Can kava mana be exported?

Letters to the Editor | Friday, September 22, 2023

Rugby in the Land Down Under IT was that Fiji win in 1954 and our tour at the time, that helped to revive the game of rugby in Australia for the spectators, largely because of our carefree and free-flow style of rugby. Isa, but our win this week in the World Cup, might just do...

Editorial comment | Looking to the future

Finally, we have some attention now firmly focused on identifying major challenges in our education system. Education Ministry permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca has revealed that while 99 per cent of students complete primary school, approximately 20 per cent of these students will drop out of school between years 8 and 12. If that wasn’t bad...

Turtle conservation | Urgent action needed for Fiji

New preliminary research findings highlight persistent and alarming rate of ongoing sea turtle harvesting, which directly contradicts the welldefined regulations prohibiting this practice. A troubling trend that warrants immediate attention. The findings identified major harvesting hotspots in the provinces of Lomaiviti, Macuata, Kadavu, and Bua. The turtle, also known as vonu or ika bula, holds...

Letters to the Editor | Thursday, September 21, 2023

Men of the match MY men of the match are Simione Kuruvoli who booted us to an historic victory, and Levani Botia the Jackler and never say die battler, who won for us those crucial turnovers, on a day the Aussies will rue, when the coconut tree squashed the kangaroo! Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific...

Editorial | Addressing our sugar woes

It is encouraging to hear Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh talk about the need to address problems faced by our sugar cane farmers. He believes there is a need to do this if the industry is to be revitalised. A collaborative approach, he said, is being encouraged to ensure the advancement of the industry. He...

Sinking islands

On a tiny island in the Caribbean sea, hundreds of people are preparing to move to escape rising sea levels that threaten homes. Carti Sugtupu is only the size of five football fields but the island, off Panama’s northern coast, crams houses together with barely an inch to spare. Some homes jut out to the...

Letters to the Editor | Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Masterpiece in motion 69-year drought broken! Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones is in the spotlight as the ferocious Flying Fijians left the Wallabies RWC hopes hanging by a thread and recording their first win in 69 years. The Wallabies face a win-or-die Pool C clash with Wales in Lyon after they were battered in the...

Editorial comment | All for Fiji

Have you ever thought about the support for the Flying Fijians? The fan base that is! Think about it. Who can ever dispute where the hearts of Flying Fijians fans lie! A video is trending on social media. It shows a group of Fijians on their way to watch the Flying Fijians, obviously against Wales...

Pacific families feel the strain | The ‘painful dollar’ of Australian farms

The evenings are always the hardest for Nai Misipeka. Alone with her five children, after cooking and cleaning, she puts them to bed. With Fiji four hours ahead of Western Australia, the time difference means by the time her husband John gets off work their conversations are almost always tinged with sadness. “When he calls...

Letters to the Editor | Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Great coach, great team, great win Patience is a virtue. When we lost to Wales last week, everyone from the players to fans were angry and devastated, but if there was one person that showed no signs of panic or agony it was our national coach Simon Raiwalui. During his post match summary he was...

Editorial comment | A powerful statement

Powerful! Dominating! What a game! That 22-15 victory over the Australian Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup in France was like an injection of enthusiasm and confidence for Fiji as a nation. It is difficult not to be swayed by the outpouring of emotions yesterday. It is difficult to not be swayed by the feeling...

Celebrating Hari Malaysia. A feast for the senses at the iconic Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji

HARI Malaysia, more commonly known as Malaysia Day is commemorated on September 16 every year to mark the establishment of Malaysia. This iconic date is synonymous with uniting Malaysians across the globe. With the theme of “Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope” for the 66th National Day and 60th Hari Malaysia this year, let us venture...

Letters to the Editor | Monday, September 18, 2023

Overworked doctors AS a regular SOPD patient, on a very recent visit for prostate and kidney scans, I learnt, in passing, a GOPD doctor handled some 200 patients during his shift. As a caring Nadi retiree, as a voice for the silent majority, I respectfully share this matter with the Minister for Health and Medical...

Editorial | Startling revelations

There are stories that need to be told for the sake of transparency and for the sake of the nation. Then there is the bit about law and order, and adherence to the rule of law. So when Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) general secretary Felix Anthony finally opened up about what he went through...

Behind the News | Think before you defrauded

There’s a famous saying that goes like this – the love of money is the root of all evil. Do you remember? That was coined by the Apostle Paul of the Bible in Chapter 6 of his letter to Timothy. During his time, which is over 2000 years ago, Paul had put across the message...

A trailblazer’s journey through a lifetime of service

In the remote village of Drekeniwai, nestled in the famed Natewa Bay, young Vane Dulukorewa Nawalowalo’s life took shape in a world she neither chose nor resented. Her parents were civil servants and they were posted to Vaturova in Cakaudrove, where she attended Korotasere District School. It was at this school, where she attended class...

Letters to the Editor | Sunday, September 17, 2023

Switch positions CAN the Flying Fijians consider the following players to switch positions to look at another deadly combination and also keep the opposition guessing? Frank Lomani for first five-eighth, Peni Matawalu at half back, Iosefo Masi at full back, Josua Tuisova at second five-eighth and Ikanavere to start at hooker, Vili Mata at locks and...

Editorial | The countdown

The stage is set for what is building up to be a thriller tomorrow morning when the Flying Fijians line up against the Australian Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup in France. National coach Simon Raiwalui has named a powerful side against Eddie Jones’ side. What is creating a lot of hype though is the...

Letters to the Editor | Saturday, September 16, 2023

FRA’s response WE refer to the letter published in The Fiji Times on September 10 titled “Nadi bridge” by Suresh Chand. We acknowledge your concern and would like to assure you that the FRA is aware of the situation and that the Nadi bridge is part of the 40 critical bridges program for replacement. Currently,...

Opinion | Our contradictions … When wellbeing becomes ill-being

Have you ever considered that the iTaukei’s plight as most poor might be an outcome of cultural attitude? The Fiji Bureau of Statistics 2019:2020 Household Income and Expenditure Survey reveal that Fiji’s indigenous people, the iTaukei comprise 75 per cent of the poor population which is not in proportion with their claim to 62 per...

Editorial | Belief in our team

As we await the announcement of the Flying Fijians side to take on the might of the Australian Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup 2023, there is great anticipation. In fact the hype is quite high following that cracker against Wales on Monday. We succumbed to the Welsh 26-32, but there has been an outcry...

Opinion | The dark side of seasonal work

SEASONAL workers are treated as modern slaves in Australia. This startling information was revealed to the Catholic Conference of Heads of Religious Missionary Organisations in the Pacific, held at the Pacific Regional Seminary on August 29 to September 1. Fr Peter O’Neil from Talitha Kum – Australia, reported that seasonal workers have to surrender their...

Opinion