Kadavu Province

Kadavu Province is one of fourteen provinces of Fiji, and forms part of the Eastern Division, which also includes the provinces of Lau, Lomaiviti and Rotuma. Kadavu also belongs to the Burebasaga Confederacy, a hierarchy of chiefs from southern and western Fiji with Roko Tui Dreketi of Rewa as the paramount chief.

It consists of Kadavu Island, Ono Island, Galoa Island, Dravuni Island, Matanuku Island, Buliya Island, Nagigia Island, and a few other islands. Kadavu has a total land area of 408 square kilometers, with a population of 10,897 at the most recent census in 2017, making it the fourth least populous province.[1]

The Kadavu group is volcanic in nature, the main island being Kadavu, which is 93 km long and varies in width from several hundred metres to 13 km, All its coasts are deeply indented, some bays biting so far into the land that they almost divide the island. One geographer has suggested that the shape of Kadavu resembles that of a wasp, with the head, thorax and abdomen linked by narrow waists.

Thus Vunisea (the administrative center), Namalata Bay and Galoa Harbor are separated by only a sandy isthmus standing a few meters above sea level; and at Vunisea the heads of Daku Bay and Soso Bay are within 1100 meters of each other, with only a low ridge between.

The province is divided into nine tikina (districts), each with its own paramount chief and chiefly villages. The tikinas are Tavuki (Tavuki), Naceva (Soso), Nabukelevu (Daviqele), Nakasaleka (Lomanikoro), Sanima (Drue), Yale (Rakiraki), Yawe (Nalotu), Ono (Vabea) and Ravitaki (Ravitaki). Each high chief is a member of the Kadavu Provincial Council. There are 75 villages in the province of Kadavu.

The Kadavu dialects are almost as numerous as the tikinas but with tiny variations between dialects. The Kadavu dialects are closer to the Rewa dialect in Ono and then closer to the Beqa, Serua and Vatulele dialect in the main island with more similarities with the Nadroga and Ba dialects as one move towards the south of the island. This could all indicate the origin of the inhabitants to an extent.

Kadavu is also the home of the second-largest living organism on Earth, the Great Astrolabe Reef, which lies along the southern side of the island and stretches from the northern part of the island, Ono island, to the southern tip of Kadavu Island, Muanasika Point near Nasau village. The edges of this reef are indicated by two lighthouses: the Solo Light House near Ono Island, and the Washington Lighthouse close to Nagigia Island.

There is no town on the island but Vunisea is where all the government headquarters are, with one high school (boarding school), a primary school, police station, hospital, airstrip and at least five supermarkets. However, there are also two main other stations apart from Vunisea: Kavala and Daviqele.

Despite its proximity to the population center of Viti Levu, the population of Kadavu is deeply conservative. Perhaps the conservatism can be traced to the difficulty of getting around the island and the resulting isolation of its communities. Though remote, Kadavu is well known by divers for its rich diversity of undersea life, particularly in the Astrolabe Reef. Likewise there is a great deal of terrestrial flora and fauna of interest, particularly the birds. The colorful Kadavu Parrot, which is now a protected species, can be easily observed.

Over the last five to ten years a number of mid-range properties (as well as one uber-deluxe resort) have sprouted up on Kadavu. For visitors interested in getting away from the typical tourist haunts of the Nadi area, Kadavu is a good option. If you are not a diver, surfing during the winter months is quite good. Kadavu can be reached by air from Nadi and Suva.

There is also ferry service from Gounder’s Lomaiviti Princess on Tuesdays and Fridays from Suva (arriving respectively on Wednesdays and Saturdays). Prices are F$44 for economy and F$75 for first class. I suggest you splurge for first class. When economy seats are full, passengers are sprawled out out on any surface they can find.

