Macuate Chiefs Want Officials Present

Chiefs want more presence
www.fijitimes.com - Friday, May 15, 2009


DISTRICT representatives to the Macuata Provincial Council meeting yesterday called for the presence of government officials at their district meetings.

Turaga Sauvou Udu Ratu Emori Waqanivalu said officials would know the needs of the people if they were present. Ratu Emori said people in his district were suffering because of high transportation costs." The last village in our district is about 90 kilometres from Labasa and villagers pay as much as $300 to $400 in boat hire charges from there to Nayaroyaro," he said.
"Because they have to pay that much, they don't want to make a living off copra because almost all the income they get is flushed into paying transportation costs. "We want roads to be built so that all the villages in the district don't have to keep on paying boat hire charges. "Most cannot afford to pay so they just live off the sea and usually run into high debts during times of emergency when they have to rush a relative to hospital."

Acting Commissioner Northern Inia Seruiratu assured delegates the district office has been directed to organise a team that would attend every district meeting. "Only the heads of department must be available at provincial council meetings to answer to questions that come from the floor," he said.

Macuata chair vacant
By Theresa RalogaivauFriday, May 15, 2009

THE Macuata Provincial Council does not have a chairman after an amendment to the Provincial Council Regulation, which falls under the Fijian Affairs Act. Under the new rules, former chairman Isireli Leweniqila's has relinquished his position one year before his term was to have expired. The chairman is elected every three years, however the amendment requires that any person chosen to be a district representative to any provincial council must have lived in the district 12 months prior to the appointment. That disqualified Mr Leweniqila, the mata ni tikina (representative) of Udu district, because he lives in Suva. Soon after the opening of the two-day meeting on Wednesday the bose vanua or meeting of chiefs of Macuata decided to accept and implement the amendment made late last year.

According to the Macuata Provincial Council Office, further determinations about which of the 12 district representatives would lose their position would be made soon. "We will have to look into their place of residences and identify who will be removed from their position because of the amendment," a council official said. Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere said Mr Leweniqila was an unfortunate victim of change and as such the province had lost a good chairman. "It's sad that he had to leave because of a technicality but we are happy with his resolve in accepting the decision of the bose vanua to implement the change," he said. The council will decide on deputy chair Adi Senimili Dyer chairing the council in the next half-yearly meeting in October.

Province's $3.2m debt under scrutiny
By THERESA RALOGAIVAUFriday, May 15, 2009

MACUATA'S $3.2m debt with the Fiji Development Bank was scrutinised at the province's council meeting on Wednesday. Macuata district representative Vereti Veisamasama raised the matter. Mr Veisamasama said an initial amount of $3.2m was borrowed for the construction of Macuata House yet the total amount of repayments has exceeded $7m over the past 10 years.
However Mr Veisamasama said the current debt level remained at about $3m despite the $7m repayments. "The interest rates are just too high and we should be informed about why it's too high," he said. Fiji Development Bank manager Mosese Uluicicia said the current loan repayments and debt levels reflect a true picture of what should happen.

"We receive about $500,000 year in loan repayments and from that about $200,000 is interest, $11,000 insurance and other money for fees so the debt is decreasing by only about $200,000 every year," he said. Mr Uluicicia said that the bank chopped interest rates from 13 per cent to 7 per cent on the loan late last year on the request of the provincial council office.
"The council saved about $100,000 for interest alone as a result of that while the bank lost," he said. Roko Tui Macuata Sitiveni Lalibuli said the council paid about $36,000 a month in loan repayments; of which $32,000 was for interest. "However that was when interest rate was at 13 per cent yet now that they have reduced it, it has also dropped to about $18,000," he said.
"As at April 6 the debt level is $2,922,963.51," he said.

New Policy New Roko Tui - What a Sham by an Illegal Regime

Provinces have new Roko Tui
Thursday, May 14, 2009

PROVINCIAL offices now have their new Roko Tui after a new policy on the posts by the Indigenous Affairs Ministry came into effect. The policy says no person is to serve as roko is his or her province.

In Lau, the new Roko Tui is Ratu Josefa Navakaroko, who previously served in his home province, Naitasiri. Ratu Josefa has been replaced by Peni Sokia who was Roko Tui Lau. Samisoni Tuilawaki has been demoted to Assistant Roko for Namosi while Sakiusa Karavaki has been given the Roko Tui post. In Serua, Setefano Osonamoli has replaced Ratu Vananalagi Vesikula. Roko Tui Tailevu Joape Nalatu, from Nadroga will continue in the position. For Kadavu, Osipati Tuicalau has been replaced by Vuniyali Dawai from Nadi. The ministry is yet to confirm the Roko Tui Cakaudrove but acting in the position is Penijamini Tokaduadua. In Lomaiviti, the post is held by Ratu Etonia Seru, eldest son of the late Tui Levuka, Ratu Kolinio Rokotuinaceva. In Nadroga, Viliame Naburenivalu from Ba replaced Lote Naitasewa who has retired from active service.

Tui Nawaka Installation

Ratu Manasa to be installed Tui Nawaka

www.fijilive.com - November 05, 2008

More than 100 chiefs from around Fiji are expected to converge in Nawaka village in Nadi this Friday to witness the installation of the Tui Nawaka.

Ratu Manasa Qoro who is the younger brother of the late Tui Nawaka Ratu Joeli Lesavua will be anointed by the Vanua of Nawaka as their high chief.

Speaking to FijiLive this afternoon, spokesperson Ponipate Lesavua said they are anticipating the installation of Ratu Manasa.

“This will be a grand occasion and we expect a lot of people to attend especially chiefly families from around the western division.”

Lesavua said Nawaka has not experienced any difficulties or arguements in the past in terms of the Tui Nawaka title.

“Unlike our fellow tribesmen in Nadi were the title has been disputed for more than 45 years.”

He said the people of Nawaka will always respect their chief.

