Adi Mei passes away

Adi Mei passes away
ROBERT MATAU

www.fijitimes.com - Tuesday, August 26, 2008

THE eldest daughter of Fiji's first President, the late Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, has passed away.
Adi Mei Torika Kainona Gauna, eldest in a family of seven, passed away after suffering from a long illness. Adi Mei was a former member of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama, the Cakaudrove Provincial Council and a former announcer at Radio Fiji.
She passed away at her sister, Adi Sivo Ganilau's home at Waila near Nausori.
Adi Mei's younger brother and second eldest of Ratu Sir Penaia's children, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, the interim Defence Minister said his sister had always been a close friend and a tower of strength in their family.
Ratu Sir Penaia had seven children from his first marriage to Adi Laisa Delaisomosomo Ganilau who hailed from the Nabaubau clan of Bau Island.
Ratu Sir Penaia was also the Tui Cakau and loved by his people. Adi Mei was the eldest followed by Ratu Epeli, then Adi Sivo, Ratu Jone who was born in Malaya, Ratu Josefa Sukuna, Ratu Isoa Fugawai and the youngest is Ratu Rabici.
Ratu Epeli said Adi Mei had been suffering from a long illness which saw her undertake a long medical trip to India.
"Upon returning we were fortunate that a close family member Joe Browne looked after her at Waila with his wife who is a doctor," Ratu Epeli said.
"For this the family is deeply thankful to Mr Browne and his wife the good doctor."
Mr Browne's mother Adi Losalini Ravucake, is the sister of Ratu Sir Penaia. The funeral gathering will be held at 112 lower Ragg Avenue, Namadi starting tomorrow.
On Thursday, he said a memorial service would be held at midday at the Soqosoqo Vakamarama headquarters at Nabua.
After that the funeral cortege will proceed to Walu Bay where the cortege boards the Tovuto for Adi Mei's final trip home to Taveuni.
"Her body will lie in state at the family home at Vuniduva on Friday for the whole day and night before a church service at Somosomo and then her body will be taken to the family burial ground at Vuniduva.
Ratu Epeli said as his elder sister he always respected her and she had very sound judgment particularly on things Fijian.
"I will miss her advice and company and having somebody there for companion as we were are a very close family.
"She had been a part of my life for a long time and we all felt it when she left us for India.
"But we got used to it because she has been sick for a long time."
Adi Mei was very close to her late father. She was married to former banker Penisoni Gauna and they have three children.

Decisive action

Decisive action
Monday, August 25, 2008
www.fijitimes.com -

THE Methodist Church must take decisive action to put to an end the abuse of yaqona which is prevalent amongst its members.
At the Bose ko Viti the annual church conference this week, and last week's annual choir competition many thousands of litres of yaqona will be, and was bought and consumed.
Not one stall at the competition was without this beverage last week.
Every billet at which the church's ministers and conference delegates are accommodated this week will have the obligatory tanoa and the relevant acolytes to prepare the brew upon demand.
There is no harm in enjoying the occasional bowl of yaqona as a relaxant or as a social tool.
Through the generations this peppery drink has allowed people to gather, express and share views which have led to development of village, district, settlement and community life.
Indeed, some inspirational thoughts have been processed around the tanoa and become matters of national policy.
Families often gather for a few rounds of yaqona to discuss matters of importance or as a means to strengthen the bonds of kinship.
Of course there is also the use of yaqona in ceremonial Fijian life as an atonement for transgressions, the vehicle for seeking a favour, the key to admission into a family home or village.
We have come to value the use of yaqona on all these occasions.
But it is the open abuse of the substance which justifiably worries the leadership of the Methodist Church.
For its lay members and some of the clerics have indulged in the national traditional drink to such an extent that they neglect duties to family and the church.
At this Methodist Choir competition last week some people remained around the tanoa until the early hours of each day.
The time has come for the church to ensure that it sets definite rules for the consumption of yaqona.
The church holds a special and powerful influence over its members.
Abuse of yaqona will do no more than cause laziness, neglect of duty and lack of productivity.
Therefore, it is duty bound to see that the faithful treat yaqona with the respect it deserves and use time wisely in order that they may glorify God through taking care of the family and performing an honest day's work.

