Kadavu (pronounced ), with an area of , is the fourth largest island in
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consi ...
, and the largest island in the ''
Kadavu Group'', a
volcanic
A volcano is a rupture in the crust of a planetary-mass object, such as Earth, that allows hot lava, volcanic ash, and gases to escape from a magma chamber below the surface.
On Earth, volcanoes are most often found where tectonic plates are ...
archipelago
An archipelago ( ), sometimes called an island group or island chain, is a chain, cluster, or collection of islands, or sometimes a sea containing a small number of scattered islands.
Examples of archipelagos include: the Indonesian Arch ...
consisting of Kadavu,
Ono,
Galoa and a number of smaller islands in the
Great Astrolabe Reef. Its main administrative centre is Vunisea, which has an airport, a high school, a hospital, and a government station, on the Namalata Isthmus where the island is almost cut in two.
Suva
Suva () is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in Rewa Province, Central Di ...
, Fiji's capital, lies to the north of Kadavu. The population of the island province was 10,167 at the most recent
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses inc ...
in 2007.
Kadavu Island belongs to
Kadavu Province.
Geography
The island is long, with a width varying from to . The island is almost sliced in two at the Vunisei Isthmus (Naceva) and the narrow Namalata Isthmus, which separates Namalata Bay on the northern coast from Galoa Harbour on the southern coast. Within Galoa Harbour lie
Galoa Island and the tiny islet of Tawadromu. Kadavu is characterized by its rugged and mountainous terrain. The tallest mountain is
Nabukelevu, also known as Mount Washington, which stands at high, on the western end of the island.
Flora and fauna
Kadavu still has 75% of its original
rainforest
Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...
cover and a rich
bird
Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweig ...
diversity
Diversity, diversify, or diverse may refer to:
Business
*Diversity (business), the inclusion of people of different identities (ethnicity, gender, age) in the workforce
* Diversity marketing, marketing communication targeting diverse customers
...
, including four species
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...
to the island, the
velvet dove, the
crimson shining-parrot, the
Kadavu honeyeater and the
Kadavu fantail, in addition to several endemic
subspecies
In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...
(such as a subspecies of the
island thrush
The island thrush (''Turdus poliocephalus'') is a common forest bird in the thrush family. Almost 50 subspecies have been described, ranging from South East Asia and Melanesia, to Samoa, exhibiting great differences in plumage. Several subspeci ...
). Offshore, stringing around the south, east and then away to the north, is the
Great Astrolabe Reef, a large barrier
reef
A reef is a ridge or shoal of rock, coral or similar relatively stable material, lying beneath the surface of a natural body of water. Many reefs result from natural, abiotic processes— deposition of sand, wave erosion planing down rock o ...
that is one of Fiji's premier
scuba diving
Scuba diving is a mode of underwater diving whereby divers use breathing equipment that is completely independent of a surface air supply. The name "scuba", an acronym for "Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus", was coined by Chris ...
resorts.
A area covering the interior of the eastern part of the island is the East Kadavu
Important Bird Area
An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) is an area identified using an internationally agreed set of criteria as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations.
IBA was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife Inte ...
. It contains populations of the
vulnerable Shy Ground-dove,
Crimson Shining-parrot and
Collared Petrel.
Economy and culture
Kadavu is one of the least developed areas of Fiji. There are few roads, and the local economy is largely dependent on
subsistence farming
Subsistence agriculture occurs when farmers grow food crops to meet the needs of themselves and their families on smallholdings. Subsistence agriculturalists target farm output for survival and for mostly local requirements, with little or no su ...
, supplemented by exports to
Viti Levu
Viti Levu (pronounced ) is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji. It is the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.
Geology
Fiji lies in a tectonically complex area between the Australian ...
. The main commercial crop is yaqona (known as Kava around the Pacific islands). There are no banks on Kadavu.
Tourism
Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring (disambiguation), touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tour (disambiguation), tours. Th ...
is becoming popular, however, with
snorkeling
Snorkeling ( British and Commonwealth English spelling: snorkelling) is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped breathing tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, ...
and
diving
Diving most often refers to:
* Diving (sport), the sport of jumping into deep water
* Underwater diving, human activity underwater for recreational or occupational purposes
Diving or Dive may also refer to:
Sports
* Dive (American football), ...
among the major attractions. The chiefly system in Kadavu gives much greater authority to local chiefs than most other areas in Fiji, where local chiefs are more often subservient to a few "paramount chiefs."