The district of Nawaka consists of 12 villages altogether including Nawaka, Namulomulo, Vatutu, Evuna, Tubenasolo, Nagado, Natawa, Vunamoli, Nawaqadamu, Uto, Rararua and Dreke

Ratu Meli is new chair

Ratu Meli is new chair
www.fijtimes.cm - Thursday, April 30, 2009

TAUKEI Navo Ratu Meli Saukuru has been appointed the new chair of Ba Provincial Council.
He was deputy chairman and acting as chair when the post became vacant following the death of Tui Tavua Ratu Ovini Bokini in January.
His chief goal is strengthening unity in Ba, the biggest province in Fiji.
"The first thing I want to do is to bring everyone together," he said.
" am honoured to be given this task and I will serve my people to the best of my ability," he said.
Taukei Sawaieke Ratu Tevita Momoedonu was elected deputy chairman.

Listen to authority, chief tells subjects

Listen to authority, chief tells subjects
www.fijitimes.com - Reports by MARGARET WISEThursday, April 30, 2009

NADROGA'S paramount chief, the Ka Levu Ratu Sakiusa Makutu, has urged his people to be obedient and to listen to those in authority.
Echoing the sentiments of Methodist Church pastor Seremaia Bose, the paramount chief told his people they must prepare themselves for the changing economic climate.
He said the military was in power and asked his people to "varorogo" (listen).
Accompanied by his wife, Ratu Sakiusa arrived at the provincial council meeting in a wheelchair. He told council members he was recovering from a second amputation and had just recently been discharged from hospital.
"I had the first amputation six years ago. I thank God that I am alive and I am very fortunate that I able to be here today to chair this meeting," he said.
Mr Bose said people must remember their roles to the vanua, their families and their community and not be misled by detractors.
"Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God," he said.
"Some people think that being a Christian is about worshipping in Church and there are people who are against soli to the vanua.
"Your deeds and teaching to your family, to your community and those around you is more important. Jesus did not oppose taxes so do not be misled.
"People are being laid off work, you have hundreds who will retire, and then you have those who have had a pay cut from reduced hours. This is where you need to play your role and be prepared to help those around you."

Chiefs told of vacant posts

Chiefs told of vacant posts
www.fijitimes.com - Thursday, April 30, 2009

THE chiefs and traditional leaders of Naitasiri were told not to be complacent and try to install the vacant traditional positions in the province by 2010.
New Naitasiri Roko (provincial administrator) Peni Sokia said this was an important subject being raised in the December meeting of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga.
He said there are only 57 traditional posts filled out of the 124 in Naitasiri.
Mr Sokia said that it was important for all the clan head positions to be filled as soon as possible.
He said chiefs at that BLV meeting were concerned with the number of traditional feuds that ended up in the courts.
Speaking in Fijian, Mr Sokia said it was important to note that a deterrent to big developments in provinces and districts was the number of traditional posts being left vacant for too long.
He said this is what the Fijian Affairs Board and the Native Land Commission would try and work on achieving this goal with the co-operation of the Fijian people.
Naitasiri paramount chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata told the Naitasiri Provincial Council that he would soon summon a bose vanua for the province to work out a programme to ensure that all vacant traditional posts were filled.
He said he would work with the Naitasiri Provincial Office, the NLC and the chiefs in the province to ensure that all vacant traditional positions in Naitasiri were filled towards the end of the year.

Tui Tavua to be Installed

Chief to be installed
www.fijitimes.com - Tuesday, April 28, 2009

A NEW Tui Tavua will be installed before the end of this year to replace Ratu Ovini Bokini who died early this year.
And Ratu Ovini's younger brother, Ratu Totivi Kama Ratu, is likely to fill the vacant position.
Tavua tikina representative Apisalome Ulusova said they were just following the wishes of Ratu Ovini who had always emphasised that chiefly titles must not be left vacant for too long.
"He raised it in the Bose ni Momo in 2007, that it is important that all chiefly titles are filled so that the people can be led to a clear direction," he said.
Mr Ulusova said the vanua of Bila was of the view there were bound to be a lot of problems if there was no paramount chief.
"A chief is a symbol of unity, everyone will listen to only one voice and there will be unity throughout the vanua," he said.
Mr Ulusova said the vanua had already considered who would succeed Ratu Ovini.
"We can't tell you right now, because the chiefly family has to sit and discuss the issue, the chiefly mataqali and the vanua will also make deliberations," he said. "The only thing I can confirm is that we will install our chief before the end of this year."
Mr Ulusova said Ratu Totivi replaced Ratu Ovini as the Tavua Tikina Council chairman and would also replace him at the provincial council.
The vanua o Bila on Saturday lifted the fishing ban placed on its qoliqoli to mark Ratu Ovini's death. And they will have the traditional vakataraisulu to mark the hundredth night of his passing on May 9 in Tavualevu.

Village under siege

Village under siege
www.fijitimes.com - By Theresa Ralogaivau, Sunday, April 26, 2009