Exploitative land politics

Exploitative land politics
KAMAL IYER

http://www.fijitimes.com/ - Monday, August 25, 2008

IN the book Bittersweet, edited by Dr Brij Lal and launched to mark the 125th anniversary in 1994 of the arrival of indentured labourers to Fiji in 1879, a widowed cane farmer and cane cutter from the Northern Division named Aisha related her experience to academic Dr Padma Lal about the sugar industry and uncertainty surrounding the expiry of land leases.
When Dr Lal asked Aisha whether she had talked to politicians about her concerns, Aisha did not mince her words: "The politicians are feathering their own nests, pet puja or self -interest. They are all playing games. They want us to believe they are genuinely interested in the farmers welfare but they do not give a damn what happens to us. Look at what happened when leases began expiring. Instead of working with the landowners to negotiate renewal of leases, some politicians encouraged the farmers to leave their farms - in some cases even before their leases had actually expired. They were given all sorts of promises, promises of tickets to migrate and new aid money. After listening to them some of the farmers from Wainikoro and Daku left their homes in the year 2000, went to Valelawa camp with faith in their leaders. Some whose leases had expired refused to be settled at new site in Naduri because our leaders promised them bigger things. They stayed in makeshift houses, without jobs or land with nothing to support their families. Children could not go to school. After waiting for months, some families had to put their tail between their legs and go back to their own villages to start all over again. We all know that promises of politicians are like a sieve. Nothing stays. But do our people learn? No they do not. Even though people realise that for us Hindustanis (Indians) to live peacefully in this country we have to work together with the Kai Vitis (Fijians). Many people vote for the party that preaches racial policies rather than the party that represents co-operation and multi-racialism".
Last Friday, deposed PM and SDL leader Laisenia Qarase, while blaming others for politicising the land issue, did the same thing.
Mr Qarase's opinion - Charter and the land issue - published by The Fiji Times commented on Pillar 6 of the draft People's Charter that proposes to amend ALTA and impose free market rental on tenant farmers under the provisions of Native Land Trust Act (NLTA).
Mr Qarase recommended the following:
(a) NLTA become the only legislation for all native land;
(b) Land rent fixed at 10% of Unimproved Capital Value of Land (UCV) or market rate, and
(c) 50 year land leases with a right to renewal.
By favouring at least one recommendation contained in the draft Charter, Mr Qarase is in a small measure legitimising an illegal process borne out of a treasonous act committed against him, his government and the vast majority of law abiding citizens of Fiji.
His disagreement with other aspects of the draft Charter's land proposal is understandable but one cannot pick and choose the pros and cons of an initiative that is threatening to derail the Constitution - the supreme law of the land.
It is not a buffet.
Mr Qarase alleges that ALTA has cheated the landowners to the tune of $1billion since 1976 and blames the 6 per cent of UCV rent-fixing mechanism in ALTA as the cause of low return to the landowners.
He claims while ALTA is entrenched in the Constitution requiring a two-third majority in the House of Representatives to effect amendments, NLTA only requires a simple majority to be changed and therefore is not constitutionally protected.
This is absolutely incorrect.
Chapter 2 of the Constitution (Compact part b) states, "The ownership of Fijian land according to Fijian custom, the ownership of freehold land, and the rights of landlords and tenants under leases of agricultural land are preserved".
Chapter 13 of the Constitution (Group Rights) lists how eight Acts protecting the rights of Fijian, Rotuman and the Banaban communities including NLTA can be amended.
Bills intending to change these eight Acts have to be read three times in each House of Parliament (Lower House and Senate) and passed.
In the case of the Senate, the Bill to amend the eight Acts including NLTA cannot be passed unless at its third reading nine out of 14 senators nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs vote for the alterations.
If this not a constitutional safeguard, then what is?
In the case of ALTA, while a two-third majority is required in the Lower House, the amendments must be endorsed in the Senate by nine out of 14 GCC nominated senators.
Given the proposed electoral reforms in the draft Charter, amendments or abolition of ALTA is frighteningly possible because Indian representation in the Lower House will decline to a third or even lower in future.
Therefore, Mr Qarase's claim is hollow.
Mr Qarase's rhetoric about landowners losing out a billion dollars in rent is like a broken record.
During his term as interim PM after the 2000 coup and even in Parliament until the 2006 elections, he was claiming the sugarcane farmers were paid $2billion as their share of proceeds due to preferential sugar price paid by the European Union while landowners received peanuts from that income.
Cane farmers have not been the sole beneficiaries of the preferential price which will reduce by a total of 36 per cent next year.
The income from sugar has been invested in developments in the cane belt.
The schools, temples, churches, mosques, roads, drainage, parks, rural electrification, water supply, community projects etc have benefitted people of all races.
If the farmers were wealthy, they would not have owed $100million to commercial banks and other lending institutions until eight years ago.
Most cane farmers have remained in debt in perpetuity.
It is easily forgotten by the likes of Mr Qarase that 66 per cent of the farmers produce an average of 200 tonnes of cane.
That would have declined further in the last two seasons.
Their average nett income based on preferential prices used to be a little over $5000 after deducting 50 per cent from the gross proceeds for cane production, harvesting and delivery expenses.
And they received this over an 18 month period - the timeline for all cane payments under the current system.
It is absolutely important that debate on the land issue is not designed to inflame the emotions of landowners and tenants.
The wild bull in a china shop approach being advocated by Mr Qarase and the draft Charter will drive our country, its economy and the people to ruin.
Nobody wants this to happen. And to prevent this no one point of view must be imposed or allowed to prevail.
* The views express here are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper and the organisations he is associated with.
* On Thursday: NLTA vs ALTA

