Taveuni

Coordinates: 16°48′S 180°00′E / 16.800°S 180.000°E / -16.800; 180.000
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For other uses, see Taveuni (disambiguation).
Taveuni
NASA Space Shuttle image of Taveuni. Top of image is NW.
Map
Geography
LocationFiji, Melanesia
Coordinates16°48′S 180°00′E / 16.800°S 180.000°E / -16.800; 180.000
ArchipelagoVanua Levu Group
Adjacent toKoro Sea
Area434 km2 (168 sq mi)[1]
Area rank3rd
Length42 km (26.1 mi)
Width10–14 km (6.2–8.7 mi)
Highest elevation1,241 m (4072 ft)
Highest pointMount Uluigalau
Administration
Fiji
DivisionNorthern
ProvinceCakaudrove
Largest settlementWaiyevo

Taveuni (pronounced [tāhvéuni]) is the third-largest island in Fiji, after Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, with a total land area of 434 square kilometres (168 square miles). The cigar-shaped island, a massive shield volcano which rises from the floor of the Pacific Ocean, is situated 6.5 kilometres (4.0 miles) east of Vanua Levu, across the Somosomo Strait. It belongs to the Vanua Levu Group of islands and is part of Fiji's Cakaudrove Province within the Northern Division.

The island had a population of around 19,000, some 75 per cent of them indigenous Fijians, at the 2015 census. Taveuni has abundant flora and is known as the 'Garden Island of Fiji'. It is a popular tourist destination. Tourists are attracted by the excellent diving opportunities, prolific bird life, bushwalks and waterfalls. Central parts of the island receive very high rainfall. Being volcanic in origin, Taveuni's soils have supported the island's most historically significant industry, agriculture.

Geography

Map of Fiji, showing Taveuni (in red) to the east of Vanua Levu
Bouma Falls, 1998

Taveuni is located at the northern end of the

lava flow at the southern tip of the island around 1550. The island's central ridge delineates the greatest volcanic activity surrounding volcanic vents.[2]

Lake Tagimaucia is one of Taveuni's most famous tourist attractions.

Waimbula River
and the islands most notable waterways.

Many of Taveuni's best known attractions lie underwater. There are three major, distinct diving areas around the island. To the north of Taveuni lie in close proximity the islands of

pelagic and schooling fish species on the exposed southern side of the reef, whereas the sheltered western parts provide pristine soft and hard coral gardens. Migrating humpback whales pass the island in July.[8]

Sign "Between Yesterday And Today" at 180th meridian in Taveuni, commemorating the International Date Line. Note that this is not the real location of the Date Line, which passes entirely east of Fiji.

An interesting note is that the island of Taveuni crosses the east–west

antimeridian, so the "north-eastern" portion of the island is located at -179 degrees longitude and the south-western part at +179 degrees longitude. This is often an example that causes havoc to GIS
software, in which a polygon geometry around the perimeter of the island is incorrectly rendered and wraps around the globe.

To protect Fiji's wildlife, two sanctuaries have been created on the island of Taveuni, namely the Ravilevu Nature Reserve on the east coast, and the Taveuni Forest Reserve in the middle of the island. The potential to be nominated as a World Heritage Site contributes to the island's national significance, as outlined in Fiji's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.[9]

Settlements

Wairiki Mission, 2003

The population is concentrated mostly on the more sheltered western side of the island. Taveuni has eight major villages. Halfway down the west coast is the administrative centre of

Indo-Fijian settlement, is the island's commercial centre. The main hospital is located at Waiyevo while a number of nursing stations and health centres are located around the island.[10]
Other settlements include Bouma, Deleni, Gacaavulu, Kanacea, Korovou, Lavena, Matei, Naselesele, Navakawau, Salialevu, Soqulu, Vuna, Wairiki, and Welagi.

