Everyone's Blog Posts - Banaban Voice
2024-03-19T09:49:54Z
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Letter Sent to My Grandparents in 1931 I think in Banaban
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2019-06-30:2211587:BlogPost:177824
2019-06-30T12:00:00.000Z
Richard Taylor
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/RichardTaylor
<p></p>
<p>This letter is beautifully hand written. The script. But because it is very old (88 years) and was folded in 5 parts and punched with a small punch, opening it means there are about 12 fortunately small holes, but in addition there are small tears, and as it was in pencil it is now very hard to make out the words although some seem fairly clear. I used lights and a magnifying glass. I have copied it and written it out to type here. Some words are extremely hard to make out. For…</p>
<p></p>
<p>This letter is beautifully hand written. The script. But because it is very old (88 years) and was folded in 5 parts and punched with a small punch, opening it means there are about 12 fortunately small holes, but in addition there are small tears, and as it was in pencil it is now very hard to make out the words although some seem fairly clear. I used lights and a magnifying glass. I have copied it and written it out to type here. Some words are extremely hard to make out. For example what looks like an 'ao' seems it could be 'rao' although the 'r' is very small. Also the 's' letters I am not sure if they are 'r'. I have put [?] where it is unclear what a word is. I have had to leave accent marks off. Some of these are like the marks used e.g. over the n in Spanish. An example is the word nkai. I know that this sound in many Pacific languages (Maori for example is sometimes shown as ng, but I am no expert in this field. This is as accurate as I can make this so far. I will put it here but also a copy on the Banaba FB page. </p>
<p>---------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>Tarawa i Belio</p>
<p> Okitoba 5.nd. 1931</p>
<p></p>
<p>Nakon</p>
<p> Mir Mallre ma [word here?] Miss Mallrie.</p>
<p> Ma natima ni bane kam na mauri</p>
<p>I ia ?] mana kukurei ni koroboki naka im nkai</p>
<p>E ia [?] liba reke [?] au lai ma [iroun?] Te Atua rare [?]</p>
<p>iara [?] ha kamaini Ao i a kan litiraniko kouara</p>
<p>akaiko ba iai lukasa [?] ba marawa ae ababaki</p>
<p>maremara ma n kami Ao naira li boni maruran</p>
<p>n tabelai [?] ao limara n labelai li naia arora</p>
<p>anne [ranne?] Mir Mallrie E luai n reke au lai ni</p>
<p>makuri i Banaba E a bon laki labelaleu</p>
<p>nkai ma e na bon reke au lai n roko iroum [?]</p>
<p>ma i luai n alaika ram ba ko men [?]* i kanne</p>
<p>ma nkana koaki iai [rai?] ko a kaukinai [?] </p>
<p>n ram [?] reta nkana E reke an lai ni maiu</p>
<p></p>
<p> Mir Mallre E nani loki [laki?] niu [?] ni</p>
<p> koroboki ma lia kabo le lai ae aki</p>
<p> alaki Ma iai rau bubuti ba kona</p>
<p> kaurinai n ram sela [reta?] ba n na ano arom</p>
<p></p>
<p> E ra bane aiu laeka [taeka?] lia kao</p>
<p></p>
<p> Bani nai ram [raam?] iae bak n taniriko</p>
<p> [laniriko, laniko?]</p>
<p> </p>
<p> ae J. Tekeang</p>
<p></p>
<p>*Rest of the word is illegible.</p>
<p> --------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>Mir Mallre or Mallrie is Mr Miller who was my grandfather. At the time of this my mother was 14.</p>
<p>Later I will be adding some photographs so I could show this as it was originally written. Also I want to do a fair copy, or as fair as I can. </p>
<p></p>
<p>From my mothers memoirs I wonder if I know what the letter pertained to. But I don't want to say yet as I might mislead someone who is or might translate this if it can be done.</p>
Re Banaban Letter and some History of my mother's & family on 'Ocean Island'
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2019-05-11:2211587:BlogPost:177869
2019-05-11T03:30:00.000Z
Richard Taylor
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/RichardTaylor
<p></p>
<p> I am doing a large project which I call 'The Infinite Project'. It involves all media and all aspects of things at least in theory. However one aspect has brought me via one thread of it, the personal, to some letters.</p>
<p> Initially I was going to use my father's letters and a few others etc and some of my mothers. However I have now found and am 'revolving around' her and my grandfather's time in Banaba before WWII.</p>
<p> Various letters, mostly from English or…</p>
<p></p>
<p> I am doing a large project which I call 'The Infinite Project'. It involves all media and all aspects of things at least in theory. However one aspect has brought me via one thread of it, the personal, to some letters.</p>
<p> Initially I was going to use my father's letters and a few others etc and some of my mothers. However I have now found and am 'revolving around' her and my grandfather's time in Banaba before WWII.</p>
<p> Various letters, mostly from English or Australian people are of interest. But perhaps the most intriguing is a letter from a Banaban man written in 1931. It is 88 years old and a little damaged and hard to make out. It is written I think in Banaban. But I know other ethnicities were on Banaba (my mother mostly called it Ocean Island - I now know it is Banaba via the internet and an old map my grandfather had of the Island, and some books he had etc</p>
<p> I have transcribed it but I also want to try to reproduce it by actually re-writing it as the writing is, of all her letters, the most beautiful. I have photocopied it. I tried translating it. I am from NZ and know a little Maori and learnt Samoan (somewhat) and I had one visit to Fiji where I was given a book of Fijian grammar and words. </p>
<p> So far I have recognised the word 'mauri' which I think is life force or something. It seems to be almost universally thus in the Pacific. </p>
<p> I have more to say on this and I will present the letter in another post as I am going out shortly. </p>
<p> I also have some songs typed out by my mother who was English (she went to High School in Melbourne but her first teacher was on Banaba): These songs have English translations in part. I will present these here and keep on this tack in further posts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> The letter was by one J. Tekeang.</p>
<p></p>
<p> My mother didn't say a lot about what she and I think other English referred to as 'natives'. A term that I</p>
<p> think I felt even as a small boy was derogatory in some way, or patronising. But in any case one person who was an indigenous Banaban I believe she came to love as a young child.</p>
<p></p>
<p> I will continue in my next post. Richard Taylor. NZ </p>
<p></p>
<p>PS My grandfather on Banaba was Robert John Miller. I think he left Banaba about 1934 or so.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
Banaban Islanders Suffer Long Wait For Supply Boat To Be Built 4 years after project began, vessel for Banaba Island still not completed
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2014-02-22:2211587:BlogPost:143136
2014-02-22T02:47:09.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p><span>WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Feb. 21, 2014)</span></p>
<p>The people of Banaba island in Kiribati have expressed their concerns about delays in the completion of a boat being built by the government. The Kiribati Independent reports it has been four years since the project began. The boat, which is big enough to run between Banaba and the capital Tarawa regularly, will help ease problems of food shortages on the island. The boat-building manager of the…</p>
<p><span>WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Feb. 21, 2014)</span></p>
<p>The people of Banaba island in Kiribati have expressed their concerns about delays in the completion of a boat being built by the government. The Kiribati Independent reports it has been four years since the project began. The boat, which is big enough to run between Banaba and the capital Tarawa regularly, will help ease problems of food shortages on the island. The boat-building manager of the Betio shipyard says work was suspended at the beginning of the year because they ran out of materials.</p>
<p><span>Tibanga Taratai says they have written a letter to the ministry of internal affairs asking for more materials but they haven't received a response. The Banaban MP, Timon Aneri, says while work has been suspended he's hoping funds allocated for this project will be kept aside and not spent on other things.</span></p>
<p><span>He says the people of Banaba are isolated and they desperately need their own boat. Radio New Zealand International: <a class="_553k" href="http://www.rnzi.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.rnzi.com</a> Copyright © 2014 RNZI. All Rights Reserved</span></p>
<div class="_59go noMedia"><div class="clearfix MercuryExternalLink"><div class="MercuryLinkRight rfloat"><div class="MercuryLinkTitle"><a class="linkTitle" target="_blank" href="http://www.rnzi.com/" rel="ignore">Radio New Zealand International</a></div>
<div class="fsm fwn fcg"><a href="http://www.rnzi.com">www.rnzi.com</a></div>
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Fiji president gives speech during state visit in Tarawa - We accepted that the Banabans were forced to leave Ocean Island
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2014-02-14:2211587:BlogPost:142945
2014-02-14T02:24:38.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>We accepted the Banaban people when they were forced to leave Ocean Island [Banaba] because of the pressure of phosphate mining there.</p>
<p>"These people now live in Fiji but have their own seat in the Parliament of Kiribati. And if necessary, we will do it again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>People Of Kiribati Welcome To Live In Fiji: Ratu Epeli<br></br></b><i>Fiji president gives speech during state visit in Tarawa</i></p>
<p>By Nemani Delaibatiki</p>
<p>SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Sun, Feb. 12, 2014) – The…</p>
<p>We accepted the Banaban people when they were forced to leave Ocean Island [Banaba] because of the pressure of phosphate mining there.</p>
<p>"These people now live in Fiji but have their own seat in the Parliament of Kiribati. And if necessary, we will do it again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>People Of Kiribati Welcome To Live In Fiji: Ratu Epeli<br/></b><i>Fiji president gives speech during state visit in Tarawa</i></p>
<p>By Nemani Delaibatiki</p>
<p>SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Sun, Feb. 12, 2014) – The people of Kiribati are welcome to live in Fiji if their islands are swamped by rising sea level, says President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.</p>
<p>"I want to assure you all that Fiji will stand shoulder to shoulder with you as you face this crisis, as well as doing everything possible to try to avert it," he said.</p>
<p>Speaking at a dinner in Tarawa during his state visit to Kiribati, Ratu Epeli said: "In a worst case scenario and if all else fails, you will not be refugees. You will be able to migrate with dignity. The spirit of the people of Kiribati will not be extinguished.</p>
<p>"It will live on somewhere else because a nation isn’t only a physical place. A nation – and the sense of belonging that comes with it – exists in the hearts and minds of its citizens wherever they may be.</p>
<p>"If the sea level continues to rise because the international community won’t tackle global warming, some or all of the people of Kiribati may have to come and live in Fiji. Fiji will not turn its back on our neighbours in their hour of need. We accepted the Banaban people when they were forced to leave Ocean Island [Banaba] because of the pressure of phosphate mining there.</p>
<p>"These people now live in Fiji but have their own seat in the Parliament of Kiribati. And if necessary, we will do it again.</p>
<p>"You have already purchased 6000 acres of land on Fiji’s second biggest island, Vanua Levu, to ensure your food security as the sea encroaches on your arable land. What the future holds we cannot say.</p>
<p>"But I want to assure you that if all else fails, you have true friends in Fiji who will not let you down. Because only our size and topography – our mountainous interiors – prevent us from suffering the same fate.</p>
<p>"I also come with a message that we must all do more as Pacific islanders to take charge of our own affairs. We need a fundamental change in our psyche – in our mindset – and the way we see the world. We need to take ownership of our problems, to acknowledge our own roles and responsibilities instead of seeing them as someone else’s."</p>
<p>The President also praised their support for Fiji.</p>
<p>"Together, we face many of the same challenges. Together, we are working to meet those challenges. And I want to express my sincere thanks to you, President Tong, for your regional leadership and especially for your unwavering support for Fiji.</p>
