The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/all/20041204071823/http://www.banaban.com:80/guestbook.html

BANABA MESSAGE BOARD

Please Note! That due to the large volume of spam that is now being sent to this Message Board, all messages will be 'Approved' before being uploaded to this site.

This will ensure that only material relating to Banaban issues will appear on this board.


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Patoa Tama Benioni
pbenioni@earthlink.net
Orem, Ut USA
Tuesday, November 30, 2004 at 13:43:26 (EST)
My Kiribati Roots

Patoa Tama Benioni


Marta

LA, Ca USA
Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 16:06:58 (EST)
Very nice site. Keep up your hard work. :)

David Kozik
david@dkpropertygroup.com.au
Gold Coast, q Australia
Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at 13:48:06 (EST)
Hi, I'm trying to trace Scott Laritz. His mum Marion wrote an article about returning to Ocean Island in Sep 1997. I went to school with Scott at Capalaba Primary and High School and would love to catch up. Regards David Kozik

Brian Glanville

Dublin, Ireland
Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 01:12:08 (EST)
Hi, Good to see a site that's promoting Banaba and Rabi and the injustice that was done to it and its people. I only found out about Banaba because I use pacific islands as my passwords and i picked this one just recently. Once I do that I like to find out more about the island. This island has the saddest history I've seen. Ireland has had its problems too, being exploited and war torn many years ago and only recently things are better. Hope things improve for the Banabans and the people on Rabi

Eve
salldo@web.de

Australia
Wednesday, October 06, 2004 at 22:13:41 (EST)
It's really a great joy being here. Your site is a varied mixture of the latest news, specified information and active power. I heard of your site and just wanted to see what's up here. Really nice place. See you again sometime. I wish you great success, good luck and a lot of fun for the future. Maybe one day you will really be the best of all.

Frank
webmaster@lepwoll.de
Germany
Friday, September 24, 2004 at 17:12:20 (EST)
Hallo you! Great site. I found exactly the information I was looking for. I will recommend you page to all my friends.

JOHN OBI
m_asabamaga@yahoo.com

Friday, September 24, 2004 at 08:32:08 (EST)
Kool site brothers we need understanding Ok guys

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Guest URL
Australia
Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at 21:37:38 (EST)
Go to Radio Australia's Pacific Beat September 22: for Interview regarding Banabans Trying to get Scholarship for their Students on Rabi. Make sure you check out the audio for the interview

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/pacbeat - with audio link...

FIJI: Rabi Islanders appeal to Kiribati for help with education Rabi Islanders in Fiji are appealing to the government of Kiribati to grant their young people, university scholarships. The island's Council says students urgently need financial assistance to pursue tertiary education. They also feel disadvantaged because the Fiji government has not set aside as many scholarships for Rabi islanders as it has for indigenous Fijians and Rotumans. Rabi Islanders were repatriated to Fiji in 1945 from the phosphate rich Ocean Island in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Today their home island of Banaba is under the control of Kiribati, formerly Gilbert Islands.

Presenter/Interviewer: Huey Fern Tay

Speakers: Molly Amon, Director of the Rabi Island council, Fiji


Cathy
cathy1980@yahoo.com

Moorstown, NJ USA
Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at 15:16:50 (EST)
What a mess :) That's really nice site.

jr

Guest URL
Australia
Monday, September 06, 2004 at 14:09:31 (EST)
keep up the good work

Tomas

Guest URL
Czech r.
Saturday, September 04, 2004 at 07:47:42 (EST)
Hi Terenga, there are also few paragraphs about Banaban marriage in the "Te Rii n Banaba" book. Tom

Terenga Bakia
terenga2002@yahoo.com.au
Suva, Fiji
Thursday, September 02, 2004 at 13:34:01 (EST)
I want to know more information about the Uniqueness of Marriage in the Banaban Culture. Thank You

Ken Sigrah
ken@banaban.com
Gold Coast, Qld Australia
Thursday, September 02, 2004 at 06:29:46 (EST)
Dear Ken, We have just received your email today and passed on your information to the Author of the Software - Tomas Drahokoupil - tomas.drahokoupil@seznam.cz Sorry your order was missed. We are currently experiencing such a volume of SPAM that unfortunately genuine emails are also getting caught up with it.

Ken
bigusk@yahoo.com
Australia
Thursday, September 02, 2004 at 01:35:44 (EST)
Hi Everyone I have recently purchased charity ware "Knowledge Harvester" which sale of support people from Banaban. The version of the software I got is a trial version. I don't know how to register it and support doesn't answer my questions. Any hints? Regards Ken

Tunita

QLD Australia
Wednesday, September 01, 2004 at 21:33:41 (EST)
Mauri kam uara? Hello....i just want to say how cool this thing is, its like just chatting over to peoples that don't used msn or otha chat rooms....anyway im from Kiribati (Tarawa) but im in australia at the moment for education....oh i heard lot of stuff about Banaba, my parents always say that Banaba is a beautiful place, but like i haven't been there to actually prove that its really a beautiful place, but the sound of the stories that i heard its sounds like it is a beautiful place. anyway take care Tiabo Tunita

Taberannang Korauaba
s96003349@student.usp.ac.fj or tekoriri@yahoo.com
Suva, Fiji
Thursday, August 26, 2004 at 15:14:21 (EST)
Greetings to all of you. It was my first time to see your browse through your web and to read everyone's else accounts on Banaban history. Honestly speaking, I am not a Banaban at all. I am a Kiribati man originally from the central part of Kiribati--Maiana. I was a Kiribati journalist working with the government' owned radio station but am studying journalism at the USP in Fiji. To speak from the bottom of my heart, I always feel sorry for the Banabans for their loss. And there are only two examples that i have to support this--land and people--cannot be separated. I was saying this because I was grown up in a disputed piece of land, probably when I was 7 years old on Maiana and then faced the same problem when we moved to Tarawa for better education and work opportunities. My father had to argue on who owns the land in Maiana where we live, and then at the end of the court battle he was declared the rightful owner. Similarly, my mother have to fight her case in court with our neighbors who set up their house on her piece of land in Tarawa. I know how difficult it was to live in such circumstances. Your case was unique and indeed one that is never to be forgotten by the generation of Banaba. For my Banaban friends, yes it was your land where your heart belongs. I am working on Banaban status in Fiji

louella
louella.e@xtra.co.nz
new zealand
Monday, August 23, 2004 at 12:24:48 (EST)
would like information on weaving, baskets, mats, carving, clothing, symbols looking for similarities with the MAORI PEOPLE

SimplyMe

USA
Friday, August 20, 2004 at 20:09:09 (EST)
Nice page, but there are some dead links. E.g. the photo-section doesn't work. Greetings

suzi
Germany
Wednesday, August 18, 2004 at 18:50:01 (EST)
I enjoy reading through this informal place. I will surely visit you again to see if anything new appears on it. Good luck for the future.

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, Australia
Wednesday, August 18, 2004 at 13:42:03 (EST)
Ko raba Sirin! Our Board now is being daily targeted by spammers and cross postings. We spend a lot of our valuable time cleaning if off. But we can assure you that we are not going to let these people spoil it for those who really care about the Banabans. We will continue to do what ever it takes to keep our Message Board operating and functioning FREE of this rubbish and for the important task of networking those interested in Banaban affairs on a Global basis. Once again ko raba for brining the matter to attention.

Sirin Ratieta
sirinratieta@myrealbox.com
Roosevelt, Ut U.S.A.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004 at 12:45:50 (EST)
Just a word of caution to all of you. Scam artists are surfing the website and sending emails to unsuspecting and vulnerable people, requesting financial assistance. I've been bombarded with such idious emails which I don't reply to, but forwarded them to my friends at the F.B.I. to trace down these people. This is an educational and informative website for those of us, interested in the Banaban Society. It's not a place to do your idious SCAM. Kam bati n rabwa. Tiabo moa.

cecil
bigone
brookville, in united states
Friday, August 13, 2004 at 18:04:32 (EST)
what is population this day and age

Jeremy Cooper
jeremy@olio.demon.co.uk
Guest URL
Milton Keynes, Bucks UK
Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 01:43:23 (EST)
My BBC TV documentary "Coming Home to Banaba" will be screened again in the UK on Saturday1 4th August at 05.30am on BBC2. The programme's website is at http://www.olio.demon.co.uk/banaba.

Ashwin Amin
amin_ashwin@hotmail.com
baroda, Gujarat india
Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at 21:04:29 (EST)
no comments. pls thanks very much and lot of thanks

patton

brookville, in Australia
Sunday, August 08, 2004 at 15:21:05 (EST)
thinking about moving there

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, Qld Australia
Friday, August 06, 2004 at 14:45:41 (EST)
Hi Everyone! Just to let you know that information is now available on the website regarding the newly formed ABARA BANABA - Our Homeland Banaba, an International Banaban Lobby Group. Aims of the group can be found on the main page of the Banaban website at

www.banaban.com

and details of the groups message can be found at

www.banaban.com/abarabanaba.html

We would like to encourage you to get involved and download a copy of our FREE ABARA BANABA Brochure at

www.banaban.info/AbaraBanabaleaflet.pdf

and distribute and hand it out to help us build awareness of the Banabans plight.

Regards Stacey King


Onyeolu oyibo
m_asabamaga@yahoo.com
kumasi, ghana
Friday, August 06, 2004 at 14:05:54 (EST)
cool and passed for a purpose guys to learn more

gidboat
gidboat@yahoo.com
kumasi, GH GHANA
Thursday, July 29, 2004 at 21:08:38 (EST)
I WANT TO KNOW HOW TO SPEAK PATOA

Sarah
s97001656@student.usp.ac.fj
Australia
Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 23:39:47 (EST)
Banaba??? The children of Banaba are children of Rabi today...However, funding studies for this generation is surely funding the future of Banaba. Banaba is still our land we are still the rightful owners. The future of Banaba lies in this generation simply because this generation are going to be decision and policy makers in the near future. Thus, we need good educated people who will be able to make decisions. Oh to make one thing clear the generation of Banaba are living in the Fiji Islands today but Banaba is still in their control, opportunities in Fiji is limited for these group of people because they are not indigenous. Wherever we are, in Fiji , Banaba, Kiribati, or for that matter anywhere in the world we are still Banabans at heart no one can dispute that, therefore funding these Banabans' generation education is funding the future of Banaba, regardless of their location in this world. Now i have come to my most important request to anyone reading this message and who can help...my sister is looking for her education fund to do her pilot either locally in Fiji or overseas if she can. Just a small request if anybody can help her in form of a scholarship or in any financial way possible. Thanks very much. If you can in any way help contact me on this email address:- s97001656@student.usp.ac.fj

The REAL Viking

Guest URL
ICELAND
Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 03:58:59 (EST)
Good website you have here, so I want to put my step on it. You are welcome to try my website as well.... http://www.dxman.com

Tomas

Guest URL
Czech r.
Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 18:15:05 (EST)
Dear Sarah, maybe I am not that much of an insider to participate in such a discussion, but... If there is anything worth to fund, it is the future of Banaba... Young generation is the future, no doubt about it. The question that comes here, is investing into education an investment into the future of the individual, or into the future of Banaba? How to make sure it is the latter, not the former? Because if those people will in final go away from Banaba, that would be counterproductive investment - it could lead to exodus of brightest minds out of the island and community.

Sarah Joseph
s970001656@student.usp.ac.fj
Suva, Fiji
Friday, July 23, 2004 at 03:41:03 (EST)
Fancy stumbling across this site...well thanks very much for being dedicated to the Banaban cause. So much as been said about the situation in Banaba and Rabi but what i want to stress here is to look to the future. and the future are the children. Today's Rabi or Banaban generation have little chance of completing their education because of the lack of funds. The parents cannot afford their children's education because of the financial constraints. feeding and clothing themselves is a very hard thing as it is, so education has fallen to be the least priorities. I know alot of parents want to send their children to the Fiji School of Medicine, University of the South Pacific and other higher institutions however, they simply cannot afford this. The Rabi generation of today are lucky if they complete high school. The past generation who have benefited from the Rabi scholarship fund have all gone in hiding. What i mean here is that i thought they will be able to do something like create a trust fund because i know that most of these people have good jobs in Suva....just a small contribution every fortnight put of their wages can accumulate to become something. I am lucky I reached high level of study thanks to the Multi Ethnic Affairs. Well majority of these students... are not qualified for this. My sister is wanting to become a pilot, however we know that her dreams will remain a dream because of the financial situation we are in. She's been studying hard and doing all the right things, even though she knew that her dreams will be just that, unless some kind of miracles happens. anyways to come to the point if any one out there who is kind enough stop donating to the island and instead crate some kind of trust fund for these poor generation. Nothing will ever happen if no one intervenes so i plead to you any one who can afford to remember these generation.

Alex Drill Bits
nospam@nospam.org

NY, NY USA
Monday, July 19, 2004 at 14:17:30 (EST)
This is an interesting forum for thoughts and ideas.

