Mamanuca Islands
| Mamanuca Islands | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Waters | Pacific Ocean | |
| archipelago | Fiji Islands | |
| Geographical location | 17 ° 40 ′ S , 177 ° 5 ′ E | |
|
||
| Main island | Malolo | |
 |
||
The Mamanuca Islands [ ˌmamaˈnuða ] (old names: Malolo Group and Hudsons Isles ) are an archipelago belonging to the island state of Fiji in the southern Pacific Ocean . They are separated by the Navula Passage, not far from the southwest coast of the large island of Viti Levu and connect to the Yasawa Islands to the south . The main island of Malolo is about 20 km from Viti Levu.
geography
The Mamanuca Group comprises 20 small, hilly islands of volcanic origin, some tiny coral islands surrounded by fine sandy beaches and covered with palm trees, and several rocky reefs and sandbanks . Most of the idyllic coral islands are used by the tourism industry.
In the west of the Malolo Group, the extensive Malolo Barrier Reef, a chain of coral reefs lying close to the water's surface, extends for around 90 km from northeast to southwest .
The largest island is Malolo, which is connected to the neighboring island of Malolo Lailai (Little Malolo) by the same coral base. At low tide, you can wade through the approximately 400 m wide strait that separates the two islands. There are inhabited villages on the islands of Malolo, Mana, Yanuya and Tavua, and several other comfortable resorts for tourists .
The highest point at 220 m is the Uluisolo on Malolo.
climate
The comparatively low Mamanucas are in the rain shadow of the island of Viti Levu, which is considerably higher at up to 1323 m (Mt. Victoria). As a result, the climate is very dry, with a high number of hours of sunshine. Average temperatures range from 22 ° C in July to 28 ° C in January. A constantly blowing wind makes the stay pleasant. The amount of rain is unevenly distributed over the year. Most of the rain falls in the summer months from December to April, the cooler months of the southern winter are predominantly dry.
Occasionally the islands are hit by cyclones . Cyclone "Evan" passed the west coast of Viti Levu and the Mamanucas in December 2012 and wreaked havoc. Another consequence of the cyclones is extensive coral death.
Flora and fauna
Originally, most of the islands were densely overgrown with a tropical dry forest, but in places also arid . Slash-and-burn operations by the natives in past centuries, the establishment of coconut plantations for copra production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and construction for tourism in recent decades have not left much of the indigenous vegetation .
The underwater fauna is very species-rich. There are more than 1500 species of fish in Fiji's waters, as well as numerous marine mammals and reptiles. Sea turtles are still relatively common in the ocean around the Mamanucas, especially the green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ) and the hawksbill sea turtle (E retmochelys imbricata ). Despite being protected, turtles are still caught and eaten by the islanders today, especially for reasons of prestige at feasts at funerals, weddings, birthdays and public celebrations in the village.
The growing water sports and diving tourism, overfishing and construction of the hotels have a negative effect on the marine fauna. On the other hand, the Mamanucas around the islands of Tai and Levuka are home to two of the oldest private protected areas on Fiji, which were founded in the 1970s.
Islands
(from north to south)
Mamanuca-I-Ra (northern group)
- Eori, uninhabited
- Navadra, uninhabited
- Vanua Levu, uninhabited
- Camel Rock, uninhabited
- Kadomo, uninhabited
- Yavurimba, uninhabited
Mamanuca-I-Cake (central group)
- Tokoriki, resort
- Yanuya with the village of Yanuya
- Monu, uninhabited
- Monuriki , uninhabited
- Tavua with the village of Tavua
- Nautanivono, uninhabited
- Matamanoa, resort
- Mana, village and resort
Eastern group
- Tivua (Captain Cook Island), uninhabited, some huts for tourists
- Tai ( Beachcomber Iceland ) Resort
- Levuka or Luvuka (Treasure Island), resort
- Kadavu or Kadavulailai (Bounty Island), resort
- Vunivadra (South Sea Island), resort
- Navini, resort
- Malamala (Daydream Island), hotel
Malolo group (southern group)
- Mothio, uninhabited
- Qalito (Castaway Island), uninhabited
- Wadigi, resort
- Malolo with the villages of Yaro, Solevu and Navasua
- Malolo Lailai, Resorts
- Namotu, resort
- Tavarua, resort
history
prehistory
Archaeologists from University College London carried out excavations on the islands of Malolo, Tavua and Yanuya in 2006, which revealed that the islands were probably inhabited earlier than the Yasawas in the north, but later than the large island of Viti Levu. That suggests an initial settlement from the nearby Viti Levu. On a coastal terrace near Navasua, on the northern tip of the island of Malolo, the archaeologists discovered a fortress of the indigenous people with stone-clad earth terraces, surrounded by circular moats reinforced with wooden palisades . The 2 m deep moat ring was an impressive 100 m in diameter.
