Moala Island
 Map of Fiji | |
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Fiji |
| Coordinates | 18°36′S 179°52′E / 18.600°S 179.867°ECoordinates: 18°36′S 179°52′E / 18.600°S 179.867°E |
| Archipelago | Moala Islands |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Koro Sea |
| Area | 65 km2 (25 sq mi)[1] |
| Length | 11 km (6.8 mi) |
| Fiji | |
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Fiji | |
| Division | Eastern |
| Province | Lau Province |
| Largest settlement | Naroi (pop. 550) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 3000 (as of 2014) |
| Density | 46.15 /km2 (119.53 /sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups |
Native Fijians, Indo-Fijians ; other (Asian, Europeans, other Pacific Islander) |
Moala is a volcanic island in the Moala subgroup of Fiji's Lau archipelago. It has an area of 62.5 square kilometers (24.1 sq mi), making it the ninth largest island of Fiji. The highest point on the island of Moala, at a maximum elevation of 468 meters (1,535 ft), is called Delaimoala which has rich vegetation and consists of dark thick forest. The population of around 3000 live in eight villages. The chiefly village of these is Naroi, whose population is over 500. Economic activities include coconut farming, cocoa production, fishing and yaqona (kava) production.
The last Tui Moala to be installed was the Late Roko Jaoji Baba from the household "Wailiwaliwa". Roko Jaoji Baba was the last rightful holder, under colonial literature, of the title "Tui Moala" apart from other claimants to the title. Naroi as principal village is unique to other parts of Fiji because of its chiefly status where only the Yavusa "Turagalevu" and the Yavusa Nayavutoka are believed to have existed until today. The direct descendants of Kubunavanua's households: Ravula, Kolimatua and Rovarovaivalu (Tui Vanuakula)exists in the two chiefly households of the Yavusa Turagalevu and Yavusa Nayavutoka. The title of the Tui Moala is hereditary and has previously been bestowed upon the chief from the Nayavutoka clan. Part of the Island's History like that of the whole of Fiji is not properly documented, especially prior to colonialism era and the western institutionalization of the Fijian Tradition and Culture as known today.
Religious congregations in Moala represent the Methodist.
Some well-known Moalan natives include deceased former Cabinet Minister Colonel Savenaca Draunidalo, who comes from the household Wailiwaliwa from the mataqali of the Tui Moala Turagaulu, a career military Colonel who was awarded a Military Cross for bravery from Queen Elizabeth II in 1980. His mother, Roko Tema, was the most chiefly member of the Nayavutoka clan, making him, higher in status than other claimants from Wailiwaliwa and directly in line for the Tui Moala.
References
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