Matuku Island

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

Matuku is a volcanic island in the Moala subgroup of Fiji's Lau archipelago. Located at 19.18° South and 179.75° East, Matuku covers an area of 57 square kilometers. It has a maximum elevation of 385 meters.

The most famous son of Matuku is Sir Timoci Tuivaga, who served as Fiji's Chief Justice from 1974 to 2002.

Matuku was the only island in the Lau Group that was not conquered by the Ma'afu regime that swept through the Lau group. This is why people of Matuku do not wear the tawala in any formal occasion unlike other Lauans as a sign of bravery.

There are altogether seven villages in Matuku namely Yaroi, Natokalau, Qalikarua, Levuka i daku, Makadru, Raviravi and Lomati. The chiefly village is Yaroi.

Coordinates: 19°10′S, 179°46′E