<p>"Under your Government, our relationship has never been closer. You are a frequent and very welcome visitor to Fiji. You are a trusted friend and confidant. And where others of our neighbours have been less than reliable friends in recent years, Kiribati has been steadfast and constant."</p>
<p>Ratu Epeli also reiterated his reasons why he was visiting Kiribati.</p>
<p>"I have come to Kiribati as part of Fiji’s effort to bind us even closer together. But in my meetings, I will also be explaining the huge strides we have made and are making in Fiji to produce a nation that is fairer, more just and provides better opportunities for every Fijian. Before the end of September, we will hold the first genuinely democratic election in our history, of equal votes of equal value instead of the racial weighted formula employed in the past. We have a new Constitution that establishes a common and equal citizenry, guarantees a range of civil and political rights and provides ordinary Fijians with an unprecedented array of social and economic rights, such as the right to education, housing, and clean water.</p>
<p>"This year, we have achieved a wonderful breakthrough in being able to provide our young people with free primary and secondary school education and a tertiary loans scheme so that poverty is no longer a barrier to higher studies. Our national infrastructure – such as our roads and ports – is also being upgraded to encourage the investment and jobs on which the ultimate fortune of every Fijian depends."</p>
<p>He said Fiji already stood proud and tall in the world – having forged an independent foreign policy based on the fundamental premise of being friends to all and enemies to none.</p>
<p>"And we are sending our civilian volunteers, including teachers and health workers, into our Pacific neighbours to boost their capacity and improve the lives of their people," he said.</p>
<p>"We are especially keen to lead and assist our joint effort to persuade the rest of the world to finally take decisive action on climate change. It is simply not acceptable for the world to stand by and watch the Republic of Kiribati – a sovereign nation and member of the United Nations – sink slowly beneath the waves. Fiji is using every possible means at the United Nations and in its agencies to draw attention to your plight and the selfishness of the big carbon polluters in putting their interests before those of us in the Pacific. Our recent leadership of the biggest voting bloc at the United Nations – the G77 Plus China – gave us a unique opportunity to advance this cause. We sit on the main United Nations committee on climate change. And by recently taking the Chair of the Governing Board of the United Nations Development Program, we are also in a position to push our collective agenda forward. This matters not just to the people of Kiribati but every Pacific Islander."</p>
<p><i>FijiSUN: </i><a href="http://www.fijisun.com.fj/"><i>http://www.fijisun.com.fj/</i></a><br/>Copyright © 2014 Fiji Sun. All Rights Reserved</p>
Consuming Ocean Island: stories of people and phosphate from Banaba
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2014-01-27:2211587:BlogPost:142581
2014-01-27T01:46:48.000Z
Katerina Teaiwa
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/KaterinaTeaiwa
<p>Kam na mauri, and FYI Banaban friends, my book "Consuming Ocean Island: stories of people and phosphate from Banaba" is on Amazon. It will be released in September this year. </p>
<p>Kam na mauri, and FYI Banaban friends, my book "Consuming Ocean Island: stories of people and phosphate from Banaba" is on Amazon. It will be released in September this year. </p>
Coconut replanting program to generate income
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-12-21:2211587:BlogPost:142281
2013-12-21T09:59:33.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<div id="storyHeader"><h1><span style="font-size: 13px;">Fiji Time Online LUKE RAWALAI </span><span style="font-size: 13px;">Wednesday, December 18, 2013</span></h1>
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<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro"><strong>Update: 6:00PM</strong> GOVERNMENT aims to plant one million coconut plants by next year with the launch of its coconut replanting program on Rabi Island.</p>
<p>The program was launched by the Acting Commissioner North Alipate Bolalevu during the Rabi Day on Monday.</p>
<p>Mr…</p>
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<div id="storyHeader"><h1><span style="font-size: 13px;">Fiji Time Online LUKE RAWALAI </span><span style="font-size: 13px;">Wednesday, December 18, 2013</span></h1>
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<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro"><strong>Update: 6:00PM</strong> GOVERNMENT aims to plant one million coconut plants by next year with the launch of its coconut replanting program on Rabi Island.</p>
<p>The program was launched by the Acting Commissioner North Alipate Bolalevu during the Rabi Day on Monday.</p>
<p>Mr Bolalevu said the project had been viewed as a major development for the people on the island.</p>
<p>"Coconut is a major commodity for Banabans and the replanting program will also generate income for them." Mr Bolalevu said.</p>
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Banabans celebrate
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-12-21:2211587:BlogPost:142186
2013-12-21T09:56:54.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>Fiji Times Online Salaseini Moceiwai Wednesday, December 18, 2013</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">THE Banaban people of Rabi this week have been celebrating the 68th anniversary of their arrival on the island. The week-long celebration, which started on Monday, was opened by acting Commissioner Northern Alipate Bolalevu. Rabi Island interim administrator Christopher Karia said the theme of celebrations reflected reforestation and the replanting of coconut trees on the…</span></p>
<p>Fiji Times Online Salaseini Moceiwai Wednesday, December 18, 2013</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">THE Banaban people of Rabi this week have been celebrating the 68th anniversary of their arrival on the island. The week-long celebration, which started on Monday, was opened by acting Commissioner Northern Alipate Bolalevu. Rabi Island interim administrator Christopher Karia said the theme of celebrations reflected reforestation and the replanting of coconut trees on the island.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">Mr Karia said at the same time the islanders were taught to make products from coconuts and earn an income from them. "The theme of the celebration is very important to us since it reflects on one of the important commodities on the island," he said. "It was also a time for Rabians to reconnect with their families and learn about their culture and traditions. "In an effort to revive our culture, we have organised competitions which will feature during the event."</span></p>
Banaban people urged to work together: Fiji Minister
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-12-21:2211587:BlogPost:142277
2013-12-21T09:53:26.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p><strong>NUKU, Rabi</strong> --- Fiji's Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Col Inia Seruiratu has called on the Banaban community to work closely with each other for the development of Rabi Island.</p>
<p>As the Banaban people on the island of Rabi gathered in numbers at the Nuku ground to commemorate the 1st arrival of the Banaban people on the Island since 1945, the Minister paid tribute to their growing contribution towards Fiji’s overall…</p>
<p><strong>NUKU, Rabi</strong> --- Fiji's Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Col Inia Seruiratu has called on the Banaban community to work closely with each other for the development of Rabi Island.</p>
<p>As the Banaban people on the island of Rabi gathered in numbers at the Nuku ground to commemorate the 1st arrival of the Banaban people on the Island since 1945, the Minister paid tribute to their growing contribution towards Fiji’s overall development.</p>
<p>In his address, the Minister acknowledged the hardships faced by their elders during the early days of settlement and challenged them on the values of working with each other as a community.</p>
<p>“A better Rabi is only possible if the Banaban people work together, but first you need to change your mindset, change the way you think. This is not the time to think about the problems – look at the opportunity and move on with your life.</p>
<p>“We also need good leadership who can set directions,” Minister Seruiratu added.</p>
<p>Rabi Administrator Karia Christopher emphasised that it was also important for the people of Rabi to maintain their identity.</p>
<p>“This is a very special day for the Banaban people all over the world. We celebrate the achievements made by our elders in their early days of settlements.</p>
<p>“It is also important that we maintain our identity as Banaban people,” Christopher added.</p>
<p>December 15 is celebrated annually to commemorate the resettlement of the Banaban people in Rabi from Banaba, also known as the Ocean Islands.</p>
Island ice plant brings benefits
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-12-21:2211587:BlogPost:142274
2013-12-21T09:28:18.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<div id="storyHeader"><h1><span style="font-size: 13px;">Fiji Times Online Salaseini Moceiwai </span><span style="font-size: 13px;">Friday, December 20, 2013</span></h1>
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<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro">PRINCIPAL fisheries officer northern Joji Vakawaletabua says the ice plant on Rabi Island has not only benefited the island but also fishermen from Taveuni and Vanua Levu.</p>
<p>Mr Vakawaletabua said yesterday the plant was being used well since its opening early this…</p>
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<div id="storyHeader"><h1><span style="font-size: 13px;">Fiji Times Online Salaseini Moceiwai </span><span style="font-size: 13px;">Friday, December 20, 2013</span></h1>
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<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro">PRINCIPAL fisheries officer northern Joji Vakawaletabua says the ice plant on Rabi Island has not only benefited the island but also fishermen from Taveuni and Vanua Levu.</p>
<p>Mr Vakawaletabua said yesterday the plant was being used well since its opening early this year.</p>
<p>"Fishermen from the Garden Island of Fiji, Kioa and the mainland in Tukavesi and Tunuloa travel all the way to Rabi to buy ice," he said.</p>
<p>"The plant is really progressing well because many fishermen are taking advantage of it almost everyday.</p>
<p>"This new machine has drastically reduced travel times and the cost of doing business.</p>
<p>"It has given fishermen on Rabi and neighbouring islands a better chance to make a decent living from their trade."</p>
<p>The plant was an investment by the government and the Japanese Overseas Fishery Cooperation Agency.</p>
<p>The agency provided $140,000 while the government contributed $120,000 for transportation, installation and maintenance.</p>
<p>It was earlier reported the Rabi facility was the 19th fisheries station with an ice plant in Fiji.</p>
<p></p>
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Fiji ready for Kiribati: PM
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-12-10:2211587:BlogPost:141921
2013-12-10T10:16:27.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<div id="page-title"><h3>Fiji News <span style="font-size: 13px;">07:20 Yesterday</span></h3>
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<div class="text"><br></br><div class="picture"><img src="http://media.fbc.com.fj/news/2013/12/fiji-ready-for-kiribati-pm_300x200.jpg"></img><p><em>PM Voreqe Bainimarama speaks to delegates at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Conservation and Protected Areas </em><em style="font-size: 13px;">Taken from/By: FBC News </em></p>
<p><em>Report by: Apisalome Coka</em></p>
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<p><strong>Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says some or all of the people of Kiribati may have to…</strong></p>
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<div id="page-title"><h3>Fiji News <span style="font-size: 13px;">07:20 Yesterday</span></h3>
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<div class="text"><br/><div class="picture"><img src="http://media.fbc.com.fj/news/2013/12/fiji-ready-for-kiribati-pm_300x200.jpg"/><p><em>PM Voreqe Bainimarama speaks to delegates at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Conservation and Protected Areas </em><em style="font-size: 13px;">Taken from/By: FBC News </em></p>
<p><em>Report by: Apisalome Coka</em></p>
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<p><strong>Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says some or all of the people of Kiribati may have to come to live in Fiji if sea levels continue to rise and the world doesn’t tackle global warming.</strong></p>