On 17 December 2005,
Ratu Josateki Nawalowalo, Chairman of the Kadavu Provincial Council, announced major development plans to build roads throughout the island and to upgrade jetties, improving Kadavu's links with the mainland. He revealed that much of the finance would be provided by the government of
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a Country, country in East Asia, at the junction of the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the China, People's Republic of China (PRC) to the n ...
.
History
William Bligh
Vice-Admiral William Bligh (9 September 1754 – 7 December 1817) was an officer of the Royal Navy and a colonial administrator. The mutiny on the HMS ''Bounty'' occurred in 1789 when the ship was under his command; after being set adrift i ...
was the first known European to sight Kadavu, which he discovered in 1792 on his second voyage to Fiji on . He was followed in 1799 by the United States vessel ''Ann & Hope'', skippered by C. Bently en route from Australia. In 1827, French commander
Dumont d'Urville nearly shipwrecked on the reef that now bears the vessel's name. The island later became home to
beche-de-mer traders, as well as
whaler
A whaler or whaling ship is a specialized vessel, designed or adapted for whaling: the catching or processing of whales.
Terminology
The term ''whaler'' is mostly historic. A handful of nations continue with industrial whaling, and one, Japa ...
s from
Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountai ...
, Australia, and
New England
New England is a region comprising six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York to the west and by the Canadian provinces o ...
in the United States. Galoa Harbour became a regular port of call for vessels carrying mail between
Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountai ...
,
San Francisco
San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the fourth most populous in California and 17t ...
, and
Auckland
Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about ...
.
Origin of the Kadavu People
Most Kadavuans are not sure where their ancestors may have originated from. Some say that they never travelled from other places but were always present on the island. While some have various theories. However, a well-known linguist feels that the people of Kadavu may have come from the East, given the similarity of words with the southernmost part of the Lauan group of islands and the core belief that Kadavu's ancestors settled from the East, as opposed to the rest of Fiji where the movement was Westwards. It can also be seen that Kadavuans generally possess Polynesian attributes, which may further add to the belief. Yet, the notion is debatable as Kadavu and Lau never had any affiliation in the past, be it tribal or provincial. It has only been in the last decade or so that the two provinces coined the term "Yanu" (meaning island or islanders), to forge a relationship.
However the term "Yanu" is also called between Lau, Lomaiviti and Yasawa groups. Origin was that these islands never had a previous relationship and in Suva, these islands (Yanuyanu, later shortened to Yanu) were called between the smaller islands compared to Vitilevu and Vanualevu.
The most famous theory is that the Kadavu people came from different parts of Fiji through Beqa and crossed through Deuba village.
Pride of Kadavu
Kadavu Island is nicknamed "Bird land" and rightly so as it has a number of rare birds that are endemic to the island. These birds have survived on Kadavu due to the richness and abundance of natural resources as well as the climatic conditions of the island. The most famous bird is the Kadavu crimson shining-parrot, which stands out from other parrots in the country, with its blue-collar at the back of the neck. The Kadavu fantail, the whistling dove and the honeyeater are amongst other rare birds found only in Kadavu.
Additionally, locals say that Kadavu is the most beautiful island, it grows the best and strongest kava, biggest dalo, largest fish, and sweetest mangoes.
So far Kadavu has had the most Hibiscus Queens.
Lenora Qereqeretabua,
Lynda Tabuya, Mere Nailatikau,
Sera Tikotikoivatu, and now Marie Falls whose mother is from Kadavu.
Demographics
The Kadavu archipelago sits on the earthquake belt and the cyclone path of Fiji. Kadavu has weathered many earthquakes and cyclones in the past. Along with the isolation and seclusion from the mainland, the people have struggled more than most provinces in Fiji. History has proven that people who go through difficulties and trying times can develop a resilient attitude towards life. Thus, these challenges have shaped and moulded Kadavuans to be amongst the most intelligent and high achieving people in Fiji. They can be seen at all top-level positions in the country and have an undeniable knack for breaking into new grounds and frontiers. The beautiful "Kadavu House" in the capital city of Suva is a testimony of their achievement. Kadavu is the only province in Fiji that hits the million dollar mark and more, as the people are the most generous givers in the country. The people are fondly called "Me Damu" (rams/goats) by their notorious "Tauvus" particularly the Stallion province of Nadroga and the Rooster province of Ra with whom they share fierce friendly rivalries. Wherever in the world, they may be, Kadavuans are deeply connected to their island province, and are intensely proud of their identity as a "Kai Kadavu."