THE Wairiki-i-Cake that snakes its way from the Cakaudrove hills was once an abundant source of life for the people at Suweni, a little slice of heaven at the end of 20 kilometres of a dusty, gravelled track from Labasa Town.
It all dramatically changed when the life-giving river became a deadly monster in the early hours of January 14, 2003.
The date is drummed into villagers' memories and wove a common thread of fear in their very lives.
That morning the Wairiki-i-Cake rose more than 10 feet high and swallowed whole six homes within a matter of seconds.
She then set a radical new course directly hitting the village, eroding the embankment.
Overnight, Suweni villagers were under siege.
Entwined with the river
For centuries, since the days their forefather Lele dispersed his four children from Nukubolu Village which lies within Koroalau district in a "go forth and multiply" kind of way, the people of Suweni have lived a life entwined with the river.
It's their source of food like the sweetest prawns you'll ever taste, freshwater eels and fish.
And then there's the daily laundry and washing sessions marked by talanoa and interjections of laughter as the village women congregate to clean and socially interact.
Children splashing, bathing and swimming while men scrub down horses downstream and vegetable farms are watered.
From daybreak to when the sun sinks over the mountain range the Wairiki-i-Cake plays a major role in their lives, a bond that links them.
Even the odd traveller pops in to enjoy a dip in the cool streams branching off down to the Korotari River and it is common knowledge in town those are some of the best swimming spots to be found around the place.
January 14, 2003
Tropical Cyclone Ami pummelled many parts of Fiji with tidal waves, floodwater and wind gusting up to 115mph on January 13, 2003.
Early the next morning (between 3am and 4am), village elder Jovilisi Bolamasei, 64, like everyone else, sat and listened in the seeming security of their homes to the constant roaring sound from the enraged Wairiki-i-Cake.
The sound was really the deafening sound of huge rocks colliding as they were swept downstream from the mountains.
"The wind had been really strong and then it subsided and the sound from the river was so loud we couldn't sleep," he said.
"And the rain was like no other I had experienced because it was like a big bucket of water was being poured on us.
"Suddenly we could hear screams as some families that lived on the river bank ran away from their homes which were under water.
"The men moved their families to other homes on higher ground but when they went back to recover some stuff their homes were no longer there."
One of the village youths, Jone, managed to jump out of a window and seconds after he escaped, his home was swallowed by the angry river.
"When it was daybreak we all came out of our homes and were shocked and speechless at what we saw."
A sickening feeling of dread that lives could have been lost and fear rooted most to the now empty spots where six homes once stood.
Not a shred of the homes were ever recovered.
The duna feast
Struggling to find proper drinking water and rebuild lives villagers made an interesting discovery as the day wore on.
Littered on the village ground were hundreds of freshwater eel which the Wairiki-i-Cake had spewed forth as she unleashed her power.
According to village headman Pita Mira the duna also slithered in suitcases of clothes that had been inundated with floodwater and this managed to bring a smile or two to sad faces.
"E ka lasa ni keimami raica na vanua sa ra davo tu kina o ira na duna," he said.
They feasted for two months on the mana from the river but it would be the last blessing she was going to give for some years.
The three year drought
For three years after Wairiki-i-Cake's night of fury, drought struck the village.
"When we went looking we couldn't find the prawns, duna or fish," Mr Bolamasei related.
Processed food overtook the daily diet and for those who could not afford it, it was "rourou nikua" and "waci ni mataka" which basically is their light-hearted way of saying rourou every day.
"Those were very difficult times for us because we largely lived off the land and the river.
"We couldn't find them because the river had become very shallow.
"Before January 14, it was about 20 feet deep but now it is just waist-high and parts of the river have dried up because it's now on a new path."
"Before the river was about 100 metres away from the village yet now it's eating into the village."
Gone forever
Gone forever with the homes of six families were the centuries old hardwood trees like vesi that once lined the river banks, uprooted by flood waters.
Their outspread branches provided the river with a green shelter protecting it from the harsh glare of the sun.
"That's why we had an abundant source of fresh water food and the river was deep and cold but now its mostly dry and warm," Mr Bolamasei said.
The constant threat and fear
Top on the list of things to pray for during 'masumasu' time morning and evening is divine intervention to rescue them from the devil and the deep blue sea situation they are stuck in.
Right now part of the soil foundation of a home is gone while four others are in imminent danger of losing theirs.
"We are all in danger because if January 14 happens again and it's only a matter of time when considering the changes in the weather, most of this village will be gone," Mr Bolamasei said.
They want to relocate to higher ground but at the same time worry about being trapped in landslides which now happen often during periods of heavy rain.
Suweni as Reverend Neumi Vunileba described, sits in a 'lovo pit' with mountain ranges on either side.
"So if we run away from the river and go up hill we face the landslides.
"Every time it rains heavily and floodwater rises as it happens often now we are truly afraid of the consequences."
Mr Bolamasei said they want help from above and the government.
What's going to happen
Government officials from the Department of Land and Water Resource management surveyed the erosion problem and the new course chartered by the Wairiki-i-Cake early this year.
The 'Saving Suweni' plan involves a $.5million project that would include the construction of a 50-metre retainer wall and diverting the Wairiki-i-Cake back to its original course.
Work is expected to start next month.
Helping themselves
Making a change for nature, Suweni villagers have decided not to allow commercial logging to be carried out in their forests located upstream.
"We realise that logging also had a major role to play in the flood," said Mr Bolamasei.
"When we weighed the monetary benefit we got from it in terms of royalty and premium it was peanuts compared to the loss of food source, the destruction of our homes and constant fear we live in.
"We will only cut enough trees to build our homes."
Suweni's experience is not an isolated one as villagers of Korotasere and Navatukuca at Vaturova can easily testify.
These villages may be hundreds of miles apart but the common bond that they share is living in fear for their lives and that one day their village will be gone in the rising tide of floodwater.
They are the victims of climate change and man's own doing.

West Chiefly Titles go to tribunal

Titles go to tribunal
www.fijitimes.com - Monday, April 27, 2009

THE Native Lands Tribunal will give its ruling on who is the rightful chief in the three villages in the West -- Vitogo, Vitawa and Magodro -- on June 11.


Former magistrate and tribunal member Aminiasi Katonivualiku said the chiefly titles in the three villages -- the Tui Vitogo, Tui Magodro and Tu Navatu in Vitawa -- were being disputed.
Mr Katonivualiku said they collected evidence from both the parties to the titles under heavy guard from the Police Ready Action Unit team last week. "The villagers crowded up to where we convened the tribunal in the three villages," he said.


Mr Katonivualiku said the Tui Vitogo title, presently held by Ratu Viliame Sovasova, was being disputed by his elder sister, Adi Makereta Druma. The former magistrate said the Tui Magodro title held by Simione Vutevute as per decision by the Native Land Commission was being challenged by Tevita Bose Lewaravu. Mr Katonivualiku said the Tu Navatu title was disputed by Ratu Sainivalati Toroki and Ratu Akuila Kubou.


