One of the reasons for travelling to Fiji was to reconnect with the Fijian family our Canadian family had known so many years previously.  It was interesting to meet everyone in their extended family, and to be treated as an honoured guest.

Waisle Qalo Naua was a seaman on a small Fijian freighter Lakemba, which ran between Fiji and the west coast of North America in the 1960's.  They picked up lumber products from the west coast of Canada (where I live) to take back to Fiji. Being good Christians, Waisle and his shipmates attended our church in Duncan whenever they landed in the nearby ports.  They sang Fijian hymns, and were welcomed into our community whenever they arrived.  My mother ensured their welcome was warm and friendly, and we had them over to our house for dinner many times.  As a kid, I received many gifts from Waisle over the years.  One of my more treasured possessions is a very large Tapa cloth with intricate decorations very similar to the one displayed in my Suva Museum photos.

Our reunion was a success, and as you can see below, there was a large extended family to ensure I met everyone!

Their names as best I can remember: Waisle Naua and his wife Lavinia.  Their three sons: Iniasi (oldest son), Tabu (middle son), Epeli (youngest son).  The village chief (Lavinia's brother), Lavinia's sister, grandfather (don't know who's).

We lost touch with the family a few months after this trip.  We used to exchange Christmas cards and letters, but they were returned.  While I was visiting, they were talking about moving back to their home village, located in the Lau Group.  This group of Fijian islands is a very long way from anywhere, and has no communications with the outside world except for the copra boats which run to the big islands.  Waisle had a good job at the local brewery, but they were motivated to move back to their village.  Waisle and Lavinia would now be in their 80's, and their sons would be in their 40's.  If anyone knows of their whereabouts, please contact me.

An Update - April 2004 - I have just reconnected with Epeli through email and the Internet.  My upcoming return trip to Fiji will happen in May 2004, so I am eagerly anticipating a reunion after some 29 years!