Manish Sinha Roy
anubadak@yahoo.co.in
Guest URL
KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL INDIA
Saturday, July 17, 2004 at 09:26:31 (EST)
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW TOTAL DETAILS OF BANABAN COMMUNITY. PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS REGARD.YOU MAY ALSO SEND ME ANY PRINT MATTER AT MY POSTAL ADDRESS--------------Manish Sinha Roy, p21 s n roy road,Kolkata--700038,INDIA. -----I shall be oblige if you kindly help me to know BANABANS in detals.

Sirin Ratieta
sirinratieta@myrealbox.com
Roosevelt, Utah U.S.A.
Thursday, July 15, 2004 at 21:34:41 (EST)
Kam bati n rabwa for such an informative and wonderful website. Keep up such a superb job.

me
me@hotmail.com
Guest URL
fiji, ca Australia
Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 16:09:38 (EST)
HI there, Visit www.myfijifriends.com a new website made to bring Fiji people closer together. Fiji Photos, FIji chat, fiji jokes and a whole lot more. You might even meet your old friend! What are you waiting for, click there now before you miss them! :) There are close to 2000 photos!!!

kayus daniels
kayus_daniel@yahoo.com
las vegas us
Monday, June 28, 2004 at 19:40:09 (EST)
i love this site

Tony Kirk
Tony@washingborough5.freeserve.co.uk
Lincoln, England
Saturday, June 19, 2004 at 02:07:02 (EST)
My Uncle Harold Town was Harbour Master during and after the WW2 is there any record of his living there?

Alan Eshleman
doctore@well.com
Berkeley, CA USA
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 09:41:27 (EST)
I recently returned from twelve days on Banaba where I served as expedition physician and as one of the radio operators for the T33C ham radio expedition. I'm most grateful for the friendship and hospitality of the residents of Banaba. I feel privileged to have attended the children's Easter concert at the Banaba School, a program of music and dance at the Catholic Church, and the party in honor of our visit given by the Banaba Council. The destruction of the land from the mining operations is appalling, and the quanitites of abandoned hardware is overwhelming. Fortunately, Mother Nature has covered much of the devastation with greenery, but the damage has been done. I'm currently editing the many hours of video that I shot. Later this year, I hope to have copies of the edited video available as DVDs. Please check on the expedition Web site:http://www.dx-pedition.de/banaba2004/

admin
nospam@hotmail.com
Guest URL
suva, ca Fiji
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 06:00:43 (EST)
HI there, Visit www.myfijifriends.com a new website made to bring Fiji people closer together. Fiji Photos, FIji chat, fiji jokes and a whole lot more. You might even meet your old friend! What are you waiting for, click there now before you miss them! :)

David Tapia
david.tapia@metrokc.gov
Guest URL
Kent, WA United States
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 07:05:58 (EST)
Good day. I am with the King County District Court, Washington State, USA and am attempting to locate an Interpreter for a language called "Bonabe." I have a man requesting Interpreter Service in this language during his court hearing. If anyone can provide additional information regarding this language/dialect it would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Paul Eri
paul_eri@bigpond.com
Geelong, VIC Australia
Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 22:24:31 (EST)
1st May, 2004. Kam na bane ni mauri, Just to add on to Mr Touakin’s entry if I may. Indeed Fiji (and us Banabans who’re Fiji citizens) has lost a great leader and statesman who had a great vision for all Fijians regardless of race. He encouraged multi-racial and ethnical communities and even had time for a minority group like us Banabans to even attend, as a chief guest, one of our 15th of December celebrations on Rabi Island back in the 80’s (pardon me if I’m wrong, I was only a youngster than). The sad fact though, as Mr Touakin mentioned, was that our elected RCL Councilors didn’t have the time and decency to pay their respect by way of ‘reguregu’ as dictated in the Fijian custom and protocol. Unbelievable for them (RCL Councilors) to give such a flimsy excuse such as domestic problems!!!! They really should open their eyes and broaden their horizons. After all, we are part of the Fiji group and we must try and live in peace and harmony with Fijian custom and protocol. Time will only tell if this ‘inaction’ by our elected RCL Councilors will have any repercussions in future. We can only wait and lament on their insensitiveness and lack of respect and wonder!!!! Tia akabo. Paul Eri.

moses cabbal
mosele@faithmail.com
tele vive, Isreal
Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 11:15:13 (EST)
sweet site

mary-lynn griffith
mary-lynn.griffith@cdu.edu.au
darwin, nt Australia
Thursday, April 29, 2004 at 18:09:27 (EST)
Greetings The School of Law at Charles Darwin University in Darwin, Northern Territory of Australia is hosting this year' s Australasian Law Teachers Association Conference from 8-11 July 2004. Would you be able to publish the fact to your staff and colleagues the conference web address is www.cdu.edu.au/alta2004 there is also a call for papers on the web site. A big feature is customary law. Mary-Lynn Griffith on behalf of the 2004 ALTA Conference Steering commiittee.

Nawaia Touakin
nawaiat@fdb.com.fj
Suva, Fiji
Thursday, April 29, 2004 at 06:38:36 (EST)
A FUNERAL ONLY BEFITTING A KING

Suva came to a stand still this morning from about 9.50 am this morning as we all sat in solemn silence to pay our respects to a man who has done so much for "our" country. Today marks the begining of the funeral procession of the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara which will culminate with his final burial on his home island of Lakeba in the Lau group.

We watched as columns of soldiers and policemen marched past taking with them the casket containing the body of our former Prime Minister and President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. People sat unmoved braving the light drizzle of rain which paved the way for the cortege.

Much has been said in his honour and as tribute for a man we all can not deny hleped moulded Fiji into what it is now amongst its Pacific neighbours despite the events of 1987 and 2000. We all wished and thrive to emulate and follow in his footsteps.

What really touched my heart was his appreciation and accomodation of our very own Banaban community in Fiji's post independent constitution up till 1987. Could I be allowed to say the late Ratu Mara was a friend of the Banabans? Only that we have not heard of our Banaban delegation paying their/our last respects to the former President and Prime Minister as customary in the Fijian tradition. The last we heard was that the Council could not attend due to the great uncertainties on the island which they, Council, considered was their priority ..... mmmmhhhhh. Phewww! What can we say?

I never thought I would much moved by this occasion but just seeing the huge respect paid to this man sure gets you to ponder about the magnitude of service he has given for his people.

Friday 30/4/04 has been declared a public holiday nationally to commemorate the passing away of a chief and statesman that Fiji has witnessed. It would be on the same day where the funeral service would be held at Suva's Albert park before the funeral cortege leaves for Lakeba on Ratu Mara's final return journey to his home island.

We may not have close ties with the great man but his legacy would live on as a benchmark to be surpassed let alone equalled.

Our prayers to the Almighty's for His comforting hands over the family during this time of their, as well as our, great loss.

God bless us all.


Sandie Tanoa
sandietanoa@hotmail.com
hamilton, New Zealand
Wednesday, April 28, 2004 at 09:25:15 (EST)
Kia ora, I'm from the indigenous culture of New Zealand which is known as Maori. I am very interested to know if you culture has a treaty which is similar to our one in NZ if so can I have some information about your treaty please. Because I am studing about the indigenous culture of the world and I am in my degree year at the Waikato Institute of Technology.

mugu
mugu@yahoo.com
Guest URL
lome, asi togo
Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at 05:27:37 (EST)
nwa mugu nwa can you sere nwa .

Tomas

Guest URL
CZ
Saturday, April 10, 2004 at 03:12:18 (EST)
Hi, nice page I accidentaly found, with 2 photos and a recording of Banaban men singing. From Dominique Schwartz's visit of Banaba. http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/world/banaba.htm Tom

bob
bob@ebeano.com
usa, utah usa
Thursday, April 08, 2004 at 07:02:42 (EST)
I got here recently but missed some good tidings Nwa nne enwere nke ina amaghi ????.

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Gold Coast, QLD Australia
Wednesday, April 07, 2004 at 12:56:04 (EST)
CONGRATULATIONS to Frank and all his team - YOU MADE IT! We know from experience just how hard it is to get to Banaba. We hope you enjoy your time there and please convey our Greetings to all our family and friends living on Banaba. Please let them know we will visit again as soon as we are able.

By the way Frank - the baby was a girl and arrived 4pm last Wednesday Australia time... I was there as planned for the delivery.

Regards and once again Congratulations!

Stacey & Ken


Dave Clark
w8do@yahoo.com
Guest URL
Kalamazoo, USA
Wednesday, April 07, 2004 at 12:52:17 (EST)
Congratulations on a very nicely done website. After a nice amateur radio contact with Frank, DK4KQ, operating from Banaba, I followed up with a visit to your website. I plan on using it to help my elementary students understand more about this beautiful Pacific Island.

Best Regards,

Dave Clark W8DO

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan USA


Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Gold Coast, qld Australia
Wednesday, April 07, 2004 at 12:47:00 (EST)
LATEST NEWS REGARDING HAM RADIO EXPEDITION TO BANABA

This message was posted on their website

http://www.dx-pedition.de/banaba2004/

Published: Friday, April 02, 2004

Today at 5 pm the team will start their 40 hours sailing to Banaba, see more in the news section.

Todat at 5 pm local time the T33C team will leave Tarawa Kiribati and start the 40 hours sailing. We hope to arrive at 5 am local time at Banaba. Everything prepared and the Te Taobe is cleaned and ready for sailing. The aim is still to have a couple of stations in the air at the day of arrival.

During the sailing we will have a station on the ship with the callsign T30C/MM.

Rob Snieder PA2R

Published: Tuesday, March 30, 2004

The preparation phase is now almost completed, we have seen the MV Te Taobe which was discharging today in the harbor. It will not be a luxary travel to Banaba that is for sure. We have to sleep on deck and will have to share a small fridge and kitchen with about 40 people! The container is in good state, last purchases have been done so we are almost ready. The departure time will be as announced.

This will be the last update from Tarawa Kiribati, we have setup some stations overhere so some T30xx calls can be heard today and tomorrow.


Emeretta McGrath (nee Cross)
emeretta.mcgrath@gm.com
Melbourne, Vic Australia
Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 13:44:50 (EST)
Ken and Stacey - what a fantastic upgrade! The link to the DX-pedition is also great news and info for all of us. WELL DONE on building such an eyecatching website. I'll speak to you further...soon!

ALAOWERRE
ALAOWERRE@YAHOO.COM
LOME, LO TOGO
Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 20:24:24 (EST)
NICE AND AWESOME SITE KEEP OFF

Hele& Janet
h.ikimotu@xtra.co.nz
New Zealand
Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 16:52:56 (EST)
Patoa My wife and I came across your message and she asked me to post a reply. My wife comes from Rabi and we are now in Auckland. She is related to the Kiribati people on Aitutaki and the amazing thing is, we have come across some Benionis at the school we are teaching at!!!! Those students found out about her background and they came forward and introduced themselves. And to test their claims, Janet started asking them questions and they are right all along regarding their family. So if you want to know more, which I think you will, just drop us a line and we will contact them. In the meantime, take care and looking forward to hearing from you. Hele & Berenia

Heather Brownlie ( nee McLellan )
heather_brownlie@hotmail.com
glasgow, Scotland
Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 04:37:21 (EST)
Tom Wylie form Elderslie, Paisley Scotland going to Banaba (Ocean Island ) next month please contact me.

Ken Sigrah
ken@banaban.com
Gold Coast, Q Australia
Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 06:33:59 (EST)
Dear Ruby

Kona Mauri. Ko bati n rabwa n am rongorongo are koatia ni koreia iaon ara message board.

Ae ti bon kataia naba ni kawaka ara Banaban website bwa ngaia tomara nako aon aba. Aio ami website (Kain Banaba) are kam kona iai ni toman ma tabo nako at least our tiny island of Banaba has some Global recognition through this website.

Au koana bwa am koraki ake iai aia internet ana bon nora am message ao ana reply nakoim.

Au katekeraoi ma Stacey nakoia am utu ikanne. Ko anga naba ara kamauri nakoia Clinton Benjamin, natin Ateri ni nabane ao ai bon ara utu ni Banaba ni kabane aikane iaon Nauru.

Kona teke raoi, Ken


Jake


Sofia, Bulgaria
Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 01:32:10 (EST)
Thankls for the great info!

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, Qld Australia
Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 07:10:26 (EST)
We are currently working on upgrading the BANABAN WEBSITE again which is a lengthy process due to the size of the site. This site first began back in 1993 and is now 11 years old and has grown and expanded over the years.

We hope to have the new revamped site up within the next week or two and ask if you have any requests for what you would like to see on the new site to please email us with your ideas as soon as possible.

Some of the features for the new site will include a section to DOWNLOAD all the old issues of the 'Banaba/Ocean Island News' and a photo gallery section. Over the years we have received photos from those who spent time on Banaba and Rabi and because of the stoage restrictions on the site were unable to publicly display them. We hope after the revamp that we will be able to display more photos for you.

All material currently available on the site now will be saved such as all the old MESSAGE BOARDS, and old press releases.