Climate

The climate of Taveuni and Fiji is tropical without temperate extremes. It has been described as typical

submontane forests. Near Mount Koroturanga, 9,970 mm of mean, annual rainfall has been recorded.[11] A 2011 study identified coastal erosion, flooding and water availability and supply as the most significant impacts of climate change on some of the villages on Taveuni.[12]

Climate data for Taveuni (Matei Airport, 1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30.3
(86.5) 		30.5
(86.9) 		30.7
(87.3) 		29.9
(85.8) 		29.0
(84.2) 		28.1
(82.6) 		27.5
(81.5) 		27.5
(81.5) 		27.9
(82.2) 		28.4
(83.1) 		29.2
(84.6) 		29.9
(85.8) 		29.1
(84.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 27.3
(81.1) 		27.5
(81.5) 		27.6
(81.7) 		27.0
(80.6) 		26.2
(79.2) 		25.5
(77.9) 		24.8
(76.6) 		24.8
(76.6) 		25.2
(77.4) 		25.7
(78.3) 		26.3
(79.3) 		27.0
(80.6) 		26.2
(79.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 24.2
(75.6) 		24.5
(76.1) 		24.5
(76.1) 		24.1
(75.4) 		23.3
(73.9) 		22.8
(73.0) 		22.0
(71.6) 		22.0
(71.6) 		22.3
(72.1) 		22.8
(73.0) 		23.4
(74.1) 		24.1
(75.4) 		23.3
(73.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 337.8
(13.30) 		257.2
(10.13) 		257.7
(10.15) 		266.2
(10.48) 		173.7
(6.84) 		139.7
(5.50) 		91.5
(3.60) 		105.1
(4.14) 		143.9
(5.67) 		202.3
(7.96) 		196.5
(7.74) 		328.6
(12.94) 		2,500.2
(98.43)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 17.9 17.0 17.3 16.8 12.9 11.2 10.4 10.3 11.1 13.8 14.3 18.4 171.4
Source: World Meteorological Organization[13]

History

Coastal view towards Matagi Island, 2010

In 1643,

Enele Ma'afu, who had conquered the Lau Islands, was defeated by the Tui Cakau's army in a skirmish at Somosomo. Several islands that sided with Ma'afu were sold by the Tui Cakau at that time to European settlers as punishment, and their inhabitants were moved to Taveuni. The villages of Lovonivonu and Kanacea
are populated with their descendants.

In fact, Enele Ma'afu was not defeated by the Tui Cakau's army as stated above. He was in Tonga at that time. In July 1862, Ma’afu went for a visit to Tonga with Tui Bua to seek resolution about his campaign in Fiji with the Tongan Parliament. During his absence, Wainiqolo, one of his lieutenants, waged war on Golea. Wainiqolo was shot dead on the beach at Wairiki and the Tongans were slaughtered.

Wainiqolo had taken Tui Cakau prisoner when Golea was involved in an internal Cakaudrove campaign. It was an opportune time for Wainiqolo to initiate his campaign whilst Golea was involved in an internal struggle on Vanualevu. Ma’afu never forgave Wainiqolo for the act that he did and removed all land allocated to him. Historians saw this anger as confirmation that Ma’afu was not part of the Wainiqolo plot to conquer Tui Cakau while he was away in Tonga. The unprovoked attack by Wainiqolo was regarded by the Tui Cakau as cancelling his obligation to respect the right of Ma’afu to islands which had been formerly part of Cakaudrove chiefdom. Golea proceeded to resell the whole of Vanuabalavu to Europeans.

On 3 February 1865, a Court of Arbitration was convened by British Consul Jones who handed down the Court's decision that Ma’afu was the lawful owner of Vanuabalavu and associated islands. Ma’afu immediately executed an affidavit the following day stating that Vanuabalavu and all the other lands given to him. The life of Enele Ma'afu the Tui Lau has been documented in the "

Summary of Key Historical Events
". Na Tikina Makawa o Vuna was not defeated by Somosomo as the above statement reads. In fact, historically, Taveuni was owned and controlled by two distinct Chieftainship, Tikina o Vuna from the south, and one in the north of Taveuni. The Tui Cakau has his land across water from Taveuni island and the central part of Taveuni.

In 1876, a 2.4 metres (7.9 feet) horse tramway was constructed on the Selia Levu estate to transport sugar cane to a mill.[citation needed]

Recent

The

tidal surge and high waves.[4]

Flora and fauna

See also: Fiji tropical moist forests and List of birds of Fiji
orange dove

Nearly all plants and animals indigenous to Fiji are found on Taveuni, which has suffered less devastation from land clearance than other areas of Fiji. The absence of the

P. vitianus frog species. The critically endangered Fijian monkey-faced bat is found only on Taveuni. It was discovered by scientists in 1977.[15] The flowering plant Balaka seemannii
, which is endemic to Fiji, is found on the island.

