X-Nico

37 unusual facts about Fiji


2010–11 South Pacific cyclone season

Later the same day it was upgraded to a Tropical Depression, and cyclone warnings were issued for islands in the Eastern Division of Fiji.

American Airlines

In 1970 American Airlines had flights from St. Louis, Chicago, and New York to Honolulu and on to Sydney and Auckland via American Samoa and Nadi, Fiji.

Ami Chandra

Later, he went to Ba, establishing another school, Arya Kanya Pathshala (Arya Girls School).

While in Ba Chandra was also recruited by the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR) to teach company employees and overseers to speak proper Hindi and understand Indian culture.

Ayodhya Prasad

In order to earn money for his trip, he acquired some land in Yalalevu, Ba and started cane farming.

Badri Maharaj

When Vashist Muni arrived in Fiji, in 1920, and conducted meetings in different parts of the Western Division, Badri Maharaj provided confidential reports on his activities to the Government.

Badri Maharaj opposed the 1920 strike by workers in the Central Division.

Balwant Singh Rakkha

He returned to Fiji after fourteen years and established a practice in Ba.

Cyclone Martin

On October 27, 1997 the Fiji Meteorological Service's Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in Nadi, Fiji (RSMC Nadi) started to monitor a weak tropical disturbance that had developed to the north of the Northern Cook Islands.

Cyclone Nancy

The Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in Nadi, Fiji uses 10-minute sustained winds for its tropical cyclone tracking information, while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center uses 1-minute sustained winds.

Later that day, the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji upgraded the system to a Category 1 cyclone and gave it the name Nancy while it was located about 485 km (300 mi) east-northeast of Pago Pago, American Samoa.

Cyclone Paula

In Fiji's Western Division, strong storm surge destroyed homes in nine villages across the coastline.

Derek Derenalagi

From Nakavu Village in Nadi, Fiji, he was born to a single mother and was raised by his grandmother.

Jeremaia Waqanisau

He joined the civil service and served as Commissioner of Fiji's Western Division from January 1997 through December 1998.

Kaminieli Aria

Kaminieli Tako Aria (born (date unknown) at Nadi, Fiji; died circa 1967 in Fiji) was a Fijian cricketer.

Kennan Adeang

He was appointed to the position of High Commissioner to Fiji during 2007, during which time he was accused of, and denied, verbally abusing two ministers.

In 2007, he was appointed High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji, serving in the position until his death in 2011.

Lami F.C.

It is based in Lami, which is a town situated some 10 kilometers from Suva on the island of Viti Levu.

Lend-Lease

New Zealand supplied food to United States forces in the South Pacific, and constructed airports in Nadi, Fiji.

Manoa Thompson

His only appearance saw a 72-4 loss to Great Britain at the Prince Charles Park in Nadi, the score being the record for the largest test win by the Lions.

National Congress of Fiji

Ayodhya Prasad put his own name for the Western cross-voting seat, while K.S. Reddy was nominated for the Nadi/Nadroga seat and James Shankar Singh for the Ba seat.

Navua F.C.

They are based in Navua, which is situated on the southern side of the main island of Viti Levu, between the town of Sigatoka and the city of Suva.

Nirbhay Singh

Singh was born in Ba and educated at Arya Kanya Pathshala, Namosau Methodist Mission School and Xavier College, Ba.

Paresh Narayan

Narayan is the eldest of three brothers (Nilesh Narayan and Nitesh Narayan) and was born in a farming community in Navua.

Rabi Council of Leaders

Misieli Naivalu, the Commissioner for Fiji's Northern Division said on 23 January that Cabinet had decided on the 15th that both islands would benefit from the merger of their councils.

Rakiraki F.C.

It is based in Rakiraki, which is situated on the northern side of the main island of Viti Levu.

Ram Narayan Deoki

His father, Shiu Narayan Deoki, was initially a farmer in Navua but the decline in the sugar industry in the district forced him to move to Suva, where he set up a grocery business.