Chemical analyzes of ceramic shards that came to light during the archaeological excavations show that there is a lively exchange of goods between the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands. The trade relations ended around 1000 AD, the reasons are not known, but environmental influences with an impact on the use of resources may play a role.
European discovery
It is believed that the British navigator William Bligh discovered the Mamanucas for Europe in 1789. The mutineers of the Bounty had abandoned Bligh and 18 crew members in front of Tofua in the 7.5 m long launch . With the open boat, Bligh chose a northwest course to reach the Dutch Timor . As the sailors drove past Viti Levu, they spotted six small islands lying together, probably the Mamanucas. Regardless of the hardships, Bligh carefully described in his notes the area crossed with its dangers to shipping, the islands, reefs and rocks.
The merchant ship Anne and Hope from Providence , built in 1798, sailed around the Cape of Good Hope , past Australia, with the destination Canton in China. On December 5 and 6, 1799, the Anne and Hope circumnavigated the southwestern tip of Viti Levu and Captain Christopher Bentley sighted several islands that were described as the Mamanucas. However, Bentley did not go ashore and made no contact with the population.
We owe the first systematic surveying and mapping of the Mamanucas to the United States Exploring Expedition (US Ex. Ex.) Under the direction of Charles Wilkes . Wilkes named the Mamanucas "Hudsons Isles" after Lieutenant William Hudson, the commander of the USS Peacock . The maps taken in 1840 were so reliable that they were still used during World War II .
On the island of Malolo there was a confrontation with the residents on July 25, 1840, in the midshipman Henry, the nephew of Wilkes, and Lieutenant Underwood as well as several Fijians were killed. The Americans were buried in a solemn ceremony on Kadavu (Bounty Island) the following day. In retaliation, Wilkes ordered the fortified village of Sualib to the southwest and Arro (Yaro) to the north to attack and burn down. At least four Fijians, including a child, were killed in the fighting, in which the women of the villages took an active part.
Second World War
During the Second World War , strategic considerations by the Americans raised concerns that the Fijis could have served as the base and springboard for the Imperial Japanese Navy to conquer New Zealand. New Zealand and the USA therefore decided to fortify some of the islands. A heavy coastal battery was erected in Momi Bay on the west coast of Viti Levu to protect the Navula passage between Viti Levu and the island of Malolo.
On Malolo Lailai, the New Zealanders built a radar station for air surveillance, the remains of which can still be seen today. A US Navy observation post for air and sea surveillance was stationed on the 220 m high Uluisolo on Malolo .
politic and economy
The Mamanuca Islands belong to the Nadroga Navosa Province of the Western Division with the administrative seat Lautoka . The local administration is based in Malolo.
The mainstay of the economy is now tourism, from which some islanders benefit directly or indirectly. However, the numerous foreign visitors also contribute to the traditional tribal and family structures gradually dissolving.
tourism
Because of the dry and sunny climate, the Mamanucas are a popular tourist destination in Fiji. On many islands, even very small ones, there are resorts or hotels, mostly of the luxury and upper price range, with a very good infrastructure. The islands are surrounded by white and fine sandy beaches. All kinds of water sports are possible here.
The center of tourism on the Mamanuca Islands is Malolo Lailai, a small island with several resorts, luxury holiday homes, a golf course and a large, well-equipped marina . Every year in September, the Musket Cove Yacht Club organizes the “Fiji Regatta Week” here.
