George “Fiji” Veikoso remembered as a Pacific music icon and a son of a storied chiefly line
George “Fiji” Veikoso was remembered yesterday not only for his immense influence on Pacific music but also for his deep roots in a line of storytellers, leaders and servants of the vanua. A eulogy delivered by his cousin and mother’s namesake, Adi Nanise Veikoso, traced his lineage to generations who carried the responsibilities and traditions of their people with quiet strength and care.
Adi Nanise’s tribute walked mourners through a lineage that stretches from his great-great-grandfather Alipate Bolabasaga to a long line of relatives, including Ratu Jone Colata, Adi Arieta Lutunauca, Adi Salaiwai Misi, Ratu Saimoni Dobui, Ratu Lote and their great-grandfather Ratu Savenaca Veikoso. The couple’s first son, Ratu Savenaca, later married Adi Nanise Vakatanadi Veikoso of Bau, and they had three children: Ratu Inoke Nailovolovo, Ratu Alipate Kalounivalu Bolabasaga (the singer’s grandfather) and Adi Taufa Funaki. A subsequent union with Na Bulou Amalaini Lagilaginivalu of Kadavu produced six more children: Adi Vasiti Baukenailagi, Adi Saleiwai Misidonu, Bulou Jojina Veiloa, Adi Aleiwalu Melakainamuka, Ratu Imanueli Lovatu and Ratu Kinivuwai Nanoco Veikoso. Fiji’s grandfather later married his grandmother Losena Cibamaiwasa of Namara, Tailevu, completing a family tapestry built on strength and service to their community.
Born into a family renowned for its strong women, Fiji was cared for by his mother, Adi Nanise, and his grandparents before moving to Hawaii at age 13. “He never forgot his village, his people, or his purpose,” his mother recalled. “You carried our name across oceans… with unwavering love and respect.”
The public farewell followed a life that bridged island traditions and global horizons. Fiji’s passing on July 24, 2025 prompted a public requiem at Vodafone Arena in Suva, with family members and friends gathering to celebrate a life that elevated Pacific culture on the world stage. The service was livestreamed to allow fans across the Pacific and beyond to share in the moment.
Tributes poured in from national leaders, fellow artists and a broad fan base who recognized Veikoso as a cultural ambassador who wove traditional Fijian sounds with contemporary genres. Beyond the stage, his influence as a mentor and role model shaped generations of Pacific musicians, reinforcing themes of love, identity and resilience that resonated throughout his work.
Across the tributes, the message was consistent: Fiji carried Fiji across oceans, enriching a regional and global musical landscape while staying intimately connected to his roots. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka described him as a “true ambassador of Fiji,” a sentiment echoed by colleagues and fans who remembered him as a unifier who used music to uplift communities and celebrate heritage.
As mourners reflected on his life, attention also turned to the customs that shaped his final farewell. Following the public service, Fiji was laid to rest in his ancestral village of Buretu, Tailevu, in keeping with longstanding Fijian practice that balances communal mourning with family-centered burial rites. The ceremonies highlighted the enduring bond between a life celebrated in the public eye and the private, sacred ties to kin and land.
In the days since, stories from family members, friends and fellow artists have continued to reinforce Fiji’s legacy as a bridge between tradition and modernity. His music—an enduring blend of reggae, R&B, island influences and Pacific storytelling—remains a touchstone for fans and aspiring musicians alike, a reminder of how cultural expression can unite people across generations and geographies.
A message of hope accompanies the mourning. Veikoso’s life offers a lasting invitation to celebrate unity through art, mentor the next generation, and carry forward the values he embodied: respect for family, devotion to community, and a steadfast fidelity to one’s roots while embracing the world.
Editorial additions and reader value
– Readers may be encouraged to revisit Veikoso’s most iconic tracks through a curated playlist that celebrates his fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds.
– A photo gallery capturing key moments from the Vodafone Arena tribute and the burial in Buretu would deepen engagement.
– Practical visitor and viewer information, including livestream access, time-zone notes, and upcoming commemorative events, would help communities participate remotely or in person.
– A sidebar featuring notable tributes from leaders, peers and emerging artists could provide a fuller picture of his impact on Pacific music and identity.
– Brief context on Fijian funeral customs and the balance between public tributes and private rites could help readers unfamiliar with the traditions understand the significance of the arrangements.
Summary and outlook
George “Fiji” Veikoso leaves a multi-faceted legacy: a world-renowned musician who remained deeply connected to his Fijian roots and to the communities he inspired. His life story—rooted in a noble lineage, shaped by early years in Hawaii, and propelled by a mission to unite people through song—continues to inspire future generations of artists and fans across the Pacific and beyond. The songs he created and the mentors he raised will endure as a beacon of cultural pride, resilience and shared humanity.
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