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…

    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.

   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.

   Various letters, mostly from English or…

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Feb. 21, 2014)

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…

We accepted the Banaban people when they were forced to leave Ocean Island [Banaba] because of the pressure of phosphate mining there.

"These people now live in Fiji but have their own seat in the Parliament of Kiribati. And if necessary, we will do it again.

People Of Kiribati Welcome To Live In Fiji: Ratu Epeli

Fiji president gives speech during state visit in Tarawa

By Nemani Delaibatiki

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Sun, Feb. 12, 2014) – The…

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. 

Fiji Times Online Salaseini Moceiwai Wednesday, December 18, 2013

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…

NUKU, Rabi --- 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.

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…

FIJI TIMES ONLINE Salaseini Moceiwai Thursday, November 14, 2013

FIJI TIME ONLINE…

Raffle tickets are out for sale at a price of $10.00 per ticket with 10 prizes to be won.

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.

The committee humbly requests your support for the purchase of tickets from the following persons/location;

1)…

Rnzi/Pacnews Wednesday, September 04, 2013

 Radio New Zealand International NZ Posted at 07:59 on 02 September, 2013 UTC

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…

FIJI TIES ONLINE Salaseini Moceiwai  Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Monday, July 22, 2013

Tuesday, July 23, 2013