Rishi Ram

Ram was born in Ba in 1952 and attended attended St Teresa's Primary School and Khalsa Secondary School.

Sakiusa Sing

Sing started his teaching career at Savarekareka in Savusavu and went on to become the founding principal of Wairiki Secondary School in Taveuni, Bemana Junior Secondary School in Sigatoka, Lomary Secondary School, and the first lay principal of St Johns College in Cawaci.

Semi Ravouvou

Ravouvou's exact date of birth is unknown, only that he died circa 1967 at Saunaka, Nadi.

Semi Ravouvou Ravouvou (born (date unknown) at Saunaka, Nadi; died circa 1967 at Saunaka, Nadi) was a Fijian cricketer.

Taukei ni Waluvu

In 1998, a meke -i- wau (traditional club dance) of Bukuya village in Magodro district in the Province of Ba performed for the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, recounted the Taukei ni Waluvu’s tribal skirmishes in that part of Viti Levu’s western highlands.

Tavua

Tavua, Fiji 91 kilometres from Nadi and 9 kilometres from the gold mining settlement of Vatukoula

Tavua F.C.

It is based in Tavua, which is situated on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu, between the town of Rakiraki and the town of Ba.

Tropical cyclone scales

Both the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the RSMC in Nadi, Fiji use the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale.

Any tropical cyclone that forms to the east of 90°E in the Southern Hemisphere is monitored by either the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and/or the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in Nadi, Fiji.

Western Crusaders

Bligh Roosters joined the 2007 competition, Western Crusaders gave up Tavua, Vatukoula, Ba and Ra to the new franchise.


2005–06 Fijian political crisis

Fiji Labour Party President Jokapeci Koroi issued a statement on 14 January 2006 accusing Lesi Korovavala, the Chief Executive Officer of the Home Affairs Ministry, of having conspired with Home Affairs Minister Josefa Vosanibola to arrange a secret meeting between Baledrokadroka and Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, in an attempt to depose Bainimarama.

2010 Oceanian Futsal Championship

Prior to the competition, the Solomon Star reported that Fiji and New Zealand were expected to be the main threats to Solomon Islands' attempt to win its third consecutive title.

Agathis macrophylla

Agathis macrophylla, known as Pacific kauri, is a coniferous tree native to the islands of the southwestern Pacific Ocean in tropical humid lowlands and lower montane regions, notably in Fiji, Vanuatu, the Santa Cruz Islands, and the Solomon Islands.

Bei Kai Viti

The party was formed by residents and some chiefs of Ba Province to contest the 1999 elections, but failed to win any seats in the House of Representatives.

Chattering Kingfisher

The species is probably closely related to the white-bellied Collared Kingfishers of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

Conciliation Resources

In August 2013, the Reverend Akuila Yabaki, Chief Executive Officer of CCF, one the partners in the region, received a sentence of three months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, concerning the reprinting of an article quoting a 2011 report by the UK Law Society Charity, Fiji: The Rule of Law Lost, in which questions were raised over the impartiality of Fiji's judiciary.

Dietrich Mateschitz

He lives in Salzburg, Austria but also owns Laucala Island, off Fiji, which he bought from the Forbes family for £7 million.

Fiji Focus

The inaugural edition of the newspaper, on June 13, 2009, included articles entitled "Tourism grows", "US Senator moots new approach to Fiji", "Support for Peoples Charter expands", "Govt to improve services", and "Devaluation positive".

Fiji Ground Frog

The Fiji ground frog is found on four larger islands (Taveuni, Vanua Levu, Ovalau, and Gau) and a small island, Viwa, (0.6 ha) off the eastern coast of the main island (Viti Levu) of the Fiji archipelago.

Fiji–New Zealand relations

On 15 December 2008 the New Zealand Government now under the leadership of John Key defied an ultimatum by Bainimarama threatening to expel New Zealand's acting high commissioner unless a visa is granted to the son, a Massey University student who is the son of Rupeni Nacewa, a secretary in the office of Fiji's president in Suva.