You will also note that we have now set up main links to local information such as Fiji and Kiribati phonebooks, email addressess, and weather reports.

So please contact us as soon as you can with more of your ideas so we can improve the Banaban website for you.

Regards, Stacey


Temate Melitiana
tmelitiana@hotmail.com
Tuvalu
Monday, March 08, 2004 at 14:25:23 (EST)
I just want to say mauri to the owners of this forum as well as surfers and contributors in this site.

Ken Sigrah
ken@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, Australia
Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 13:49:11 (EST)
Dear Patoa

It is amazing how the internet has been working especially with the amount of feedback we receive from people like you.

Yes, you definitely have relatives on Rabi Island in Fiji. I was about 16years old when that gentle Aunty Tairi of yours passed away. Now they have a large family on the island who are descendants of Tairi and there are a few ways you can make contact:

1. Post mail direct to Rabi Island

2. Fax - only via Rabi Council Office in Suva – (679) 3300543 Suva is the capital of Fiji situated on the mail island in Fiji about 400 nautical miles away form Rabi Island.

These are the names for your family contacts:

1. Miss Namouta Mange, Suva – Fax: C/- RCL office Suva (679) 3300543 Or C/- Rabi Post Office, RABI ISLAND. FIJI ISLES (her mother could pick up her mail and forward it to her in Suva)

2. Mr Matakite Mange – Post: C/- Rabi Post Office, RABI ISLAND. FIJI ISLES

3. Miss Maere Mange – Post: S.D.A. Mission C/- Rabi Post Office, RABI ISLAND. FIJI ISLES

Express airmail between Australia and Rabi Island is still taking about 3 weeks, so USA may take a little longer.

Hope that you’ll get replies from your extended family in the Pacific soon.

Tia boo moa and Best regards, Ken Sigrah


Patoa Tama Benioni
pbenioni@earthlink.net
Orem, Utah USA
Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 16:11:51 (EST)
Hello: I sent a message a minute ago. Want to Clarify where Aitutaki is. The island is situated about 240 miles North of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. The Benioni Clan is the largest Part Kiribati family in the Cook Islands as well as in New Zealand and Australia.

Patoa Tama Benioni
pbenioni@earthlink.net
Orem, Utah, USA
Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 16:06:22 (EST)
Your website is great. The news of the devastation on Rabi was indeed tragic and sad. I am a part Kiribati, My Dad Pikikaa Benioni's sister Tairi was taken from Aitutaki to Banaba in the mid 40's and never heard from until the the mid 60's. My cousin Joseph Benioni who was attending a government seminar in Suva, found a cousin, who was a grand daughter of Tairi from Rabi. I am trying to connect with any of the relatives on Rabi. Please send me an email. Appreciate very much.

GUY MUGU
MUGU@YAHOO.COM
UYO, IMO Australia
Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 00:02:33 (EST)
GOOD SITE JUST KEEP IT UP.

Max Farley

Australia
Saturday, February 14, 2004 at 20:03:21 (EST)
Hi Chin Yung!

Was interesting to read your message on the Internet. I worked on Ocean Island from 58 to November 67 then I went to Christmas Island. I worked it the Transport workshop in the settlement just down from the Chinese compound. I would have known your Dad by site but didn't know all their names. Where did your dad work, or do you have a photo of him then I may remember?

Do any you have names of other people from Hong Kong, specially the ones that works in the Machine Shop and Transport

Thanking You, and looking forward to your reply.

Max Farley


Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, Qld Australia
Thursday, February 12, 2004 at 07:46:46 (EST)
LATEST RABI AND FIJI NEWS UPDATE:

Word has just been received from Rabi that the Fiji Govt builders will arrive on the island in the next week to begin rebuilding homes devastated by Cyclone Ami. Another news item of interest from New Zealand - Freedom Air announced today its fares for its new routes from Hamilton and Palmerston North to Fiji would start from $199 one way. The fares to Nadi exclude an $8 per sector insurance surcharge and all other taxes.


Ruby Emiu
rubyemiu@yahoo.com.au
Republic of Nauru
Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at 11:43:45 (EST)
Ken & Stacey, kam na mauri n te ririki ae boou 2004. I bon aki toki n ongongora n taian news n te website aio ao eriki ba aiaron ae i bon mena ibuakoia kain Rabi. E bati n raba te website aio ao ai moarara riki ngkami n ami botumaka ni koro rongorongo. Ikai ia bon kanakoa au inga ao au katekeraoi nakon tamau Timion Tanaera ma au Aunties and Uncles ao Maneu ma Tariu ni kabaneia ao au utu iaon Rambi, Suva, Banaba ao Kiribati ao ai taabo ni kabane ake amena iai ara utu ao kain abara ae tangiraki Rambi. "Te Atua buokara" kam na tekeraoi! Ngai Ruby Emiu mai Nauru

Emmanuel Bhaskar
emmanuel_bhaskar@yahoomail.com
Repalle, A.P india
Monday, February 09, 2004 at 03:15:56 (EST)
Dear beloved in christ, Greetings to you in the most wonderful name of our lord and saviour jesus christ. his richest blessings shall be upon you forever. iam bhaskar form india.now iam studying S.S.C. in india.i am a christain.i want your kind friendship because here christains are in miniorites and are untouchables.so nobody wants my friendship.so am in deed of your friendship. i shall be awaiting for your reply. bye Bhaskar G.E.

Esme

Australia
Friday, February 06, 2004 at 08:01:26 (EST)
Do you have any knowledge on the island in New Zealand that due to phosphate farming had a massive rise in type 1 diabetics?

Clifford
private

lome, cara Togo
Tuesday, February 03, 2004 at 20:49:44 (EST)
I love your website

Leigh McConachy
mcconachy5@dodo.com.au
Bannockburn, Vic Australia
Sunday, February 01, 2004 at 21:57:08 (EST)
Hi My Father in law was born on Banaba in 1919 and It is interesting to see where he came from, After the stories he has told me about the Chineese and Japanese labouers and also the local population. His father was an electrical engineer there. I have enjoyed looking at your site and look forward to reading the book. Regards Leigh

Adrian Murphy

UK
Saturday, January 31, 2004 at 17:59:00 (EST)
I'm hoping that there's someone who remembers Banaba in the 1930s who can tell me if Banaba had a lighthouse or high power light which was used as an aid to navigation for shipping at that time. Any details such as candlepower, date of installation, distance visible etc would be much appreciated.

oriental rugs and kilims
info@orientalrugsandkilims.com
Guest URL
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Saturday, January 31, 2004 at 11:07:46 (EST)
Greetings from Istanbul Turkey you have a very nice web-site.

brynley
brat_queen_bryn@hotmail.com
Australia
Friday, January 30, 2004 at 21:51:30 (EST)
Hey, To every one out there who is supporting my mum and ken to make this a great site i say thanks!!!!!luv u mom & ken!!!:)

Ken Sigrah
ken@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, Q Australia
Friday, January 30, 2004 at 18:58:24 (EST)
Mauri Steve

I'm having trouble emailing you it's bouncing back. Could you please email direct at ken@banaban.com and I will contact you then.

Ti akabo! Ken Sigrah


steven burns
steveburns@po.state.ct.us
Hartford, ct USA
Friday, January 30, 2004 at 04:00:32 (EST)
Hello, My name is Steven burns and I am a social worker for the department of children and families in Hartford, Ct. I am trying to contact Dr. Ami Chand. I am working with a young woman who is researching her genealogy and i think Dr. Chand can help me. My phone number is 1-860-550-6307

MALLAM MUGU
MUGU@BIAFRA.NET
IGBO, OSE BIAFRA
Thursday, January 29, 2004 at 09:14:08 (EST)
VERY EDUCATING SITE,KEEP IT UP.

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, QLD Australia
Sunday, January 25, 2004 at 15:44:58 (EST)
Greetings to everyone! Sorry for the delay in uploading these important letters to the website, but Ken and I have been very busy over the Christmas period with family and work commitments. Please go to our main index page at -

http://www.banaban.com

Reply letter from - Parliamentary Secretary of Minister for Australian Foreign Affairs and Margaret May MP for McPherson - regarding Aid for Rabi Island, November 2003 (358kb .pdf Acrobat Reader file)

Reply letter from - Hon. Phil Goff Minister for New Zealand Foreign Affairs & Trade- regarding Gerard Hindmarsh letter regarding Aid for Rabi, Fiji, October 2003 (163kb .pdf Acrobat Reader file)

Our thanks to Gerard Hindmarsh for following up with his New Zealand Government on the Banabans situation on Rabi. Copies of these letters and information provided in the letter from Australian Foreign Affairs has been passed on the Rabi Council of Leaders.

Information regarding the Australian Community Scheme Fiji is available on the Australian High Commission site at -

http://www.austhighcomm.org.fj/application/acasguidelines.doc

Regards, Stacey & Ken


limelife
me@freija.be
Belgium
Friday, January 23, 2004 at 10:41:16 (EST)
may mother nature bless you with peace, love and tenderness and soothe your troubles, now and forever after

Piercing body jewelry guy
info@mrpiercing.com
Guest URL
Voorhees, NJ USA
Friday, January 23, 2004 at 09:27:10 (EST)
Hi! May I aks you who did design for this site? I have my own sites ut I do not like its colors at all. Yours looks much better I guess. Im trying to find someone who are really great designer.

Piercing body jewelry guy
info@mrpiercing.com
Guest URL
Voorhees, NJ USA
Friday, January 23, 2004 at 09:22:17 (EST)
really. You did a very nice site.

Mary Watson
MistynCool2@hotmail.com
Virginia Beach, VA United States
Tuesday, January 20, 2004 at 08:59:48 (EST)
Hello, I am happy to meet you and have the chance to learn alittle bit about the island and the very nice people there. Perhaps I am out of my league, but I am interested in any information you can give me about relocating there. I am not an engineer or an office person anymore, just retired and looking for a quiet island to share with wonderful people. I am wondering about some help with finding a place to live and set up some government help. Would you be so kind as to contact me, I am willing to share information with you regarding my circumstances. I do so look forward to hearing from you soon. Perhaps there is some way or how that I can make myself useful and help all of you the best that I can. I am an older woman and can't plow any fields anymore but but I sure can give directions swell lol. Take care, and God Bless, Mary MistynCool2@hotmail.com

Banti Likatu
taiman@hotmail.com
Darwin, NT Australia
Monday, January 12, 2004 at 09:39:05 (EST)
Xmas Greetings. Have heard stories about the MP from Banaba while travelling to Japan via Majuro. Anyone who knows the details?

IFA
Borgengroft@hotmail.com
Guest URL
Australia
Monday, January 05, 2004 at 01:37:01 (EST)
URGENT! 25 year old Indo-Fijian suffering with Brain Tumor. Requires immediate operation outside Fiji. More information here: http://borgengruft4.freeyellow.com/ravinesh.jpg

safdar khan
safdarkhan_1995pk@hotmail.com
Guest URL
peshawar, n.w.f.p pakistan
Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at 20:20:21 (EST)
sir/madam please send me complet detail about your great exhibition your co-operation will be highly oblige.thanking you. safdar khan

Denis P. Craven
thefloatingcoconut@petos.com.au
Cairns, Qld Australia
Sunday, December 14, 2003 at 16:30:48 (EST)
Hi Ken, My friend and associate Ken Clarke advised me of your site. I spent two years on Banaba from 1964 with the BPC then was transferred to Nauru. I married a Nauruan woman with Marshall islands interests on her fathers side and Banaban interests on her mothers side. My mother in laws' name was Susannah and her father's name was Daimon. You may not be interested in a family tree situation at this time however the purpose today is simply to make contact. Regards..Denis C.

Brother Mobolaji Olambiwonnu
molambiwonnu@yahoo.com
Los Angeles, USA
Saturday, December 13, 2003 at 10:14:03 (EST)
Dear Borther or Sister:

I stayed at your Council Guest House on November 9 2003 with a large group of African American tourists. I was impressed by the warmth and hospitality of the Banaban people and the traditional farwell dance that you gave us was the best one of our whole trip throughout the Islands. Kaiea Bakawebo also gave us an excellent and moving account of the history of your people.

Anyway, I recorded my part of my trip on a video tape labeled: Fiji 11/6 or 11/5 tape #10. I believe I lost this tape in and around the Council House. Could you please let me know if something was found. The footage of my visit is vital for my memories.

Thank you,

Brother Mobolaji Olambiwonnu


Ken Sigrah & Stacey King
ken&Stacey;@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, Qld Australia
Friday, December 12, 2003 at 01:08:53 (EST)
PLEASE NOTE! Recently there has been a number of SPAM emails left here on the message board which have been removed.

This message board represents a non-profit website for those people genuinely interested in the Banaban people, their plight, their history and any other relevant information and is not for commercial purposes. Any items sold through this website are only done as fundraising for the benefit of the Banaban community.

Therefore any commercial material is not acceptable or encouraged unless it directly benefits the community. Cross postings therefore are also not accepted on this board and will be removed.