<p>Bainimarama made the comment while closing the recent 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Conservation and Protected Areas that was held in Suva.</p>
<p><em>“Fiji will not turn its back on our neighbors in their hour of need. We accepted the Banaban people when they were forced to leave Ocean Island because of the pressure of phosphate mining there. The British started to move the Banabans to Rabi Island in Fiji in 1945 and there were further migrations in the 1970s and early 80s, after Fiji became independent.</em>"</p>
<p>Bainimarama has called on the industrialized nations to act now to finally set the appropriate carbon emission targets to arrest rising global temperatures.</p>
<p>He says the melting of the ice caps and the consequent rise in sea levels threaten the very existence of some of the Small Island Developing States in the region.</p>
<p><em>“For the record, these are the top ten carbon emitters: China, the United States, the European Union, India, Russia, Japan, Germany, Canada, Iran and the United Kingdom. They are our friends but need to treat us all collectively in a more responsible manner and deal with this crisis. We certainly expect them to shoulder the financial impact that we suffer as Pacific Islanders.”</em></p>
<p>Fiji will be hosting a high-level meeting in April to discuss such issues.</p>
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$30k facility for VCO production for island women
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-11-17:2211587:BlogPost:141808
2013-11-17T04:58:19.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>FIJI TIMES ONLINE Salaseini Moceiwai Thursday, November 14, 2013</p>
<div id="storyContent"><div id="related"><div id="storyPic"><p class="right"><a href="http://www.fijitimes.com/images/artpics/251212.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Carpenters work at the virgin coconut oil factory on Rabi Island. Picture: SUPPLIED"><img alt="Carpenters work at the virgin coconut oil factory on Rabi Island. Picture: SUPPLIED" src="http://www.fijitimes.com/images/artpics/251212thumbm.jpg" width="200"></img> + Enlarge this image</a></p>
<p>Carpenters work at the virgin coconut oil factory on Rabi Island. Picture: SUPPLIED</p>
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<p class="intro">THE Banaban women of…</p>
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<p>FIJI TIMES ONLINE Salaseini Moceiwai Thursday, November 14, 2013</p>
<div id="storyContent"><div id="related"><div id="storyPic"><p class="right"><a href="http://www.fijitimes.com/images/artpics/251212.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Carpenters work at the virgin coconut oil factory on Rabi Island. Picture: SUPPLIED"><img src="http://www.fijitimes.com/images/artpics/251212thumbm.jpg" width="200" alt="Carpenters work at the virgin coconut oil factory on Rabi Island. Picture: SUPPLIED"/>+ Enlarge this image</a></p>
<p>Carpenters work at the virgin coconut oil factory on Rabi Island. Picture: SUPPLIED</p>
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<p class="intro">THE Banaban women of Rabi Island will soon have a well-structured facility to produce virgin coconut oil from, thanks to the Integrated Human Resources Development Program (IHRDP).</p>
<p>A factory for this purpose is being constructed in the area.</p>
<p>Acting commissioner Northern Alipate Bolalevu said the construction of the government-initiated project started on the island last month.</p>
<p>"The project cost government about $30,000. There are two carpenters who have been tasked to build the factory and the villagers are also helping them out.</p>
<p>"Since virgin coconut oil has become one of the income-generating activities for people on the island, we have decided to assist them with a factory so that women can hygienically prepare their products for sale.</p>
<p>"When they produce quality products, they will be able to get good returns not only locally but internationally as well.</p>
<p>"At least, women don't have to struggle from their own homes to make such oil, instead they can all use the factory."</p>
<p>Banaban Women's Welfare representative Terikano Takesau said they were thankful to government for its help.</p>
<p>"We have secured our markets and we are really happy because we know that our products will be of high quality now that we will have a very well-structured factory," she said.</p>
<p>Mr Bolalevu said the factory was scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=251212"> </a></p>
Search Still on for Rabi Fishermen
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-09-21:2211587:BlogPost:141079
2013-09-21T22:00:00.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p class="intro" style="font: 0.75em/1.4em Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; background-color: #ffffff; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span class="font-size-2">FIJI TIME ONLINE…</span></p>
<p class="intro" style="font: 0.75em/1.4em Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; background-color: #ffffff; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span class="font-size-2">FIJI TIME ONLINE <span style="font: 11px/15.67px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important; white-space: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; background-color: #ffffff; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">Salaseini Moceiwai</span></span><br style="font: 11px/15.67px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; background-color: #ffffff; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"/><span class="font-size-2" style="font: 11px/15.67px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important; white-space: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; background-color: #ffffff; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">Saturday, September 21, 2013</span></p>
<p class="intro" style="font: 0.75em/1.4em Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; background-color: #ffffff; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span class="font-size-2">POLICE officers have managed to recover some items belonging to the three fishermen who were reported missing after their boat capsized near Taveuni waters last weekend.</span></p>
<p style="font: 0.75em/1.4em Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; background-color: #ffffff; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span class="font-size-2">Spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said the officers recovered the items near Kioa Island.</span></p>
<p style="font: 0.75em/1.4em Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; background-color: #ffffff; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span class="font-size-2">"The items found included a jacket, sleeping bag, bucket and cargo pants which have been identified by the wife of one of the victims," she said.</span></p>
<p style="font: 0.75em/1.4em Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; background-color: #ffffff; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span class="font-size-2">"Despite this latest development, the team continues its search and a decision will be made later on whether to call off the search."</span></p>
<p style="font: 0.75em/1.4em Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; background-color: #ffffff; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span class="font-size-2">It was earlier reported the group of fishermen were from Lovonivonu and had left Rabi Island on a fishing trip on an island near Qamea.</span></p>
<p style="font: 0.75em/1.4em Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.1em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; background-color: #ffffff; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span class="font-size-2">The captain of the boat managed to swim ashore to an island near Qamea and was seen by a group of villagers travelling towards the island.</span></p>
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<p> </p>
15th December Celebration Suva - Raffle Tickets
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-09-06:2211587:BlogPost:139595
2013-09-06T10:58:43.000Z
Kaitama Tawaka
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/KaitamaTawaka
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">Raffle tickets are out for sale at a price of $10.00 per ticket with 10 prizes to be won.</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">There are 100 tickets for sale that can be easily sold comparing to the number of Banabans and Friends within the Lami, Suva and Nausori Corridor.</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">The committee humbly requests your support for the purchase of tickets from the following persons/location;</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">1)…</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">Raffle tickets are out for sale at a price of $10.00 per ticket with 10 prizes to be won.</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">There are 100 tickets for sale that can be easily sold comparing to the number of Banabans and Friends within the Lami, Suva and Nausori Corridor.</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">The committee humbly requests your support for the purchase of tickets from the following persons/location;</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">1) Tom</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">2) Kobu</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">3) Takeiti</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">4) At the NGO, Suva.</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">We also engaged Ioteba to sell tickets to our Banaban brothers who works with foreign fishing vessel based in Suva. </p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">The drawing date of the tickets will be on 20<sup>th</sup> September 2013 at the Rabi Kava, Flagstaff, from 7pm. </p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">We anticipate that before 20<sup>th</sup> September all tickets sold and money collected amounting to $1000.00.</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><u><span>Note:</span></u></b><span> Please ensure to fill correct and clear details of names, address, contact, and the ticket butt to be left with seller as it will be used for drawing of prizes.</span></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">Thanks</p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">Kaitama T Tawaka </p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal">For Chairman, 15<sup>th</sup> Dec Organizing Committee, Suva </p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"> </p>
ABC RADIO AUSTRALIA Updated 4 September 2013, 10:38 AEST
Landowners on the island of Banaba in Kiribati say they are still fighting for compensation from Australia, New Zealand and Britain for the m…
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-09-04:2211587:BlogPost:139249
2013-09-04T09:59:36.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p><a href="http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/banabans-still-fighting-for-phosphate-mining-compensation/1185407"></a></p>
<div class="node-time">ABC RADIO AUSTRALIA Updated 4 September 2013, 10:38 AEST</div>
<p><a href="http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/banabans-still-fighting-for-phosphate-mining-compensation/1185407"></a></p>
<div class="node-teaser"><p>Landowners on the island of Banaba in Kiribati say they are…</p>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/banabans-still-fighting-for-phosphate-mining-compensation/1185407"></a></p>
<div class="node-time">ABC RADIO AUSTRALIA Updated 4 September 2013, 10:38 AEST</div>
<p><a href="http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/banabans-still-fighting-for-phosphate-mining-compensation/1185407"></a></p>
<div class="node-teaser"><p>Landowners on the island of Banaba in Kiribati say they are still fighting for compensation from Australia, New Zealand and Britain for the mining of phosphate.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/banabans-still-fighting-for-phosphate-mining-compensation/1185407"></a></p>
<div class="clearfix"><em><span style="color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/banabans-still-fighting-for-phosphate-mining-compensation/1185407"><span style="color: #3366ff;">http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/banabans-still-fighting-for-phosphate-mining-compensation/1185407</span></a></span></em></div>
<p><a href="http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/banabans-still-fighting-for-phosphate-mining-compensation/1185407"></a></p>
<div class="node-related"><div class="node-related-item related-item-0 related-audio first last display-full"><div class="node-related-content"><div class="node-ra_audio node clearfix node-type-ra_audio"><div class="node-audio"><div class="audio-js-box abc_audio-css" id="ramp-1185379"><div id="mediaplayer-ramp-1185379_wrapper"><em style="font-size: 13px;">Banabans still fighting for phosphate mining compensation (Credit: ABC) </em></div>
