Waitabu Marine Park

Fiji's Oldest Marine Park

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
    • Photo Credits
  • About the Park
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Map & Location
    • Admission & Rules
    • Review Us on TripAdvisor
  • Park Management
  • Partner Links
  • Marine Life
    • Featured Creature
  • Community Culture
    • Fijian Customs
    • Fijian History
  • Waitabu News
    • Fiji MPA News
You are here: Home / News and Events / Masi’s Village Waitabu Taveuni Waits For His Return

Masi’s Village Waitabu Taveuni Waits For His Return

The parents of Team Fiji men’s rugby sevens forward Iosefo Masi dedicated their time in fasting and praying for the players and officials at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

And their prayers were answered with the 27-12 win over New Zealand in the gold medal final at the Tokyo Stadium on Wednesday night.

Masi, played with a fractured finger and was in the run-on team as he contested the restarts against seasoned campaigners like Tim Mikkelson and Scott Curry.

His father, Atonio Kawakawa told SUNsports yesterday that they all cried at the sound of the final whistle.

“We were overwhelmed with joy,” Kawakawa said.

“Masi delivered his promise by bringing the Olympic gold back to our beloved Fiji despite playing with a fractured finger.

Iosefo Masi’s family from L-R: Aqela Nukunawa, Vilomema Maria, Atonio Kawakawa, Tui Levuka in their village in Waitabu, Waikeli in Taveuni after Fiji’s win in one of the pool games. Photo: Tagimoucia Photography
Iosefo Masi’s family from L-R: Aqela Nukunawa, Vilomema Maria, Atonio Kawakawa, Tui Levuka in their village in Waitabu, Waikeli in Taveuni after Fiji’s win in one of the pool games. Photo: Tagimoucia Photography

“We thank (head coach) Gareth Baber for his selection as it was spot on and the boys did a remarkable job overall.

“And for choosing Masi to be one of the players in the first line-up, we were grateful as it has also lifted his performance.”

Masi will undergo immediate surgery on his finger as soon the team return.

Kawakawa said villagers came together to the village hall to watch all the games as there was no other TV screen.

He said the village came to life with celebration after the finals.

“We said a prayer of thanksgiving before the children took to the road to celebrate by beating pots and pans or anything they could get hold of.”

The father of three said as they are waiting for Masi to return home as they plan to celebrate the win with him.

“Masi and the boys have done us proud. Now we have young boys in the village who look up to him for his hard work and dedication, which saw him represent Fiji.”

The Waitabu native, from the district of Waikeli in Taveuni, Cakaudrove, was brought up in their family farm at Delaivuna, Taveuni with his two younger siblings.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2021/07/30/masis-village-waits-for-his-return/

By Laisa Lui

30 Jul 2021 13:24

Share the love:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • TripAdvisor
GreenGeeks

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Visiting The Park

You have two options to visit the park.

One is the F$75 Cultural Experience Tour (includes Refreshments,Entertainments & Bilibili Ride) or for those travelling on a light budget, the F$50 Snorkeling Tour. You can save F$5 per person for groups of 4 or more.
Visits should be arranged in advance, please call 679-820-1999 or 679-930-4588

Find out more about planning your visit.

News from Waitabu

There is a saying in Waitabu that if everything is alright in the community, the nuqa will appear. When they do, there is a ritual called "ta nuqa" (literally, fetching nuqa) performed at the beach to catch these tiny animals.

Traditional Nuqa harvest at Waitabu signifies a peaceful and harmonised Vanua!

There is a saying in Waitabu that if everything is alright in the community, the nuqa will appear. When they do, there is a ritual called “ta nuqa” (literally, fetching nuqa) performed at the beach to catch these tiny animals.

Thesis: Vanua as Environment: Conservation, Farming, and Development in Waitabu, Fiji

Vanua as Environment: Conservation, Farming, and Development in Waitabu, Fiji by Hao-Li Lin, BA, Anthropology, National Taiwan University, 2004 Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Defended and approved on March 16th, 2015

More News...

  • TripAdvisor
Costa Polarized Sunglasses
Waitabu Marine Park, Fiji logo

Welcome to Waitabu Marine Park

Arrive in the tree-adorned island of Taveuni to discover a tropical paradise you’ve only dreamed about. Slip on your fins and mask and slide into the warm waters of Fiji. Let all the stress of everyday life fall away as you make your way along the magical reef of Waitabu.

The communities of Waitubu and Bouma came to protect their native fishing grounds in 1998. Their foresight and diligence has allowed visitors, like yourself, the opportunity to share in the beauty of the Waitabu Marine Park. These crystal-clear waters are home to the most amazing marine species you may ever see. Don’t be too surprised when you pass a sea turtle or find yourself following a gentle ray. You know you’re in paradise when you’ve landed in the Waitabu Marine Park.

Wake up and see the beautiful sunrise over the marine park as the start of every new day begins in Waitabu

Elia

About Us

In 1998 the Waitabu Village of Taveuni declared its fishing grounds or "qoliqoli" to be "tabu" -- a no-take fishing zone. NZAID initially supported the designation with funds for biological surveys and administration. The Wainileli and the Bouma qoliqoli, were continually and heavily overfished, resulting in small fish stocks and damaged coral. Through the continuous drive of community members and non-governmental agencies, the region is now celebrating a healthy and abundant reef for the past 20 … Read More >>

Waitabu Marine Park

Waitabu Marine Park

Sign up for our Newsletter

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

News from Fiji MPA’s

  • Waitabu Marine Park Ruggers U21 Team @e 15th Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s Tournament 2022
  • Traditional Nuqa harvest at Waitabu signifies a peaceful and harmonised Vanua!
  • Thesis: Vanua as Environment: Conservation, Farming, and Development in Waitabu, Fiji
  • TripAdvisor

Like us on Facebook

Like us on Facebook

© 2023 · Waitabu Marine Park · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Privacy Tools

 

Loading Comments...