Ken Sigrah & Stacey King - Webmasters


Jeremy Cooper
jeremy@olio.demon.co.uk
Milton Keynes, Bucks UK
Sunday, November 09, 2003 at 03:53:50 (EST)
You may be interested to know that the Kiritbati and Tuvalu Association in the UK has just got itself a website: http://www.ktaweb.org.uk

maxwell udon
max_ahams@yahoo.fr
abijand, France
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 07:27:13 (EST)
i like the site.

Business Directory of Phuket - Phuketindex.com

Guest URL
Phuket, Thailand
Friday, October 24, 2003 at 20:54:56 (EST)
Provides searchable directory of Phuket local businesses. Includes photo gallery, location map and contact information.

ken willsher
kwillsher@tinyworld.co.uk
Australia
Monday, October 20, 2003 at 07:30:53 (EST)
Message for Mike Laritz - second from left in the photo on your web-site. Mike, I lost the piece of paper with your web site and e-mail details which you gave me before you jacked your job in Thatcham, Berkshire, UK and left for sunnier climes. I hope that you receive this message and that you are all keeping well. We are still waiting for information regarding our visa applications. Send us an e-mail if you get the opportunity. kwillsher@tinyworld.co.uk. See you on the other side of the world in 2004 with any luck. Best wishes, Ken, Andrea, Molly and Lewis Willsher.

Adam Raue
Earaue2001@yahoo.com
Grand Rapids, MI USA
Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 03:37:51 (EST)
Kam na bane ne mauri. I ataia bwa angiia aomata ikai a aki kona n ataia te bwai N na korea, ma e bon titebo irou. Ken, tamau, E rangi n maan te tai. Ko na mauri. I tibwa roko ioan america ngai. I taku bwa ko uringai. I rangi n miss Rabi, ao tarim naba. I a bon tangiringkami. I bubutiko bwa ko na kororeta nokoiu, bwa I kan kabongana au taetae n kiribati. I aki kan mwaningnga, I butiko bwa ko na kauringai. Bwa au koraki ngkami.

MANABU KITAGUCHI
kpopo6@hotmail.com
Osaka, Japan
Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 03:01:32 (EST)
I LOVE RABI AND BANABANS SO MUCH and I am researching about history from point of view Japan now.

Now I 'm in JAPAN but everyday thinking RABI & BANABA One of my best friends MR. Kita Fisheries expert visited Rabi last week He live in LABASA now He is JAPANESE He also become BANABAN lover

GOOD LUCK GOD BLESS BANABANS FOREVER


Stacey King & Ken Sigrah
admin@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, QLD Australia
Tuesday, October 14, 2003 at 08:24:40 (EST)
Hi Everyone!

Well Ken and I have been very busy since our return from Rabi at the end of September. The situation on Rabi is very bad and since returning we have compiled a full Damage Report on Cyclone Ami and sent it via our local federal MP, Margaret May to Alexander Downer – Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister. A full copy of the report and accompanying letter is available for download now at –

http://wwww.banaban.com/damagereport.pdf http://wwww.banaban.com/MargaretMP.pdf

We would like to urge you all to forward on a copy of the report to aid and government organizations in your country or who ever you think can help.

In the back of the report is a section titled ‘AFTERMATH’ that gives and overview of the situation now 8 months later.

We have also been personally affected by AMI with our youngest grandson (now 9 month old – and who was only 3 weeks old when AMI hit) continually suffering ill health since AMI. He was covered in boils while we were in Rabi and we sent him off to Savusavu hospital for medical treatment while we were there. Rabi hospital has no medicine and we considered this the best option only to find our children return to Rabi with 1 tube of cream for him. He had only just been back from Savusavu a few weeks before after suffering pneumonia. Now last night we received a phone call to say the boils are all back again and he has gastric so severe he will not eat anymore. The doctor on Rabi could only offer them Epson salts, which we feel would only be aggravating the problem. This was the last straw for us personally and we have now email the above information to Channel 9 – A Current Affairs in the hope that the Australian public will find out that their Aid money is not going to those most in need.

Our grandson is not the only one suffering on Rabi as everyone has dropped bodyweight and husbands are going off to Savu, Labasa, Lautoka to look for work in an effort to help their struggling families back on the island. We have also lost quite a few of our elders and newborns since Ami (including Ken’s own mother and uncle – Karawa Eri, who was one of Rabi’s prominent elders). Ken’s sister also lost her last baby (stillborn) and has just returned from Suva after spending 2 months in hospital trying to recover from the resulting birth complications. Our family is just one of many who have lost loved ones and Rabi is a very sad place at the moment, a far cry from the beautiful, happy community many of us have enjoyed over the years.

The help Rabi needs is major – much more than we can provide as individuals, and one if it had happened to us here in wealthy western countries, would also need major aid efforts to rectify.

We are sorry we can’t bring you happier news but we are still reeling from the shock of our visit and hope and pray that some international aid will be forthcoming.

Regards, Stacey & Ken


Melisa Tema
melisatema@hotmail.com
Wellington, New Zealand
Thursday, October 09, 2003 at 23:09:30 (EST)
Hi!I born in this island,and i need someone to help me out. I got some relatives in rambi and i never in touch with them.My grandfathers name Elisala.Also my anty Meima Elisala. Thanks

Ole-Martin Biørnstad
omb.jmz@city.dk
Copenhagen, Denmark
Wednesday, October 08, 2003 at 20:57:39 (EST)
Hello, great site. I's great to see your hompage. I was wisiting Banaba (Ocean Island) several times in 1975-76 as a crew on the Norvegian Wessel the M/S Valetta wich where carrying phosphate from Banaba, Nauru & Christmas Island to destignations i New Zealand & Australia. I was able to loan the Video "comeing home to Banaba" from Jeremy Cooper, and I felt sad when i saw the degeneration of the Island. I have some good memories from my visits there , especially I remember that we (the crew of Valetta ) played soccer maches with some of the Banabans. I hope the best for the Banabans in the future and the island once again will be a good place to live . Kind regards Ole-Martin Biørnstad former cook on the M/S Valetta

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, QLD Australia
Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 22:44:10 (EST)
Dear Nigel, I am Stacey King and with my husband, Ken Sigrah we administer this website on behalf of the Banaban community. If you would like more background on both of us you can find information at - http://www.banaban.info/KSbio.htm

I don't know what email or address you have tried to contact me on, but stacey@banaban.com will find me or - 6/1 Resort Drive, Robina. Queensland. 4226 Australia. You can also phone on 0414 698305. This information is also available on the HOME page at the Banaban website at - http://www.banaban.com

Look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Regards, Stacey


Nigel Allen
nogallen@yahoo.com
Australia
Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 19:32:15 (EST)
I and my two brothers are both born and bred On Banaba, please can anyone tell me who Stacy King is as we have tried to contact her but with no response. We have a great collection of stamps from the region, if interested in looking at these and you would like all the correct info of our place of birth you are all welcome to contact us.

MGBADA JOE,ABA,NAIJA
MGBADAJOE@ABA.COM
Guest URL
ABA,NAIJA, ABA NAIJA
Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 07:02:03 (EST)
I LOVE THIS PAGE. KEEP IT UP.

Deborah Woodward
debzwoodward@yahoo.co.nz
Auckland, New Zealand
Friday, September 26, 2003 at 16:20:01 (EST)
Hello to all browsing the banaban site. Glad to see you are all getting as much out of it as I did when I first started researching the island. We travelled there in September last year and it is hard to believe that a whole year has passed since then. The people on Rabi we amazing. Very accomodating and we were treated by royalty. I attend a church in Auckland city call Christian Life Centre and this trip was the first of two that our youth have made to this unique island. I was most upset to log on in April when our second group was there to see the devestation of the island post cyclone. Some of the houses we visited were flattened, just devestating and the fact that the people only recieved $3500 worth of aid is just teribble in Western standards. Would like to say to anyone that is interested that this is an island and a people who need assistance, as it is under resourced and extremely isolated. Be generous and I pray that our youth continue to travel there with Clothing and Supplies for years to come. Thank you Rabi for an eye opening trip and I definately intend to return one day soon. Love to all Deborah

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, Qld Australia
Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 13:30:29 (EST)
Just letting you know Ken and I have arrived back from our Rabi visit with lots of photos and all the latest news. Hope to update all the latest information over the coming weekend.

A quick overview of the current situation on Rabi is - THE SITUATION IS BAD and they urgently need help to recover from the impact of such a natural disaster on the island. We will update the site and inform of details also through the Banaban Newsgroup as soon as we are able.

Until then - tiakabo!

Stacey & Ken


Jocelyn Christopher
s004987@fsm.ac.fj
Suva, Fiji
Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 20:06:40 (EST)
Hello Everybody! Can someone please send me a copy of all the photoes on the damage Cyclone Ami did to the island? I am currently doing a project on cyclone damages and so I have chosen to make Rabi my island of study. Thanks for your help.

Wolter De Wit
escha.nl@nijkerk.com

Saturday, September 13, 2003 at 00:11:12 (EST)
I am looking for a correspondence partner in Kiribati, to exchange views. Also I collect postage stamps of the pacific region. Who likes to write me ? Please send letters to me by airmail only: Wolter de Wit, P.O.Box 1034, 3860 BA NYKERK, Netherlands (Europe)

Ken Sigrah & Stacey King
ken@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, QLD Australia
Friday, September 12, 2003 at 22:49:37 (EST)
Mauri! We will be visiting Rabi Fiji between 13 Sept and 23 Sept... we hope to have plenty of photos and news updates on our return and reply to your email queries then. Ti akabo!

Anna Gerard
cityparkradio@intas.net.au
Guest URL
Launceston, Tasmania Australia
Friday, September 12, 2003 at 02:19:38 (EST)
Picked up a bit of information about Banabans on the net for my radio programme and played the cd "Rabi the new home of the Banabans from the Ocean Island" you mentioned during reading about the people and their lost island. Looking for more music from Banabans so I am really pleased to have found your web site. I was doing research online for my next programme when I came across to your site. Will be emailing to place my order and will email you too for some help as well. Keep up the good work.

GUYMAN
MUGU@MUGU.COM
ABA, UYO USA
Friday, September 12, 2003 at 01:57:56 (EST)
THIS IS A GOOD SITE I WILL COME BACK.

Hele & Janet
h.ikimotu@xtra.co.nz
Auckland, New Zealand
Sunday, September 07, 2003 at 21:07:21 (EST)
We are frequent visitors to this site and we really enjoyed reading the entries. Keep up the good work. Kia monuina.

Flugbuchung
Pro2000@yahoo.ch
Guest URL
Munich, Berlin Allemagne
Sunday, September 07, 2003 at 10:54:01 (EST)
I spend my working day on the web and enjoy working here. I love your site!

Gewinnspiel
HL-76er@hotmail.com
Guest URL
Munich, Berlin Allemagne
Thursday, September 04, 2003 at 08:11:24 (EST)
Interesting page containing serveral helpful information and nice pictures.

Last Minute
LM-Jones@epost.com
Guest URL
Munich, Berlin Allemagne
Wednesday, September 03, 2003 at 09:21:13 (EST)
Fantastic Site loaded with great information, particularly I love your graphics.

Versicherungsvergleich
VVJohnson@web.de
Guest URL
Munich, Berlin Allemagne
Tuesday, September 02, 2003 at 08:00:48 (EST)
You Have A Very Nice Web Site Here. It is really wonderful and i bookmarked it.

Krankenversicherung
K-Weber@web.at
Guest URL
Munich, Berlin Allemagne
Sunday, August 31, 2003 at 10:49:11 (EST)
I spend my working day on the web and enjoy working in places like this! Nice!

private Krankenversicherung
pkvt2003@yahoo.de
Guest URL
Munich, Berlin Allemagne
Saturday, August 30, 2003 at 09:21:57 (EST)
I like your site. I spend my working day on the web and enjoy working in places.

Maurizio Torretti
t.maurizio@libero.it
Rome, Italy
Thursday, August 21, 2003 at 22:04:47 (EST)
I'm an italian journalist interested in traditional cultures, environmental, human rights. I'd like to receive update news about Banaban life, traditional and modern ( something like a newsletter). Moreover, I'd like you suggest me the right way to make know better and more deeply your political and cultural activities to safe your precious culture against the effects of globalisation and the ecological and environmrntal disasters you suffered.

Sincerely Maurizio Torretti


Tom Wylie
tom@gm4fdm.com
Glasgow, Scotland
Wednesday, August 20, 2003 at 06:52:36 (EST)
Hi, I will be visiting Tarawa and spending 2 weeks on Banaba during April 2004. What I have read about the Island makes me very sad and angry that we Europeans have done to a beautiful little Island.

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Guest URL
Gold Coast, QLD Australia
Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at 12:08:34 (EST)
Thank you for your enquiry regarding Jeremy's documentary - COMING HOME TO BANABA. If you would like to also log into our Banaban newsgroup at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/banaban/

you will pick up a bit more news on this topic. Also you could email Jeremey directly to see if he can provide any more information on a US broadcast. As far as we know it has been broadcast through BBC Open University channel throughout UK and some other European countries as part of their Pacific history course since 1998. Over the years we have had feed back from Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Scotland, and England after people have seen the broadcast. These old messages and comments can be found here in the MESSAGE BOARD archives.