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<p><a href="http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/banabans-still-fighting-for-phosphate-mining-compensation/1185407"></a></p>
<div class="content"><p>More than 90 per cent of the surface of Banaba was mined between 1900 and 1980 to provide phosphate for the fertiliser industry.</p>
<p>What's left of the island - aggragate rock is being seen as a possible new export to help other Pacific islands build retaining walls to hold back rising sea levels.</p>
<p>Banaban author, Ken Sigrah says if aggregate mining goes ahead Banabans will ensure they're not "ripped off" as they were over the phosphate mining.</p>
<p><em><strong>Presenter:</strong>Geraldine Coutts</em></p>
<p><em><strong>Speaker:</strong>Ken Sigrah, Banaban landowner & author</em></p>
<p> </p>
<div>SIGRA: After the money for the past 80 years, certainly the Commission is probably the most responsible for looking after the young and everything. We have our permanent fund for the island and by the end month, they're all under the (inaudible) so we cannot tell what's happened to that fund also.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>COUTTS: But you don't know how much you think you're owed?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>SIGRA: No, at least we win the last court case. It was estimated somewhere around 240 million Sterling the damage that's been done to the home land and that is why we cannot be given that money at the time being the court case for the last court case we fought in England.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>COUTTS: All right. So what are you doing about it today?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>SIGRA: You know what, to us, it's like slapping heads against a brick wall, but we have a belief that one day we'll crack it, here we're talking about the life of people, people who've been neglected, their homeland has destroyed and that's the only thing we have under the sun, is our heritage, our home, its us and now, it's all taken away and we're never given anything for it, you know.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>COUTTS: And was there ever an environmental clean up done for you?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>SIGRA: No, not even a clean up, anything. All that dump and the rubbish that's left on the island, rotting away. All our people about 700 of them who are living on Banaban are actually still living in old asbestos buildings and they are still there now.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>COUTTS: So there's been no crew to come in and help you deal with the asbestos, is there any evidence that is impacting on health there?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>SIGRA: No, nobody have been even doing house inspectionsfor asbestos or anything. Nobody ever been back to the island for these kind of cases and our people that's living there innocently. We don't know what the effect will be or to the future generations.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>COUTTS: Well, how welcoming will you be to have miners come in for the aggregate rock now?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>SIGRA: At the moment, look, I think it is something that will have to be really, really aware of and be careful how we deal with it. Because we've been done for once and we're not going for that for a second time. At the end of the day, to all of us even in the past week, for Pacific people our home is our heritage, that's all. Money is nothing, but it is our home, it is our ancestral home as where our culture and customs belong and without our culture, without our heritage, and without our home, we are a nobody, so we are talking about human life here.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>COUTTS: Well, what will you be trying to dictate to the signing of a contract to mine this aggregate rock?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>SIGRA: Oh no, before we do us, we've been given what you call it agreements on the last mining on the phosphate and everything. Well, agreements, we live off the land, we place our soil and we plant it. That's never happened. We were promised given the companies after the mining. People who pay off people and give us a good land, they didn't give us that. They promise us homelaand in Fiji with buildings well done, water and everything. You don't get that. Our people, 40 of our old people died in Fiji land in 1945, because they're not used to water, drinking water and mosquitoes and all this. It's a very hard life for us.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>COUTTS: Is there more than one company vying to get the contract to get old of the aggregates rock?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>SIGRA: No. We haven't done any contract with any company yet. We are it is our plan for our people our landowners that the only way we can do a homeland now is to sell the aggregate, not just mining, but there's we had a rehabilitation project. So what we are looking now, we have a rehabilitation project. So money, there's no more money. It's going with whatever is taken off the land, the funds will come back to repair the homeland and that is our plan at the moment. But we haven't talked to any company. Even Kiribati send one of their teams to deal with us a few months back to talk to the people back home. But we are not into that yet. We are not opening anything until we are happy with what's coming.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>COUTTS: All right. Do you know how much aggregate rock there is and how much money it might earn for you?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>SIGRA: Well, I don't know what the aggregate will cost. It depends on the world pricing, but in the assessment of the total of rocks on the island, it's about 40 million tonnes of rock and that's plenty rocks. And with the global warming, and the atoll islands, I think they need these type of things if you want the islands to be protects from the high rising waters. We want the homeland too to be repaired so our people can live like the rest of the Pacific.</div>
<div> </div>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/banabans-still-fighting-for-phosphate-mining-compensation/1185407"></a></p>
<div class="ell-resources"></div>
Banaban fights for fairness
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-09-04:2211587:BlogPost:139307
2013-09-04T09:41:24.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>Rnzi/Pacnews Wednesday, September 04, 2013</p>
<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro">LANDOWNER Raobeia Ken Sigrah from Banaba island in Kiribati says his people will keep fighting for compensation for the depletion of the island's phosphate resources.</p>
<p>The Kiribati government is still considering various claims for compensation to former workers of the British Phosphate Company in Banaba. Banabans have sought compensation for decades and while some payments have been made, local…</p>
</div>
<p>Rnzi/Pacnews Wednesday, September 04, 2013</p>
<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro">LANDOWNER Raobeia Ken Sigrah from Banaba island in Kiribati says his people will keep fighting for compensation for the depletion of the island's phosphate resources.</p>
<p>The Kiribati government is still considering various claims for compensation to former workers of the British Phosphate Company in Banaba. Banabans have sought compensation for decades and while some payments have been made, local people say they're largely frustrated at what they see as inadequate responses from governments involved.</p>
<p>Raobeia Ken Sigrah says those who benefitted from the mining of Banaba's phosphate are still obliged to compensate, but Banabans understand they are essentially on their own.</p>
<p>"The indication of the big countries - like Australia, New Zealand, England - to them I think it's a dead case. But to us, no it isn't.</p>
<p>"And that is why we're still trying to fight for the right thing. Even now we are trying to rehabilitate our homeland. What you have now is only about a hundred and fifty acres after the mining, and that is the only piece of land that we have. We're just being careful not to lose (our land) anymore."</p>
</div>
Banabans maintain calls for compensation
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-09-03:2211587:BlogPost:139294
2013-09-03T07:21:35.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p> Radio New Zealand International NZ Posted at 07:59 on 02 September, 2013 UTC</p>
<p>A landowner from Banaba island in Kiribati says his people will keep fighting for compensation for the depletion of the island’s phosphate resources. Banabans have sought compensation from countries involved in stripping the island of phosphate since the mining wound up in the late 1970s. While some payments have been made, Raobeia Ken Sigrah told Johnny Blades that he and other Banabans still feel they’re…</p>
<p> Radio New Zealand International NZ Posted at 07:59 on 02 September, 2013 UTC</p>
<p>A landowner from Banaba island in Kiribati says his people will keep fighting for compensation for the depletion of the island’s phosphate resources. Banabans have sought compensation from countries involved in stripping the island of phosphate since the mining wound up in the late 1970s. While some payments have been made, Raobeia Ken Sigrah told Johnny Blades that he and other Banabans still feel they’re owed a great deal but that they’re essentially on their own.</p>
<p>RAOBEIA KEN SIGRAH: When the money was on we lived a good life. Since the money stopped everything went back another 10 years back. So now people, all their houses are falling apart, they cannot afford the maintenance of brick walls and roofing irons which are rotten because of salt water. It’s a real struggle living back home now. Yes, of course people are still looking forward to having compensation because that is the right thing to do, to compensate our people after taking away our homeland. But in the big countries, like Australia, New Zealand and England, to them it’s a dead case, but to us, no, it isn’t, and that is why we’re still trying to fight for the right thing. Even now we are trying to rehab our homeland. What we have now is about only 150 acres after the mining and that is the only piece of land that we have. And we have to be careful not to lose it anymore. We were given a bad deal in the first place, so we’re not going for the second one now, for our next young generations to come in.</p>
<p>JOHNNY BLADES: You say that it should be the British, Australian and New Zealand governments paying compensation for the phosphate, the loss, the damages, but not the Kiribati government?</p>
<p>RKS: Well, at the end of the day, we can look at it... You might say England or whatever, but even Kiribati was actually involved in the destruction of the homeland. Look, it is the Kiribati labourers that came and worked the land, thousands of them. At the end of the day Kiribati was given 85% of the tax money, instead of 15%, and they give us 15%. Everything was changed around for the benefit of the Kiribati colony which England did not look after at that time. So we Banabans pay what the British government should have paid to keep us going at that time. So they’re all involved in it together, whether Kiribati pays for it or the British government pay for it, we don’t care as long as our people are compensated, and that’s the end of the story.</p>
<p>JB: I assume their phosphate is gone, but is there any left?</p>
<p>RKS: That is what we’ve been trying to have now, because after the mining, I think it was nearly 40 million tonnes of land rock, aggregate. It’s quite strange because now we’ve got the rock, global warming is actually hitting the Pacific region. And of course we know that Kiribati and other atoll islands will be affected with this global warming if it’s happening. So what this country needs, they need rocks to build up sea walls, they need rocks to build around their wells to protect from salt water, to build their roads. Because they are all atolls, they are all sandy places. These rocks could be used for building materials. We have 40 million tonnes of that rock on the island, but that again belongs to the Banaban landowners. And this time we won’t allow other companies to come in and rip off our people unless we get a fair deal.</p>
<p>News Content © Radio New Zealand International PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand</p>
Banabans offer aggregate to low lying Kiribati islands
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-09-03:2211587:BlogPost:139410
2013-09-03T07:01:25.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<div class="newsstory"><p class="time">RADIO NZ Posted at 07:59 on 02 September, 2013 UTC</p>
<p>A landowner from Banaba in Kiribati says the island’s large stocks of aggregate are a valuable resource given the threat of sea level rise in the region.</p>
