Page 27 - IB September 2024

Building and Construction Building and Construction

Cakaudrove Women’s Resource Centre photo by Architects without Frontiers. Interior of a Samoan house, photographed ca 1900 by Alfred John Tattersall.

like the ovava, to create natural barriers against king waves,” it aims to reconnect with the land and traditional knowledge.
says Liuvaie. “By combining modern techniques with Indigenous
“Bamboo has been used for centuries across the Pacific,” practices, we can build homes that reflect our culture, our
Liuvaie explains. environment, and our future,” he explains.
“It’s sustainable, durable, and, with the right design, can Niueans are still grappling with the emotional toll of
withstand the strongest cyclones. During my presentation, climate disasters.
I displayed a bamboo model structure and received In 2018, survivor of Cyclone Heta and former Aliluki
overwhelmingly positive feedback. People want solutions that resident, Esther Pavihi spoke about the importance of
are affordable and rooted in their culture. documenting these experiences.
“I also proposed using bamboo as a building material. It’s “We lost more than our homes; we lost our stories,” she
extremely resilient and has a 20-year sustainability window. said.
We can build structures that are both cost-effective and “It’s our responsibility to record these memories for future
durable.” generations, so they can make informed decisions when the
According to Niue news media, Television Niue, Liuvaie’s
approach goes beyond simply rebuilding stronger structures - Continued on page 30

We are a Civil Engineering Contracting Company
with a vision of providing quality results and
comprehensive and dependable service in the
areas of:
• earthworks
• roading
• drainage
• watermain construction VUKSICH & BORICH (FIJI) PTE LTD
Denarau Island, Nadi
• development and construction of subdivisions PO Box 794, Nadi
Ph: (679) 675 0266
• siteworks Mob.: (679) 999 1365
• land reclamation and foreshore protection Mladen Matulic
• golf course & sports facilities construction vandb@connect.com.fj

Islands Business, September 2024 27