Tui Nadi Takes his Throne

FIJI Times News - 14 December 2011

by Maciu Malo

Tui Nadi Ratu Sailosi Dawai

THE vanua of Nadi has started a new journey to prosperity and unity with the appointment of Ratu Sailosi Dawai as the new Tui Nadi.

The appointment of Ratu Sailosi puts an end to the 18-year rift between factions of the two clans at Narewa Village on the rightful holder of the title.

Taukei Navo and Ba Provincal Council chairman Ratu Meli Saukuru said the iTaukei Lands Commission ruling on the position had been welcomed by the people of Nadi.

"This is a huge milestone for the people of Nadi and the 15 'yavusa' under his leadership," he said. "The vanua of Nadi will now have a rightful leader who is expected to lead a new way forward for its people. "We are so happy with the ruling and we are looking forward in supporting the Tui Nadi on his new role."

He said Ratu Sailosi would use his experience to help the Nadi iTaukei dwell in business ventures and to be able to improve their standard of living.

"He is a businessman and I am optimistic he will use his business know-how to help the underprivileged villagers improve their lives. "He is a humble leader who is able to come down from his high position and mingle freely with the villagers."

Ratu Sailosi is the eldest son of the late Tui Nadi, Ratu Napolioni Dawai, and previously worked as a food and beverage manager at the Sheraton.

He also owns a rental car business operating at Denarau. He now holds jurisdiction over Moala, Narewa, Navoci, Namotomoto, Dratabu, Sikituru, Yavusania, Korovuto and Nakavu.

Kubulau Intiative Paying Off

Fiji Times News - 12 December 2011

by Fred Wesley

Kubulau, Bua from the air

In 1984 when chiefs of Kubulau in Bua, Vanua Levu noticed a decline in their fisheries stock, they realised they had to act quickly. They realised the implications of not doing anything to address the issue urgently.

They saw the danger it forecast for their people and the impact it would have on their livelihood.

They bit the bullet so to speak, and embarked on an integrated campaign to address it.

With help from non-governmental organisations, they set up the Kubulau Resource Management Committee and the rest, as they would say, is history.

The committee formed a network of 20 marine protected areas within the Kubulau traditional fishing grounds or qoliqoli and thus began the campaign to build up their stock.

Their effort and foresight has ensured the restocking of their qoliqoli and opportunities that would support alternative livelihoods.

It encourages and promotes a healthy eco-system and ocean.

What was encouraging was the fact that the campaign received the support of members of the community and chiefs.

In keeping with the general direction the community and chiefs had outlined, villages have banned construction of pigsties within 30 metres of mangrove areas. The move is designed to reduce nutrient pollution into the sea.

Aside from the restocking of their qoliqoli, six years on, the chiefs and villagers are left with lucrative alternatives such as a world class diving spot in one of their three permanent no-take reserves at Namena Marine Reserve.

Fish diversity estimates from surveys in 2003 were comparative to sites in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Surveys by the Wildlife Conservation Society between 2007 and 2009 showed greater fish biomass inside most of the MPAs than adjacent areas and indicated an increase in fish biomass in areas open to fishing.

Apart from the increase in fish stocks and greater opportunities to make ends meet daily, the people of Kubulau are also reaping rewards from their diving site, subsequently this financial gain has been diverted to the education of their children.

It comes as no surprise then that Kubulau's effort has been internationally recognised and is in the top 10 of the first Solution Search contest launched by Rare and National Geographic dedicated to finding community-based solutions for global environmental issues.

Kubulau is among top entries from countries around the world like Indonesia, Brazil, Turkey and Madagascar.

The people of Kubulau deserve a pat on the back for this initiative.

A panel of seven judges selected the top 10 finalists and you can vote for Kubulau on www.solutionsearch.com.org

Headman Laments Soli Neglect in Village

Fiji Times - 07 December 2011

THE lax attitude of a group of Cakaudrove villagers towards giving their soli to the province has contributed to delayed completion of projects.