<p>Raobeia Ken Sigrah says Banabans want to benefit from the estimated 40-million tonnes of aggregate on their island and not to get ripped off as they were by the countries that mined phosphate on the island.</p>
<p>He says his people still…</p>
</div>
<div class="newsstory"><p class="time">RADIO NZ Posted at 07:59 on 02 September, 2013 UTC</p>
<p>A landowner from Banaba in Kiribati says the island’s large stocks of aggregate are a valuable resource given the threat of sea level rise in the region.</p>
<p>Raobeia Ken Sigrah says Banabans want to benefit from the estimated 40-million tonnes of aggregate on their island and not to get ripped off as they were by the countries that mined phosphate on the island.</p>
<p>He says his people still believe they are owed significant compensation for the depletion of the island’s phosphate and the consequent hardships Banabans have endured.</p>
<p>Mr Sigrah says climate change means that low-lying countries like Kiribati are in need of materials to build up sea-walls, roads and other infrastructure.</p>
<blockquote title="transcription of audio">“These rocks could be used for building materials. And we have 40 million tonnes of these rocks on our island. But again, that belongs to the Banaban landowners and this time we won’t allow other companies to come in and rip it off our people, unless we get a fair deal.”</blockquote>
<p>Ken Sigrah</p>
<p> </p>
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<p class="newscr">News Content © Radio New Zealand International<br/>PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand</p>
Upgrade to benefit island
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-08-13:2211587:BlogPost:137706
2013-08-13T22:53:55.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>FIJI TIES ONLINE Salaseini Moceiwai Wednesday, August 14, 2013</p>
<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro">PLANS are in the pipeline to upgrade the island of Rabi in an effort to improve the livelihoods of its people.</p>
<p>Acting commissioner Northern Alipate Bolalevu said a team of government officials visited the island last week to hold talks with the islanders and identify ways to address their plight.</p>
<p>"We are looking at ways on how we can help these islanders improve their…</p>
</div>
<p>FIJI TIES ONLINE Salaseini Moceiwai Wednesday, August 14, 2013</p>
<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro">PLANS are in the pipeline to upgrade the island of Rabi in an effort to improve the livelihoods of its people.</p>
<p>Acting commissioner Northern Alipate Bolalevu said a team of government officials visited the island last week to hold talks with the islanders and identify ways to address their plight.</p>
<p>"We are looking at ways on how we can help these islanders improve their living standards. The focus is on the agriculture and fisheries sector since the island has a very rich and diverse natural resources," he said.</p>
<p>"Government has also completed development projects such as the jetty and this is a boost to the economy of Rabi. We need the islanders to make good use of these projects for their own benefit."</p>
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Escape to Rabi Island - Cruise of the Lady Bug
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-07-25:2211587:BlogPost:135460
2013-07-25T00:30:00.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>Monday, July 22, 2013</p>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2587526749373348059"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">We have been out of range of the internet for a week now. The next few posts will catch up with our time on Rabi Island.<br></br><br></br>When we dropped the anchor at Kennedy Cove off northwest Kioa, we knew it would be a temporary shelter as there were no houses (for social interaction) or beach to keep us happy for a week.…<br></br></div>
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<p>Monday, July 22, 2013</p>
<div id="post-body-2587526749373348059" class="post-body entry-content"><div style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">We have been out of range of the internet for a week now. The next few posts will catch up with our time on Rabi Island.<br/><br/>When we dropped the anchor at Kennedy Cove off northwest Kioa, we knew it would be a temporary shelter as there were no houses (for social interaction) or beach to keep us happy for a week.<br/><div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"></div>
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x4pH3WEdmjI/UezyFkUKl0I/AAAAAAAAB-U/zX6xLmthURs/s1600/P7120006.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x4pH3WEdmjI/UezyFkUKl0I/AAAAAAAAB-U/zX6xLmthURs/s400/P7120006.jpg" width="400" height="300"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gato Go motors past us heading south for Viani Bay as we approach Rabi</span></td>
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<br/>So, on Sunday morning We set sail for Albert Cove on Rabi (pronounced Rambi) Island. We had the jib out in 10-12 Knots from the SSW and were soon enjoying a very pleasant passage, guided by Google aerial maps and eyeball navigation, up the Georgia Channel. Craig off s/v Gato Go hailed us on the VHS and reported 25-30 Knots gusting off Rabi; they were on a reciprocal course. Chris had just raised the main but took it down again to be cautious. The wind changed as predicted to the SE and we were into gusts of up to 30 Knots coming off the island. This was fine for running up the channel but we were not sure if we could enter the pass as the wind would be on the nose and Ladybug has a small engine. We decided to overshoot the entrance for a better angle. Thankfully the seas were calmer here and we were able to navigate the two reef passes into the inner harbour without undue stress.<br/><br/>
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K4dNcs4tR_8/Uezxvg5DtwI/AAAAAAAAB-M/0eVLIE_SJzI/s1600/P7130010.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K4dNcs4tR_8/Uezxvg5DtwI/AAAAAAAAB-M/0eVLIE_SJzI/s1600/P7130010.JPG" width="400" height="300"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chris repairs the sail cover for our dinghy sail on our first day at Albert Cove</span></td>
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMJPN3RJ7Xo/UezxpYsfjYI/AAAAAAAAB-E/mS8ErjTSq2c/s1600/P7110004.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMJPN3RJ7Xo/UezxpYsfjYI/AAAAAAAAB-E/mS8ErjTSq2c/s400/P7110004.JPG" width="400" height="300"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cocoa seeds when ripe have a tasty white covering and can be sucked like a candy. We will dry the seeds themselves for roasting and grinding to make cocoa.</span></td>
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XKYT8OoyvU/UezyPEXy6xI/AAAAAAAAB-c/WDg-PwNZG-E/s1600/P7160075.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XKYT8OoyvU/UezyPEXy6xI/AAAAAAAAB-c/WDg-PwNZG-E/s400/P7160075.JPG" width="400" height="300"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Overripe cocoa seeds have begun to sprout</span></td>
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<br/><br/>There were two catamarans to the north and a monohull to the south and we found a nice spot in the middle to drop the hook in 50 feet. Little did we know that this would be the beginning of an incredible week!</div>
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Days Of Our Lives on Rabi Island - Cruise of the Lady Bug
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-07-25:2211587:BlogPost:135597
2013-07-25T00:25:22.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>Tuesday, July 23, 2013</p>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5967185749346474874"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="text-align: justify; clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;">A few days after our arrival at Albert Cove, Bill and Tekete's older daughter Tabeta arrived and livened the place up with her laughter and cheeky humour. She is almost the same age as Rara (thirty something) and the two hung out together to gossip and laugh…</span></div>
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</div>
<p>Tuesday, July 23, 2013</p>
<div id="post-body-5967185749346474874" class="post-body entry-content"><div style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr"><div class="separator" style="text-align: justify; clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;">A few days after our arrival at Albert Cove, Bill and Tekete's older daughter Tabeta arrived and livened the place up with her laughter and cheeky humour. She is almost the same age as Rara (thirty something) and the two hung out together to gossip and laugh as young women do in any culture. As I got to know them better, they opened up and told me more about their personal lives. Tabeta's first husband, whom she had loved, had been bitten by a shark while diving in deep water off the reef at Albert Cove. His four diving buddies had taken him to the clinic at the village but had not staunched the blood draining from his leg, so he died from blood loss. He was only nineteen. Tabeta was six months pregnant at the time and their daughter is now being raised by the in-laws. She later adopted her cousin Rara's six month old baby boy.</span></div>
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2M7ZA_bInYs/Ue9v6NzzREI/AAAAAAAAB_4/4DzJLa8RV28/s1600/P7170033.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2M7ZA_bInYs/Ue9v6NzzREI/AAAAAAAAB_4/4DzJLa8RV28/s400/P7170033.JPG" width="283" height="400"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tabeta catching breakfast</span></td>
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<br/>We found out that marriages are arranged by the parents although two people who love each other can ask permission to get married. Most couples have large families. Children are often adopted by extended families in cases of separation or if they cannot financially afford to keep the child. Sadly, physical abuse (wife beating) is also fairly common.<br/><br/>
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zAkrCBRs9k0/Ue9v50q9oEI/AAAAAAAACAE/T8znIU-Siu0/s1600/P7180057.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zAkrCBRs9k0/Ue9v50q9oEI/AAAAAAAACAE/T8znIU-Siu0/s400/P7180057.JPG" width="400" height="300"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of Bill's family - Taipau, Pauline, baby Steven, Kasipoa, Bill, and Tabeta - note giant grog bowl on left made from oyster farm float.</span></td>
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<br/>The families we met were devout Catholics (all wore rosaries around their necks) and we later visited their church, Our Lady Fatima, in Tabwewa. On Sundays at Albert Cove they prayed to the Virgin at an altar set up in Rara and Panea's house. This brought back memories of the Mexican fishermen who often had shrines close to their remote fishing shacks in the Baja.<br/><br/>
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YGybb01lv0/Ue9v54HonKI/AAAAAAAAB_0/k9zt2cfPu54/s1600/P7180060.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YGybb01lv0/Ue9v54HonKI/AAAAAAAAB_0/k9zt2cfPu54/s400/P7180060.JPG" width="400" height="300"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rani and Tabeta cooking rotis</span></td>
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<br/>As we spent more time ashore, our lives slowed down to the rhythm of Rabi time. </div>
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Rabi - First Contact
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-07-25:2211587:BlogPost:135353
2013-07-25T00:22:37.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>Monday, July 22, 2013</p>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4890778356474933076"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Our first trip ashore at Albert Cove (the settlement of Motawi) was a short one and we met the people who lived in two palm-thatched houses just off the beach. We took some tea and noodles as gifts and chatted for awhile. The patriarch of the larger family, Samuel, was visiting the couple who lived on their own, close to where we beached the dinghy.…</div>
</div>
<p>Monday, July 22, 2013</p>
<div id="post-body-4890778356474933076" class="post-body entry-content"><div style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">Our first trip ashore at Albert Cove (the settlement of Motawi) was a short one and we met the people who lived in two palm-thatched houses just off the beach. We took some tea and noodles as gifts and chatted for awhile. The patriarch of the larger family, Samuel, was visiting the couple who lived on their own, close to where we beached the dinghy. Samuel spoke good English and welcomed us to visit anytime.<br/><br/><table class="tr-caption-container" style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" cellspacing="0" align="center">