Charter and the land issue

Charter and the land issue
LAISENIA QARASE

http://www.fijitimes.com/ - Friday, August 22, 2008


The subject discussed under Pillar 6 in the draft People's Charter is: "Making more land available for productive and social purposes". Land has always been an important but rather sensitive issue in Fiji. The problem is compounded by the politics of land and also by the fact that about 90% of the land in Fiji is owned by Fijians and the tenants are mainly from other communities - the race factor.
In this short discussion the focus is on agricultural native land. It is assumed that there are no real problems in native leases for industrial, commercial, and residential purposes.
In discussions over land it is unfortunate that political interests become more prominent and the real issue is often forgotten.
The real issue, in my view, is this: that any tenancy arrangement must be fair and equitable to both landowners and tenants and that it should be in the best interests of the country.
The second dot-point under Pillar 6 says that:
"The principal issue regarding land in Fiji is not one of ownership; it is about access, its productive use and ensuring an equitable sharing of benefits. The issue of ownership is fully protected under the Constitution, and must remain so."
I accept that the principal land issue is not about ownership. But I do not agree that land ownership is "fully protected under the Constitution".
Although the Native Land Trust Act (NLTA) is an entrenched legislation it can be amended by a small majority vote in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, compared to another entrenched legislation, the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Act (ALTA) which requires a much greater majority vote for any amendments.
Landowners must know that there is much stronger legal protection for ALTA than NLTA. ALTA took away the key operating provisions of NLTA, thus weakening the Native Land Trust Board (NLTB). NLTA which deals with ownership of native land can be changed by a much smaller majority in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, as mentioned.
I do not agree with the statement in the Charter that the principal issue regarding land "is about access, its productive use and ensuring an equitable sharing of benefits". I believe that the land issue can be resolved if key stakeholders agree:
* That all native land be administered under one legislation, the Native Land Trust Act (NLTA);
* That rent on agricultural land be fixed at no less than 10% of the Unimproved Capital Value (UCV) or at market rate; and
* That the lease term on agricultural land be at not less than 50 years, with a right of renewal.
If these proposals are agreed to by stakeholders then access to land, its productive use, and the equitable sharing of benefits will follow as a matter of course.
Passed in 1976, ALTA took away the key operating powers of the NLTB. Two ALTA provisions have caused serious problems on the land issue. First, ALTA fixed the rent on agricultural land at "up to 6% of the UCV". This is one of the lowest rate of rent on agricultural land in the world.
To make it worse lawyers have had a field day since 1976, fighting on behalf of tenants, to lower the rent actually charged by invoking the "up to" provision in the rent formula.
A recent study showed that, in fact, landowners have been receiving rental income of only about 2% of UCV.
The same study showed that if the land rent was at market rates, the landowners would have received $1 billion more.
In other words they did not receive the $1billion which was rightfully theirs. Put another way, landowners have subsidised agricultural development in Fiji since 1976, not out of their own freewill but because of a Government decision now entrenched in ALTA.
Second, under ALTA the lease term is fixed at 30 years, without a right of renewal. This lease term does not encourage investments in agriculture. It is far too short. Farmers, like other investors would like to receive reasonable returns on their investments. Given the high risks in agricultural development a longer lease term is desirable. A lease term of not less than 50 years, with a right of renewal would provide a good incentive for more investments in agriculture.
ALTA is an unjust legislation. ALTA was passed for a particular purpose at the time - to increase and sustain sugar production.
That purpose has been achieved and ALTA has now outlived its usefulness. NLTA is the original legislation for all native land. There is no good reason why all matters relating to native land cannot be incorporated in the one legislation, NLTA. Many Fijians have been unhappy with ALTA over-riding the key provisions of NLTA.
They have perceived ALTA as an instrument to weaken the NLTB by gutting the key provisions of NLTA.
Many Fijians have questioned the motive of Fijian leaders in Parliament in 1976. They were rather careless in agreeing to ALTA. They certainly failed to do their arithmetic right when it came to fixing the land rent.
Only Sakeasi Butadroka and Apisai Tora protested against ALTA.
So long as ALTA remains the effective law on native agricultural land, Fijians will remain agitated because of the relegation of both NLTA and NLTB to minor roles. It is important for key stakeholders to agree that the ALTA provisions relating to native land be incorporated into NLTA, the legislation designed for that purpose. This step would remove a significant obstacle to the resolution of land issues in Fiji.
There is no reason why protective provisions for both landowners and tenants cannot be contained in NLTA.
One of the measures and actions to be taken as proposed in the Charter is to establish a Land Use Advisory Board, a National Land Register and a Land Use Development Plan.
We know that Mahendra Chaudhry, leader of the Fiji Labour Party has been pushing for the establishment of a Land Use Commission (LUC). I believe the current proposal in the draft Charter is really the LUC presented in another form. The motive behind the LUC is to establish an agency with legal powers to decide on land use and associated matters.
In effect the LUC will take away more powers and functions of the NLTB. If both ALTA and LUC are allowed to work side by side, then NLTA becomes virtually ineffective and the NLTB could be reduced to an agency which merely issues leases and collects and distributes rental income.
In other words, the NLTB would not be making key decisions relating to native land. Instead these decisions would be made by agencies in which landowners may not be represented.
I return to the finding of a recent study, that since 1976 landowners have lost about $1billion due to the very low rent fixed under ALTA. Our Parliament in 1976 was responsible for this unfair decision, over which the landowners had no say. It was a mistake by the State. In my view, there is a case for compensation due to landowners by the State.
This compensation could be effected via a "resource tax" which can accumulate in a trust fund to be invested for the general good of the Fijian people.
In 2005 the SDL Government introduced into the House of Representatives amendments to both ALTA and NLTA. These amendments related to the issues discussed above: restoring laws on native land to NLTA; the fixing of rent on agricultural land at not less than 10% of UCV or at market rate; and the fixing of lease term on agricultural land at not less than 50 years with a right of renewal. These amendments to ALTA and NLTA were rejected by Mr Mahendra Chaudhry and his Fiji Labour Party, despite general agreement on the issues at multi-party 'talanoa' sessions.
As trustees for landowners, the NLTB, and indeed all landowners should work towards one goal to achieve the following:
* Ensure that the NLTA becomes the only legislation for all native land;
* Ensure that rent on agricultural land is fixed at not less than 10% of UCV or at market rate; and
* Ensure that the lease term for agricultural leases is fixed at not less than 50 years with a right of renewal.
These changes must be effected first before any discussion on issues such as land use and other associated matters. Failure to do this would be another "sell-out" of Fijian interests on land.

* The views expressed in this article may not necessarily reflect those of The Fiji Times.

Landowners to benefit from shareholding

Landowners to benefit from shareholding
http://www.fijitimes.com/ - Friday, August 22, 2008

LANDOWNERS of the biggest hotel development project in the country are set to rake in the benefits through shares in the five-star resort and employment.
The much touted $243million Natadola Intercontinental Beach Resort is set to be completed next month and project chairman, Felix Anthony said negotiations were underway to secure some of the best deals for the landowners.
Even before it has opened, the venture is already employing 1000 workers at Natadola, villagers making up a majority of them.
"I have authorised a comprehensive study of loss of fishing rights and environmental impact of this project. I am now engaged in negotiations with the landowners to convert the compensation money into shares in Natadola Resort for the long term benefit and substantial returns to the landowners," Mr Anthony told a tourism forum in Nadi today.
"Through shareholding the landowners will have a sense of ownership, commitment and belonging to this project."
He said one of the biggest challenges facing investors was the failure to keep landowners informed about developments on their land.
"We had worked hard to win the goodwill and support of the landowners. We are committed to the interests of our landowners and we give utmost priority to ensure that landowners benefit commercially out of this project," Mr Anthony said.
"We have developed a spirit of excellent and productive partnership."
Currently, the majority of the villagers are employed either in the hotel Site, the Golf Course and the Nursery.
There is also a village committee in place to look at all the employment and recruitment issues at village level.
The hotel has around 799 workers and 198 subcontractors on the resort site. The golf and nursery has a further 250.