"The NLC went there and awarded the title to Ratu Akuila but after that the tribunal before us gave it Ratu Sainivalati." Mr Katonivualiku said that Ratu Akuila filed for a judicial review in the High Court and later appealed in the Fiji Court of Appeal.
"The Fiji Court of Appeal gave its ruling and ordered a new tribunal to hear the case again.
"That's where we came in."
Mr Katonivualiku, Ro Epeli Mataitini and Ratu Talemo Ratakele are the members of the tribunal.

The Old Jail House

By Geraldine Panapasa

fijitimes - Sunday, April 19, 2009

+ Enlarge this image

Looking in from the outsid ... a villager stands insode the old prison.

There are fortresses and ancient ruins that tell stories of a piece of history forgotten over time.

In Fiji, one of those forgotten ruins is a prison fort in Naburenivalu Village in Tailevu.

Who would have thought the coral stone foundation held some of the very first prisoners in Fiji during the late 19th century.

The place where the foundation rests is called Nasese and the village it is in was relocated from the old coastal village of Namena, almost half an hour out to sea.

The morning we left for Namena was the same day the tsunami warning was issued after the Tongan earthquake on March 20.

By then, we were already halfway to our destination and I instantly remembered Features Editor Fred Wesley mention an old jetty I had to check out, something to do with the prisoners using the jetty to cross over to Levuka for work.

That thought coincided with the tsunami warning and a thought crossed my mind about witnessing firsthand a tsunami approach Fiji if I went out to see the jetty.

Not long after, the warning was cancelled and we finally reached Naburenivalu.

The house of Tui Nawainovo Ratu Filimoni Verebalavu welcomed us on the left as we entered the village to meet with the Turaga ni Koro Watisoni Lagicere.

The village slept quietly as roosters began to crow. As we neared a small stony climb into the village pathway, the prison fort stood seemingly forgotten, above the long weeds and grass surrounding the compound, and creepers that seemed to drain the life out of an important monument. This couldn't be it I wondered because for such an important foundation in the history of Fiji, the fort looked insignificant.

Our team down to Namena included Fiji Times photographer Eliki Nukutabu, Nai Lalakai reporter Anare Ravula and driver Durga Deo.

After we sought permission from Ratu Filimoni to conduct research on the old prison and the early village settlement, we headed out to sea.

The trek through the swampy forest was very refreshing for an urbanite like me. Watisoni pointed to a clearing through the trees and plants saying it was the path the prisoners took to reach the jetty.

Brief history of Nasese

According to records at the National Archives of Fiji, the earliest record of a Suva gaol was in 1887 when the Prison Service took over a mental hospital.

Matanivanua for the Tui Nawainovo Simione Loli Baleidaveta, 73, said the name of the prison was called Nasese. In Fijian, the word sese means 'wrong or foolish'.

"It was a place for people who committed a wrongful act. The people who went there were called 'na sese' also," Baleidaveta said.

In a publication by B.M Sellers in 1962 on The Development of the Fiji Prison Service, the gaol was a collection of huts behind a reed fence.

B.M Sellers was told by old colonists of a track along the beach that led to the gaol and the cemetery.

He mentioned it was not until 1912-1913 that serious attempts were made to provide a modern accommodation at the Suva gaol.

"It is interesting to note that one of the duties of a prison warden in those early days was to escort Hospital Sisters into Suva and back after dark," Sellers noted in his publication.

"The first prison was of course at Levuka and as settlement of the Colony took place, other prisons which were nothing more than 'back ups' were established," the publication said.

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Faction gives Ratu Osia chiefly status

Faction gives Ratu Osia chiefly status
http://www.fijitimes.com/ - Monday, April 06, 2009

Tui Nasau and Tui Moala Osia Vulalima Delailoa, right, during his traditional installation at Wailoku

A faction claiming to be the rightful holders of the chiefly titles of Tui Nasau and Tui Moala have carried out the traditional installation rituals in Suva after it was stopped from boarding a vessel to Moala in the Lau Group by police.
Members of the Yavusa Nasau Mataqali Nakoroicake installed Ratu Osia Vulalima Delailoa at Wailoku on Saturday evening.
Spokesman Tevita Delailoa said they have installed Ratu Osia as Tui Nasau and Tui Moala.
Mr Delailoa added that the clan believed that he was the rightful holder of the titles and those who disputed the matter could take it to the tribunal.
Their legal adviser, Tevita Fa, said he was still waiting for an explanation from the police on why they stopped the delegation from travelling to Moala.
Assistant Roko Tui Moala Nacanieli Draunidalo said the Tui Nasau and Tui Moala are two different titles. Mr Draunidalo said the rightful holders of the Tui Moala title are the Mataqali Ucunimasi and the holder was Musuka Waqairatu.
He said this was verified by the Native Land Commission last month. Mr Draunidalo understood the faction wanted to install a new holder of the title Sauturaga, which he said has never been installed before on the island.

No other way?

No other way
www.fijisun.com - 4/3/2009


Now after the March multi-million joint military and police drug raid in Noikoro, Navosa has its share of wonderment, condemnation and publicity, the fact remains that unless reasonable improvement is made in lifestyle and marketing crops, a more costly and efficient monitoring system would have to be undertaken by the state in order to eradicate the cultivation of the “invaluable” crop in the district. The reason being, unlike other districts, Noikoro, village traditional leadership except for Namoli is almost non-existent. With the untimely passing away of the late Tui Noikoro, Adi Kuini Vuikaba and the poor state of the chiefly residence of Lomaiviti, in Korolevu does not make anything easier for the eradication of drugs.
In the meantime if churches continue to show negligible effort, as in the past, in converting their church members to more holistic and lofty ideals of Christianity, then God helps us. Instead of plotting against the interim regime, the churches should be more concerned about the spiritual well being of their members and the potential tragedy of all the consumer of marijuana in this country. Obviously there is a general passivity and lack of prophetic guidance from that direction.

The provision of substitution crop is a myth. It is a well known fact in the district that in a good day, a six foot marijuana plant may fetch up to $2,000. Both “substitution crop” and “awareness programme” had been suggested in the past but hardly implemented. To continue to suggest them shows that there are not too many options around.