<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a-1_qufFleg/Ue0BYM-10QI/AAAAAAAAB-s/YBdQug1zHMw/s1600/P7150016.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a-1_qufFleg/Ue0BYM-10QI/AAAAAAAAB-s/YBdQug1zHMw/s320/P7150016.JPG" width="288" height="320"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">What's for dinner honey? This Octopus. caught on the nearby reef has been preserved by smoking over a fire.</span></td>
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<br/>The couple who lived in the first home, Panea and Rara, had a clean two level home made from woven palm leaves. Three of the walls were open off the ground, allowing good air flow. Set back about 8 feet from the front wall at waist-level was a sleeping platform. There were several mosquito nets hanging from the ceiling over the platform, one sewn from an old magenta sari. Chickens appeared to roost below this platform; I guess this makes it easy to gather eggs for breakfast!<br/><br/>
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ptniCVGkYs4/Ue0NkwDwwTI/AAAAAAAAB_k/zfziOM4yLoc/s1600/P7150018.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ptniCVGkYs4/Ue0NkwDwwTI/AAAAAAAAB_k/zfziOM4yLoc/s1600/P7150018.JPG" width="400" height="300"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rara and Panea</span></td>
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<br/>Attached to the main building was a large cooking shelter with two fireplaces. A wood fire glowed in the corner and a puppy slept happily in the warm ashes. Chickens and a rooster pecked around the yard outside the kitchen at discarded coconut shells and a fair-sized pig grunted on a long leash under a tree close-by.<br/><br/>Before we left to visit the other family, Samuel showed us a ukulele which had had its neck broken and put back together with packing tape. Chris offered to try to glue it back together and bring it when we returned to visit the next day.<br/><br/>
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uSOwLKuNQA/Ue0Ey4qY83I/AAAAAAAAB_E/Thow6yndjN0/s1600/P7140013.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uSOwLKuNQA/Ue0Ey4qY83I/AAAAAAAAB_E/Thow6yndjN0/s1600/P7140013.JPG" width="400" height="300"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chris repairs a ukulele that had been broken during a kava drinking session</span></td>
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<br/> A few hundred yards down the beach is the home of Samuel's son Bill and his extended family - 4 generations in total. Their house was chaotic and rudimentary compared to the first house, with a simple outdoor cooking area on the ground over which a cast-iron rack was placed for holding pots. A shelf at shoulder level held dishes and sundry items.<br/><br/><br/>
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJeoyeKy2KQ/Ue0E6-ywXVI/AAAAAAAAB_M/VNADeQPGrOY/s1600/P7170043.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJeoyeKy2KQ/Ue0E6-ywXVI/AAAAAAAAB_M/VNADeQPGrOY/s1600/P7170043.JPG" width="360" height="400"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the huge trees along the beach at Albert Cove </span></td>
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<br/>Bill's son-in-law was drying copra over a barrel stove fire in a small shack closer to the beach. The humid tropical climate here must not be conducive to solar drying. Copra is a cash crop and the family had come over to their plantation to work on their harvest. They reminded me of the Mexican fishermen who spend weeks away from their homes catching fish and other seafood on the isolated islands off the Baja coast.<br/>
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SI0KElYDN-Y/Ue0FFnkc46I/AAAAAAAAB_U/7rGjCUV0XfM/s1600/P7170052.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SI0KElYDN-Y/Ue0FFnkc46I/AAAAAAAAB_U/7rGjCUV0XfM/s640/P7170052.JPG" width="360" height="400"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Recently cut pandanus trees. Bill's wife was cutting this to make mats when we arrived.</span></td>
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<br/>Bill's youngest daughter, Pauline, was breastfeeding her six month old baby when we first walked by the house. Being Westerners, we averted our eyes but she invited us to sit with her and chat. Her mum was busy cutting leaves from a pandanus stand a little way down the beach and her two brothers hung about watching us. The baby's nappies were drying on a line and Pauline explained that she did not have laundry soap. Her husband asked if we had any sugar to take with the tea we had given them. We told them we would bring some when we returned the next day.<br/><br/>Before rowing back out to Ladybug, we enjoyed a walk along the beach which is lined by picturesque trees of great age and girth, their tired old limbs leaning on the sand. These reminded Chris of an ancient white oak he had seen in England whose massive sagging branches had to be propped up off the ground to stop them from breaking. These trees are more supple and do not seem to mind even resting their elbows in salt water.</div>
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Rabi Island Background - Cruise of the Ladybug
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-07-25:2211587:BlogPost:135350
2013-07-25T00:20:28.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>Monday, July 22, 2013</p>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4022682517850187596"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">The following are some notes on the history of the Banabans on Rabi Island, mostly taken from the excellent "Moon Guide to Fiji".<br></br><br></br>The people on Rabi island are originally from a 6 square kilometer atoll called Ocean Island, later named Banaba and now part of Kiribati. Ocean Island was exploited by the British for it's rich phosphate mines between…</div>
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<p>Monday, July 22, 2013</p>
<div id="post-body-4022682517850187596" class="post-body entry-content"><div style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">The following are some notes on the history of the Banabans on Rabi Island, mostly taken from the excellent "Moon Guide to Fiji".<br/><br/>The people on Rabi island are originally from a 6 square kilometer atoll called Ocean Island, later named Banaba and now part of Kiribati. Ocean Island was exploited by the British for it's rich phosphate mines between 1902 and 1979. The naive islanders agreed to lease their land for 50 pounds per year for 999 years! In the face of a Japanese invasion, the British blew up the mining infrastructure in 1941 and almost all the company employees were evacuated in February 1942. When the Japanese landed in August that year they deported all but 150 of the 2,413 of the local mine labourers and their families to Tarawa, Nauru and Kosrae.<br/><br/>After peace was declared, the British returned to Ocean Island in 1945 and found only the surrendering Japanese troops. Two months later an island native emerged from hiding and told how his people were marched to the edge of a cliff after peace was declared, blindfolded and their hands tied. The Japanese then shot them and the dead tumbled into the sea. The lone survivor was still alive when he hit the water and managed to kick his way ashore and lived on coconuts until the British arrived.<br/><br/>The British government purchased Rabi Island (off Vanua Levu in Fiji) to permanently resettle the Ocean Islanders at the end of 1945. Fijians living on the island were relocated to nearby Taveuni. The nearly 5000 Rabi islanders have their own local government in the form of Rabi Island Council and their own police but are also citizens of Fiji and answer to Fijian authorities. To make things even more confusing, the council also administers their ancestral homeland, the island of Banaba, which is now part of Kiribati. </div>
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The Bells of Rabi Island - Cruise of the Ladybug
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-07-25:2211587:BlogPost:135595
2013-07-25T00:18:19.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8359082273793802791"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span>Tuesday, July 23, 2013</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">As we sailed away from the village of Tabwewa on Sunday morning, the bells began to chime, calling the people to church. Earlier, a handful of cheerful and noisy children had paddled and swum out to Ladybug to say hi, but few adults were to be seen. And…</div>
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<div id="post-body-8359082273793802791" class="post-body entry-content"><div style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr"><span>Tuesday, July 23, 2013</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr"> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">As we sailed away from the village of Tabwewa on Sunday morning, the bells began to chime, calling the people to church. Earlier, a handful of cheerful and noisy children had paddled and swum out to Ladybug to say hi, but few adults were to be seen. And we knew why. Saturday night is the main night for 'grog' (Kava) drinking because on Sunday, the people do not work. The men (and some women) stay up, often until dawn, drinking shell after shell of kava. Starting in the late afternoon, we saw groups of men gathered around heavy steel pestles, taking it in turn to drive an iron rod into the pestle to pulverize the dried and cleaned kava roots. On each stroke, the rod was removed, striking the side of the pestle and emitting a chime, similar in sound to, but very different in significance from the bells we would hear the next morning. Interestingly, the Banabans on Rabi only took up kava drinking when they emigrated to Fiji in 1945.<br/><br/><table class="tr-caption-container" style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" cellspacing="0" align="center">
<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xiEoenK0wk/Ue9zh-B2t6I/AAAAAAAACAg/KPZ3P6uftls/s1600/P7170002.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xiEoenK0wk/Ue9zh-B2t6I/AAAAAAAACAg/KPZ3P6uftls/s400/P7170002.JPG" width="400" height="323"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panea, Tabeta, and little Taipau - Panea is cleaning our kava</td>
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<br/>We had our first grog drinking evening a few days before at Motawa, with 'The Old Man', Panea, presiding over the kava bowl and Bill's son Kasipoa and son in law, Taipau, taking turns to pound the roots. We had brought a bundle of kava purchased in Savusavu as our contribution and Panea carefully cleaned this first, removing some dirt from the turns and hollows in the roots. The sons then pounded the roots using an iron rod as tall as a man and a heavy steel pestle made by welding an inverted steel cone to a plate about a foot square. The powder was brought inside in a small bowl, transfered to a fine cloth, and then into the kava bowl, which had been partly filled with well water. Panea then began to repeatedly massage and twist the carefully bundled powder, the cloth taking on something of the role of a tea bag being squeezed. The water quickly turned brown and muddy looking. Panea tasted it by dipping a shell made from half a coconut. He judged the drink to be too strong and added some more well water before offering me a full shell. Samuel instructed me to clap once before I received the shell and three times after drinking. I knew I was expected to drink it all in one go and did so. Rani also tried a shell, although they served her a 'low tide' shell - only half full.<br/>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kasipoa pounds the root using an iron rod and steel pestle</td>
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<tbody><tr><td><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PO1fdTLUuc/Ue9zk561mII/AAAAAAAACA0/CH1GqlA54ao/s1600/P7170022.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PO1fdTLUuc/Ue9zk561mII/AAAAAAAACA0/CH1GqlA54ao/s400/P7170022.JPG" width="261" height="400"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Panea squeezes the good stuff out of the powdered kava by massaging it inside a folded cloth</td>
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<br/>The kava was peppery and not unpleasant. I had been told that it would numb the lips and make one feel mellow and relaxed, especially on an empty stomach. This probably explains why the grog afficionados waited to eat supper until midnght or so. I did experience a mild tingling initially, but as the night wore on and we drank shell after shell of kava, I defnitely felt a buzz - maybe equivalent to drinking a couple of glasses of wine. The shell went around the hut, most of the men and women drinking full shells until the bowl was empty. The used root powder was saved and re-used later after a second pounding. New root brought from their plantation up the hill was pounded when the root we brought had been finished. Altogether they extracted four large bowls of grog from the 1/2 pound of roots we brought and we must have drunk about twice as much again from their kava before retiring around 9:30pm (we had been drinking for 6 hours!). The serious grog drinkers continued into the early morning.
