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Point of Origin | Jannif in the ’60s (Part 3): St Paul’s, UE year, Maori culture and the twins
The 1960s are not referred to as the swinging ’60s for no reason. The cultural revolution against the old-world ways by the new world youth truly heralded the age of Aquarius. From the technological advancements...
156 join Republic of Fiji Military Forces
Families and friends turned up in numbers and braved the rain this week to witness 156 new recruits during the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) 1/23 basic recruit passing-out parade at the Force Training Group (FTG) in Nasinu. RFMF commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai reminded the new recruits of the importance of the...
Beading her way to FJFW | Helen Oro – First Nation indigenous fashion designer of Canada
We at Fiji Fashion Week are preparing ecstatically to receive the first group of indigenous First Nations people of the Pelican Lake Band from Saskatchewan in the middle of Canada. Fashion and Jewellery Designer Helen Oro is from the Pelican Lake Tribe of the Bear Creek Clan. She is “thrilled to be the first indigenous...
Cruise ship offers chance to visitors
International visitors now have more reasons to travel to Fiji with the latest advanced packages on offer by tourism operators. The latest is the introduction of the Fiji Luxury Small Ship Expedition Cruising by Captain Cook Cruises. Guests get to enjoy a maiden voyage on board the new MV Caledonian Sky in November to northern...
Company launches solar lanterns range; spreads renewable energy message
Aligning with the company’s ambition to become a major player in energy transition and sustainability, TotalEnergies has introduced their Sunshine range of solar lanterns to Fiji. Managing director and country chair Dino Michael Cuaycong said the launch of the product line was part of a larger mission of spreading the message of renewable energy, that...
People | Grandma’s post-Winston trauma inspires Dr Moleen’s research
Witnessing the trauma her 80-year-old cane grower grandmother experienced after the devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Winston was Moleen Monita Nand’s inspiration to pursue a Doctorate of Philosophy research on policy options for climate change loss and damage. What better way could she finish her latest educational accomplishment than to be awarded the John Lewis Prize (Gold...
Arrests attest to positive changes in fight against drugs
Police arrested a 40-year-old man who was found with white substances believed to be methamphetamine and smoking apparatus. According to a police statement, the suspect was arrested along the Waimanu Rd in Suva on Saturday and was now in police custody as the seized substance had been sent for analysis. The Fiji Police has revealed...
13-year term for drug dealer; no parole in 11 years
A Lautoka man who was found with 900 grams of methamphetamine and 25 grams of marijuana has been jailed for 13 years by the High Court in Lautoka. A police raid on Shalend Reddy’s house on August 4, 2020, led to the discovery of the drugs and he was charged with two counts of unlawful...
Achievements of statesman a beacon of hope – Jale
It is only right that the contributions and achievements of late statesman Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna is continuously commemorated. This, according to Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) vice president Anare Jale. He said SODELPA welcomed the decision made by Government to reinstate Ratu Sukuna Day as a public holiday. “The timing of the sitting of...
Prasad: Leader won the trust of people
“Ratu Sukuna won the trust of the people and ensured that their trust and faith in him was not misplaced.” This has been highlighted by National Federation Party (NFP) leader Professor Biman Prasad on the occasion of Ratu Sukuna Day today. “His selfless service is illustrated even then as – a chief, statesman and a...
Chaudhry pays homage to late chief
On the occasion of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day today, Fiji Labour Party (FLP) leader Mahendra Chaudhry has paid homage to the late statesman. Mr Chaudhry said Ratu Sukuna was a distinguished leader of his times. “He was a skilful administrator and an eloquent speaker and in his actions and utterances he always displayed rationale,”...
‘Leaving no one behind’ | Fiji has fallen behind Ratu Sukuna’s united vision – Narube
Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube says all of Fiji must triple its efforts to achieve the true meaning of “leaving no one behind”. In his message on the occasion of Ratu Sukuna Day today, Mr Narube thanked the Coalition Government for restoring the national remembrance of a great and visionary leader. The late statesman, Mr...
Need for collective approaches – Ro Teimumu
While indigenous people own 92 per cent of land in Fiji, 75 per cent of people living in poverty were the iTaukei. This was highlighted by Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa while delivering her opening remarks during the Ratu Sukuna Day Celebration Leadership Conference held at the Harbour Point Convention Center...
‘Teach kids about nature’ – Singh
Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh has pleaded with regional teacher trade unionists to push for the incorporation of climate change education in their school curriculum. In Lautoka last week, the fervent trade unionist informed regional teachers’ unions representatives part of the Educators for Climate Justice and Just Transition Conference that it was imperative to come...
Sinking islands | ‘Pacific islanders can become migrants and refugees’
The risk of sinking islands will turn citizens of Pacific nations into climate migrants and refugees. Education International president Susan Hopgood mentioned this to teachers trade unionists at the Educators for Climate Justice and Just Transition Conference in Lautoka last week. “When sea-level rise is coupled with storm surges resulting from more frequent storms and...