A more practical solution perhaps is improving the lifestyle through infrastructure development particularly of the 50-60 mile long Sigatoka Valley road. For a market vendor (especially women) traveling that distance daily without taking into account the changeable road conditions is a persecution in itself. Marijuana then provides a more comfortable alternative to the hardships of lengthy truck ride and heavier root crops.

If drug cultivation and trafficking is turning out to be a potential national disaster then it needs and warrant a more pragmatic, broad based and lasting solution. If national interest is at stake then national resources needs to be utilised to save the country from impending ruin.

Magic waters of Rokovuaka in Ra

Magic waters of Rokovuaka, Ra
Magic waters
By Geraldine Panapasa

www.fijitimes.com - Sunday, March 29, 2009

Valaria Nasau had just come out from a dip in the waters of Rokovuaka when we reached the village around 11am two weeks ago.
She leaned against the railing by the roadside for support as she wiped her face with her hands.
Valaria had travelled all the way from Vunisea in Ra with her niece who had a backache.
Through word of mouth, Valaria heard of a small waterfall with healing powers in Ra.
She had been partially blind for three years and was to undergo an eye operation in April at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva.
Somehow, she was curious about the water that people said had healing powers and caught the bus all the way from the interior of Ra to bath in the water.
After 45 minutes, she joyously wiped her eyes because she said she could see again and claims the water had brought her eye-sight back.
"Some relatives had come to the healing water before and they told us how they were healed after bathing in the pool and waterfall," said 62-year old Valaria.
"I caught the bus with my niece who had a backache and after she came out from the water her back was not sore anymore."
An early edition of the healing waters was published in the Nai Lalakai on March 9 this year and since then more than 1680 people have rushed to the Waidradra creek by the roadside for cures to many different ailments.
One of the villagers, Sakiusa Navakadretia, 60, has kept a written record of the number of people who have visited the healing waters since its discovery late last year. He says his sister was the first to be healed from stroke.
Her hand was paralysed and after a dip in the creek, she was able to move her hand again, he claimed.
Sakiusa also suffered a bad knee and for a very long time, he was unable to sit with his legs folded.
"Every time I sit down, I'd have to stretch out my leg because I couldn't fold it. I used to limp before but after my sister told me what happened, I decided to try it," Sakiusa said.
"I was amazed and happy too because after I came out, a few minutes later, I was able to walk properly without limping.
"Word spread about the water and everyday since, we've had people from different backgrounds come to the creek."
Turaga ni koro Anasa Tibia, 52, said since its discovery on December 1 last year, they decided to share their gift with people who wanted to be healed.
He said villagers have been using the creek for many years and nothing miraculous had happened during those years.
Tibia said they were given cement by the district officer Rakiraki to build a pathway down to the pool formed by the small waterfall.
"We believe God has given us this gift and it's open and free to everyone. We don't charge anything or demand anything in return from people who come to have their bath in the creek," Tibia said.
"A lot of people have come to relieve body pains. We even had a visitor from Australia come to the creek.
"Some carriers and busloads of people have stopped by for a dip because they heard it has healing powers.
"We do not intend to sell the water either but we believe this gift from God is for everyone. The creek has always been here and we've used it occasionally but it's a blessing for the village and everyone."
According to Sakiusa, the village has two religious denominations who share the same church.
He said the Catholics would use the church from 10am to 11am for their Sunday mass while the Methodists would use the church for their Sunday service from 11am to 12pm.
Sakiusa does not know why the creek has healing powers now and not before when the villagers used the creek regularly.
"It's God's time I guess but it's a blessing we'd like to share with other people.
"Our village elders have told us to keep these two religions in the village," Sakiusa said.
"And we've never had any differences with each other over this.
"We don't plan to build another church because we are happy to share with our Christian brothers and sisters.
"I've kept notes on visitors to the creek. Some Indians, Fijians and other races.
"They come with all sorts of sicknesses and diseases like stroke, body pains and one woman claims the water cured her of cancer.
"Some people we met here come from Suva, Lautoka, Rakiraki and Sigatoka. The youths building the path down to the creek sometimes help the elderly and visitors to the creek.
"But we're happy that we can share this gift."
The word roko means a title of honour in Fijian while the word vuaka means pig says Tibia.
The villagers pride themselves in the words 'Rokovuaka West Boarder' written in bold white prints on the side of a wall opposite the church. Sakiusa took us to the church compound where the village houses surrounded an oval shaped stone partly buried in the ground.
"This is Rokovuaka," Sakiusa said pointing to the stone. I was lost in translation when he pointed to the stone.
Sakiusa said the stone held a significant place in the history of the village.
"There were plenty stones in the village and some people tried to throw these stones into the river nearby," he said.
"The next morning the same stone they threw in the river was back where they'd taken it from. Even this one, Rokovuaka, is still in the same spot where the villagers tried to dig it out.
"When the villagers would go out into the bush, they were bitten by pigs.
"After that, only female pigs (sow) could survive in this village. For years, it was like this. There were no male pigs in the village.
"The female pigs would get pregnant, we don't know how. Now we have male pigs in the village, but they would cry in agony all night until they died."
While the villagers pride themselves over the healing water, they are more thankful for their blessings which they believe comes from God.
But the issue of the healing properties of water has long been one of contention.
An article about this healing property of water was first published in the New York Times on June 21, 1983.
It stated that under the grim conditions of Evin prison in Teheran, Iran, a physician discovered what he believed to be a new and remarkable treatment for the pain of peptic ulcers.
The treatment was simply several glasses of water taken at prescribed regular intervals. Dr F. Batmanghelidj discovered the treatment largely by accident, but was able to examine about 3000 patients and follow the medical fate of more than 600, mostly fellow prisoners.
"I was lucky to have been able to make my observations ... when I was waiting clarification of my own situation," Dr Batmanghelidj said in a guest editorial in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology.
A prisoner at Evin from November 1979 to May 1982, he moved on to live in the United States.
It started with one patient suffering unbearable ulcer pain late at night. The doctor treated him with 500 cubic centimetres (about a pint) of water, evidently because nothing else was available at that hour.
"His pain became less severe and then disappeared completely after eight minutes," said the report.'
Dr Howard M. Spiro, editor in chief of the journal, conceded in a note that the treatment might have worked because the patients hoped it would, and that some might not really have had ulcers at all.
Then there is the story of the healing water in Tlacote Mexico where people claim they have been cured of everything from AIDS and cancer to obesity and high cholesterol.
Or the healing waters reportedly discovered in Germany, 100km east of Dusseldorf.
Whatever it is that is flowing at Rokovuaka, one thing is certain, villagers believe they are witnessing a miracle daily.
And they take pride in knowing that many people say they have been cured of various ailments.