Regards, Stacey


ARTHUR BRIDGE
ARTHUR&IRISBRIDGE;@MB.SYMPATICO.COM
MORDEN, MANITOBA CANADA
Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at 11:54:34 (EST)
SPENT A MOST INFORMATIVE EVENING READING YOUR SITE AND MESSAGE BOARD.CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF THE PROGRAM TO BE BROADCAST ON BBC WILL BE SHOWN ON THE CBC OR US NETWORKS. GREETINGS TO ALL FROM MANITOBA CANADA.

Jeremy Cooper
jeremy@olio.demon.co.uk
Milton Keynes, Bucks UK
Monday, August 18, 2003 at 22:03:15 (EST)
My documentary is being broadcast in the UK this week on BBC2 at 6am on Thursday 21st August. It would be great if people were to record it on a blank tape (it's 30 minutes long) and keep it - it won't be broadcast for ever, and it's useful tool for spreading the word. Many thanks. Jeremy For more about the programme see: http://www.olio.demon.co.uk/banaba

telephone

Guest URL
USA
Thursday, August 14, 2003 at 21:15:08 (EST)
Congratulations, cool site

LOVE

Guest URL
USA
Thursday, August 14, 2003 at 21:14:12 (EST)
Great site

Chris Harrington
Chris.Harrington@tvnz.co.nz
Wellington , New Zealand
Friday, August 01, 2003 at 09:16:13 (EST)
Can someone email me as I want to talk the Banaban community in light of the photographic exhibition in Auckland. The Banaban email is coming up undeliverable .

Dion Moyse
diki@picknowl.com.au
adelaide, SA Australia
Thursday, July 17, 2003 at 22:29:43 (EST)
it is a great site. well done. my wifes family once lived on the island. her father was the lat doctor Plachy. they were there in the late 1970. i was wondering is there anybody there who remembers them.

sandiego man
guyplayful
Guest URL
San Diego, CA USA
Thursday, July 10, 2003 at 11:07:26 (EST)
need a liter of fiji beach sand. name your price and shippping fee. send email to guyplayful@yahoo.com I have korean and mexican gift and t-shirts for sale..... ok???

Maype

Guest URL
Barcelona, Spain
Thursday, July 10, 2003 at 06:28:55 (EST)
Hello from Spain

Emeretta McGrath
emeretta.mcgrath@holden.com.au
Melbourne, Australia
Tuesday, July 08, 2003 at 23:17:15 (EST)

INDEPENDANCE DAY THIS WEEKEND

Hi there As mentioned previously about the Kiribati Independance Celebration - which will take place this weekend. See the attached for directions etc. (See attached file: 2003 Indep.doc) There will be traditional dancing - in costume: i.e. grass skirts and sitting around on pandanus mats.... there will be no indecent exposure as the Christians came into the islands 100 years ago and told them all to put clothes on!!! We are not asking for any entry fee - but if you are interested and can - we ask that you bring a salad, cake or something to add to the table. There will of course be traditional dishes, like raw fish, te buatoro, te babai, te beki (pig), te taari, te brai rice (fried rice)...you know exactly what I am talking about...(NOT!!!) BYO - alcohol etc. Call me on extn 71256 - and let me know if you are coming, and/or if you have any further queries. Cheers "M" Hi there

As mentioned previously about the Kiribati Independance Celebration - which will take place this weekend. See the attached for directions etc.

(See attached file: 2003 Indep.doc)

There will be traditional dancing - in costume: i.e. grass skirts and sitting around on pandanus mats.... there will be no indecent exposure as the Christians came into the islands 100 years ago and told them all to put clothes on!!!

We are not asking for any entry fee - but if you are interested and can - we ask that you bring a salad, cake or something to add to the table. There will of course be traditional dishes, like raw fish, te buatoro, te babai, te beki (pig), te taari, te brai rice (fried rice)...you know exactly what I am talking about...(NOT!!!)

BYO - alcohol etc. Call me on extn 71256 - and let me know if you are coming, and/or if you have any further queries. Cheers "M"


Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Gold Coast, QLD Australia
Friday, July 04, 2003 at 00:18:28 (EST)
Dear Terenga Ken says hello and he's glad you want to know more about your Banaban history. Ken said as a Banaban you can get a copy of our book through USP in Suva at a special reduced rate. Make sure you tell them you are a Banaban as the grant money we received was used to offset the costs of the book for the Banaban community. Also have you had time to surf through the Banaban website - if not go to http://www.banaban.com but if you want real detailed information etc, then you need to get hold of the book, especially in regard to clans, old village layouts, customs etc. If you have any particular questions that Ken can help you with.... just drop us an email. All the best and regards to all our friends and families back in Suva....

Terenga Tamoaieta
terenga@yahoo.com.au
Suva, Fiji
Thursday, July 03, 2003 at 10:27:48 (EST)
I just want to know the History of Banaba.

blocker

Australia
Wednesday, June 25, 2003 at 19:15:45 (EST)
Just want to know if anyone knows how Ruwata (the former heavyweight champ) is doing. Heard he was not well and in Labasa hospital a while back. Hope he is OK.

Aleksandra Laritz
fantomen82@hotbrev.com
Karlstad, Sweden
Friday, June 20, 2003 at 07:23:49 (EST)
I was thrilled to find other people with the same last name as myself and my family. I live in Sweden and my Grandparents came from Germany in 1951 with our last name. Here in Sweden it's a unusuall name and all of us here who's name Laritz is related in one or another way. That's why I got really excited when I found you're web- site. Greetings from Sweden!

Lisa Green
greenl@uclink.berkeley.edu
Berkeley, CA United States
Monday, June 09, 2003 at 17:36:11 (EST)
Hello I would like to send care packages to the residents and schools of Rabi. Could someone provide me with the mailing address of a person or group that could distribute such packages for me? Contact information for a teacher would be great. Thank you, Lisa

Margriet
margriet@generation.nl
Guest URL
Vorden, Holland
Sunday, June 08, 2003 at 01:48:38 (EST)
Very interesting page!

Emeretta McGrath (nee Cross)
emeretta@optusnet.com.au
Albion, Victoria Australia
Tuesday, June 03, 2003 at 00:13:56 (EST)
I would like to thank Stacey & Ken for the permission to post the information on a celebration gathering for the Kiribati Independance here in Melbourne - July 12th. There is just a very small community here and we would like to invite their 'cousins' the Banaban's (and anybody else for that matter) to come along and join in the fun. If you would like more information, feel free to email me and/or call me at work (03) 9647 1256 during normal business hours. Ken - my copy of your book 'Te riini Banaba' is doing it's rounds with my family and I want it back for myself. Would you have any more copies that I can buy? There has been much clarification on the Banaban Clans vs: I-Kiribati people. I have mentioned before that I understand how the Banaban's feel - lost. My mother is Tuvaluan and my father is Australian. I was born on Ocean Island and am married to a South Australian. Now we have a son, and a Nanny from Tarawa teaching him to speak Kiribati, so that he won't be lost when we take to Tarawa in September for his 1st birthday. If I can teach Ethan anything, it will be that I can give my son an appreciation of a culture and knowledge of the diversity this very big world offers. Keep up the good work Ken and Stacey - your publications and efforts will be knowledge for many generations to come. I know, because it has inspired me and my clan!

MANABU KITAGUCH
cabmq002@hcn.zaq.ne.jp
IBARAKI, OSAKA JAPAN
Monday, June 02, 2003 at 05:27:45 (EST)
everyday I thinking banabans and BANABA Sorry Longtime Nosee please keep contact with me from JAPAN I want to see all of banaban on Rabi IS. again,STACY & KEN This one year was so busy but nevere forget all of you best regards sooner I will visit AUS or FIJI RABI with my famiry NORIKO & 2boys (my ssn) i want keep contact with you forever my bussness willbe grow up and bigger so I was notime bifore

Tomas

Guest URL
Czech republic
Friday, May 30, 2003 at 05:54:15 (EST)
Hello, just testing new Banaban board to see formatting of "new post notificiations". Btw. there is now new Banaban Charity Software available, http://www.banaban.net. (well, just one at the moment, but shall grow thru time...) Greetings, Tom

Maraema Metai Bauro
bm402@hotmail.com
Hawaii USA
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 19:20:14 (EST)
Aloha everyone, Is anyone here know Toatara and Mereka's sons and daughters. I'm their first cousin, their father is my mother's older brother. I haven't seen them before and even talked to them. Therefore If you guys know them, would you please give them our best regards and tell them to email us? By the way, a lot of thanks to the Banaban Message Board for giving me the opportunity to search for my cousins. With much Mahalo, Maraema Metai Bauro

Bauro Kaburre
The Secretary, Banaban Trust Fund Board
Suva, Fiji
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 08:06:20 (EST)
Dear Stacey,

We still have the 'Banaban Trust Fund Appeals Fund account' open for any future appeals.

Relief assistance that we raised last time went towards the cost of food rations. This was considered to be the immediate problem by Council. However, the long-term problem faced by the community is the rehabilitation of their individual homes.

This predicament is the problem that is to be overcome sonnest. If there is another cyclone this year most of the homes already affected would be completely destroyed.

Kindest regards, Bauro.


MGBADA JOE,ABA
MGBADAJOE@ABA.COM
Guest URL
ABA NAIJA, ABA NAIJA
Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 23:58:23 (EST)
I LOVE THIS PAGE.

hansi

Guest URL
Australia
Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 19:57:51 (EST)
happy day

Frank, DL4KQ
dl4kq@onlinehome.de
Germany
Monday, May 19, 2003 at 04:31:22 (EST)
Hi Stacey, thanks for the reply to my "empty" email. I tried to send it once more and asked a friend for help. We don`t know if or why the mails are still blocked. We also tried to contact you by fax ... Please try again to contact with the given email address or try it by using dl4kq@darc.de Thanks !

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
www.banaban.com
Gold Coast, QLD Australia
Sunday, May 18, 2003 at 23:09:31 (EST)
Hi Everyone! Just to let you know that we recently had upgrades made to the Banaban server and due to the large amount of spam and junk emails coming through the site a special filter was installed on all our associated email addresses relating to the Banaban website. This also includes emails addressed to Ken and I personally. We believe that these new filters could also be blocking our usual emails from getting through as well.

So if you have emailed either of us or just to the general Banaban email addresses in the past 2 weeks and haven't had a reply from us, could you please post a message here on the Message Board so we can access the situation and take action from our side to rectify the problem.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Regards,

Stacey King - stacey@banaban.com

Ken Sigrah - ken@banaban.com


Kabunare Tearoba
tt024@byuh.edu
Laie, Hawaii Hawaii
Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 20:03:32 (EST)
Hi Stacy and Ken I have read your book, "Te Rii ni Banaba." Its really interesting and I like to re-read again.You guys have done a great job.Thanks for writing the book and for giving us good information about our past and our ancestors. Your work is highly appreciated and thanks a lot for being a good assest to our people.

Michael I
michael@justmail.biz Australia
Tuesday, April 29, 2003 at 00:58:01 (EST)
Just a test . Hello all

Stacey King
ken&stacey;@banaban.com

Australia
06 April 2003
It is with much sadness that we advise of the recent death of Ken's mother - Nei Meri (Mary) on Tuesday the 18 March on Rabi. To those who never had the pleasure of knowing Ken's mother - she was very well known through out the Banaban community as she was always adopting newcomers who came to live on Rabi, she was truly a mother figure to many and will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her or calling her their mother or 'kaka'. She had that happy caring nature and spirit with a smile for everyone, a wonderful gift she has passed on to her children and descendants. For me personally she was the most wonderful mother-in-law and grandmother to my youngest daughter Brynley, I don't think going home to Rabi will ever be the same with her not there. May she rest in peace and be forever remembered with much Love and Affection by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.



george
george_sydneyau@hotmail.com

Australia
06 April 2003
PLEASE :Help these people with all your heart, and do what you haven't done up to today. We should be there and help, ensure that this won't happen again.Life is HARD, but more many of us is much much worst. DONT FORGET IT.
And do something NOW !!!!

akis
akis_sydney@yahoo.com.au

Australia
06 April 2003
want email with fem from sydney au, who care about things like that.
I believe we should do more than our best for all this situation, and try HARD.
bEST WISHES

akis
akis_sydney@yahoo.com

Australia
04 April 2003
I am male 38, and like to email with females around Australia
or in SYDNEY/islanders, asians,japanese THANK YOU
I am fit, healthy, like travelings, make friends, talks and good friendships.

Patricia Warren

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
USA
02 April 2003
I was just surfing the internet and came across your site. I can see you've put a lot of work into it. Thanks for allowing us to the use of this page.