Recidivism rate increases this year
Fiji’s recidivism rate increased slightly this year and the Fiji Corrections Service attributed the surge in re-offending to the non-facilitation of its rehabilitation programs during the pandemic. Acting Commissioner of Corrections Senior Superintendent Salote Panapasa said the recidivism rate (the chance of a convicted criminal to reoffend) increased to 1.7 per cent from the 1.3...
FCS labels communities the ‘second prison’
The Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) has labelled communities the “second prison” because of the discrimination ex-offenders face when they are released. FCS rehabilitation director Superintendent Waisale Soqonakalou highlighted this while addressing 210 elders and representatives during the Ba Province Symposium last week. In addition, SP Soqonakalou said members of the community must avoid discriminating their...
Ratu Sukuna’s service | Actions speak to us through the decades – PM Rabuka
Fiji’s progress as one of the most economically-developed countries in the Pacific is supported by the initiatives made by Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna years ago. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka shared this in his Ratu Sukuna Day message to the people. He said one of Ratu Sukuna’s most notable contribution was the setting up of the...
PC121 | ‘Find’ after 24 years in Delailasakau
The rear bottom end of a plane believed to be from the wreckage of the PC 121 flight that crashed in the hilltops of Mataicicia, Delailasakau in Naitasiri 24 years ago was discovered by police officers last week. The PC 121 crash on the morning of July 24, 1999, killed all 17 on board, leaving...
Voluntary Health Fund for SIDS approved at the World Health Assembly
The World Health Assembly (WHA) has adopted a landmark decision led by Fiji on behalf of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Geneva, Switzerland establishing for the first time a Voluntary Health Fund for SIDS. It would reduce the financial burden on Government in funding its’ delegations for the World Health Organization (WHO) sanctioned...
Student accident victim dies in hospital
The tertiary student who was allegedly mowed down by a vehicle on May 21 in Kinoya died in hospital on Saturday. The 20-year-old student was admitted into ICU at the CWM hospital following the serious accident. Police said the young woman was crossing the Kings Rd in Kinoya, Nasinu, when she was allegedly hit by...
Temporary road closure in Suva for Ratu Sukuna Day celebrations
Members of the public are advised to consider alternative routes while making plans to travel to the capital city today. Police have advised of certain temporary road closures in light of the Ratu Sukuna Day celebrations planned for Suva. The entry into Cakobau Road and Constitution Avenue will be restricted during the celebrations from 7.30am...
What’s happening today!
Bula everyone! Here is another edition of some basic information you may need to know for today. First, here is your weather forecast for today: Weather: Cloudy periods with brief showers over Serua/Namosi, Suva/Nausori-Tailevu areas, Naitasiri, eastern Macuata and Cakaudrove provinces, Lau and Lomaiviti groups Elsewhere, fine apart from isolated afternoon or evening showers and...
28th May
Girls should not be ashamed of their periods
Women and girls face a lot of challenges when it comes to menstruation if they do not have proper access to sanitary products. For most cultures, it is a taboo to discuss menstruation openly, this leads to young girls confusion when they have their period for the first time. For most young women, menstruation is...
Behind the News | Ratu Sukuna’s first school
Wairuku Primary School’s claim to fame dates back to the late 1800s. That’s when the Rakiraki-based school became the first to be established by Indian labourers who had come to work in Fiji as indentured labourers. Hence, for over 120 years, students have been going through the gates of this institution of learning, which started...
Biman: Let GCC review team know your thoughts
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad has urged communities to let their views be known to members of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) review team before the deadline on July 31. While addressing participants at a leadership conference on reflections of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna’s life and legacy in Lami...
Voice of women: People need to submit their views to review committee
Assistant Women Minister Sashi Kiran says people need to submit their views on the lack of women representation to the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) review committee. The Fiji Times caught up with Ms Kiran on Bau Island on Thursday and she said there was a lot of awareness made about the voice of women...
Exhibition at museum
Families flocked to the Fiji Museum yesterday to witness the Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna gallery display prepared by the museum team ahead of Ratu Sukuna Day celebrations on Monday. The gallery opened at 9am and the long queue to the main door was never-ending as people continued to line up until the afternoon. Museum acting...
‘Vision for land use’
The sugarcane sector in Fiji enjoyed accelerated growth after leasing arrangements made through the vision of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna helped the industry, and Indo-Fijian farmers, thrive. Today, the industry is one which is multiracial and needs to be looked after carefully, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad. Speaking at...
Fiji Airways and Korean Airlines sign code-sharing MOU
Fiji and South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for an Air Services Agreement between the two countries to allow code-sharing arrangements, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed. This week, Cabinet approved the MOU which will now facilitate code-sharing provisions between Fiji Airways and Korean airlines. It also extends to partnerships with third-party...
