Kabara (Fiji)

Kabara
Island
Kabara is located in Fiji
Kabara
Kabara
Location in Fiji
Coordinates: 18°57′S 178°57′W / 18.950°S 178.950°W / -18.950; -178.950
CountryFiji
Island groupSouthern Lau Islands
Area
[1]
 • Total
32.75 km2 (12.64 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)[2]
 • Total
656
 • Density20/km2 (52/sq mi)

Kabara (pronounced [kamˈbara]) is an island of Fiji, a member of the Lau archipelago. With a land area of 32.75 km2 (12.64 sq mi),[1] its population of around 660 live in four villages.[2]

The islanders are noted for their craftsmanship in the area of wood carving. Vesi wood (Intsia bijuga), which grows natively on Kabara, is the traditional material, but deforestation has stripped the island,[1] leaving only 8% of the island covered with Vesi trees as of 2005.[3] A program of reforestation has been started,[3] 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.

Kabara was the first site promoted under the Climate Witness Programme in the Pacific.[1]

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

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Kabara Island-Fiji" (PDF). WWF Priority Places- Southwest Pacific. 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "2017 Population and Housing Census - Release 2". Fiji Bureau of Statistics. 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Community forestry on Fiji saves native tree species". WWF. 9 December 2005. Retrieved 2024-02-21.




Stub icon

This article about a geographical location in Fiji is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.