OBINNA
MUGU@MUGU.COM

NIGER
31 March 2003
COOL SITE MUGU

Paul Eri
paul_eri@bigpond.com

Australia
30 March 2003
To Stacy and Ken,
Mauri. I would like to congratulate you both for an excellent work in co-writing 'Te Rii Ni Banaba'. I have just perused through the acknowledgements and introduction section of the book and already I feel deeply touched and moved by our history and that of our ancestors.
It's hard not to get emotional knowing that our ancestors were tricked and cheated out of their land by the British Phosphate Company, and brutally enslaved by the Japanese during world war II!
The biggest advantage though for us -the younger generation- is now we have our history and heritage narrated and documented by one of our own Banaban blood.. This is a big achievement on it's own and we're all indebted to you.
I can hardly wait to read through the whole book and find out more on te Aka, Auriaria and Nei Anginimaeao clans.
Kam a bati n raba.

Paul Eri.
(Decendant of Eri)

private krankenversicherung


DE
29 March 2003
Hello!

This site is very informative!

Greetings

Mike
bathon@poczta.fm

Poland
26 March 2003
Hello

Very nice site . I have already bookmarked it. Best wishes for You, Mike

george
guyguy@mugu.com.au
sydney
Australia
24 March 2003
i like your work.

Samantha Williams
willsamantha4@yahoo.com
none
London
22 March 2003
Thank you for this site and greetings from London!

gps system


Australia
11 March 2003
nice site

Aren Baoa
arenb@spc.int

Fiji
10 March 2003
Mauri Stacey & Ken,

I was reading over the weekend, the first 200 pages of your book "Te Rii Ni Banaba", oblivious to the calls by my addiction to kava. I was just skimming through the book, just tease my own knowledge about my roots. The real intense reading and response will come later. I was so engrossed in the book, I did not attend church and was 10mins late to work this morning.

Anyway I do not want to bore anyone with my story telling. In short I want to congratulate the two of you (Stacey & Ken) for the research and the eventual compilation of the book that will remain for generations to come. The book addresses a lot of misconceptions that were created by previous publications, that were written from foreigners perpective.

Apart from research work done by tertiary students (USP in particular and were never published) there have never been any real comprehensive documents about the Banabans on their history and culture written by us, Te Rii Ni Banaba as of today is only book written by a Banaban with kind assistance with a remarkable lady.

I hope this book can be used in our education system to sensitise our younger generations who the Banabans. The book should also be an encouragement to others to write songs and poems that relate to the Te Aka clan, Auriaria and "his mob" or the peaceful Nei Anginimaeao. Workshops of all sorts can eminate from Te Rii Ni Banaba for like creative writing.

I better stop here as I am getting late. All the best in your future endeavours. When is the movie going to be made?

Aren Baoa
(Auriaria Clan)


Bauro Kabure - The Secretary, Banaban Trust Fund Board
banabantrust@is.com.fj
Suva
Fiji
06 March 2003
Ken & Stacey,

We attach the details of our appeal fund, after handing over to the Rabi Council today the sum of $3,600.00 from donations collected. Details are attached.

Our Board has agreed to mainatin some balance to keep the account operational for future disaster appeals for our Banaban Community.

Many thanks and kindest regards,

Bauro.

DONATIONS TO BANABAN TRUST APPEALS FUND - CYCLONE AMI APPEAL.doc

(Thanks Bauro, I think this current crisis has made us all realise that there are some wonderful people around the world willing to try and help our people. As we have discovered this APPEAL is really just the tip of the response that we received overall and we hope will now be ongoing to assist our people back home. We know that many have already donated directly to families and personal contacts back on Rabi and others are offering assistance with future projects for assisting the community. To everyone who contributed to this particuLar fundraiser - KO RABA! and please keep posted to the website for other fundraisers that are going to be implemented in the future... Ken & Stacey)

Toby Tolson
tobyt3@pacbell.net
San Jose, California
USA
06 March 2003
My name is Toby Tolson and I live in California, USA. We want to help with the current crisis you're facing because of the recent cyclone.

I will soon be married and will be honeymooning in Fiji. We plan to make it to Taveuni if we can afford it and wanted to find out how we could get from Garden Island Resort in Waiyevo to Rabi or Kioa. We have been asking relatives and friends to send supplies:
universal clothing for adults
children's clothes, books & toys
educational materials
towels,washclothes, etc.

Is there someone there that can help us deliver these things to the island(s)? We have very little money to be able to travel so we couldn't afford flying around. We'll only be in Taveuni for about four to five days if we can make it. Please let us know if there is someone who can help coordinate this trip with us to deliver supplies.

We've already asked help from an organization in Portland, OR that helps in Fiji but have received almost no response. We are awaiting a response from Garden Island Resort on whether they can help get us there. But we would also like to find out what supplies are really needed. What could we bring that would help most? Then we'll try and collect those items as much as possible.

Sincerely,

Toby Tolson

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Gold Coast
Australia
04 March 2003
Thanks Tomas,

Great idea. Over the next few weeks we will upload our Gilbertese language database for access through the website. Hopefully over the next few weeks we will add more words from the first version of the Gilbertese-English dictionary compiled by Bingham. Others might also like to contribute.

Ken will be away working for 3-4 weeks so will not have time at this stage to sit down and translate. Please contact either Tomas or myself if you would like to assist with this. And NO Tomas not all Banabans speak English but the children now learn English as their second language. As the Banabans mainly reside within Fiji, most also can speak Fijian or have understanding of Fijian as well.

The Banabans have a lot to contend with living along way from their traditional homeland. Also to remind everyone that there is still no email access to Rabi or Banaba and only 2 manual phone lines into Rabi island at this stage. Banaba has NO phone connections. Hopefully this will change in the future.

Also after various email ideas proposed by Tomas we would like to call for any volunteers interested in assiting us with translations of this website. We would like to be able to broadcast this site in other languages in time for the UNESCO Annual Conference in Paris in October. Even if you can help translate a few pages we would appreciate it. We would love to have a French, German, Japanese, Chinese version to start with. All this can be done via email.

Looking forward to hearing your ideas on this. Will give Tomas's new newsgroup a go and encourage others to use it.

Here are the details to help you to SUBSCRIBE to the Banaban Newsgroup. Post message: banaban@yahoogroups.com

Subscribe: banaban-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Unsubscribe: banaban-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

List owner: banaban-owner@yahoogroups.com

Regards,
Stacey

Tomas
tomas.drahokoupil@seznam.cz

Czech republic
04 March 2003
I have just founded a mailing list on following address
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/banaban/
for open discussion, anyone can join. I personally prefer email lists over webboards, because of save of time, so this might be the reason, though this email list will probably server different purposes than great webboard on this website.
It is possible, if it will grow, that I might move it elsewhere where it would be ads-free.

Also, the idea to produce a simple word-processing software, with menus in Gilbertese, striked my mind. I could do the programming, so if anyone is interested to help with translation of few words into Gilbertese, they are welcome. Though, I don't know it this is good idea - do all the Banaban's speak English, or not?

Best regards,
Tomas

Tomas
tomas.drahokoupil@seznam.cz

Czech republic
03 March 2003
Hello, I was deeply touched by the site and Banaban story.

Is this board the only way of communication, or is there also some e-mail newsletter or e-mail discussion group (like those at groups.yahoo.com)? If not, that would be a great idea.

Greetings,
Tomas

Phil & Barbara Wain
wainpb@iprimus.com.au
Traralgon, Victoria
Australia
03 March 2003
We are coming, but not until Easter. What are you doing on Good Friday. We will buy a copy of your book. Looking forward to seeing you both and congratulations on your web site.
P & B.

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Gold Coast
Australia
28 February 2003
Thanks Martin...

ACCOUNT IS CLOSING - PLEASE ADVISE US OF ANY LAST MINUTE CONTRIBUTIONS A.S.A.P.

Just to remind everyone that the RABI RELIF FUND account is closing. Please email me or Bauro Kabure direct NOW if you wish to send your contribution into account so Bauro will hold it open for any last minute contributions.
The account balance is currently just over $3,200.00 so let's try and give it a bit more of a final boost before closing.

Thanks to all those who have contributed so far. The latest account details will be posted on the website over the weekend.

Regards,
Stacey

martin lowe
lowes@alphalink.com.au

Australia
28 February 2003
Dear Ken & Stacey

People wishing to transfer funds electronically to Banaban Trust Fund Appeals Fund Account will need the BSB Code for Westpac Suva.
It is WPACFJFX.
Regards to all
Martin

Bauro Kabure
Banaban Trust Fund Board
Suva
Fiji
26 February 2003
Dear David,


We acknowledge receipt of your contribution to our appeal fund - A$100.00.

We will hold on to your receipt pending your arrival in Suva.

Ko nang bati n rarabwa ma kain abam.

Tia boo moa,

Bauro.

obi lagos
obi_lagos@lagos.com

Australia
24 February 2003
i really like this site.
lagos boy.

Bauro Kabure - Secretary, Banaban Trust Fund Board
banabantrust@is.com.fj
Suva
Fiji
20 February 2003
Ken & Stacey,

We acknowledge receipt of FJD1,100 donation from Stewart & Neil and their company in UK & USA.

With all sincerity and appreciation, kindly post on your Notice Board.

We will send you the account update early tomorrow, we are just waiting for the credit advices from the bank to fill in the exact details of the deposits made so far.

With kindest regards,

Bauro.


Stewart & Neil,

We confirm receipt of your most kind and generous donation towards our appeals fund for the Banaban community who are recovering in the aftermath of 'Cyclone Ami' on the island of Rabi.

We are indeed pleased and deeply touched by your care and compassion to share with our people in this time of need.

May God richly bless you!

Kindest regards,

Bauro.


Bauro Kabure - Secretary, Banaban Trust Fund Board
banabantrust@is.com.fj
Suva
Fiji
12 February 2003
Update of Appeals Fund Account

Dear Ken & Stacey,

I attach an update of the collections on our appeals fund account. Attached also is the copy of the bank statement on the account.

We will continue the update next week, and the week thereafter until the end of the month when we will close of the appeal and transfer the collected funds to the Rabi Council of Leaders.

The situation on Rabi, so far is that they have received food rations from government for the entire community.

However, there are around 150 houses which have been badly damaged.. and most of these houses need complete replacement because of the extent of damages.

The Red Cross Society leaves for Rabi tomorrow with some relief supplies.

We are very certain that all monies raised from this appeal fund would be disposed off to very good use by the Rabi Council for the benefit of our people who have had misfortunes and losses as a result of 'Cyclone Ami'.

Kindest regards,

Bauro.

Thanks for the update Bauro and the account figures (Look to main page for direct links to these latest details). We would like to encourage everyone to send some money over to the Relief Fund in Fiji. If you are having problems with international transfers we have a credit card facility here in Australia and a Westpac a/c that will only cost $15AUD to transfer the money direct into the Fiji Relief Fund account. So if this makes it easier for you to contribute, we will even pay the credit card merchant fees ourselves so that we can send as much money across to Fiji as possible. Email us direct at: admin@banaban.com for details. It has taken over a month to get some food and the Red Cross supplies leave for Rabi today from Suva. Other aid is going to take months, so in the meantime please let the people on Rabi know they have not been forgotten. Tiabo! Ken

Paulo Baleinakorodawa
pbale_emu@yahoo.com
Virginia
USA
11 February 2003
Many thanks for the rich information. I am a Fijian doing a study on the issues with the different ethnic groups in Fiji.
You have a really cool website.
Cheers
Paulo

Bauro Kabure
The Secretary, Banaban Trust Fund Board [banabantrust@is.com.fj]
Suva
Fiji Isles
10 February 2003
Wolfgang & Elfriede,

Thank you so much for this very generous and kind donation.
Please, pass on our heartfelt gratitude and warmest regards to your families and friends for their compassion and support.

We will mail you the receipt and acknowledge the donation on the web-page (Check it out on Wednesday our time) that I had emailed earlier.
We will provide a weekly update on the same web-page until the appeal closes on 28th February, 2003.

Kam nang bati n rarabwa!!
Tia manga boo moa,
Bauro.


From: W.Kempf & E.Hermann
To: Kabure
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 8:58 AM
Subject: support for Banaban community

Dear Bauro, ko na mauri!

In the meanwhile we did some fundraising in our families to help the Banabans who had to suffer so much under the recent cyclone "ami". Today we transferred EURO 500.- to the appeal fund of the Banaban Trust Fund Board. EURO 500. - should be approx. 1075.- FJD according to the current exchange rate. Although the money is sent in our name (Wolfgang Kempf & Elfriede Hermann), members of our families also contributed: Elfriede's parents, Inge and Hans Hermann, her brother and sister-in-law, Helmut and Maria Hermann, and Wolfgang's mother, Rosemarie Kempf. All of them convey their best wishes to the Banaban Community. We truly hope that the Banabans on Rabi will get sufficient economic help by the appeal fund as well as by the Red Cross and other organizations, and last but not least by the Fiji Government.

Please pass on our BEST WISHES to the Rabi Council of Leaders and all our Banaban friends. We truly hope that the Banaban community will recover quickly from the damage done by this fateful cyclone.