Fijian Native Lands

Subject: Fijian Native Lands

Sai Lealea - Unpublished letter to Fiji Times - 28 May 2007


Fijians may just wish to ponder on why the issue around the possible alienation of Fijian native lands is being raised now by Dr Sahu Khan and others.

I invite them to examine the intentions of people like him and why now and not any other time. After all it should be nakedly obvious how Fijians regard as
sacrosanct the issue of native lands, let alone the potential for it to be opened up for exploitation by others.

It is also clear that the likes of Dr Sahu Khan would not be raising such a topic unless they perceive that the timing for it is right and that it would receive
sympathetic hearing from those in authority. Fijians in the current regime have better decide if they want to be party to that form of deception and exploitation.

Dr Sahu Khan can put all the legalities and rationality around his intention as he may regard land merely as a resource and commodity. However, he must
remember that when it comes to land for Fijians, rationality has only a minor place as we are dealing with issues intimately connected to a peoples' values
and what defines them and their existence.

Any credible government must be alert to this reality because as the global environment force nations to look internally to deal with all the various crises,
there will be a tendency to seek refuge and affirmation in one's own insitutional practices, culture and values. Fijians are engaging in precisely this and that is why they will come out of the current crisis in Fiji and the trampling of their institutions by the current regime much stronger and affirmed as a people.

For the future, this resurgence will result in them challenging the state and its intentions and meting out retaliations to others who they regard as traitors
to the cause and collaborators in downgrading their status as indigenous peoples.

However, the alternative as seen in smarter nations, is to embrace and support indigenous peoples as the focal point and focus for forging unity and common
identity. When Fijians do well, Fiji as a nation, flourishes and has a proud sense of purpose. To achieve this, it is critical that the economic development of Fijians is accelerated and with them leading the journey and offering partnership with others. Regretably, the current regime and its supporters, even worse those Fijians in the regime, are leap years away from ever doing such a thing.

Sai Lealea
Wellington

NLTA Is The Solution Says Qarase

NLTA Is The Solution Says Qarase
21/08/2008 - www.fijivillage.com

Ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase believes that the way forward to resolve the land issue is to ensure that all laws in relation to native lands are returned to the Native Land Trust Act(NLTA).Qarase agreed with the draft People’s Charter that the principal land issue is not about ownership but he does not agree that land ownership is fully protected under the Constitution.He believes the Native Land Trust Act is an entrenched legislation that can be amended by a small majority vote in the House of Representatives and in the Senate compared to the Agriculture Landlord and Tenants Act (ALTA) which will require a much greater majority vote for any amendments.Qarase said that landowners must know that there is much stronger legal protection for ALTA than NLTA as ALTA took away the key operating provisions of NLTA, thus weakening the Native Land Trust Board.This comes in response to Pillar Six of the draft People’s Charter which recommends making more land accessible for productivity and social purposes.

Soldier: Let's stick to moral values

Soldier: Let's stick to moral values
By Reijeli KikauSunday, August 17, 2008

TAKING heed of the moral values and teachings at home is one way Fijian soldiers serving in the British Army can survive overseas, says Lance Corporal Filimoni Raceva.
For the soldier from Malake, Rakiraki in Ra, serving in the army for the past eight and a half years has been an experience but there has always been the "homesickness" that comes with working away from home.
"While growing up I had no intention of joining the army since I had always wanted to be an aircraft engineer but things did not go according to what I had wanted and now I am serving in the British army," he said.
He said he has been based at Woolwich, London for the past seven years while serving in the 16 Regiment Royal Artillery as a Rapier F.S.C Tactical controller.
LCpl Raceva said that after getting married in 2006, he decided to ask for a transfer with his new family to the Royal Logistic Corp now based at the Princess Royal Barracks at Guthersloh, Germany.
"While serving in Germany, I am employed as a supplier and at the moment I am serving in Optelic 12 in Iraq.
"Our camp is in Kuwai but it is not that dangerous compared to Basrah where they get direct fire from mortars and RPG from the Taliban constantly," he said.
He said he has been on several overseas missions and serving in Iraq "was a totally different experience".
LCpl Raceva said he served in Cyprus which is a United Nations tour in 2002 for six months.
He said the job in Iraq was more demanding because of so many factors.
"I miss home a lot especially my family back in Germany. I try to get pictures from emails of my two kids every day.
"I also miss my parents in Wainivula, Suva, but I am lucky that I get to see my brother and sister once in a while since they are also in the army and based in the UK."
He said that as a Fijian he has learnt to adapt to the British way of living, culture and its food.
LCpl Raceva said he has also found time to help young Fijians joining the army who find it difficult to adapt to the change in environment, life and work.
"I have always advised them to stick to the moral values and teachings from back home and serve the Lord faithfully since that is only way we can cope and enjoy life while being out here," he said.

