoats himself, with others speculating that they too were stolen.<ref name=": sseee">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Bizaar Freician case reaches international stage"]. ''HHK''. Retrieved 20 January 2022</ref>
On 11 February 2022, the Court of Appeal ruled that the man's name could be disclosed.<ref name=": Name">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana Tenqel named as Concrete Mixer Man"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 11 February 2022</ref>
Kana was brought to trial on 21 February 2022, with details of the charges revealed publicly. Charges of endangering wildlife related to the close proximity of the stoats to the concrete mixer, whilst charges of indecent exposure were made due to Kana's thin cloak, under which he wore nothing.<ref name=": w">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Defence outlines its case"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 23 February 2022</ref> The charges of trespassing and the misuse of property followed the theft of property from a local school, which dropped charges of theft following the return of the property.<ref name=": w">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Defence outlines its case"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 23 February 2022</ref>
On 25 February, protestors belonging to the ''Freedom for Kana'' organisation protested outside the court, calling for Kana's release.<ref name=": ws">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Protest outside court"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 25 February 2022</ref>
===Response===
====Domestic response====
The Freician government's response has largely been to support the legal process. Counsel General Taqame Natpiau said in a written statement to the Island Meeting that the government will "keep up to date" with the case where necessary, and ensure that the "the law has been followed in determining whether it has been breached."<ref name=": New4">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete mixer man finds public following"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 22 January 2022</ref>
National broadcaster Radio and Television Freice has created a separate link on its website dedicated to the case, which is reported to have upwards of 50,000 hits a week.<ref name=": a2">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete mixer case brings island fame"]. ''Gavrilopolis Times''. Retrieved 24 January 2022</ref>
====International response====
A [[Gran Rugido|Gran Rugidoense]] politician Francisco Javier Vaquero, when asked about the case, humorously declared that a movie should be made about the unusual criminal. He later added that any movie should win awards for its storyline.<ref name=": a2222">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Vaquero: I want Concrete Mixer Man movie NOW!"]. ''Santa Elisa Live''. Retrieved 23 January 2022</ref>
On a [[Hoterallia|Hoterallian]] TV show, a comedy skit entitled "My Girlfriend Is A Concrete Mixer???" has gained a cult following.<ref name=": a2222">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Vaquero: I want Concrete Mixer Man movie NOW!"]. ''Santa Elisa Live''. Retrieved 23 January 2022</ref>
When [[Politics_of_Freice#President_as_political_leader|president]] [[Aniara Neileka]] visited [[Gran Rugido]] for talks with the Rugidoan president, pranksters greeted her dressed as stoats and possessing concrete mixers.<ref name=": a22w22">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "President hails 'breakthrough' agreement with G.R."]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 4 February 2022</ref>
Orajioe Daily reported that one [[Hoterallia|Hoterallian]] man, Konoda Hajimoto, announced that he had "declare[d] war" on the justice system in Freice, due to what he perceived as a "violation of human rights".<ref name=": wssw">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Protest outside court"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 25 February 2022</ref> This was also reported in Freice.<ref name=": wsawe">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "I declared war on Freice's Justice System!"]. ''Orajioe Daily''. Retrieved 25 February 2022</ref>
Kaana's name was revealed publicly for the first time following a court ruling on 11 February 2022. He was brought to trial on 21 February 2022 on charges of endangering wildlife and indecent exposure. Charges of trespassing and misuse of property were also pressed, although theft was dropped after a local school, believed to be the owner of the glue and books, dropped charges.
[[File:Kana and Kono in 2022.png|thumb|320px|Kana with [[Hoterallia Important Individuals Directory#The Latest Edition|Kono Takaida]] in Orajioe, June 2022]]
===Copycats===
The international coverage of the case has led to a number of copycat cases being reported. In [[Kentalis]], broadcaster NRSK reported of two teenages being arrested for stealing a concrete mixer.<ref name=": Kentalis">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Two teenagers arrested in Čelanica for stealing Concrete mixer from Construction site"]. ''NRSK''. Retrieved 24 January 2022</ref>
==Political career==
In a blog post on his website, written in September 2022, Kaana clarified the details of the event. He claimed that his actions were an "historical inquiry into pre-Christian religions in Freice," with no malice intended. He denied any sexual aspect, saying that he had sought to imitate traditional religious practices.
On 10 March 2022, Kono Takaida, leader of [[Taihago (Hoterallia)|Taihago]], Twatted that he had spoken with Kana, describing him as "intriguing on so many levels" and "one of the greatest men I have ever met."<ref name=": w11pspde">@KonoTakaida (10 March 2022). [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "It might be one of my greatest moment in the week, talking to Kana Tenqel from Freice. He is so intriguing on so many levels, his political ideas and the way he expressed them definitely make him one of the greatest men I have ever met. Seeing him with his supporters really makes me think about my way to run the Taihago back home!"] - via [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Twatter].</ref>
On 12 March 2022, Kana formally registered a new political party called ''Kana's Empowered Citizens'', the first political party to be established since the Court of Appeal ruled that a ban on parties was unconstitutional.<ref name=": 1234">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Mixer Man Kana founds political party"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 13 March 2022.</ref> He announced on Twatter the founding of the party as a "mass movement" supporting "real social, economic, political, and constitutional change."<ref name=": w1e">@kana (12 March 2022). [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Empowered Citizens is a mass movement, calling for serious and real social, economic, political, and constitutional change. This is not a joke – Freice seriously needs help to recover from years of neglect, and only the people united can give it that help."] - via [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Twatter].</ref>
====Response====
The case enjoyed international attention. An [[Anáhuac|Anáhuaca]] politician Francisco Javier Vaquero, when asked about the case, humorously declared that a movie should be made about the unusual criminal. He later added that any movie should win awards for its storyline.
Speaking on Radio and Television Freice's radio show ''Tara Pona Faio'' (Good Day, Freice), Kana rejected claims that his party was a joke or political satire, arguing that the mass movement organised to support him in his trial convincted him of the need to "use this popular energy for good."<ref name=": 9poo">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana: Party 'not a joke'"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 13 March 2022.</ref>
The international coverage of the case has led to a number of copycat cases being reported. In [[Kentalis]], broadcaster NRSK reported of two teenages being arrested for stealing a concrete mixer.
Kana led his party to victory in the June 2022 elections, with the party winning a plurality of the vote in the Kivunna election, winning three mayoralties, and leading three district authority administrations.<ref name=": Elect221">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Election 2022: KTP defies odds, takes first place"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 10 June 2022.</ref>
==Personal life==
===Family===
Kaana married [[Makeeia Taaguvigi]] in 2018, having been in a relationship with her since 2003. They have two children, [[Mevarau Kaana|Mevarau]] (born 2010) and Suvea (born 2013). Since a 2001 law allowing the Maaitaship to be inherited by illegitimate children, providing that the births happened within a relationship between the two parents, Mevarau is heir to the Tuaa share.
===Mayor of Peka===
Rumours persist that Kaana and Makeeia's marriage has broken down and that they lead two separate lives. A report in E Tai Seelit claimed that Makeeia is "resentful" for the impact her husband's trial had on her own career.