We are writing to you now in a hurry, as we will leave Göttingen tomorrow to attend a conference.

Our best wishes also to you and your family, cordially,
Elfriede & Wolfgang

PS: If at all possible, it would be kind if we could get a receipt for
the donation.







Ken Sigrah
ken@banaban.com

Australia
09 February 2003
Latest Damage Report No. 4 just arrived... Situation is not good.

At least 200 houses partially damaged and 25 houses gone or badly damaged just in the two villages of Tabwewa and Uma alone (this also includes Nuku). Binati Sigrah hasn't had the time yet to do a proper assessment of Buakonikai or Tabiang villages.

No other assistance has arrived except for some tents and food parcels last Saturday. Red Cross emergency relief due to arrive end of next week. Look to Damage Report No. 4 for more details.

Please do not forget the RABI RELIEF FUND will close at the end of this month. We have to raise as much as we can before then and get it into the Fiji account. Details of account on main HOME page.

MGBADA JOE,ABA,NAIJA
MGBADAJOE@ABA.COM
ABA
ENUGU,NAIJA
09 February 2003
I LOVE BANABAN AREA.

Ken Sigrah
ken@banaban.com

Australia
08 February 2003
Mauri Ioram

Ko bati n rabwa n am Rongorongo are koatia ni koreia ara message board.

Biniati Sigrah bon tariu are Karimoau ao Tiboua bon au cousin. Rabi ngkai ebon korakora te uruaki iaona. Ia tibatia n tarebon ma Biniati ngkai ao e tuangai ba 200 maitin te auti ae partly damage ao 25 ae completely damage nti te kawa Tabwewa, Nuku ao Uma alone not counting the rest of the other villages.

Iai ara message are tia tia ni katamoata n ara message board ibukin te relief fund nako Rabi ao ngkana iai am kan ibuobuoki ao koa kanakoa nako Biti nakon te account aio

A/c Name: Banaban Trust Fund Board - Appeals Fund A/c
A/c No. 9800553993
Bank: Westpac Banking Corporation, Suva Branch, Fiji Islands

Tao ti ngaia moa anne ao tia manga boo moa.

Ken Sigrah


Ioram Uakitera
iu014@byuh.edu
Laie
Hawaii
08 February 2003
Hope that everything is fine. Hey, I felt sad to see the house that we rented when I was there a year ago which was Tiboua's house completedly dismantle. I just wonder if my friends are okay or what. I can hardly remember their names but here are some of them: Bineati Sigrah and his family Bauro and his family Nei Bwakarawa and her family etc. Please let me know how are they doing.

Vinaka



Bruce
b_a_@hotmail.com

Australia
07 February 2003
Re: The Pacific CoastWatchers Story

I just wished to thank for posting the story of the Pacific CoastWatchers on your website.

My wife is a descendant of Basil Cleary who is mentioned in the story.

The story partly filled a void in my family's life as with time and other family issues there was no understanding of how he came to meet his death at the hands of the Japanese.

If by some chance anyone has anymore information - stories and photos of that time that could be forwarded it would be appreciated very much.

The importance of knowing and heritage is important and is is great to see a site such as yours and hope it continues to develop

Thanks again
Bruce

Angel Latham-Byrne
Angel_latham@hotmail.com
Newquay,Cornwall
England
05 February 2003
Hi,
I hope that things are starting to get themselves sorted now! After watching a video in an environmental science lecture at college the other day on the phosphate farming in Banaban it made me feel real sad to see what some people are going through, so i decided to look on the internet and see if there was some way of contacting you! i found a wabsite and then e-mailed Stacy and Ken. i was very pleased when they e-mailed me back so quickly but was very sad to hear that you have now been (or are still going through) through a cyclone! i will hopefully soon be able to raise some money to help suuport the people and the island... i will let you know when i start doing so
take care everyone... dont ever forget that there are people out here who are thinking of you all and everything that you have been through!
cheers
love
Angel
xxx

Bauro Kabure - Secretary, Banaban Trust Fund Board
banabantrust@is.com.fj
Fiji
Australia
05 February 2003
Dear Stacey,

RE: CURRENT SITUATION ON RABI AS ADVISED BY RABI COUNCIL OF LEADERS

We have only one telephone line working on Rabi from the Exchange. There are no connections to the Rabi Council and subscribers on the island. The Rabi Council fax is also not working and Nei Bure - who mans the Suva office was sick yesterday.

One of the Councillors is now in Suva and has advised that some government assistance came in last week in terms of food supplies, tents and road work machines. He also believes that DISMAC has done its survey on Rabi for further government assistance which includes the replacement and repair of houses, schools,etc... They are not sure as to when the works will commence.

I hope this information would be of help for the time being.

In the meantime, the Red Cross is arranging some supplies of food and relief packs (which includes utensils, clothes, blankets,etc..) to be sent to Rabi by next week on the ferry 'Adi Savusavu'. The same ferry will leave for New Zealand on the 15th February for its annual docking for maritime survey and return sometime in March.

Kind regards,
Bauro

(Thanks Bauro for the update and letting everyone know what is happening on the ground back in Rabi. Good to know that DISMAC has now finally acknowledged the devastation AMI caused on Rabi and some assistance has turned up, even if it has taken 3 weeks to get them some emergency relief. Please keep us advised of any timeframes from official channels so we know they haven't been left forgotten again.

As it still could take awhile for offical assistance to come through we still need to raise as much money as we can through the RABI RELIEF FUND set up in Suva. I would especially like to ask all the community's friends abroad who have experienced the wonderful hospitality over the years to please let them know we care and we have not forgotten them in this real time of hardship... Stacey)

Mrs DAVID AND JUNE CORRIE
daviti@bigpond.com

Cairns

Australia
04 February 2003

Hi Stacey, I have taken it upon myself to contact the Australian Red Cross since I am the Vice President of our local branch. I have learned that the Rabi Council Suva Office have contacted them and the red cross are going to send down some food parcels, kitchen utensils and other items on the 'Audi Savu Savu' probably mid February. Don't quote me on the exact date, but at least we know they will eventually get some aid. Apparently there was about $40,000-$50,000 of aid supplies sent to Fiji just recently by the Red Cross. This is good news. June



Siau Smith
mauri@alphalink.com.au

Melbourne

Australia
04 February 2003

RE: Devasation of Banaban Community, Rabi Island, Fiji from Cyclone AMI

Greetings

I would like to encourage the British Government, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, Tuvaluan Government and the Kiribati Government, businesses, churches, to help the Banabans in this time of need. After all, the British Government and the British Phosphate Commission were the ones who took all the phosphate from the Banabans and sending the poor people to migrate to an isolated island called Rabi, in Fiji, which was recently hit by AMI cyclone.

I have been to Banaba and to Rabi and I know and understand how the people live their lives there--very hard life. So any help you can give them, they will appreciate it very much. "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." NASB

Regards, Siau



Ken Sigrah
ken@banaban.com
Gold Coast
Australia
03 February 2003
Dear William,
Your wife contacted me personally via email and apologised and asked that her email to me be kept private. I have respected her wishes. So as far as your wife and I are concer this matter is closed. Obviously you have a lot of input into all this and see things differently to us Islanders.

As far as your wife's public messages on the Banaban Message Board are concerned they have been archived along with others for anyone wanting to read them at the link at the bottom of the message board 'More 2003 Messages'.

I cannot understand your continued concern or sarcasm over a 'ghost writer' and what relevance any of this rubbish has to do with important issues raised on behalf of my community regarding our true history, and the publishing of wrong factual information.

You obviously don't know us or have any awareness of the sensitivity regarding the issues raised on behalf of my people. Yet you are so outraged over open criticism, by the very people who just happened to know their own history and the truth, that you are now threatening legal action!

It's a shame you cannot put the same time, effort and money into helping our people. So please take whatever action you feel necessary. We have far more important things to worry about at the moment.

Ken Sigrah

William R. Gray
gray@ausinfo.com.au

Australia
03 February 2003

Dear Ken,

Whilst not wishing to distract from the immediate problems of the Cyclone Ami's damage to Rabi and other Pacific Islands, I feel in the interest of honesty and fairness that I should insert back into the Guest Book the entries below which refer previous correspondence between my wife, Dame Dr. Jane Resture and the administrators of the Banaban Guestbook.

It is apparent that if one side of a discussion is deleted while the other is not, it is simply misleading to say the least to visitors to the Banaban Guest Book. If you are going to do this, then in the interest of fundamental honesty, both sides of the discussions should be deleted.

I do appreciate that Mr. Sigrah was able to admit to the existence of the ghost writer who was indeed a non-Pacific Islander presenting material, including one would have to summize, the original quite unnecessary condemnation of Dame Dr. Jane Resture's Banaban Web sites. I suppose I should reiterate that it is the right of anybody who wants to put a Banaban Web site on the Internet that they should not be subjected to this kind of scandalous defamatory condemnation. At this point, it would seem appropriate for the ghost writer to apologise publicly for the remarks made in your name otherwise we will be forced to proceed with
formal legal action. At this stage, such action would be against both the nominal writer, Mr. Sigrah and the ghost writer, Ms. Stacey King. We have been advised that this is a very straightforward case of defamation. I suggest that a formal apology in the Banaban Guest Book would be the most appropriate form of action for you to take. Until this is done, this matter will simply not go away.

Sincerely,

William R. Gray


Stewart Gledhill
Stonecastleoast@aol.com
Kent
United Kingdom
03 February 2003
Dear Ken & Stacey

Neil and I would each like to make a donation to your appeal. Which currency is the fund setup in?

Please be assured that we are trying our best to get further donations.

Best wishes
Stewart

Dear Steward & Neil,
Thank you so much for your support … The account is set up in Westpac, Suva Fiji in FIJI dollars (FJD).
Regards, Stacey




Stephan Meier


Germany
03 February 2003
I´m writing these lines in memory of the wonderful times that I had on Rabi, the great hospitality of everyone there was breathtaking, the stay on the island was a big gift for me in my life. I still have vivid memories of the beautiful moments that I was allowed to share with Aren Baoa´s and Ken´s family, Namatan, Arariki, Biara and so many others also back in Suva. I hope you are all safe and sound. I will try to do my best to help from the other side of the globe. So hopfully togehter it will be possible to quickly ease the situation on the island after the cyclone disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with you on Rabi.

Stephan from Germany

Ken Sigrah
ken@banaban.com
Gold Coast
Australia
02 February 2003
I have just spoken to my eldest daughter on Rabi for the first time since AMI hit the island on 14 Jan 03. Now 17 days later the real hardship of the disaster is starting to hit home. The impact now on food supplies is the most pressing issue at the moment, as people find out that all their food trees are gone. To make matters worse those rely on kava, dalo or cassava to provide some basic income or trade for food supplies now find these root crops also devastated. With the impact of the cyclonic winds on all the vegetation the accompanying cyclonic deluge has rotted anything left in the ground.

To put it bluntly - OUR PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY! Where is help from Fiji government channels and Red Cross that was evident earlier in other Fiji communities? More frightening is the latest report just published today from information provided by the Fiji National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), through the OCHA Regional Disaster Response Adviser for the Pacific. (Look to Damage Report 3. to view the document) There is not one mention of Rabi in it!

My daughter and her husband have gathered up what remains of the new iron from the roof off our house at Kesu Kesu and because of the damage to the iron sheeting were only able to put together a makeshift tin shelter at the back of our house. My daughter and the rest of my family are just one of the many now suffering on Rabi from the aftermath of AMI.

Please with this current disaster our people cannot and MUST NOT remain forgotten… they need HELP!

Stacey has put together a list of some email addresses here for organisations to contact. She has already sent out press releases to these organisations listed here to let them know about the situation of the Banaban Community on Rabi… we ask that you also email them and as concern friends of the community ask for them involvement and assistance.

Info@gbgm-umc.org - United Methodist Committee on Relief
info@careaustralia.org.au - CARE Australia
submit@reliefweb.int - Relief Web
ochagva@un.org - UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
russell@sopac.org - SOPAC Secretariat Fiji
webmaster@catholicrelief.org - Catholic Relief Organisation
public-affairs-suva@dfat.gov.au - Australian High Commission - Suva, Fiji
editor@wsws.org - World Socialist Website
goasiapacific@your.abc.net.au - Go Asia Pacific - Radio Australia

RED CROSS/ RED CRESCENT - USA
longcy@usa.redcross.org

RED CROSS - AUSTRALIA
redcross@nat.redcross.org.au - National Office - Australia
hq@redcrosswa.asn.au - West Australia
information@vic.redcross.org.au - Victoria
vpage@tas.redcross.org.au - Tasmania
redcross@sa.redcross.org.au - South Australia
redcross@qld.redcross.org.au - Queensland
redcross@nt.redcross.org.au - Northern Territory
info@nsw.redcross.org.au - New South Wales

WEBSITE ADDRESSES:
Adventist Development and Relief Agency: 800-424-ADRA, http://www.adra.org
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee: 800-55-CRWRC, http://www.crwrc.org
Concern Worldwide: 212-557-8000, http://www.concernusa.org
Direct Relief International: 805-964-4767, http://www.directrelief.org
Food for the Hungry: 800-2-HUNGER, http://www.fh.org
Lutheran World Relief: 800-LWR-LWR2, http://www.lwr.org
United Methodist Committee on Relief: 800-554-8583, http://www.gbgm-umc.org
World Concern: 800-755-5022, http://www.worldconcern.org
World Relief: 800-535-5433, http://www.worldrelief.org

Once again thank you for your emails to us and your support… please don’t forget theRABI RELIEF FUND and that it will only be opened until the end of this month. Also to those that have already sent off their contributions… from us personally and all our community - ko raba!