FIJI CHIEF DEDICATED TO PRESERVING CULTURE

By Theresa Ralogaivau Fiji Times Online: http://www.fijitimes.com SUNDAY, 17 AUGUST 2008

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, July 15, 2008) – Ratu Makutu Nagagavoka loves his vanua. Born into a life of privilege, being the youngest son of the late Tui Bua Ratu Isikeli Nagagavoka, this young chief was ironically accorded none of the associated privileges especially as far as school life was concerned. Contrary to the norm, for his primary school years Ratu Makutu attended multi-racial Bua Indian School and finished off at Labasa Muslim College. But he harbours no regrets or any wish to have attended the two top Fijian boys schools where many young chiefs are sent to by their parents for their education. The schools he attended did two things; they educated him and instilled a desire to unite all races in his province. Additionally they made him realise just how vulnerable the Fijian way of life, customs, art and craft and social values were in the face of fast paced developments. Ratu Makutu, 37, works as an Assistant Roko Tui Bua based at the little seaside government centre of Nabouwalu in Bua. Recently he represented his province at the UNESCO-funded Living Human Treasures Project workshop in Labasa, an initiative of the Fiji Arts Council to rejuvenate and safeguard the intangible treasures unique to the indigenous race like arts and crafts, languages and way of life. The workshop only served to reinforce a long held dream to chronicle these treasures especially in Bua before they fade off and eventually disappear in the passage of time. "We are fast losing our true dialects; many of our children don't even know how to speak it. They speak English and a concoction of different dialects which is truly sad," Ratu Makutu said. "Not only that, most of our arts and crafts which are unique and identify us as indigenous are fast disappearing some have been lost forever." For the next six weeks Ratu Makutu along with some other representatives from the Bua Provincial Council office will travel throughout the province gathering information on these indigenous treasures with the ultimate aim of documenting them. "Our ancestors relied on word of mouth to pass down these treasures to their generations. But that won't work now because the younger generations are leaving their homeland in droves to attain higher education," he said. The young chief believes for a Fijian quality education is a balance of the western education and learning about the vanua, their responsibilities to it especially in keeping their traditions alive. "As a young chief of Bua, there is no denying that western education is enlightening but that needs to be accompanied by proper knowledge about the vanua," he said. "For me, as a chief, and I think this should be the same for other chiefs around the country, education accompanied by intimate knowledge of the vanua is essential if we are to make informed decisions on behalf of the people and to have the interests of the vanua at heart. We have got to start caring for our identity as indigenous people. We must be identified not just in name but also through our language, our crafts and art and way of life. We lose that and it's gone forever." Ratu Makutu believes that is the challenge he must face as a young chief but he is waging a race against time. "Many of our elders who are aware of our Bua traditions, the ways of making crafts unique to Bua and speaking our proper language have passed on," he said. "There are only a few left now. Probably less than ten with the true heritage of Bua to pass on. We've got to work fast in ensuring the knowledge they have is passed on before they die. The true essence of being a Fijian, being an indigenous of Bua is the vanua and all the treasures that belong with it, the language, the craft, the art, the way of living that make us Buan. It is my duty as a chief to safeguard that."

Charter, VKB separate issues

Charter, VKB separate issues
By ASHWINI PRASADFriday, August 15, 2008

www.fijitimes.com

The People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress will in no way interfere with the Vola ni Kawa Bula (VKB).
Head of Technical and Support Secretariat (TASS) John Samy said the charter would in no way affect land ownership of the natives and hence the VKB.
He made this comments at the Training of Trainers Workshop for the Eastern Division in Nasese.
The training is for members of the People's Charter teams to undertake consultations in the Eastern Division.
"Those opposed to the draft People's Charter are having a field day in telling the people, in particular the i Taukei, that the charter will affect the Vola ni Kawa Bula and the landownership for the indigenous population," Mr Samy said.
"This is a lie and I urge the people of Fiji not to be easily swayed by these commentators." He highlighted that discussion on land in the People's Charter is not about land ownership but accessibility to land for social and economic purposes.
"Land, as a national asset, must be put to productive use with landowners getting maximum benefit from it," he said.
The TOT workshop, which began this week involves the preparation of public relations teams who will be visiting villagers and settlements including urban and

Common Name Good-Ratu Epeli

Common Name Good-Ratu Epeli
www.fijivillage.com - 08/08/2008

Acting Interim Prime Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau said the common name "Fijian" for all citizens of Fiji is a good idea.Ratu Epeli said although he respects the SDL Leader, Laisenia Qarase's statement that the name "Fijian" only belongs to the indigenous Fijians, he stresses that any positive step that unites the nation should be taken.Ratu Epeli said people should analyze the draft Charter and think of Fiji as a whole.Meanwhile, the chiefly home of the Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has opposed the use of the common name "Fijian" to be used for all the people who are born in Fiji. Close Cousin of the Tui Cakau, Ratu Jekesoni Yavalanavanua of Lalagavesi said it is an insult to call an Indian a Fijian.

Charter won't end coups: Ousted PM

Charter won't end coups: Ousted PM

www.fijilive.com - 07/08/2008

Fiji's ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has described as ‘unreasonable’ the attempt by the interim Government in the draft People’s Charter to end the coup cycle.The Charter released yesterday by the National Council for Building a Better Fiji lists one of its recommendations as ‘To end the cycle of coups’.It noted that the courts be ‘empowered to penalize including orders of dissolution of political parties that engage in activities that breach important values of the Constitution’.But the former ruling Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party leader said, “that strategy is unreasonable”.“Coups are not caused by political parties but by people with evil intentions to cause treason.“They are caused by power-hungry people with no jobs but try to get power through illegal means,” Qarase told Fijilive this morning.“As long as there are these kind of people around, there will always be a possibility of coups.”On the proposal that a common name, ‘Fijian’ be adopted for all Fiji citizens, Qarase said the Constitution is very clear that ‘Fiji Islanders’ be the common name for all.“We already have a common name. It’s just that it has not been promoted and marketed both overseas and locally and that’s what the interim Government should do. “Citizens in the Solomons are known as Solomon Islanders, so are the Cook Islanders and the New Zealanders so why can’t we be recognised as Fiji Islanders?”He added we should stick to that because when the term ‘Fijian’ was first used, it referred to the indigenous population.“That term (Fijian) is embedded into the indigenous population. It is a very sensitive issue and it will be opposed very strongly,” Qarase said.

