Kadavu, with an area of, is the fourth largest island in Fiji, and the largest island in the Kadavu Group, a volcanicarchipelagoconsisting 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, Fiji's capital, lies to the north of Kadavu. The population of the island province was 10,167 at the most recent census 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 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.
Kadavu is one of the least developed areas of Fiji. There are few roads, and the local economy is largely dependent on subsistence farming, supplemented by exports to Viti Levu. The main commercial crop is yaqona. There are no banks on Kadavu. Tourism is becoming popular, however, with snorkeling and diving 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.
History
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 whalers from Sydney, Australia, and New England in the United States. Galoa Harbour became a regular port of call for vessels carrying mail between Sydney, San Francisco, and Auckland.
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", to forge a relationship.
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, sweetest mangoes, and prettiest girls in all Fiji. 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.
The People
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 that 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 undeniably have a 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" by their notorious "Tauvus" particularly the Stallion province of Nadroga and the Rooster province of Ra with whom they share a fierce friendly rivalry. 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."