Ken Sigrah

Bauro Kabure
The Secretary
Banaban Trust Fund Board

Suva
Fiji
31 January 2003
Dear Ken & Stacey,

Our Board has opened the account for the appeal.

The account details are as follows:

Account Name: Banaban Trust Fund Board - Appeals Fund A/c.

Account No. 9800553993

Bank: Westpac Banking Corporation, Suva Branch, Fiji Islands.


Our trustees are:

Ratu Epeli Kanaimawi - Chairman (Church Minister, Retired Civil Servant, and former Administrator with the Rabi Interim Administration of 1992-1996).

Mr. Francis Chung - A Chartered Accountant, The Senior Partner of Ernst & Young International, Fiji.

Dr. Matakite Maata - A Banaban, University of the South Pacific lecturer in Chemistry.

As advised earlier, we will close off the appeal on 28 February, 2003 and publicise the individual collections which will in turn be transferred to the Rabi Council of Leaders. We will provide you a progressive (weekly) report for your Notice Board.

We will also use the same account to deposit our collections from friends and community members from around Suva.

I have opened the account with an anonymous donor's deposit of $100.00.

Thank you so much for being so concerned and we look forward to the continued support.

Cheers for now,

Bauro.

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Gold Coast
Australia
31 January 2003
I have posted this email from David and June Corrie on the MESSAGE BOARD and my reply to let everyone know the state of affairs on Rabi at the moment and some ideas on what each of us can do to try and get them some help from our part of the world...


Hi Stacey,

Just thought we would let you know about Rabi. We managed to speak to David's cousin who lives alongside our house and she tell us that part of the roof came off but they have managedto repair it. but all of the louvres and security screens have gone from around the house, so we are trying to get something done about them now. She also told us that there is nofood on Rabi and all of the fruit trees, mangoes, breadfruit have been blown over. They must be having a terrible time. Is there no way we can get them some help. I wondered about the Red Cross. They have branches in Fiji, one at Taveuni. They have also lost alltheir kitchens. We may be going to Rabi in March, looking at it at present.

Regards June and David


Dear June and David,

As you probably already know... here when you talk to anyone about Rabi or Banaba for that matter they will always direct you through correct Fiji or Kiribati government channels. As we know this is hopeless. I'm going to post up your message on the MESSAGE BOARD and ask everyone to please email, phone or fax whoever you can think of. Use whatever you can from the website, either by direct links via email or by printing out pages and faxing them off.

As you can see by the extend of damage now coming to us in the photos everyone is affected. It's really bad... the only way to send money direct to our families is via Western Union but we also have to encourage who ever we can to get money into the Relief Fund as there is no way the Rabi Council can cope with the scope of this disaster. The situation on Rabi was poor before AMI blew in so the impact of all this on the entire community and the important necessary infrastructure of the community is really at stake here.

I suggest that any funds raised through the Relief Fund need to be quickly utilised for emergency supplies such as food into the island. Repairs will have to come later. The impact of this disaster will also badly affect families living in other parts of Fiji and abroad as families try to cope with helping each other and the scale of things. Everyone is so inter-related that its a matter of - where do you start when it comes to just your own family?

Yes we do need help from major organisations like RED CROSS. Will try and find out some email contact for them through our good mate Maureen White in Melbourne, see if she knows anyone at Red Cross to contact.

Thanks for your updates and let's keep pushing from this end.

Regards,Stacey

Louise McLean
louisemclean@hotmail.com

England
31 January 2003
When the bank account has been set up can you please send details of bank account no. name of account, address and name of bank, bank sort code (office code)
My thoughts and prayers are with all the islanders -

Ken Sigrah
ken@banaban.com
Gold Coast
Australia
30 January 2003
Latest Photos are now here and once again they are graphic and shocking.
To view photos and latest information go to:

Damage Report 2
Damage Report 2 continued

We would also like to call on all our friends and visitors to this website to please get behind the Rabi Relief fundraising. We only have until the end of February to get money over to Suva so that it can be distributed where it is so badly needed across the entire community.

We would also like to ask those who are involved or have connections with groups like Rotary, Lions or other clubs and associations to try and get your clubs involved in this important fundraiser. Also your own church community where you live. What a great project to get behind and know that your efforts to help will not only be greatly appreciated but really lift the spirits of our people back home. The whole process of trying to rebuild Rabi is daunting. As one of our friends who had been to Rabi said, 'It is terrible to think that people with so little before Cyclone AMI may now be without a roof over their heads...'

We will post details on where money can be sent to the RELIEF FUND as soon as Bauro gets back to us. Meanwhile if you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us on email or post any public announcements via this Message Board
Ko raba! Ken

Richard Tevita Walker
ob1gr81@aol.com
Chicago, IL
USA
27 January 2003
Well there is talk of another cyclone on its way to Fiji right now. The storm is not yet a cyclone but there is talk that it might be upgraded in the next 12-36 hours. There are differnt reports from different news agencies. Check out the latest news from www.fijilive.com
Also there is news at http://abc.net.au/asiapacific/news/GoAsiaPacificBNP_770408.htmThere is a few articles in there about the storm. To see where the storm is now, log on to http://www.npmoc.navy.mil/jtwc/warnings/sh9703.gif
It looks like it is headed straight for Labasa. Lets pray for them and our friends from Rabi that this does not develop into anything that they can not handle. God speed and my prayers go out to all at this time.

Richard Tevita Walker
ob1gr81@aol.con
Chicago, IL
USA
26 January 2003
A couple of nights ago I got through to Rabi and there was a lot of bad news to here. A lot of places that I once loved are now gone. The destruction is a lot more than I ever imagined. Most people are without a roof and a place to prepare their food. It is true that there have been a lot of buildings washed away that were along the beach. Pretty much all of the counsels buildings that were along the beach are completly gone or as the locals say "akea rabwatana"
The is now a clear view up to the guest house from the bottom of the road to the guest house because the mango trees were wiped out in the storm. Also there really has not been any help to arrive on the island. I got to talk to one of the telecom operators for a while and they were very informative as to the current situation. There have been no casualties, but there has been a significant amount of damage. For those wanting to contact Rabi, I have been told that the best time to contact the island is between 5-6pm local time and then again later that night. As a reminder to everyone, there is still only one line working for all of Rabi to share. All calls have to be made from the telecom so it can get very busy. No personal line are up and running yet. God speed and my prayers go to those on Rabi.

Teki / Nick Wardrop
nwardrop@ozemail.com.au
Sydney
Australia
24 January 2003
TRYING TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT
Temoaiti Tamaiti of Buakonikai Village, RABI


Gday,

Maaria and I would like to know how Maaria'a sister and her family are - we are both worried, as Maaria has not heard since the cyclone.

Maaria's contacts are +61 2 4341 1300 or + 61 409 132 722,
or I will pass any messages on at my email address nwardrop@ozemail.com.au

Regards
Nick

Ken Sigrah
ken@banaban.com

Australia
23 January 2003
FIRST RABI PHOTOS NOW HERE

The first photos have arrived from Rabi and more are on there way. The photos speak a thousand words and we have set up a DAMAGE REPORT page here on the site so that damage assessment, information, photos etc can be recorded as they become available.

As the Fiji Disaster Management office said - Rabi was OK. What we now are recording here will show the real picture and story of the devestating situation on Rabi.

Over the next few days a Rabi Relief Trust Fund will be set up in Suva so we can try and start fundraising to help our people back home.

With no help at all forthcoming at this stage through offical government channels we have decided we have to act ourselves to try and help our people or once again they will be just remain forgotten. As a minority people living in a third world country we have no other options.

So please keep posted to this site and get in touch if you have any ideas or would like to post a message here on the BOARD or email us. At this stage the aftermath and shock of the full impact of Cyclone AMI is very over whelming.


Stacey King & Ken Sigrah
stacey@banaban.com
Gold Coast
Australia
22 January 2003
Hi Everyone,

Well we finally got through to Rabi phone operator tonight and things are bad on Rabi. We are just recovering from the shock of the news. So much for Fiji Disaster Management telling us aerial photos looked OK. Disaster team arrived on Rabi and spent about an hour and left saying everything was fine.

We are waiting to hear a more detailed report from Ken’s brother tomorrow night. But this is what we have been told as of tonight. We personally have lost our newly renovated house on the knoll at Kesukesu with reports that not only has the roof gone but even the solid concrete walls have partly fallen in. Ken’s eldest daughter and family including the new baby only about 4 weeks old nearly died when the house began to go> Thank God they escaped and are now living with relatives.

From what we heard tonight most houses have been badly damaged with reports of houses along the waterfront at the main sports oval being destroyed and actually gone altogether. And that’s just around Nuku and our own immediate family, so until we can get a full report we are now looking at a very different story from what we have all been lead to believe from DISMAC. I suppose with so much damage throughout this northern area of Fiji they are looking to the most urgent areas of relief first. No help has been forthcoming to Rabi.

Ken says cyclones have hit Rabi before but this is definitely sounding the worse one yet. We will be posting the latest news reports on the situation up on the BANABAN MESSAGE BOARD

Ken wanted me to book him on a flight to Fiji straight away tomorrow morning but has calmed down now to realise that until we hear more information we can probably do more from this part of the world. Also food will be in very short supply as all the food trees are either gone or badly damaged. Huge mango, coconut, breadfruit and pawpaw trees are down everywhere.

With all that went down here in Australia’s capital, Canberra over the week end with nearly 400 houses completely lost from bush fires and still more fires raging, it makes you realise that our people back on Rabi and our Fiji brothers are all sharing a pretty bad time of it. Our major concern is that the Banabans being a minority in Fiji will be overlooked once again. Let’s wait until we hear more tomorrow night, in the meantime if you have ideas to help them please email us.

Regards,

Stacey & Ken

Richard Tevita Walker
Ob1gr81@aol.com


22 January 2003
The Latest From Fiji Telecom

Mr. Walker,

Rabi Exchange tel # 881 2348 is the only line operating. You may have to keep trying to call the number as it may be congested with other people trying to call Rabi.

At this stage we cannot say when all our services to the Northern division and Lau Group, including Rabi, will be running at full capacity.

Our engineers are working round the clock to restore services to as many areas in the Northern division as possible, and calling in to our Suva office daily with progress reports. Our office will in turn continue to provide daily updates to the media and general public, which can be accessed from our website (www.TelecomFiji.com.fj).

Thank you,
Salote Nasome

Christine Winsor
cwinsor@olympicassociates.com
Seattle
United States
22 January 2003
Hello All!
I hope you are all safe and well. I have been searching on the web for a cyclone status update on Taveuni (food/water/infrastructure, etc.) because my family and I are scheduled to arrive on Taveuni on January 29th. We're still very excited about coming, but we don't want to become part of the "problem" and an extra 3 mouths to feed if the situation on Taveuni is that serious.

Does anyone have any more details about the presentation situation on Taveuni?

Thanks so much! This message board is a great web site service!

Richard Tevita Walker
Ob1gr81@aol.com
Gold Coast
Australia
21 January 2003

THE PHONE NUMBER

I got a busy signal on 881-2348 so I think that this is the working line. I also tried 881-3932 and there is no answer. Does anyone know the number to the other line so that I can try to call from that line?

RICHARD TEVITA WALKER

Thank Richard for the updates. The phone number we usually use here is 881-2348. I have just tried it now and am also getting a busy signal on it. Can imagine if one line is working it will be extremely busy. Please let us know if you get through... ken@banaban.com

Ricahrd Tevita Walker
Ob1gr81@aol.com

Australia
21 January 2003

RE: TELECOM SERVICES - RABI

I think that is promising news for the people of Rabi. They say that one line is working at the station. Good Luck on calling!!!
RICHARD TEVITA WALKER

Bula Mr Walker,

Telecom Fiji technicians departed for Rabi yesterday (Monday 20/01/03) to assess damages and to install a radio set at the Rabi Exchange. We received cofirmation today from our technicians that one telephone line at the Rabi Exchange is now working.

Vinaka,

Salote Nasome
Marketing & Public Relations
Telecom Fiji Limited
Private Mail Bag
Suva, FIJI ISLANDS
www.TelecomFiji.com.fj

Tel: (679) 3210387 or 3314441
Mobile: (679) 3592717 or 9944937
Fax: (679) 3305595
Email: salote.nasome@tfl.com.fj

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