Fijian mercenaries in Bougainville

Fiji's Home Affairs Minister, Josefa Vosanibola, issued a statement on 20 November calling on all Fijian citizens living or working abroad to respect the laws of their host countries, and to refrain from involvement in any activities that could tarnish Fiji's reputation.

Fiji's Employment Minister Kenneth Zinck said on 23 November that he welcomed the recruitment of former Fijian soldiers for work in Bougainville, provided that it was for a legitimate undertaking.

Fijian presidential election, 2000

A Presidential election took place in Fiji on 18 July 2000, to replace Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, who had resigned, possibly under pressure from the Military, during the Fiji coup of 2000.

Finau Vulivuli

Finau Vulivuli (born 18 August 1982 in Savusavu) is a Fijian women's football referee.

Flag of Fiji

"The coat of arms is very significant because it has the word of God, then it has the two warriors and the Fijian canoe also. I think that the council members prefer that the full coat of arms be included in the Fiji flag," said Asesela Sadole, General Secretary of the Great Council of Chiefs.

Funafuti

The airfield was constructed during World War II and is now the Funafuti International Airport, which serves both as the airstrip for the flights from Fiji as well as providing a place for sporting and other recreational activities.

H. diptera

Hoya diptera (Seemann, 1896), a waxplant species in the genus Hoya native to the Fiji Islands

Hector Hatch

While visiting New Zealand on 4 January 2007, the Interim Military Government (which had seized power in a coup d'état on 5 December 2006) named Hatch to head the Public Service Commission, replacing Stuart Huggett, who was dismissed for non-cooperation with the military regime.

Herbert Stanley Morris

Herbert Stanley Morris (1892 – 14 August 1919) was a botanist who served as District Commissioner on the island of Fiji and A.D.C. to the Governor of Fiji, Sir Ernest Bickham Sweet-Escott.

Imrana Jalal

On 23 December, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, accused Jalal, along with women's rights campaigner Virisila Buadromo, of having published his personal e-mail address and mobile telephone number in newspapers, which was creating difficulties for him.

Kadavu Fantail

It is closely related to the Streaked Fantail of the rest of Fiji, and forms a superspecies with the numerous island species of fantail ranging from the Solomon Islands (the Brown Fantail) to Samoa (the Samoan Fantail).

Karen Ramey Burns

She worked on a number of high-profile cases, including the Raboteau Massacre and trial in Haiti, the Río Negro massacre in Guatemala, victims of genocide in Iraqi Kurdistan, the Amelia Earhart search in Kiribati, Fiji, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the identification of the Kazimierz Pułaski remains in Savannah, Georgia, United States.

Kuini Speed

Adi Kuini was married three times, first to Military officer Savenaca Draunidalo (a Minister from 2001 to 2006), subsequently to Bavadra and finally to Clive Speed, a former Director of the Business Council of Australia.

Labasa College

It has a roll of more than 650 students as of January 2013, including a collection of boarding students from across the Northern Division of Fiji making it one of the most diverse and academically proficient educational institutions in the country.

Litia Cakobau

Cakobau, the daughter of Ratu Sir George Cakobau, who was Fiji's Governor-General from 1973 to 1983, was appointed to the Senate in 2001 as one of nine nominees of the Fijian government.

Lomaloma

Lau Islands, Fiji By A.M Hocart, Published by the Bishop Museum, Hawaii (1929) reference to Ratu Keni Naulumatua as Rasau of Lomaloma and details on his title.

Meadow Argus

The Meadow Argus can be found mainly on the Australian mainland, as well as in Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Tuvalu, Samoa and Cook Islands.

Monarchy of Fiji

In the late 1840s, the Vunivalu or ruler of Bau, Tanoa Visawaqa (died 1852) declared himself Tui Viti, which translates as "King of Fiji" or "paramount chief of Fiji".

