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A Fiji chief who championed the development of the country’s kava industry was laid to rest today following a funeral service in Suva.
Ratu Josateki Nawalowalo, former chairman of the Fiji Kava Council, died in Nadi last Friday following a brief illness.
Hundreds of people were at his funeral service at Suva’s Centenary Methodist Church attended by representatives from government, the private sector and representatives from Fiji’s chiefly families.
Eulogies were delivered by Lomaiviti Provincial Council chairman Ratu Jolame Lewanavanua and former Native Land Development Corporation chief executive officer Ratu Tuakitau Cokanauto.
Nawalowalo was best known for his extensive efforts at promoting the sale of yaqona locally and internationally.
He believed the development of the industry was one way to pull Fijians out of poverty.
A former chairman of the Kadavu Provincial Council, Nawalowalo also co-chaired a task force within the National Council for Building a Better Fiji.
By Richard Naidu