In the [[2022_elections_in_Freice#District_mayor_elections|2022 Peka mayoral election]], Kana was elected Mayor of the district with 55.1% of the vote.<ref name=": Elect221">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Election 2022: KTP defies odds, takes first place"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 10 June 2022.</ref><ref name=": Elect222">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Aniara takes top job, Kana wins Peka race"]. ''Kaposa Tama''. Retrieved 10 June 2022.</ref>
As Mayor, he has promoted sustainable development across all areas of policy-making. He has overseen the protection of the Peka Highlands (the parts of the Sete Hills in Peka), the establishment of new rules regarding urban development, and has emphasised happiness and access to basic resources as key indicators over GDP.<ref name=": Kana123">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Is Kana destined for a head-on collision with Aniara?"]. ''Kaposa Tama''. Retrieved 6 July 2022.</ref> He has also petitioned the national government for greater powers to deal with poverty, and has sought to bloc plans for fracking in the district.<ref name=": Kana123">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Is Kana destined for a head-on collision with Aniara?"]. ''Kaposa Tama''. Retrieved 6 July 2022.</ref>
===Health===
Since the Concrete Mixer case, several commentators have suggested that Kaana suffers from an undisclosed mental condition. As far back as the death of his second brother in 1985, and specially since the death of his third in 2016, there have been claims that these continued bereavements have affected Kaana, given his close relationships with all his brothers. Tauinasa Tenkel's own mental illness has also raised suggestions of a genetic disposition towards mental imbalance.
==Political views==
Spokespeople for the Maaita have repeatedly sought to dispel rumours of a mental condition, and have accused those making the claim to be "lying or otherwise severely misinformed."
Kana's political views, which have been labeled Kananism by the press, are generally characterised as libertarian, although Kana has himself defined his views as "practical libertarianism with a conscious".<ref name=": Kana456">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who is Mixer Man Kana Tenqel?"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 2 June 2022.</ref> He supports strong civil liberties, including same-sex marriage, abortion rights, drug legalisation, free movement, and the decriminalisation of sex work.<ref name=": Kana456">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who is Mixer Man Kana Tenqel?"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 2 June 2022.</ref> He combines individualism with a "practical" role for the state, including in the protection of the land (of which the people are stewards) and providing assistance to those who cannot help themselves.<ref name=": Kana789">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana sets sights on green mayorship"]. ''Kaposa Tama''. Retrieved 14 June 2022.</ref>
Because of the policies he has promoted as Mayor, including an active role for the district authority in combating pollution and poverty, political opponents have described Kana's political philosophy as "ill-defined" and "fluid".<ref name=": Twatt2">@ame1_ (3 July 2022). [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana has no sense of what he stands for. His ill-defined political philosophy is as undeveloped as his understanding of Freician politics."] - via [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Twatter].</ref><ref name=": Kana456">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who is Mixer Man Kana Tenqel?"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 2 June 2022.</ref>
==Titles and styles==
Between 1992 and 2016, when he was heir to the Tuaa share, Kaana used the courtesy title ''Tuaa Mula'' ("Son of Tuaa").
==See also==
* [[List of political parties in Freice|Future Citizens]]
This is a Freician name. The last name is patronymic, not a family name; this person is referred to by the given name Kaana
Kaana Tenkel[a] (born 12 May 1967) is the present Maaita of Freice, being claimant to one-third of the jointly-held hereditary office. Prior to assuming the office, he worked as a civil engineer and transport planner in Freice and Riamo, inheriting the Tuaa share of the Maaita on his father's death in 2001.
One of the most eccentric of the island's rulers, Kaana came to international attention in 2022 when he was embroiled in what become known as the "Concrete Mixer Man Case." As Maaita, he has earned a reputation as a compratively hands-on ruler, although maintaining a strictly non-partisan position on political matters.
Kaana was the elder son and one of eight children of Tenkel Maairai, who served as Maaita from 1993 to 2003, and the singer Maalelidi Avautima. From a young age, Kaana enjoyed a very close relationship with his mother, who was more understanding of and attentive to his sensibilities than his father. He has since said of his parents that his father "distrusted what he saw as effeminacy" whilst his mother "understood me."
Despite his misgivings, he followed his father into the Freice Posse (the local militia), although he served for only eighteen months before withdrawing. With the support of his mother and sister, he travelled across Olivacia, living for a period in Riamo where he studied at Portington University.