Noteworthy Kadavuans
  • Akalaini Baravilala - First Fijian woman to play for IRB USA Women's Sevens team and also represented USA at Rio Olympics,2016.
  • Bulou Akanisi Koroitamana - Former politician, wife of Ratu Jone Koroitamana
  • Akuila Yabaki - Fijian human rights activist and Methodist clergyman
  • Alexander O' Connor - Politician, Current MP
  • Alexander Sauvolitanakadavu Soqosoqo - Former sprint king, Actor, Soldier
  • Apaitia Seru - former Attorney General, Minister for Justice and Chief Magistrate
  • Apakuki CokanaKadavu - Songwriter, Musician
  • Ana Naisoro - Fiji Police Force spokesperson
  • Dee Uluirewa - singer Hillsong Australia, (Sister of Dr. Tim Uluirewa)
  • Edward Soro - VOU Performance Manager/Coordinator
  • Elenoa Sailosi - Former sprint queen, one of the most endearing athletes of Fiji
  • Dr Epeli Nailatikau - Medical Doctor, father of Merewalesi Nailatikau
  • Epeli Vakatawa - TV personality and host
  • Emosi Mulevoro - IRB Sevens Rugby player
  • Fenton Lutunatabua -Former TV host, Environmentalist, Pacific Climate Warrior Coordinator
  • Helena Young - Fastest teenager in the South Pacific-Upcoming Sprint queen (Best Female Athlete, Coca - Cola games, 2018)
  • Rev. Inoke Nabulivou - Past President of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma
  • Sir James Ah-Koy - KBE, Fijian businessman, politician, and diplomat
  • James Bolabiu - First Fijan and First Pacific Islander to officiate international rugby sevens matches and Fiji's most experienced referee.
  • Jesoni Vitusagavulu - Former CEO, Former Ambassador to the United States, Cuba, Mexico and High commissioner to China
  • Jerry Yanuyanutawa - 15's rugby player, plays in the UK
  • John O' Connor - CEO Fiji Rugby Union, Former CEO National Fire Authority
  • John Seru - Actor and former Australian professional wrestler. He is best known as "Vulcan" in the Australian version of TV series Gladiators
  • Ratu Jone Koroitamana longest-serving Former CEO CAAFI, AFL
  • Josefa Lilidamu - Rugby player ( Japan.)
  • Kaliopate Tavola - Former Minister for Foreign Affairs - Fiji an Agricultural economist, diplomat, and politician, who was his country's Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2000 to 2006
  • Konisi Yabaki - Former Fijian politician
  • Lenora Qereqeretabua - First daughter and mother to be crowned Miss Hibiscus. Longest serving TV personality in Fiji (20 yrs), former Hibiscus queen and one of the Pacific's most recognisable face. Fiji's favourite MC
  • Leone Lesianawai - First Fijian to act in a TV series, "Adventures of the Seaspray." Fiji's most famous policeman with the Fijian "bui ni ga"
  • Leone Nakarawa - First Fijian & First Pacific Islander to win the "European Player of the Year" Award & the Anthony Foley Trophy, 2018. "Gold medallist at Rio Olympics 2016",Known world wide as "Offloader King".(Fiji's most versatile talent, & no 1 rugby superstar).
  • Lingo Reece - Castaway Island Duty Manager for more than 26 years.
  • Litia Daveta AKA Esther King - One of Fiji's most famous gospel singer.
  • Lynda Tabuya - Politician, Former Miss Hiscus, Former Lecturer.
  • Dr Manoa Masi - First Fijian Dentist, (One of the core influences behind the prominence of the Kadavu Choir)
  • Manu Korovulavula - First father and son in Fiji and the Pacific to fight together in a war.Fijian political leader and civil servant. War veteran of the Malayan Campaign. Also a Writer, Composer, and Singer.
  • Merewalesi Nailatikau - First Fijian and first Melanesian woman to win the South Pacific Pageant. Was a recipient of a Sylff fellowship, was appointed UNICEF ambassador for the Pacific Island countries. Former TV personality. Former Miss Hibscus queen.
  • Mosese Tikoitoga - Ambassador, Former RFMF Commander
  • Mosese Sorovi - Fiji's Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion
  • Niko Verekauta - Pacific Games Former 400 meters specialist & champion
  • Nina Nawalowalo - First female Melanesian theatre director in the world. Daughter of Ratu Noa Nawalowalo.
  • Ratu Noa Nawalowalo - First Fijian-born barrister to graduate from Victoria University and First Fijian to set up a law firm in NZ.
  • Rachel Ah Koy - Former Swimming National record holder & champion, granddaughter of Sir James Ah Koy
  • Radike Qereqeretabua - Long time Hotelier/Manager, father of Lenora Qereqeretabua
  • Ratu Josateki Nawalowalo - was a [[Fijian chief, businessman, and chairman- Kadavu Provincial Council.
  • Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto - Flying Fijians (15's) member, (2019).
  • Richard Tanumi - Australian born - Musician, Actor, Singer, Model, Dancer
  • Rob Valetini - Wallabies team member - (July 2019). First-Youngest Fijian schoolboy to be drafted into a Rugby club Brumbies at age 16.
  • Roy Ravana - Sports personality, was one of Fiji's star athlete.
  • Ratu Seci Nawalowalo- former Member of Parliament
  • Ratu Sela Nanovo - Former Fijian Senator, named by the Great Council of Chiefs
  • Dr. Sitiveni Ratuva - Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and director of the MacMillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
  • Dr Tim. Uluirewa First Fijian to attain a PHD in Music. Former Pastor, songwriter, and worship leader.
  • Sakeasi Nawaikama Waqanivavalagi(Snr) Former Fijian Politician, Served as a Minister in Ratu Kamisese Mara's Cabinet, worked for the Order Of St John for 42 years and was its Chairman for a number of Years. founding father of Fiji's National Provident Fund, a Government Minister, Chairman of the Fiji Visitors Bureau and Chairman of the Public Service Commission.
  • Sera Tikotikovatu - First Fijian actress to act in an international TV series. Former Miss Hibiscus queen. She starred as Kirra in Pirate Islands: The Lost Treasure of Fiji.
  • Sevu Reece - All Blacks Member - July 2019, 'Super Rugby 2019 Top try scorer', 'Crusaders Rookie of the year 2019.'
  • Sireli Naqelevuki - First Fijian and First South Pacific Islander to be contracted to a South African Franchise Team, Stormers in Super Rugby.
  • Solomoni Mara - Current Ambassador to the USA, previously to the UK.
  • Terio Tamani - Captain of "Gold" medal winning 7's team (SPG -2019), member of Fiji 7's team.
  • Vilisoni Rarasea - Sports personality, one of Fiji's star athletes, brother of Elenoa Sailosi.
  • Vilimoni Vaganalau Labailagi - Butler to many of Fiji's Governor Generals, PM's and Presidents. Fiji's longest serving civil servant of more than 50 years.
  • Waisea Vatuwaqa - musician and songwriter
  • Grace Marie Baro - athlete Coca - Cola games 2019
  • Malakai Waqanokonoko - Developed Plant Maintenance studies at Fiji National University
  • Ratu Majia Bainivalu - Turaga na Vunisalevu na Tui Naceva and Respected member of the Boselevu Vakaturaga
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References
  • 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, Michael (2015) Kadavu Island: Adaptation and stagnation in the Fijian periphery, Miscellanea Geographica: Regional Studies on Development, Vol. 19(2), pp. 14–20.
Specific
  1. Fiji Bureau of Statistics (5 January 2018). "2017 Population and Housing Census - Release 1". Census 2017. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.

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