Chief queries oild deal

Chief queries oild deal
www.fijitimes.com - By Unaisi Ratubalavu
Saturday, March 21, 2009

REWA's paramount chief Ro Teimumu Kepa has queried the acquisition of BP Oil by Fijian Holdings Limited.

In a letter to FHL's managing director Sereana Qoro on Thursday, Ro Teimumu said FHL was conceived by the Great Council of Chiefs in 1984 at a time when Fijian confidence in participating in the commercial sector was at an all time low.

This was after clear indications of the collapse of the two major investments in the Native Land Development Corporation and the Fijian Investment Development Corporation in which the GCC held shares through the Fijian Affairs Board.

"It was not easy to convince the provincial councils to raise shares in another Fijian-owned company but it was out of respect which they had in the GCC which enabled the majority of the provincial councils to raise the inaugural shares for the company," Ro Teimumu said.

She added that the recent intervention on the company's corporate structure, executive positions and now the proposal to acquire BP South West Pacific Limited have caused concerns to Fijians, including the people of Rewa.

Ro Teimumu said a meeting scheduled for the province's development committee will discuss this move by FHL.

And Ro Teimumu has sought answers from Mrs Qoro on the proposed $190-million to buy BP Oil Pacific.

The acquisition was done last December, is the largest investment FHL has undertaken in its 24-year life.

FHL Energy Limited, a fully-owned subsidiary of Fijian Holdings Ltd, successfully won the bid to acquire the oil company.

This is the first time a oil company will be owned locally.

Attempts to get comments from Mrs Qoro yesterday were futile.

Landowners want fair deal

Landowners want fair deal

www.fijisun.com.fj - 3/19/2009

A landowning unit has claimed that Digicel failed to pay them their goodwill money for placing a transmitter in their land in Uciwai outside Nadi.
Head of the tokatoka Nasekula from Yako village in Nadi, Atikini Naga yesterday said numerous requests made to Digicel executives for a meeting was always turned down.

“Now we have no other option to shut down the site and maybe then they will listen to us,” said Mr Naga.

Last week police had to intervene after 12 villagers entered the transmitter site in their mission to close it down.

It was alleged that the villagers entered the site and removed batteries from the generator which disrupted services in Momi, Korovuto, the Mamanucas and other surrounding areas.

Mr Naga said they made some agreements with the company in October, last year where they were going to paid $120,000 as goodwill.

He said the land is still not leased by Digicel. He said they felt the company took advantage of their generosity.

Mr Naga said the problem started while the transmitter was still erected, when the Digicel delayed the payment of $13,000 on for the construction of the road.

Mr Naga said payments were only done after they stopped the road construction.

Digicel Fiji public relations executive Gillian Power said that the matter is currently being dealt with through the appropriate channels.

West Police spokesperson Wame Bautolu said officers from Nadi Police station are still monitoring the transmitter site.

Natives warn on land leases

Natives warn on land leases
www.fijitimes.com - By SERAFINA SILAITOGA-Wednesday, March 18, 2009

MORE than 100 landowning units in a northern province have called on the State to sort out outstanding land issues or face the risk of failure in development projects.

One hundred and seven landowning units from Bua believe their cries over the past two decades to return reserve land, which Fiji Pine has used since the 1970s, have not been heard.
Bua Landowners Association spokesman Tevita Raiova said nothing had been done since their grievances were first raised in the 1990s. "We are tired of crying for our reserve land and it's time that the matter be straightened out," he said. "If nothing is done, then development projects for Bua will not prosper."

On September 12 last year, the Native Land Trust Board, through a Fiji Times article, admitted that landowners of Bua were not consulted when the Government started planting pine in the division 26 years ago.

NLTB spokesman Nimilote Naivalumaira said in the article that mistakes must be corrected and that the problems identified by the landowners were caused by acts of omission in the early years of pine planting.

Efforts to get comments from Fiji Pine chief executive Alec Chang proved futile.

Fijian administration needs a review

Fijian administration
www.fijitimes.com - Thursday, March 05, 2009

IT is time for a serious review of the Fijian administration and its relevance to the nation and the indigenous people.

Recent reforms of State ministries and departments were conducted in an effort to increase efficiency, reduce expenditure and ensure the streamlining of services to the people.

In the case of the administration of the Fijian people, the costs of operating provincial offices far outweigh any possible benefit from maintaining facilities which provide for a particular racial group.

This administration has consistently called for the removal or references to race or the provision of benefits according to ethnicity.

Through the Rural Development Ministry, the State offers funding and technical assistance to people who live outside the urban areas.

These projects must be conducted according to the needs of the community after relevant analysis by experts.

Whether the beneficiaries of the projects are Indian, Fijian or some other ethnicity is irrelevant.

If a need exists, it is the duty of the State to see that these requirements are met from taxpayers' funds.

With the Fijian administration, a second, unnecessary tier of bureaucracy has been established to cater to the indigenous people.

Offices are maintained in the 14 provinces to ostentatiously care for landowners and minister to their needs.

With these offices are the accompanying costs of utilities, maintenance, staff salaries, administrative and operational costs.