Kaana was never initially destined to succeed to the Tuaa share; he was the youngest of five children. In 1978, his father died and his eldest brother Maaife became claimant to the share. On his death in 1980 of cancer, the claim transferred to the next oldest brother Jauivusa, who also died of cancer in 1985. Tauinasa Tenkel was disinherited in 1992 by court order due to mental instability. None of these brothers had legitimate children at the time of their death (the law allowing illegitimate children to inherit only being enacted in 2001). When the childless Seseeisa Tenkel became claimant in 1992, Kaana became second-in-line. On Seseeisa's own death in 2016, Kaana became heir.
Maaitaship
In accordance with the constitution, Kaana became Maaita on 20 January 2023, succeeding Tevee Enneedi. As the sole inheritor of the Tuaa share of the office, he automatically took on the role without prior negotiation with co-inheritors. The Representative Council formally appointed him in a ceremonial vote to a ten year term.
As Maaita, Kaana has maintained the non-partisan nature of the office, but adopted a more hands-on approach than his recent predecessors. He personally opened the new session of the Representative Council in November 2023, rather than sending a message to be read by the Council's president as previous Maaita's had done.
On 22 December 2023, he travelled to Pohnpenesia for an extended Christmas stay. His wife Makeeia became regent during his absence, the first formally-recognised regent in Freician history.
Concrete Mixer Man Case
Kaana came to international attention following his arrest on 12 January 2022. He was caught with a concrete mixer, poetry books, glue, and three stoats, and was arrested and booked for "lewd activity". He was reported to have willingly surrendered himself and his possessions to the police. It was later determined that the equipment used in the event were stolen, with the concrete mixer likely taken from a construction site he was working at. The stoats were of unknown origin.
Kaana's name was revealed publicly for the first time following a court ruling on 11 February 2022. He was brought to trial on 21 February 2022 on charges of endangering wildlife and indecent exposure. Charges of trespassing and misuse of property were also pressed, although theft was dropped after a local school, believed to be the owner of the glue and books, dropped charges.
In a blog post on his website, written in September 2022, Kaana clarified the details of the event. He claimed that his actions were an "historical inquiry into pre-Christian religions in Freice," with no malice intended. He denied any sexual aspect, saying that he had sought to imitate traditional religious practices.
Response
The case enjoyed international attention. An Anáhuaca politician Francisco Javier Vaquero, when asked about the case, humorously declared that a movie should be made about the unusual criminal. He later added that any movie should win awards for its storyline.
The international coverage of the case has led to a number of copycat cases being reported. In Kentalis, broadcaster NRSK reported of two teenages being arrested for stealing a concrete mixer.
Personal life
Family
Kaana married Makeeia Taaguvigi in 2018, having been in a relationship with her since 2003. They have two children, Mevarau (born 2010) and Suvea (born 2013). Since a 2001 law allowing the Maaitaship to be inherited by illegitimate children, providing that the births happened within a relationship between the two parents, Mevarau is heir to the Tuaa share.
Rumours persist that Kaana and Makeeia's marriage has broken down and that they lead two separate lives. A report in E Tai Seelit claimed that Makeeia is "resentful" for the impact her husband's trial had on her own career.
Health
Since the Concrete Mixer case, several commentators have suggested that Kaana suffers from an undisclosed mental condition. As far back as the death of his second brother in 1985, and specially since the death of his third in 2016, there have been claims that these continued bereavements have affected Kaana, given his close relationships with all his brothers. Tauinasa Tenkel's own mental illness has also raised suggestions of a genetic disposition towards mental imbalance.
Spokespeople for the Maaita have repeatedly sought to dispel rumours of a mental condition, and have accused those making the claim to be "lying or otherwise severely misinformed."
Titles and styles
Between 1992 and 2016, when he was heir to the Tuaa share, Kaana used the courtesy title Tuaa Mula ("Son of Tuaa").
Notes
↑Kaana's name is spelt with two letter "a's." Outside of Freice, it is common for his name to be spelt with only one "a."
