Page 8 - IB May 2025

We Say

Island smiles ... Rotumans prepare to entertain guests.

ROTUMA – FORGOTTEN ISLAND

PUNCHING ABOVE ITS WEIGHT

Rotumans celebrated Rotuma Day this month – 144 years Most people originally from the island live in Fiji or
after seven chiefs ceded the island to Great Britain. overseas.
The island became a British protectorate governed from They have worked hard to create secure futures for their
Fiji, on May 13, 1881. families and relied on education as the driving force behind
Since then, the people of this small island—some 300 development.
nautical miles from Fiji—have become an integral part of this In the fields of governance, medicine, teaching, agriculture,
island nation. journalism, industry, law enforcement, religion, and the
Initially, young Rotumans moved to the gold fields of public service, Rotuman men and women have made their
Vatukoula, where they proved to be a sturdy and industrious mark as outstanding individuals and citizens of this country.
people. Thousands of Rotumans have contributed significantly to the
Their hard work saw many members of the community rise development of modern Fiji.
through the ranks to managerial positions within the mines. Among them were Senator Wilisoni Inia—a long-standing
They helped drive an industry which, in its hey-day, was the member of the Upper House—Master Aselemo Fatiaki, father
second highest foreign revenue earner – second only to sugar. of former Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki; Doctors Fatiaki Taukave
From the Vatukoula mine, engineers and electricians and Tukaha Mua.
of Rotuman origin branched out into the Public Works Deaconess Olivia Nataniela served the underprivileged
Department, (then) Fiji Electricity Authority and the aviation through her mission to orphans for more than 30 years.
industry. One of the forgotten heroes of Rotuma is Josefa Rigamoto –
Other young Rotumans decided—perhaps because of the right-hand man of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna during the Native Land
rich, nautical traditions—to join the merchant navy and sail Commission surveys.
round the islands of Fiji and around the world. Each of these islanders developed a reputation as a quiet
Many of them continue to sail the world’s oceans, a number achiever, working diligently in their chosen fields for personal
of them setting up homes in Australia, the United States, and and national development.
Europe. Chief among the Rotuman traits are friendliness, humility,
When Rotuma’s chiefs—Maraf of Noatau, Tavu Rupeni of and respect.
Oinafa, Albert of Itutiu, Vasea of Malhaha, Aisea Mou of They are values which we must hold dear and develop in
Pepjei and Manaf of Itumuta—placed their people under the the young people of today.
protection of Queen Victoria, they could not have envisaged So, to the Rotuman community, we say: Go forth and
the advances the island would make. prosper - Gagaja la alalum’uak aus ma au kaunohoga.

8 Islands Business, May 2025