Yet the needs of the indigenous community are fully catered for through services provided at the offices maintained by government departments and ministries. At provincial council meetings, matters raised by district representatives are referred to civil servants who must return to their offices, make inquiries and report back — sometimes six months later.

In truth, the Fijian administration is a relic of the colonial era, an un-needed layer of bureaucracy and a burden to the taxpayer.

We should not be forced to maintain a dual system of governance for reasons which are purely sentimental. The indigenous people have access to infrastructure and State-provided service. It is their duty to take the first step and approach government officers for assistance.

Addressing these issues through a system which caters only to Fijians wastes time and money.

It also encourages people to think in terms of ethnicity or breeds a mistaken sense of greater self-importance in members of the indigenous community.

This must change for the benefit of the Fijian people in general

The time has come for them to realise that circumstance has brought us together as a nation of one people.

We must all work hard for success. In this endeavour, ethnicity and religion are irrelevant.

It's time for the indigenous people to cast off the shackles of the past and enter the future under their own steam.

Reshuffle for Roko Tui posts

Wednesday, March 04, 2009
www.fijitimes.com

THE interim Government will reshuffle Roko Tui positions in provincial council offices, says interim Indigenous Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

There are 14 provincial roko serving at provincial councils nationwide.

He said the aim of the reshuffle was to ensure that no roko served in his or her own province.

When contacted at least one roko Tui said the last he understood was that he would continue his current post.

Roko Tui Tailevu Joape Nalatu, who is from Nadroga, referred queries to the Fijian Affairs Board.

But he also confirmed that he would stay on this year at the Tailevu Provincial Council.

Roko Tui Namosi Samisoni Tuilawaki said he was on long-service leave and not aware of any changes by the ministry.

"I am on leave and will start some time next week. I have not heard or been informed on that issue," Mr Tuilawaki said.

Yesterday Ratu Epeli also denied claims that the interim Government was considering reviewing provincial councils.

The denial came after some concern that the ministry was considering following the example of the Local Government Ministry, which replaced mayors with administrators last month

Floating on an island

Floating on an island
Rashneel Kumar
www.fiitimes.com - Sunday, February 22, 2009


THERE are people who have heard and read about the Floating Island on Vanua Levu but I doubt if many of them know about the myth that lies behind this captivating place. Well, I never knew anything about this place until I went on a recent trip back home. I discovered how the island is supposed to have originated. Let me start with my journey back to the Friendly North.

Waves hit the side of our ship, creating that milky foam leaving it to glimmer under the light of the moon.

I gazed across the sea that night looking for a beam of light which was far too away to imagine.

Well, that's what the life of a seaman is like and for a night I was no different.

Night was miserable with people cramped in to get a nap before witnessing a new day on a new land but there was some relief from my companions Ema Racule (LTC student) and Ravikash Singh (FIT student) who were going back home too after a year of studies on Viti Levu.

There was some noticeable change in Savusavu with new buildings cropping up.

But that fresh aroma on the hilltops as the bus to Labasa drove, fighting the mist, remained the same.

After a three hour bus ride, I reached my hometown, Labasa.

I noticed something - the introduction of new and expensive boutiques, restaurants and hotels.

Well my stop for the night was my home at Taganikula (about 50km drive from Labasa Town) close to where the Survivor Fiji television series was shot.

It was a heart-breaking sight as I gazed out on the arid fields of my village which were once covered with 'green gold' and beautifully designed houses.

It is a sad fact that a lot of people have either moved to urban areas in Labasa or local overseas, Suva because of the unsolved land problem.

But life goes on, no matter where you live.

The Floating Island

Early one morning I set off with my nana (mum) Veniana Vakatari for the Floating Island, as it is known, in the yearn to unearth the myth following it's existence. I have been living in that area since birth but honestly speaking, this was my first trip to this amazing place.

After an hour of bus drive, I managed to get to the place where this lady my Nana said was familiar with the myth of the Floating Island.

The place was peaceful and clothed in the colours of the vast and ancient place. Ghost gums and roots in the earth as red as blood stood against the expanse of blue sky which lined up in the meandering path down to a restful waterhole.

This waterhole is a drano (or a lake) of approximately 100 square metres in dimension.

It is situated at a remote place, to where one has to travel the entire rutted route to get - named Kurukuru in Nubu (about 60km from Labasa).

This lake is surrounded by pandanus (suluka) tree of almost similar size giving the lake quiet a queer but more of a uniform look.

Upon stepping on the banks of the drano, I felt the ground underneath to be of sand. This is believed to be the remains of the yagona which the Vu's (ancient God) used to consume during their time!

"Isa ... o sa siga ni kila vinaka na vola ni drano" (I don't know much about the Floating Island) were the foremost words of 63-years-old Litiana Dicauna whom my nana said was the only person left in the area vividly knowing the myth.

But she combined with her pal Kesaia Ranuve, 60, and did satisfy my longing for the ancient discovery. I was told to observe some traditional norms during the trip.

The drano is believed to be founded by the Vu (ancient god) of Nubu.

This was because they can have easier excess to the nearby sea for fishing and transportation. They were said to have made a drain (I don't know why they called it a drain because it actually looked like a river) through to the sea.

Once the Vu from Nubu had a fierce battle against the Vu of the neighboring village and this forced the owners of drano to leave the place and reside to a little far away village named Siriaga.

Nothing is particularly special about the lake apart from its appearance. But the thing which is really charismatic is what is floating on the drano.

The drano has two huge islands, one of which amazingly floats. It is believed that both used to make a circular trip around the Floating Island ,however, one of it has anchored itself on the side of the lake.

The one that is still floating is named Vanalato (it is named after a tree) and the one that is not functional is called Vanavadra (pineapple tree). The names have been given after these things were found on the islands.

Dicauna said that the Vanalato and Vanavadra have spiritual guiders who steers the island.

The Vanalato used to move on the tunes of the Bete (or priest) in the olden days but now any person speaking Nubu dialect can command it for a short journey around the drano. Also other people, but rarely, are able to make the island stir.