Kadavuans
Well-known Kadavu names include:
*
Kaliopate Tavola, former
Foreign Minister
A foreign affairs minister or minister of foreign affairs (less commonly minister for foreign affairs) is generally a cabinet minister in charge of a state's foreign policy and relations. The formal title of the top official varies between co ...
*
Konisi Yabaki of Tiliva village, former Forests and Fisheries
Minister
* Ms
Lynda Tabuya also from Tiliva village, current MP and Opposition Whip
* Dr Masi brothers, also from Tiliva village
* Sakeasi Waqanivavalagi, former Minister and PSC Chairman
*
James Ah-Koy, former Minister for Finance,
senator
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the e ...
, and businessman
*
Apaitia Seru, former
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general.
In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...
, Minister for Justice and Chief Magistrate
*
Akuila Yabaki, former lawyer and Attorney-General the Kelemedi Bulewa of Ravitaki Village,
Methodist
Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's ...
minister and political activist
*
Manu Korovulavula
Ratu Manunivavalagi Korovulavula, Fijian honours system, OF (born 22 June 1934 in Suva), is a Fijian political leader and civil servant. A former Senate of Fiji, Senator, Korovulavula was appointed Minister for Transport (Fiji), Minister for Tran ...
of Naikorokoro Village, former Senator, Minister for Transport, former CEO of Land Transport Authority, Chairman of the Fiji Sports Council, Music composer and singer and was leader a famous Fijian band the Southern Brothers, Officer of the Order of Fiji in the Republic of Fiji Honors List, co-founder of the Fiji Composers Association and Fiji Performing Right Association Limited.
*
Epineri Vula of Tawava Village (Yawe), former lawyer, Supreme Court judge and senator,
* Jeremaia Naivalurua II and his sons, Senator Mataiasi Waqavesi Naivalurua and Apolosa Laburuburu Naivalurua
* Senator Sela Donumaitoga Nanovo
*
Josateki Nawalowalo, Chairman of the Kadavu
Provincial Council and of the Fiji Kava Council.
*
Jesoni Vitusagavulu, Fiji's former
Ambassador
An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or so ...
to the United States.
* Colonel Matereti Sarasau of Dagai Village,
* Sitiveni Ratuva of Yale Village
* Inoke Nabulivou of Dravuwalu Village, past President of the
Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma
The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma is the largest Christian denomination in Fiji, with 36.2 percent of the total population (including 66.6 percent of indigenous Fijians) at the 1996 census. Of the 280,628 persons identifying themselves as ...
.
* Mosese Tikoitoga, Commander of the
Republic of Fiji Military Forces
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF, formerly the Royal Fiji Military Forces) is the military force of the Pacific island nation of Fiji. With a total manpower of about 4,000 active soldiers and approximately 6,000 reservists, it is one ...
Transport
Ferry service by
Patterson Brothers Shipping Company LTD connects Kadavu to
Viti Levu
Viti Levu (pronounced ) is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji. It is the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.
Geology
Fiji lies in a tectonically complex area between the Australian ...
.
Also Goundar Shipping Limited (Lomaiviti Princess) and Liaona Shipping Limited.
References
Fiji By Korina Miller, Robyn Jones, Leonardo Pinheiro – 2003– Page 230
* Oceania by
Australian National Research Council,
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney (USYD), also known as Sydney University, or informally Sydney Uni, is a public university, public research university located in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and is one o ...
, Published 1930, Editors: Apr. 1930-Mar. 1931, A.R. Radcliffe Brown; Sept. 1931-Dec. 1932, R. Firth; Mar. 1933– A.P. Elkin. Pages 145 to 148. Original from the University of Michigan.
* Scottish Geographical Magazine By Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Published 1999, Pages 123 to 126.
* Sofer, Michael (2007) Yaqona and the Peripheral Economy Revisited, Asia Pacific Viewpoint, Vol. 48(2), pp. 234–249. Sofer, Michael (2009) Twenty Years of Change in the Fijian Periphery: The Case of the Kadavu Island, Fiji, Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography, Vol. 30, pp. 343–357. Sofer, M. (2015) Kadavu Island: Adaptation and stagnation in the Fijian periphery, Miscellanea Geographica: Regional Studies on Development, Vol. 19(2), pp. 14–20. DOI: 10.1515/mgrsd-2015-0006
* BirdLife International (2012). "Prosopeia splendens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
External links
*
* Information o
Kadavu
* Genera
Information on Kadavu
{{Authority control
Kadavu Group
Islands of Fiji
Important Bird Areas of Fiji