Kanakana village headman Alusio Tokainavatu said a village hall built over the past two years had not been completed.

The delay, he said had been caused by delayed financial commitment by villagers.

"It's almost the end of the year and the villagers still have not given their full amount of soli," Mr Tokainavatu said.

"As village headman, I am pleading with the villagers especially those living in Viti Levu and working including those in towns of Vanua Levu to give their soli.

"We have not been able to complete building the village hall because of the slow response to the soli ni yasana (provincial levy)," Mr Tokainavatu said.

The soli is levied $10 per every man from 18 to 60 years of age and are originally from the province of Cakaudrove.

He said part of the soli given to the province from the yasana (province) would also go towards development projects like the construction of the village hall.

"We need to complete the construction of the village hall for our own use especially during village functions."But we can't do that unless the soli from our villagers come through," Mr Tokainavatu said.

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Efforts to Save the Kuta

Fiji Times - 06 December 2011

by Kate Findlay

WWF South Pacific's Representative Kesaia Tabunakawai in a kuta pond. 

NAVAKASOBU village outside Labasa is a historic place for WWF-South Pacific: although our work is done and dusted here these days, an overwhelming sense of nostalgia overcomes my boss, WWF Representative Kesaia Tabunakawai, who recently celebrated her 15th year with the organisation.

Just outside the village, we reach an ageing sign-post reading "Restoration of kuta pond laulevu Navakasobu women's project with WWF", accompanied by a slightly wonky-looking panda, a vague impression of our logo.

In 1994, WWF were looking for women who still remembered the traditional kuta weaving techniques, and struck gold with the women of Navakasobu. The problem was that the ponds that grew kuta, a reed, were overgrown by water lilies; an invasive species that a village man had introduced in the 70s to make the ponds look prettier.

Alisi Musudroka ù the leader of the women who cleared the ponds ù fills me in on the details. Alisi is a kind and warm woman whom we have been staying with at the village: she still has strong links with WWF, her son Koli is now our employee.

It was a labourious process, she says, cutting out the lilies, as every two or three months for four years the women had to use cane-knives to cut out the roots from underwater so there could be no regrowth.

The effort was well worth it though and with the press coverage of the project soon after their first harvesting, the WWF office was receiving more orders on their behalf than they could handle, including a Hawaiian yacht owner who offered $1000 to make a sail for his boat.

Importantly though, the project enabled women to make money for themselves, from home, while looking after the kids. The new source of income gave them financial stability between quiet periods on the sugarcane plantations, as kuta can be harvested and weaved through most of the year.

As we flip through Alisi's photos in her drying room, underwear hanging all around, faded photos of my two bosses taken 10 years ago to the week smile back. One can only imagine where we'll be 10 years in the future, looking back on this day.

* Kate Findlay is a staff member of WWF South Pacific Program's communications department. Email: kfindlay@wwfpacific.org.fj

Tui Labasa Calls for Reduction in Kava Drinking

Fiji Times News - 06 December 2011

Tui Labasa Adi Salanieta Tuilomaloma accepts and welcomes the Fijian Holdings Logistics establishment in Labasa. 

A MACUATA chief has called on men of her district to make a difference next year by reducing kava consumption and increasing the utilisation of land.

Tui Labasa, Adi Salanieta Tuilomaloma, in an interview with The Fiji Times yesterday said it was time her people increased cultivation of land.

"We need to make use of available resources and cultivate the land as much as we can as these measures will benefit us only," she said.

"I have already made this known and I will reiterate this important message because I think we still need to do a lot to wake people up."

"Increased land cultivation will help families financially and assist parents pay off school fees and meet important financial obligations of the family."

Cases of children dropping out of school would be a priority area Adi Salanieta and her people would polish to help their children achieve dreams.

Adi Salanieta said the excessive consumption of kava had affected plans of some parents who wished to give their children the best in education.

"Money is spent on grog and cigarettes and other unnecessary things and at the end, payment of school fees can't be done.

"So I am pleading with men to take the lead role, look after their families and make sure their children achieve their future dreams," she said.