Only fortunate ones are able to ride on Vanalato .The people also believe that the Floating Island has a captain who is really moody and is the one that navigates the Vanalato. When sometimes the island does not move, it is believed that the captain is missing or not in a mood to steer the drano.

I was told that the Vu (which the people living in Nubu believe is still residing) has a name - Yame-bua-ovo (meaning - fire). Well how the Vu got the name has its own story.

Some centuries ago a white man used to live on the hillside near the lake. One day he ran out of matches (or fire).He mumbled to himself asking if there was any fire left anywhere and to his surprise flames erupted from the lake to his cooking place.

From there on people living near to the lake named the Vu, believed to be still living in the lake, Yame-bua-ovo.

The Source (Origin) of the Lake

The lake is believed to be sourced from a far (almost 60km) place set high amongst the towering cliff called Kiriyaganilali. The shape of this place, I was told, is bit extraordinary - it looks like a house and the door shaped part is where the water surges down forever to far and wide.

The Depth of the Lake

Believe me - no one to date knows how deep the drano is? The bank of the lake is about neck high of an average person but centre is still a mystery. People had tried many times with none succeeding in determining the depth. I was told that about some decades ago a man tried to dive in to check the deepness but he never reappeared again leaving all in a total misery and mystery.

The Evidence that the Vu still resides there

Nine years ago on a beautiful Sunday a boy aged 19 took some visitors who had come to church service in Kelikoso (neighbouring village of Kurukuru) for a trip around the lake.

Let me call this teenager Pita (I know the name but cannot reveal due to privacy) was a bit mischievous youth. During the trip he was bit off the traditional norm that should be practiced during the visit to the place. Everything went well, the Vanalato responded and left the port (where it haboured) making a circular round. When it was on its way back to its base, the boy jumped into the lake ... maybe to take a quick dip because of the searing heat of the day.

Pita was well ahead of Vanalato, swimming towards the land when he suddenly went underneath the water. The other mates accompanying him thought he was just on the way to crack another joke.

But he never came up and a search party was called who later found him somewhere floating about meter down the surface of the lake. He did not even have a scratch on his body and even the doctors were unable to find the cause of his inconceivable death.

This according to the villagers shows that there is still existence of the Vu who looks after the welfare of the drano and his people.

Now and Future

Ranuve and Dicauna sometimes sit under the hurricane lantern light and share the story with their grandchildren.

"They always ask me about the drano and are eager to know more about it," Ranuve said.

As I board on the bus again that day to return home, watching the dust scattering carelessly in the winds, the legend woven in the tapestry of the land kept on banging my head.

Was it true or just another of the tales my grandfather always used to share with me... that is for you to decide!

Bringing out the truth

Bringing out the truth
By Geraldine Panapasa

http://www.fijitimes.com/ - Sunday, February 01, 2009

They performed at the Flood Appeal Concert at Albert Park two weeks ago and have promised to bring the best out of traditional and cultural sounds of Fiji.
The local-based music band Vuku led by talented musician and Fijian chant master Sailasa Cakau (pictured right), is one of many local groups ready to take the world by storm with their fusion of indigenous and modern beats.
As he sat and explained the origins of the group, Sailasa had more than just cultural intuition and pride when talking about the significance of Fijian chants in modern day music.
Quietly sitting beside him was drummer Tevita Sauliga.
The five-member group was formed in 2002 during a yaqona session in Qauia.
Sailasa said the sounds produced from the group are a fusion of traditional Fijian chants and rock beats.
"This is the first time for Fiji to have a group producing a fusion of Fijian chants and rock," said Sailasa, who is also the lead singer, composer, arranger and innovator of Vuku.
"Our drawback is lack of instruments. At the moment, we are using a 12-string guitar and acoustics.
"We have participated at various musical events including the Fiji Music Festival in 2002."
Just like the Irish rock band U2, Vuku is ready to take on the world with their fusion of traditional rhythm and beats, and to share with the world a new genre of music that carries years of Fijian heritage.
Sailasa spent 11 years studying and learning traditional Fijian chants or the I Vola Vivigi Kei Viti (The hidden chronicles of Fiji).
With the help of his father and the elders of Nakorotubu and Nalawa in Ra, Sailasa said the inspiring U2 focused on telling the world about their pain and their cries.
"People are watching Fiji, not only in the political arena but in the kind of music we can come out with," Sailasa said.
"This is the moment for an uprising."
Originally from Tuatua Village on Koro Island, Sailasa says as an indigenous chanter, he had to live off the land to really understand the traditional gist of Fijian chants and heritage.
His ability to understand and relay Fijian chants is like carrying Fiji in the palms of his hands.
The 39-year old said success for the group is when they perform or play.
"It's not about the money but about the knowledge passed down from our elders. It's not about a race," he said.
"I want to bring about a revolution in Fiji through my music. I gave the first track for George Veikoso's Transition album called Na Vatu Kwe, meaning 'this jewel', referring to the people of Fiji.
"Also chants in the Killer album for Black Rose. I just want to empower other musicians that the world of music is a big market.
"And there's even space for our music."
The eldest of eight siblings, Sailasa was born and bred in Suva. His mother, Mere Tora was a trainer for caregivers while his father, Laisiasa Tora is a draftsman or land technician.
His mother introduced him to orchestra and with his passion for music firmly intact Sailasa braved his way through the challenges of the Fiji music industry.
He attended primary school at Delainamasi in Suva and Lautoka Fijian.
Sailasa continued his secondary education at Natabua High. He joined the National Youth Band and was awarded top honours in 1992.
He was awarded the best performer of the year award and most outstanding student of the year.
"I continued my interest in studying western music and traditional chants. I went on to teach music at Natabua High, Suva Grammar School and International Secondary School in Suva, and Koro High School," he said.
"From 1998 to 2007, I was the first musician in residence at the Oceania Centre at the University of the South Pacific.
"I would encourage the people of Fiji especially the cauravou to stand up for truth, for the needy and for the silenced," he said.
"Bring your heritage out. Put more value on your heritage because it's the truth about your past and future."