Kabara

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lau Islands Northern Lau Islands Cicia Kaibu Kanacea Mago Malima Munia Island Naitaba Nayau Tuvuca Vanua Balavu Vatu Vara Wailagi Lala Yacata Southern Lau Islands (Yagasa Cluster) Fulaga Kabara Komo Lakeba Moce Moka Namuka-i-Lau Ogea Driki Ogea Levu Oneata Vanua Vatu Vuaqava Yagasa Levu Moala Islands Matuku Moala Totoya Outliers Bacon Island Cakau Lasemarawa Doi Late-i-Toga Late-i-Viti Ono-i-Lau Tuvana-i-Colo Tuvana-i-Ra Vatoa Yanuca

Islands of Fiji Principal islands Viti Levu Vanua Levu Significant outliers Conway Reef Kadavu Taveuni Rotuma Archipelagos Kadavu Group Lau Islands Lomaiviti Islands Mamanuca Islands Moala Islands Ringgold Isles Rotuma Group Vanua Levu Group Viti Levu Group Yasawa Islands

Kabara (pronounced [kambara]) is an island of Fiji, a member of the Lau archipelago. With a land area of 31 km² (12.0 sq mi), its population of some 700 lives in four villages.

The islanders are noted for their craftsmanship in the area of wood carving. Vesi wood, which grows natively on Kabara, is the traditional material, but deforestation has stripped the island, leaving only 8% of the island covered with Vesi trees. A program of reforestation has been started, but as Vesi trees take 70-80 years to mature, carvers are being encouraged to use as little Vesi wood as possible. Sandalwood, known locally as yasi, is being promoted as an alternative. Unlike Vesi, sandalwood takes only 30-40 years to mature.

The Fiji Village news service reported on 28 March 2006 that the World Wide Fund for Nature had donated thirteen 5000-gallon water tanks to Kabara, which would likely eliminate water shortages on the island.

A notable native from Kabara is the wood carver Jone Lupe, whose family have been engaged in the craft for generations.

• Kabara at WikiMapia

Coordinates: 18°57′S, 178°57′W