Fijians will be marginalised: Qarase

Fijians will be marginalised: Qarase

www.fijilive.com - 07/08/2008

The recommendation that indigenous Fijian development interests be mainstreamed into national development plans is an attempt to marginalise Fijians, says ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.Reacting to the proposal in the draft People’s Charter that an integrated development structure at the provincial level be established, Qarase said it is an attempt to also marginalise the Fijian administration.“The introduction itself is very negative of the Fijian administration and is a first step to dismantling it.“I am sure there will be much opposition to it,” he told Fijilive.According to the Charter, the dual system of governance at the local level, through the provincial and advisory councils is ethnic-driven and conflicts with the vision of one nation, one people.It said the Fijian administration, as a system of governance for indigenous Fijians has failed in the economic areas of economic and social development, despite some successes.The Charter then, among others, proposes to establish representative Provincial Development Boards (PDBs) for each province by integrating the present provincial and advisory councils.Furthermore, it proposes to effectively review the roles and functions of the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, Department of Multi-ethnic Affairs, Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Provincial Development.

Fijian Governance system

Governance system
www.fijitimes.com - Tuesday, August 05, 2008


ANY government which attempts to force traditional leadership upon the people, does so at enormous risk.

For in attempting to interfere with an age-old process, it fosters misunderstandings, misgivings and a general suspicion on the part of the community.

The interim administration has stated unequivocally that it does not accept the right of a number of members of the Great Council of Chiefs to represent their people in this organisation.

This stand is in line with its decision to exclude certain people from the proposed electoral process.

We have always been of the opinion that there must be a separation between the traditional process and that of the government.

A chief who decides to stand for Parliament must be willing to accept criticism on the floor of the House and be prepared to answer tough questions from parliamentarians and constituents.

That is the nature of politics.

No chief who enters politics should feel that he or she is immune from such questions or criticism.

Chiefly status is no protection in the world of politics.

Any chief who breaks the law cannot claim immunity by virtue of traditional status for the two systems are mutually exclusive.

We accept that traditional leaders must be accountable for their actions and we support the mechanisms which are embedded in the indigenous system to ensure accountability.

The indigenous people more than ever before are using these systems to force their leaders to abide by the time-honoured code through which they care for and are responsible to the people.

Reciprocity is the cornerstone of the traditional Fijian system. As part of this system the chiefs own nothing but the allegiance and honour of their people.

To maintain this honour, the chiefs must provide decisive, committed leadership by example.

In the past, chiefs who did not abide by the code were removed by the people.

There is no reason why the indigenous population cannot do the same again in the context of village, district or provincial meetings using the systems which exist.

What cannot be allowed to happen is for the interim administration to decide who is a chief suitable to be on the GCC.

Nor, for that matter, should the council decide who forms the government.

Rewa Vunivalu Appointed

Rewa appoints Ro Epeli as Vunivalu
Sunday, August 03, 2008

MEMBERS of mataqali Nukunitabua have appointed former senator Ro Epeli Mataitini as the new Vunivalu of Rewa.

The four sub clans or tokatoka that make up the mataqali made the decision at a meeting in Lomanikoro last week.

Members said a simple veivagunuvi or yaqona ceremony to mark his assuming the role would be held on August 16.

"There will be a church service, yaqona ceremony then a kana vata (feast)," a mataqali member said.

Ro Epeli was a senior member of the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei and member of the House of Representatives.

Under the leadership of Ratu Tu'uakitau Cokanauto he was a member of the GCC taskforce that reviewed the council and its membership law.

However in the second round he was excluded from the committee.

The Yavusa Vasu will conduct the ceremony for the four sub clans.

In olden days he would be the warlord on which the paramount chief would rely upon to fight wars.

Today he still acts as protector of the Roko Tui Dreketi and close confidante.

Fijian chief to escort the king

Fijian chief to escort the king
SAKIASI NAWAIKAMA
www.fijitimes.com - Wednesday, July 30, 2008



A FIJIAN chief will escort Tonga's King Tupou from the palace to his seat on coronation day.

The role of the Tui Soso, from Nukunuku Village, in Lakeba, will be a feature of the ceremony governed by strict protocol. Yesterday, thousands of school children converged at Teufaiva Stadium to pay their respects to their king with performances that captivated the hearts of locals and invited dignitaries.

Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama arrived in Tonga at 10am yesterday with his wife Mary and missed out on the educational cultural day. He enjoyed an afternoon walk with his wife by the seawall near the palace, escorted by two Tongan guards.

Also arriving in the island kingdom yesterday were heads of state from Samoa, French Polynesia, Marshall Islands and a representative from the Niue premier.

Part of the educational culutral day celebrations included the lakalaka, kailao, Fa'ahula, a school brass band march and the ma'ulu'ulu performance that consisted of a large number of performers as never seen before in Tonga.

Leader of the Fijian community in Tonga Josateki Wainiqolo yesterday met Commodore Bainimarama and was told interim Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and his wife Adi Koila would represent the vanua and Fiji Government at today's traditional installation ceremony.

Mr Wainiqolo said Ratu Epeli and Adi Koila would lead the Fiji delegation in the presentation of traditional gifts today at the traditional installation of King George Tupou V.

The ceremony has no legislative or executive powers and its membership consists of nobles who themselves have been installed into ancient hereditary titles belonging to several aristocratic lineages which formed the power base of the Tu'i Kanokupolu dynasty.

This was when King George Taufa'ahau Tupou I in 1875 pronounced Tonga a constitutional monarchy.

Land disputes put economy at risk

Land disputes put economy at risk

7/20/2008 - www.sun.com.fj


By WAME BAUTOLU

Land and chiefly titles disputes risk Fiji's economy as well as its communities, a lawyer warned yesterday.