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<tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xdi9xDiJxM/Ue9ziXpifuI/AAAAAAAACAs/3pn9YoTGxkk/s1600/P7170016.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xdi9xDiJxM/Ue9ziXpifuI/AAAAAAAACAs/3pn9YoTGxkk/s400/P7170016.JPG" width="400" height="300"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samuel and Chris playing mellow tunes</td>
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<br/> Kava also seems to have a mild diuretic effect and I had to make a few trips down the beach in the night. But perhaps this was due to the large volume of liquid I drank - 16 or 18 shells, each about 1.5 cups!<br/><br/>To accompany the kava, we ate chilli provided by Ladybug and a special vegetarian dish that Tabeta and Panea made with Rani's help. This is called palusami and Rani will describe the recipe for this in another post. They even killed and boiled one of their chickens in my honour. Of course we had some of the local staple - a starchy root vegetable that is nicknamed 'elephant ear' for its giant leaves (we have posted photos of this plant on our blog).<br/><br/>
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<tbody><tr><td><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQj6LOMVseQ/Ue9zlkoNcHI/AAAAAAAACBA/qTW2QcSSudU/s1600/P7190087.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQj6LOMVseQ/Ue9zlkoNcHI/AAAAAAAACBA/qTW2QcSSudU/s400/P7190087.JPG" width="400" height="296"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"> Saturday night ritual in Tabwewa - pounding the kava .</td>
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<br/>We also sang songs accompanied by the newly repaired ukulele and my own uke. Everyone here seems to have a good ear and there were many talented uke players in the family. For my part, I played and sang tunes by the Beatles, Eagles, Elton John, and Simon and Garfunkel. The family members took turns to sing Banaban songs - many of which describe the history of their people. The harmonies and rhythms were lovely and I will try to post recordings of a few of these to this blog.<br/><br/>
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<tbody><tr><td><a style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBX89TSoZ70/Ue9zlmAlPgI/AAAAAAAACA8/O1iN184WuIg/s1600/P7170020.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBX89TSoZ70/Ue9zlmAlPgI/AAAAAAAACA8/O1iN184WuIg/s400/P7170020.JPG" width="271" height="400"/></a></td>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Pauline has a lovely voice and is also a good uke player</td>
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<br/>We felt so very lucky to be invited to spend a day with this family. They have little, but are willing to share what they have with new friends. This season we have slowed way down and while we are covering a much smaller area, we are enjoying ourselves more because we are getting to know local people better.</div>
</div>
</div>
Rabi Island Council dissolved
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-06-27:2211587:BlogPost:133928
2013-06-27T23:19:31.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>From <em>FBC NEWS</em></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/">News</a></strong><br></br><em>Thu 27 Jun 2013</em></p>
<dl>
<dt><strong>SUVA, Fiji</strong> --- The Rabi Island Council has been dissolved for allegedly not meeting targets set by the government.</dt>
</dl>
<div class="column last span-4"><p>This was confirmed to FBC NEWS by Salimoni Karusi of the Prime Minister’s Office</p>
<p>Karusi says the government and the council had an agreement for some works to be…</p>
</div>
<p>From <em>FBC NEWS</em></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/">News</a></strong><br/><em>Thu 27 Jun 2013</em></p>
<dl>
<dt><strong>SUVA, Fiji</strong> --- The Rabi Island Council has been dissolved for allegedly not meeting targets set by the government.</dt>
</dl>
<div class="column last span-4"><p>This was confirmed to FBC NEWS by Salimoni Karusi of the Prime Minister’s Office</p>
<p>Karusi says the government and the council had an agreement for some works to be carried out but this has not been done.</p>
<p>Karia Christopher has been appointed the interim administrator of the council.</p>
<p>According to Karusi, the government has worked hard to develop projects on the island and everything will go to waste if the council members are not active.</p>
<p>Karusi says this is why they council and appointed an Interim Administrator.</p>
<p>Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama is the Minister Responsible for the Rabi Island Council.</p>
<p>The former president of the council, Dr Paula Vanualailai could not be reached for a comment.</p>
</div>
Charcoal from coconut
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-06-04:2211587:BlogPost:132649
2013-06-04T00:29:32.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>FIJI TIMES ONLINE Luke Rawalai Saturday, June 01, 2013</p>
<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro">COMMUNITY and group representatives participating in a three-week training workshop at the Mua Wholenut Processing Center on Taveuni are learning to produce charcoal from coconut shells.</p>
<p>Acting agricultural officer at the Mua Research Center Susana Yalikanacea said there were many uses for charcoal including medicinal purposes.</p>
<p>Mrs Yalikanacea said the best provider of these fine…</p>
</div>
<p>FIJI TIMES ONLINE Luke Rawalai Saturday, June 01, 2013</p>
<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro">COMMUNITY and group representatives participating in a three-week training workshop at the Mua Wholenut Processing Center on Taveuni are learning to produce charcoal from coconut shells.</p>
<p>Acting agricultural officer at the Mua Research Center Susana Yalikanacea said there were many uses for charcoal including medicinal purposes.</p>
<p>Mrs Yalikanacea said the best provider of these fine charcoals were those made from burnt coconut shells.</p>
<p>"The by-product of coconuts that we use for virgin coconut oil production at the processing centre are therefore fully utilised in this way," she said.</p>
<p>"The burnt coconut shells are pounded to fine powder and sieved so that we can get the finest charcoal powder.</p>
<p>"The medicinal value of charcoal is being recognised globally and is being included in the various detox programs carried out locally."</p>
<p>Mrs Yalikanacea said centre participants were being taught how to produce charcoal to generate income.</p>
<p>"Charcoal is even incorporated into other products such as soap for medicinal bath soaps.</p>
<p>"Participants of the workshop will learn to use other parts of the coconut and the plant to generate income.</p>
<p>"The demand for charcoal as a medicine is slowly building and with it the market. So we are training participants to be knowledgeable in producing these forms of produce in their own backyards."</p>
</div>
Rabi and Kioa Islanders combine to build house of worship
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-05-19:2211587:BlogPost:132303
2013-05-19T23:23:38.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>FIJI TIMES ONLIN Salaseini Moceiwai Monday, May 20, 2013</p>
<p class="intro">PEOPLE of Rabi and Kioa living in Labasa are in need of a church building to house them during their fellowship every week.</p>
<p>Last Saturday, the islanders organised an inter-cultural dance competition for the purpose of strengthening their relationship and to generate ideas of fundraising for the proposed building.</p>
<p>Leader of the Rabi Island community in Labasa Christopher Karia said they did not own a…</p>
<p>FIJI TIMES ONLIN Salaseini Moceiwai Monday, May 20, 2013</p>
<p class="intro">PEOPLE of Rabi and Kioa living in Labasa are in need of a church building to house them during their fellowship every week.</p>
<p>Last Saturday, the islanders organised an inter-cultural dance competition for the purpose of strengthening their relationship and to generate ideas of fundraising for the proposed building.</p>
<p>Leader of the Rabi Island community in Labasa Christopher Karia said they did not own a building where they could worship and it was time they built one.</p>
<p>"Most of us have lived away from our home island because of work, education and other relevant purposes and this is our second home," Mr Karia said.</p>
<p>"We need a church to house us all and we will soon start our fundraising drive to finance the construction of the building."</p>
<p>Lawrence Nikotemo, leader of the Kio community in Labasa, said they usually requested other Christian groups for their church building for their Sunday service.</p>
<p>"When our church service merges with the other groups, we have nowhere to conduct ours but under the shed or in our homes which is, of course, too small to cater for us all," he said.</p>
<p>"We are therefore appealing to relevant authorities to permit our request and also kind donors in the country and overseas to help build our church. This is for a good cause as we aim to worship God in a more serene and composed environment."</p>
Banabans Preserving culture and tradition in FIji
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-05-19:2211587:BlogPost:132199
2013-05-19T00:21:20.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>FIJI TIMEs online Salaseini Moceiwai Sunday, May 19, 2013</p>
<p class="right"><a href="http://www.fijitimes.com/images/artpics/234382.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A Kioan dancer joins the Rabi dancers at the Rabi Kioa Intercultural Dance Show in the Labasa FSC hall yesterday. Picture: LUKE RAWALAI"><img alt="A Kioan dancer joins the Rabi dancers at the Rabi Kioa Intercultural Dance Show in the Labasa FSC hall yesterday. Picture: LUKE RAWALAI" src="http://www.fijitimes.com/images/artpics/234382thumbm.jpg" width="200"></img> + Enlarge this image</a></p>
<p><em>A Kioan dancer joins the Rabi dancers at the Rabi Kioa Intercultural Dance Show in the Labasa FSC hall yesterday. Picture: LUKE RAWALAI…</em></p>
<p>FIJI TIMEs online Salaseini Moceiwai Sunday, May 19, 2013</p>
<p class="right"><a href="http://www.fijitimes.com/images/artpics/234382.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A Kioan dancer joins the Rabi dancers at the Rabi Kioa Intercultural Dance Show in the Labasa FSC hall yesterday. Picture: LUKE RAWALAI"><img src="http://www.fijitimes.com/images/artpics/234382thumbm.jpg" width="200" alt="A Kioan dancer joins the Rabi dancers at the Rabi Kioa Intercultural Dance Show in the Labasa FSC hall yesterday. Picture: LUKE RAWALAI"/>+ Enlarge this image</a></p>
