Friday, August 23, 2013 by Fred Wesley THE Veitau Waqa, or traditional canoe race, is set to take place today as part of the Hibiscus Festival in Suva. The event is organised by Pacific Blue Foundation and pits the best of our traditional canoe builders in a race around the Suva Harbour. But today is […]
Future on the Horizon
Thursday, August 22, 2013 THE signs on the horizon are that this year’s Veitau Waqa — The Boat Lives races could signal a resurgence in the dying art of crafting traditional sailing vessels. With 10 vessels entering the competition this year as part of the Hibiscus festival events, one can’t be blamed for being more […]
Master Modifies the Canoe
The head of the Fiji National University’s Mechanical Engineering has his sights set on proving that his camakau design — a fusion of traditional boatbuilding knowledge and modern engineering techniques — makes waves in another category.
Gospel of the Canoe
Tuesday, August 20, 2013 by Tevita Vuibau THE Methodist Church in Fiji has voiced its support for moves to revive the sailing of traditional i-Taukei canoes as a viable option for inter-island transport. Church general secretary Reverend Tevita Banivanua said sometimes the key to the future lay in the past. Traditional sailing, which has a […]
Secrets of the Camakau Builders
Monday, August 19, 2013 by Ilaitia Turagabeci UNDER the watchful gaze of Semiti Cama, the camakau took shape on the shore where a dream to turn the canoe into money was born. There is no mistaking the passion in his eyes. He points out the weaknesses to the builders and they rectify. The camakau — […]
Camakau Race Comes Alive
Saturday, August 17, 2013 by Ilaitia Turgabeci PREPARATIONS for the annual Veitau Waqa have encountered a big surge in entries a week before the race. From what was initially planned for a 10-camakau race, the event will now cater for 45 entries in the bakanawa category. The bakanawa, a model-sized canoe up to a […]
Spy Canoes Lead Ancient Revival
Monday, August 12, 2013 by Ilaitia Turagabeci WHEN dawn breaks over the horizon on the tip of the Suva peninsula, they appear like sharks racing just beneath the surface. It’s only when they draw closer, and in the visibility of day, when the black silhouette of fins become the sails that once graced the waters […]
Boat Gifted to Yanuca
Saturday, April 27, 2013 by Iva Danford TRANSPORTATION problems will no longer be an issue for the people of Yanuca in Serua. This follows the gift of a $38,000 boat and engine from the government to the Yanuca community at the Pacific Harbor Rotary House on Wednesday. Commissioner Central Lieutenant Colonel Laisenia Tuitubou said this […]
Students Say “Thank You” for Saving Whale
Students from Pacific Harbour Multi-Cultural School showered the Roko Sau of Totoya with letters, thanking him for helping the humpback whale, the beloved Prince of the Bay, back to sea. In October 2012, the Prince swam into the Totoya lagoon but could not find its way back out to sea. The Roko Sau, who is […]
The Prince of Totoya is (Finally) on His Way South
Last October I got a call from the Chief of Totoya Island (Roko Sau) letting me know that a whale had gotten stuck inside a lagoon near his island. I’d never been to the Lau Islands before yet had always heard lovely things about the clear waters and teeming marine life of this remote island group. Roko Sau (who also works for the Pacific Blue Foundation) was enthusiastic and managed to charm us a ride on a Super yacht thanks also to the support of Yacht Help Fiji.