The green iguana or American iguana has been introduced to the Fijian islands. The lizard poses a threat because it has no natural enemies, can reach a high population density, eats the taro plant and because it carries Salmonella bacteria which can be transferred to humans if bitten.[16] In 2013, an eradication program coordinated by the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji saw a bounty placed on both adult and juvenile American iguanas as well as their eggs.[17]

Taveuni is also home to the

kula parrot, and the Australian magpie, introduced to control coconut pests, has proliferated on the island. The critically endangered red-throated lorikeet has been found here. In total, 22 regional endemic bird species have been recorded on Taveuni.[14] The total number of bird species found on the island is closer to 100.[18]

Economy

See also: Sugar mills in Fiji
Matei Airport, 2003

The island's agricultural output is a significant contributor to the Fijian economy.[19]

Copra has been traditionally the most important crop produced on Taveuni, and has always been the staple of the local economy. In recent times farmers have mainly shifted to growing taro, kava and other speciality crops like vanilla, along with tropical fruit and coffee. During the American Civil War (1861–1865), cotton was raised on Taveuni and exported to Europe. Sugarcane was also grown for a brief period. Livestock such as sheep, cattle and poultry are also raised, but animal husbandry lags behind crop production in terms of economic importance. In recent times, tourism has become a contributor to the local economy, with about a dozen small resorts providing accommodation options for visitors and employment and business opportunities to the local population.[citation needed]

Language

The Taveuni dialect of Fijian reflects Tongan influence. One of its most distinctive features is the replacement of the consonant 'k' by a glottal stop. The Tui Cakau is therefore known locally as the Tui Ca'au.[citation needed]

Notable Taveunians

Taveuni notable peoples of high birth, other settler societies or ordinary Fijian (Indigenous) residents can be traced back to the era before European contact through to Deed of Cession of Fiji with Great Britain to Fiji Independence and today. Taveuni has 5 main key main villages which has their own Paramount Chiefs. These Chiefs are crucial in keeping their people informed of changes and updates on developments in Fiji. These are those that have helped shaped Taveuni and holding together its people. Perhaps the best-known Taveuni resident internationally was

First Lady, Adi Salaseini Kavunono, wife of President Ratu Josefa Iloilo (2000–2009). Ratu Jone Yavala Kubuabola served as Fiji's Minister for Finance from 2000 to 2006. He was also a former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji
.

Ai Sokula
clan.

Isikeli Vuruna, a rugby union footballer, was born on Taveuni.[citation needed]

Cultural references

Both Avengers of the Reef and Return to the Blue Lagoon were partially filmed on the island.[citation needed]

Fantasy Island (film) was also filmed on the island.[20]

See also

References

  1. ISBN 978-0520256491
    .
  2. ^ a b Shane Cronin (December 1999). "Volcanic Hazard And Risk Assessment For Taveuni, Fiji Islands" (PDF). SOPAC Technical Report 298. Massey University. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  3. ^
    S2CID 129237008
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-9814451338
    . Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  5. ^ Ropate Valemei (1 March 2014). "An island paradise". Fiji Times Online. Fiji Times Limited. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  6. ISBN 978-1566914116
    . Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  7. ISBN 978-1847733177
    . Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  8. ISBN 978-1845371807
    . Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  9. ^ Ganilau, Bernadette Rounds (2007). Fiji Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PDF). Convention on Biological Diversity. pp. 107–112. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Taveuni Community Health Project". Commonwealth of Australia. 27 March 2003. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  11. ^
    ISBN 978-0387983134
    . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  12. ^ Yakub, Naushad; Antoine De Ramon N'Yeurt; Jese R. Vatukela; Kelera O. Oli; Ame R Tuisavusavu (27 June 2012). "Rapid vulnerability and adaptation assessment of communities in Taveuni & Yanuca, Cakaudrove Province, Fiji". Abstract. The University of the South Pacific. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  13. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  14. ^
    ISBN 978-1845937089
    . Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  15. ^ "Rare bat captured on Taveuni". Fiji Sun. 20 June 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  16. ^ Michael Field (13 November 2011). "'Aliens' invade Fiji isles". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  17. ^ "Program Underway To Eradicate American Iguana". Press Release. Ministry of Information, National Archives & Library Services of Fiji. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  18. ISBN 978-0520259324
    . Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  19. S2CID 140596102
    .
  20. ^ "Filming Location Matching "Taveuni%2C Fiji" (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)".

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taveuni.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Taveuni.
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