If the country had adopted a tribunal like the Waitangi Tribunal in 1987, then we might have fewer chiefly and land disputes.

Senior counsel to the Great Council of Chiefs Kitione Vuataki said trying to simulate legislation like the Treaty of Waitangi Act in New Zealand or the Native Title Act in Australia or the Restitution of Land Rights Act in South Africa may take time.

He said it was a lawyer's duty to find paths trodden by first nations in America, the Maoris in New Zealand and the natives in Africa through which resolutions may be found for claims on crown breaches.

"It is also the responsibility of those who appoint tribunal members that look into chiefly title disputes to also have on board those who know the ambits of their powers, the rights to fair procedure and the application of customary law on succession when it is found," said Mr Vuataki. He stressed the chiefs in their wisdom recognised this in 1987 in proposing a tribunal and that was why the government was under intense pressure to pass such legislation after 2000.

"In 1987 the GCC submitted a recommendation to the then President Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau that a tribunal be set up like the Waitangi Tribunal to look into disputes raised by their people on lands that were purportedly sold and had become freehold or which had been alienated by Governor Im Thurn or which otherwise should be returned to them," he said.

Mr Vuataki said this recommendation was contained in a submission on the proposed first Constitution of the Fiji Islands which ultimately became the 1990 Constitution.

This recommendation did not see the light of day until the Qarase Government and the Attorney's General Office started to look seriously into the issue by sending a team to New Zealand and a draft Bill was proposed.

"The Bill was to set up a tribunal with jurisdiction to inquire into claims or grievances of Fijians on behalf of any of their divisions or subdivision who have been prejudiced by past Acts, current Acts or policy of government," said Mr Vuetaki.

The fear of state lessees that transfer of state land to native owners would prejudice their interest was unfounded as transfer of Schedule A and B lands from the state to native owners included a transfer of leases over such land being transferred to the NLTB for administration.

"Nevertheless for some reason this particular Bill was cited as one of the reasons for the military coup of December 06, 2006 in the ousting of the Qarase Government," said Mr Vuataki.

Ask Ratu Meli Bainimarama?

Ask Ratu Meli Bainimarama
www.fijivillage.com - 16/07/2008

Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has directed all queries regarding Colonel Apakuki Kurusiga's Investigation team to the Permanent Secretary for Fijian Affairs Ratu Meli Bainimarama.This follows revelations that the Native Land Trust Board (NLTB) had written to the Finance Ministry to reimburse more than $130,000 used by the Independent team appointed to investigate Fijian Institutions which was led by Colonel Kurusiga.Chaudhry said all these queries will be best answered by Ratu Meli who could not be reached for a comment.It has been revealed that the NLTB financed the Independent Team which was disbanded in March this year and NLTB and FAB were the only institutions investigated.NLTB officials say the $130,000 used was taken from landowners coffers and was used to pay for the team's $100 allowance per day, hotel accommodation and transport for the 6 member team comprising of Colonel Kurusiga, Ratu Luke Yavaca, Major Timoci Tuisawau, Ponipate Lesavua and Kalaveti Batibasaga.Fijivillage had also been reliably informed that there was some sort of agreement that the NLTB money used by the Colonel Kurusiga team would be reimbursed by the Finance Ministry, however, NLTB is still waiting for the money to be paid back and they are now concerned as nothing has been forthcoming.

Customary law ‘should be in legal system’

Customary law ‘should be in legal system’
www.fijilive.com - 18 JULY 2008


Customary laws regarding land should be incorporated into the legal system so the economic viability of landowning units in Fiji can be considered.The suggestion has come from Fiji Law society president Isireli Fa at the society’s annual convention at the Westin Resort, Denarau.Fa started the convention proper with a case study on Fiji’s customary land law and the problems surrounding the land issue in Fiji.He said the problems faced in terms of settling land issues and making decisions regarding land can be traced back to the Deed of Cession and the failure of those in power to define and regulate land issues.Fa said first problem to be looked at is the customary laws and how they can be incorporated into the legal system.He suggests that regulation be drafted to govern the issue of communal ownership of land and to find out who has what say in deciding how the land is to be used. The Suva lawyer says an inability to do this led to conflict within landowning units.Fa said the issue of land had now become an economic matter with the newer generations pressing for more investment and usage of land. He added that this issue within the chiefly system has been taboo.“There is now a greater need for customary laws to be recognised because this will be the first step in solving the greatest disputed issue in Fiji,” he said.Panellist Dr Ganesh Chand questioned which customary law was to be recognised, taking into consideration the racial and ethnic composition of Fiji. He said there would always be differences on the issue.Another panellist Ro Filipe Tuisawau said customary law and native land should be left to the indigenous community because they were the true owners of land in Fiji.

REFLECTIONS ON THE LATE VUNIVALU OF REWA, WAY OF THE CHIEFS

By Robert Matau

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, July 15, 2008)

The Vunivalu of Rewa, often the chief behind the scenes of all things Rewa, actually commands the fierce loyalty of his people.

This was evident last week as the people of Rewa commemorated the end of mourning for the late Ro Jone Mataitini.

[PIR editor’s note: Rewa province is located in southeast Viti Levu Island and is where Fiji’s national capital of Suva is situated.]

The Vunivalu is the traditional warrior-chief who keeps the affairs of his people close to heart.

The Vunivalu also enjoys the support of half the people of Rewa (the other half, of course coming under the Roko Tui Dreketi)

The four mataqali that first settled in Rewa were Nukunitabua, Yavusavasu, Burenivalu and Nakauraki, who are now living in Vutia.

Lomanikoro and Vutia people affectionately call each other Drega, but refer to the Yavusa Nakauraki in Vutia as Mataqali.

Ro Jone was always close to the late Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Lady Lala Mara.

His only surviving brother is former Senator Ro Epeli Mataitini, currently NLTB board member and most likely next in line for the Vunivalu title.