<p><em>A Kioan dancer joins the Rabi dancers at the Rabi Kioa Intercultural Dance Show in the Labasa FSC hall yesterday. Picture: LUKE RAWALAI</em></p>
<p class="intro">IN the hope of maintaining their culture and tradition, the Rabi and Kioan communities in Labasa took time out yesterday to be part of an inter-cultural dance competition.</p>
<p>The exuberant atmosphere at the FSC hall saw women, men and children clapping their hands, singing and dancing to rhythmic music.</p>
<p>The half-day competition was attended by the Commissioner Northern Lieutenant Colonel Ilai Moceica and some senior government officials.</p>
<p>Leader for the Rabi Island community in Labasa Christopher Karia said this was the first time they hosted such a significant event to strengthen their relationship ties.</p>
<p>"Our relationship was initially established back in the colonial days and we feel that a competition as such is organised in order to revive our culture and tradition," Mr Karia said.</p>
<p>"We live away from our home islands as we are here to work, study and for other relevant purposes and this competition will help us keep in track with our tradition.</p>
<p>"This is also a build up to the Kioa and Rabi Day that will be held towards the end of the year as well as the Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North in August as we usually take part in it."</p>
<p>Leader for the Kioa Island community in Labasa Lawrence Nikotemo shared similar sentiments, saying this was one way of getting the two communities together to socialise and at the same time share about each other's culture.</p>
<p>"Some of our children have grown and lived in Labasa for almost all their lives and in order for us to pass down our tradition to them, such competition is imperative so they are aware of their roots. Dancing is part of our life and through this activity, we are maintaining our traditional teachings and ways.</p>
<p>"This will be an ongoing activity in years to come," he said.</p>
Banaban (Kiribat)i fishermen rescued after four weeks lost at sea
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-05-08:2211587:BlogPost:131887
2013-05-08T00:56:51.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p class="published">Updated <span class="timestamp">3 hours 16 minutes ago</span></p>
<div class="inline-content photo full"><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-08/kiribati-rescued-fishermen/4676294"><img alt="Kiribati fishermen adrift for almost four weeks" height="467" src="http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4676294-3x2-700x467.jpg" title="Kiribati fishermen adrift for almost four weeks" width="700"></img></a> <a class="inline-caption" href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-08/kiribati-rescued-fishermen/4676294"><strong>Photo:</strong> Eiirito Tataua, aged 40, and Teikauea Tegiaa, 20, were rescued by a US ship passing though the area <span class="source">(Supplied: Pacific…</span></a></div>
<p class="published">Updated <span class="timestamp">3 hours 16 minutes ago</span></p>
<div class="inline-content photo full"><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-08/kiribati-rescued-fishermen/4676294"><img title="Kiribati fishermen adrift for almost four weeks" alt="Kiribati fishermen adrift for almost four weeks" src="http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4676294-3x2-700x467.jpg" width="700" height="467"/></a> <a class="inline-caption" href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-08/kiribati-rescued-fishermen/4676294"><strong>Photo:</strong> Eiirito Tataua, aged 40, and Teikauea Tegiaa, 20, were rescued by a US ship passing though the area <span class="source">(Supplied: Pacific Princess)</span></a></div>
<div class="attached-content ready" style="xg-p: static;"><div class="inline-content map left contracted"><div class="story-map"></div>
<br/><a class="inline-caption" href="http://maps.google.com/?q=1.416666,173(Kiribati)&z=5"><strong>Map:</strong> Kiribati</a> <a class="toggle"></a></div>
</div>
<p class="first">Two fishermen have survived almost four weeks adrift in the Pacific Ocean.</p>
<p>The men from Kiribati were on a fishing trip when strong winds pushed their 14 foot boat towards the Solomon islands.</p>
<p>The men, aged 20 and 40, were rescued by a US ship passing though the area.</p>
<p>Captain Alfred Canepa from the Pacific Princess has told Radio Australia's <a title="" href="http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat" target="_blank">Pacific Beat</a> he was lucky to find them.</p>
<p>"We were searching for fish...and 16 miles away on my bird radar I spotted a small spot of birds," he said.</p>
<p>"I went to go check on my boat and luckily I turned that way to check them and we found this small boat with two men adrift at sea, lost."</p>
<p>Captain Canepa says the men were fishing off Bahaba Island in Kiribati's Gilbert islands, when their engine gave out.</p>
<p>The men drifted for almost four weeks, surviving on raw fish and rain water, before they were found, more than 675 kilometres away.</p>
<p>Captain Canepa says he picked up the malnourished men in the nick of time.</p>
<p>"Surprisingly, they are in a lot better shape than I would have been in, put it that way - it's a hell of an ordeal, believe me," he said.</p>
<p>"Once they were taken on board I gave them water straight away...it was a dry spell they weren't getting much rain and what happened was they started drinking salt water and that's lethal.</p>
<p>"They wouldn't have lasted another three days doing that."</p>
<p>The men were taken to Solomon Islands, where they were held by Immigration officers, and arrangements made for their return to Kiribati.</p>
<p>Captain Canepa says the men have spoken to their families, and he's promised the men he'll look after their boat.</p>
<p>"My crew...we're going to fix it up, and when I'm by their island - I don't know when that will be - I'm going to return it to them," he said.</p>
<p>"I gave them my word, which I will do - I will return that boat to them in working condition."</p>
Strategies in place to revive Fiji coconut industry
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-05-06:2211587:BlogPost:131683
2013-05-06T06:46:10.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>Fiji Times Online Salaseini Moceiwai Monday, May 06, 2013</p>
<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro">THE Copra Millers of Fiji Limited (CMFL) and government have put in place strategies to sustain copra production in the country.</p>
<p>As part of these long and short term strategies, government appointed a Coconut Industry Steering Committee with the objective of implementing a Coconut Industry Reform Program for 2012 to 2014.</p>
<p>CMFL executive chairman Ilisoni Taoba said committee…</p>
</div>
<p>Fiji Times Online Salaseini Moceiwai Monday, May 06, 2013</p>
<div id="storyContent"><p class="intro">THE Copra Millers of Fiji Limited (CMFL) and government have put in place strategies to sustain copra production in the country.</p>
<p>As part of these long and short term strategies, government appointed a Coconut Industry Steering Committee with the objective of implementing a Coconut Industry Reform Program for 2012 to 2014.</p>
<p>CMFL executive chairman Ilisoni Taoba said committee members were permanent secretaries and coconut industry stakeholders.</p>
<p>"The strategy includes the reviewing of the Copra Price Support from $500 per tonne in the hope of maintaining the interest of the farmers by receiving a reasonable profit margin per tonne of copra produced to help revitalise the coconut industry," he said.</p>
<p>"Major stakeholders propose through discussion the price of $850 to $900 per tonne and reviewing of the regulated sea freight charges.</p>
<p>"Assistance to copra supplies from maritime islands is also part of the plan to help cushion high freight costs.</p>
<p>"In 1992, government acted with good intention to help promote the revitalisation of the coconut industry by introducing a counter inflation order to control the increasing copra freight rates from the outer islands and assist in subsidising the shipping freight charges from island ports to the mill.</p>
<p>"The copra freight subsidy rate in place for 21 years is considered insignificant compared to the significant increase in sea freight charges imposed by the shipping industry.</p>
<p>"This has been reviewed by the Fiji Commerce Commission and it is now with the Ministry of Works for a decision by government."</p>
<p>Ministry of Primary Industries director extension Vatimi Rayalu said the committee was appointed last year to help the coconut industry.</p>
<p>He said the reform program included the planting and replanting of coconut trees over the next five years.</p>
<p>Mr Taoba said they aimed to plant 650,000 coconut trees in the hope of reversing the declining annual copra supply trend.</p>
</div>
Coconut craft a hit with customers in Fji
tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2013-05-03:2211587:BlogPost:131568
2013-05-03T07:05:08.000Z
Stacey King
http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/3o0qgcuxhrm5w
<p>FIJTIMES ONLINE Serafina Silaitoga<br></br>Friday, May 03, 2013</p>
<p class="intro">THE demand for handicraft items made from coconut trees on Taveuni have prompted a plea for women in rural areas to make use of their coconut plantations for income-generating purposes.</p>
<p>The products which are made by students at the Department of Agriculture's Wholenut Processing Centre is becoming popular among expatriates, hoteliers and residents.</p>
<p>Head of training at the centre Susana Yalikanacea…</p>
<p>FIJTIMES ONLINE Serafina Silaitoga<br/>Friday, May 03, 2013</p>
<p class="intro">THE demand for handicraft items made from coconut trees on Taveuni have prompted a plea for women in rural areas to make use of their coconut plantations for income-generating purposes.</p>
<p>The products which are made by students at the Department of Agriculture's Wholenut Processing Centre is becoming popular among expatriates, hoteliers and residents.</p>
<p>Head of training at the centre Susana Yalikanacea said women in villages could earn money from making use of the coconut trees that grow abundantly in villages.</p>
<p>"After seeing the demand for our handicraft items, I have encouraged our mostly women students from rural areas to go back and ensure they teach other women what they've learnt. It will benefit women and their families as well," Mrs Yalikanacea said.</p>