The islands of Namotu and Tavarua in the south of the group are holiday destinations for surfers .
The Mamanucas are easily accessible from Viti Levu by boat , seaplane or helicopter . From Denarau operates a timetabled catamaran -Fähre. The islands are also occasionally the destination of cruise ships .
There is a scheduled service with small propeller planes from Nadi Airport . From there, the islands of Mana and Malolo Lailai, which have short land lines, are approached.
Diving area
The coral reefs of the Mamanucas are - like some of the other Fiji islands - an attractive destination for scuba divers . In contrast to the rest of Fijis, there are hardly any soft corals , but there are many large fish species, dolphins and sea turtles . Special spots are the shallow reef off Mana Iceland ( supermarket ) which extends through swarms of barracudas , white tip reef sharks and bronze sharks distinguished. Manta rays , whale sharks and dolphins are common on the Malolo Barrier Reef . The spot E6 is a rock needle that protrudes from the seabed to the surface of the water, where barracudas, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks can often be seen.
The diving areas are approached almost exclusively by safari boats.
Trivia
The feature film Cast Away was shot on the only 0.4 km² large, uninhabited island of Monuriki . It is now anything but lonely, as numerous day tourists want to see " Tom Hanks Island ".
Picture gallery
Resort on Kadavu (Bounty Island)
The island of Mana
Tai (Beachcomber Island)
Levuka (Treasure Island)
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Nelles Map: South Pacific Islands. ISBN 978-3-86574-068-7 .
- ↑ Merewalesi Laveti & Kenneth T. MacKay: Does Fiji's Turtle Moratorium Work? Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 123, University of Toronto 2009, pp. 12-15.
- ^ Alastair Harborne et al .: Mamanuca Coral Reef Conservation Project - Fiji 2001, Final Report . Ministry of Tourism and Transport, London 2001.
- ↑ Ethan E. Cochrane et al.: Lapita and Later Archeology of the Malolo and Mamanuca Islands, Fiji. In: Journal of Island & Coastal Archeology, Issue 2, 2007, pp. 245-250.
- ↑ Ethan E. Cochran: Human cultural diversity in prehistoric Fiji: the transmission of ceramic variability. PhD dissertation, University of Hawaii 2004.
- ↑ PD Nunn: Illuminating sea level fall around AD 1220-1510 in the Pacific Islands: implications for environmental change and cultural transformation . In: New Zealand Geographer 56 (2000), pp. 46-54.
- ↑ Caroline Alexander: The Bounty - The true story of the mutiny on the Bounty , Berlin Verlag, Berlin 2004, ISBN 3-8270-0163-3 , p. 201.
- Jump up ↑ Max Quanchi & John Robson: Discovery and Exploration of the Pacific Islands, The Scarecrow Press, Lanham (MD) 2005, p. 20.
- ↑ Everard Im Thurn (ed.): The Journal of William Lockerby, Sandalwood Trader in the Fijian Islands, Hakluyt Society, London 1925, p. XXVII
- ^ Henry Evans Maude : Post-Spanish Discoveries in the Central Pacific. In: The Journal of the Polynesian Society , Volume 70, No. 1, 1961, pp. 67-111 ( online ).
- ^ Charles Wilkes: Chart of the Viti Group or Feejee Islands, 1840. In: Atlas. Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842. By Charles Wilkes, USN Commander Of The Expedition, Member Of The American Philosophical Society, Etc., Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia 1845.
- ^ Charles Wilkes: Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842. By Charles Wilkes, USN Commander Of The Expedition, Member Of The American Philosophical Society, Etc. , Volume 3, Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia 1845, pp. 281 ff.
- ^ Fred Wesley: Fijis forgotten guns of the second World War , The Fiji Times, February 17, 2008.
- ^ Robert Lowry: Fortress Fiji - Holding the Line in the Pacific War. Sutton (Australia) 2006, ISBN 0-9775129-0-8 , p. 33.
- ↑ Monty Halls, Ralf-Dieter Brunowsky (Ed.): Diving worldwide: the individual travel guide; 60 of the world's best diving areas. Bruno-Media, Cologne 2004, ISBN 3-9809607-0-6 , pp. 286-287.