He has three surviving sisters, Ro Saunalewa (mother of Permanent Secretary for Tourism Environment Ro Banuve Kaumaitotoya), Ro Litiana, and Ro Qereitoga (mother-in-law of Ro Filipe Tuisawau).

The vow by his nephew last week Ro Aca Mataitini, while presenting the magiti vakavanua to the vanua of Rewa and the paramount chief of Rewa, Ro Teimumu Kepa was another age-old assurance.

He was pledging what his ancestors had done many centuries before.

Since the first Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Rawalai was installed by the vanua of Rewa on Lomanikoro it has been the Vunivalu's, and the tribes he commanded, solemn vow to lead the vanua in protecting their chief.

The book "Customs of the Fiji Group," written by United States Commodore Charles Wilkes in the early 1880s, describes how the Vunivalu would summon his troops in preparation for war.

He said as the troops near their enemy, the Vunivalu, or general, makes a speech to each separate tribe.

He (Vunivalu) would use praises and taunts, or exhortation, as he thinks best suited to the purpose, to excite them to deeds of bravery.

Words like, "You say you are a brave people."

"You have made great promises, now we will see how you keep them. To me you look more like slaves than fighting men. Here are strangers come to fight us. Let us see who the best men are. To another tribe he would say: Where do you come from?"

Wilkes writes that this would provoke one of the tribesmen to strike the ground with his club and reply by naming the name of his foundations which Fijians refer to as dela ni yavu tabu.

Then the Vunivalu would reply: "Ah. I have heard of you; you boast yourselves to be brave men; we shall see what you are; I doubt whether you will do much. You seem to be more like men fit to plant and dig yams than to fight."

Rewa was settled from Verata by Roko Ratu (who was also known as Ro Melasiga) and was Rokomoutu the first Koya Na Ratu Mai Verata's younger brother.

Commodore Wilkes noted that the Roko Tui Dreketi had their own pennant - the flag that only chiefs of high rank possess.

The colour of that flag was four or five vertical black and white stripes.

He noted too that the Vunivalu of Rewa also had his own flag which was black and white horizontal stripes. Testament to his own high status.

Last week we revealed how the grandsons of Verata were granted pennants for taking part in the race at Walu in Verata including Vuetiverata the first Roko Tui Bau and then principle chief of Bau.

The patriarch Lutunasobasoba's children in order include: Buisavulu, Rokomautu, Rokoratu or Romelasiga, Tuinayavu, Daunisai and Sagavulunavuda.

David Routledge states in his book Matanitu that Rokoratu travelled from the Verata coast to Rewa in his canoe at Namako' and settled at Dreketi in the southwest coast of the delta.

But before Roko Ratu arrived, the yavusa Burenivalu were already living there and apparently were led to Lomanikoro by the Vunivalu himself.

The Burenivalu are made up of the six villages of Nadoi, Drekena, Vunuku, Narocivo Tavuya and Lokia.

The Drekena serenaders sing in their song about Rewa - the abundance of the moci (baby prawns), kuka (small crabs), bonu (eels that dwell in the mangroves) and mana (mud lobster) because these are the dishes that the Burenivalu pamper their chiefs with.

It is understood that Ro Rawalai arrived at Burebasaga when the Vunivalu and the Burenivalu were settled in Lomanikoro.

"One of our elders went up to the chief one day while doing chores for him in Burebasaga and standing a little distance away he opened a fresh parcel of rourou vaka utona - or moci baby prawns wrapped in rourou or dalo leaves," he said.

"As the smoky scent of the food aroused the young chief's taste buds, the elder of the Burenivalu clan started talking to the chief.

"He told the chief that if he wanted to eat such food he should cross the river and resettle with the Burenivalu in Lomanikoro."

Until this day the Burenivalu continue to perform this function and prepare the special delicacy for their chief.

There are other tales of the Burenivalu and their turtle catchers who do not go deep sea fishing but simply drag in beached turtles, as if they were steered to land, when the Roko Tui Dreketi wants to feed the vanua for a special function. Where some would call these things tales others refer to it as sau or mystical powers.

When the chief Ro Rawalai moved, however, he maintained the name Burebasaga in memory and out of respect for his old home while the chiefs in Burebasaga maintained the title Roko Tuni Mata Dreketi.

Ro Aca said the first title they bestowed upon Ro Rawalai was Tui Dreketi.

That changed later to Roko Tui Dreketi to give significance to the vast areas they were to lead.

Some members of the Vunivalu tribes in Namosi moved to Serua then on to Rewa.

Last week we related how Rokomautu's second eldest son, Rovarovaivalu left Verata and settled in Levuka then travelled to Namosi confirming the common names of the two vanua (Nabukebuke). It is most likely that branches of the same tribes resettled in the islet opposite Nasali Landing and eventually at Lomanikoro.

Today the people of Rewa call Verata people Mataqali in recognition of these close ties.

But in recognition of the Vunivalu's status, the tribes of the Burenivalu who accompanied the Vunivalu, are divided into two one lot under the Roko Tui Dreketi and the other under the Vunivalu.

Legend has it that when Roko Ratu had settled in Rewa his brother visited him from Verata and they travelled to Suva where they divided the borders of land.

Roko Ratu later installed his own son Ro Rawalai as the chief giving him the title Tui Dreketi, Routledge states in Matanitu.

As his home was in Dreketi they name the area today as Vuniyavu or origins or foundations.

When Ro Aca pledged, last week that if anyone left the Roko Tui Dreketi, the Vunivalu clans would stick by the chief's side, he was pledging and cementing the ancient ties that have kept the vanua of Rewa together ever since the Vunivalu arrived in Rewa.

He was also calling on his own tribes, just like those before him, to stand by their chief and rise to their various calling.

Fiji Times Online: http://www.fijitimes.com.