Morrinsville Sports

2007 was the biggest year thus far for the club, with the naming of Vesi Rauluni (Fiji), Dwayne Sweeney (New Zealand Māori rugby union team), and Brendon Leonard (All Blacks) all in one week.

Mount Tomanivi

The main river systems, the Rewa, Navua, Sigatoka, and Ba, all have their headwaters in the central mountain area.

North Tarawa

In the early 1970s, a boat constructed at Taratai village was sailed to Fiji using traditional navigation techniques, as part of a project led by James Siers to demonstrate that Pacific seafarers were capable of making deliberate voyages of exploration in ancient times.

Oceanian nations at the FIFA World Cup

New Zealand, Australia, Fiji got to group 1 and respectively ranked 1, 2, 5 places.

Parliament of Fiji Islands

The remaining 46 are reserved for Fiji's ethnic communities and are elected from communal electoral rolls: 23 Fijians, 19 Indo-Fijians, 1 Rotuman, and 3 "General electors" (Europeans, Chinese, and other minorities).

Paul Trimboli

He earned 48 caps (39 'A' games) with the Socceroos, marking his debut in 1988 against Fiji with a goal.

Pita Driti

Driti came to international attention on 6 November 2006, when he publicly accused the Qarase government of smuggling 400 kilograms of Australian arms and mercenaries into Fiji, and called on then-Commissioner of Police Andrew Hughes (an Australian) to answer for it.

Rakuita Vakalalabure

After returning to Fiji, he served as a state prosecutor for four years under the then-Director of Public Prosecutions, Nazhat Shameem and three years as Legal Officer and Board Secretary for the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji.

Semi Radradra

In 2011, Radradra played for the Fiji National Rugby Union Sevens team in the 2011 IRB Sevens World Series.

Spa Ground

During the 1986 ICC Trophy, the ground played host to its only international match to date between Fiji and the Netherlands.

Sukuna Bowl

The Sukuna Bowl is an annual rugby union fixture that usually takes place in Suva, Fiji.

Teimumu Kepa

Ro Teimumu Kepa is the widow of Sailosi Kepa, a former high commissioner to London, minister of justice and attorney general (1988–1992) who went on to become a High Court judge, Ombudsman, and first chairman of Fiji's Human Rights Commission.

Tomasi Kanailagi

The former President of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma, Fiji's largest Christian denomination, served in the Senate from 2001 to 2006 as a nominee of the Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase.

(Under the Constitution, 9 of the 32 Senate seats are filled by nominees of the Prime Minister; a further 8 are chosen by the Leader of the Opposition, 14 by the Great Council of Chiefs, and 1 by the Council of Rotuma).

Tubou

One of eight villages on Lakeba, it is considered the capital of the Lau Islands, being the seat of the Vuanirewa clan, a powerful chiefly family from which Fiji's longtime Prime Minister and President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920–2004) and one of Fiji's famous cricketers I. L. Bula (1921–2002), hailed.

Tui Cakau

The present Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, leads a political party, the Conservative Alliance and was a Minister in the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase from 2000 to 2005, when he was convicted of involvement in the coup d'état that deposed the elected government in 2000.

Virisila Buadromo

A number of news agencies reported on 25 December that Buadromo, her partner Arshad Daud, and fellow-pro democracy activists Imraz Iqbal, Jacqueline Koroi, Laisa Digitaki, and Peter Waqavonovono had been summoned to Suva's Queen Elizabeth Barracks around midnight.

Viscount Dunrossil

His son, the second Viscount, notably served as High Commissioner to Fiji and as Governor of Bermuda.

William MacGregor

In 1884 the ship Syria, with coolies for Fiji, ran ashore about 15 miles from Suva.

Xenoconger fryeri

Xenoconger fryeri is an eel of the family Chlopsidae which inhabits tropical waters around Assumption Island and Aldabra in the Indian Ocean and New Caledonia, Palau, Fiji and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean.