new god

A sacred spot finds a new god

Mana Island, revered by ancient Fijians as the home of their supreme god, Tuilevulevu, has been leased out by its native owners to an Australian syndicate which plans to develop a multi-million dollar fully self-sufficient tourist resort on it.

The owners will benefit to the tune of 5F30,000 to 5F70,000 in annual rents, besides holding 5 per cent, of the total shares and the right to purchase another 5 per cent. In addition to this, one of their representatives will have a seat on the board and first preferences in employ ment will be given to them.

A representative of the syndicate, Mr. J. Clarke, of Sydney, visited Fiji in June and completed negotiations with the owners and the Native Lands Trust Board. He was able to obtain a six-month option on a 99-year lease on part of the island.

The resort, which Mr. Clarke claims will be the only fully self-sufficient tourist resort in Fiji, will be built in three stage, the first stage, comprising 150 rooms, and expected to go into service by December, 1971.

“Initially, we will be spending something like $1 million, but by the time the resort is com pleted we would have invested several millions,”

Mr. Clarke said. “I appreciate the feeling of Mana Island. It is biblical and has its own mystical power. To maintain its sacredness, we have agreed to leave the east end of the island untouched. A cement wall will be erected by us to separate it from the hotel complex,” he added.

This section of the island has a cave which is believed to be the home of the supreme Fijian

god. The Roko Tui of Ba province, Ratu Napoleoni Dawai, believes the island has its own mystical power.

“Even today, whoever enters the cave, auto matically bows his head without his being aware of it at all. This is due to the power of the god.

This god was believed to be more powerful than Dakuaga, one of the chief gods in the Fijian mythology,” he said.

Mr. Clarke said the syndicate’s policy was to encourage local participation in the tourist in dustry. Twenty-five per cent, of the shares will be offered to the people of Fiji. There would be facilities to suit every tourist.

Mana Island is just 22 miles west of Nadi Airport, and the developer says he has plans for speedy ferries to transport visitors to and fro.

It has an area of 220 acres, and is li miles long and about 440 yards wide. It is surrounded by a sandy beach. Volcanic in origin, it is covered with lush vegetation with dense growths of coconut palms.

A sketch of part of the tourist plan.