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From Fiji Times Online (29 October 2013) The journey home by Mere Naleba In 2004, Hunter moved to New Zealand where he polished up his guitar skills and also playing the keyboard. And in just one year, Hunter was able to write his own songs and compose his own music for the 10 songs in his first album. The Haga Village, Juju native returned to Fiji early this month, picked up two local budding musicians and with the group, are now traveling to Rotuma to launch their music before family and friends. "It's a three-piece band, with the two other band boys from Ba and our dancer from Nadi," he said. "This is our first time together as a group to be traveling to Rotuma and it is going to be exciting. All our hard work will now be put to the test." Preparing for the launch was not an easy task because it meant spending more money. But for a man who had so much love for music, he was prepared to spend more than $20,000 to see his album launched back in his homeland. The group will be in Rotuma for more than a week, as their return to Fiji would depend on the boat service. © Fiji Times Ltd. From Jane Gibson in Sydney (17 October 2013) Congratulations to Goidel Setanta O'hAilpin and Riki U‘ilani LaBoy who were married on Saturday, 12th October 2013 at the Sea Life Park on the east coast of Oahu, Hawai‘i. Proud mum Emeli, originally from Juju, along with her other children, grandchildren and niece traveled from Ireland and Australia to share this special occasion with her son and his lovely Hawaiian bride. Groomsmen included brothers, Sean Og and Aisake. Sisters and partners included Sarote with husband Donal McSweeney and children; Letiah, Kerera and Etaoin Jnr and Etaoin with partner Neil. Known as Setanta, Emeli's son has carved a successful sporting career for himself; he also speaks both Rotuman and Gaelic languages. 'Setanta' is an ancient Irish name which has mythological and Celtic origins. It has now become a famous name again in Ireland due to Setanta's popularity as an athlete and also a branded news sports channel. At 199cm Setanta was indeed the centre of attention. His handsome Rotuman and Irish features, and his stunning bride, were wonderful features in the picturesque sunset, Hawaiian mountains and Pacific ocean on the weekend. It is an exciting new journey Setanta and U‘ilani will now embark on and may God bless them with an abundance of hanisi, peace and joy. From Fiji Sun Online (7 October 2013, posted 14 October) 68 golfers for Rotuma Open at Denarau By Waisea Nasokia The third Rotuma Golf Open attracted 68 golfers at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club, Nadi on Saturday. Enthusiastic golfers who either have links to Rotuma came from as far as Canada, New Zealand and Australia to be part of the annual event. Organiser Arthur Shaw said the tournament has gained popularity over the years. "This year was a success as we recorded 68 players compared to last year where we had 41," said Shaw. He said the tournament also helps to fundraise to assist people with disabilities in Rotuma. "This is the fundraising for the Ha'eanoa Charity Foundation with the objective is to help those who have disability or have some disadvantage and require some sort of assistance," he said. 'The tournament went really well and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was a great success and we might look at having another one at the same time next year." The Bula Bus team led Trevor Fox, Tui Kabu, Alfred Bowerman, Don Mackenzie, took the top honours while Sydneysiders Dennis, Osborne, Das and Gerald came second. ––––––––––––––––––––––– Complete results: 1st Prize: Bula Bus, From Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (11 October 2013) MV Lady Sandy to sail soon by Mika Loga The MV Lady Sandy is expected to resume its services from next week. Parent company Seaview Shipping Services suspended services to the Lau group and Rotuma following the suspension of one of the boat Captains last week. Operations Manager Susana Moceiwasa told FBC News that the Lady Sandy is scheduled to sail to Rotuma next week. It will be captained by another captain employed by the company. The vessel will then sail to Matuku, Totoya, Vanuavatu, Lakeba, Oneata, Moce, Komo and Namuka when its returns. Meanwhile, Seaview Shipping's lawsuit against Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji over the captain's suspension has been adjourned to 16 October. From Fiji Times Online (4 October 2013) Sculpting messages by Solomoni Biumaiono A group of students and artists were excited about the prospect of using their respective talents and trade to share eco-friendly knowledge with school children of Uluinakorovatu Primary School at Naceva Village on Beqa island. Called the Beqa Eco Artists Workshop, a group of 13 artists and students from the University of the South Pacific and artists from its Oceania Centre, spoke to the children about the need to keep their environment clean as well as the topic of climate change. The workshop is part of the University's Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD) project, which is devoted to combining science and local knowledge to develop climate change action plans in more than 40 communities in 15 Pacific island nations. The Oceania Centre's Visual Arts co-ordinator Johanna Beasley and PACE-SD's Dr Sarah Hemstock led the team on their Beqa sojourn. "PACE is where Sarah works and she was keen to collaborate to get art and science together. We wanted to use art to put across a message. This was a good opportunity to mix art with politics or try to make a change, show art as an education tool," Ms Beasley said. Harieta Vilsoni, an undergraduate student, was inspired by a tune her father had written to give life to a song that Sarah had written, and which the group shared with the students. "We use art to inform them of what climate change is. You probably think they do not know climate change scientifically but through the pictures and what we wanted to portray it gave them a fair idea of what climate change is," Ms Vilsoni said. . . © Fiji Times Ltd. See full article and a beautifully illustrated Report of the Eco-Art Project (1.7mb pdf) |