The government has resold Munia Island in Lau to its original owners for nearly $425,000. An agreement was signed between Tui Munia, Kaminieli Vosa, representatives of the island’s four mataqali, and the then Minister for Lands, Ratu William Toganivalu, according to a report from The Fiji Times dated November 11, 1989.
The signing ceremony took place in the boardroom of the Ministry of Fijian Affairs in Suva. As part of the agreement, the four mataqali committed to paying a $5,000 deposit along with approximately $14,000 annually over a span of 30 years.
Ratu William stated that the 477 members of Yavusa Munia would be able to repay the government through copra production. He noted that with copra prices at the time and an annual production of 60 tonnes, they could earn slightly more than what was required for repayment.
He also mentioned additional opportunities for revenue generation, such as exploring the island’s natural tourism potential, cultivating yaqona, raising cattle, and utilizing marine resources.
In October 1989, the Cabinet agreed that once the full repayment was made, the Minister for Lands would transfer the land to trustees, allowing it to revert to native reserves. The agreement included a clause that permitted the government to rescind the contract if the owners failed to fulfill their payment obligations.
The trustees included Minister for Education Filipe Bole, Fiji Development Bank managing director Laisenia Qarase, Mr. Vosa, senior education officer Solomone Vosacake, and mataqali representatives Joeli Tagi and Laisenia Ulu. The four mataqali of the island—Marama, Nakie, Narocake, and Saweilau—had previously been resettled on Avea Island in northern Lau.
Historically, Munia Island was sold by the Tui Cakau in the mid-1800s to an American for $400, resulting in the inhabitants moving to Avea Village on Vanuabalavu. The government had purchased the island in 1983 for $450,000.