Of horses/helicopters

Taitusi Sokiveta, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

There are more than over a hundred horses in Viti Levu. But they are wild horses and roam freely inland. From Vatukarasa, Kavanagasau, inland from Cuvu, Naevuevu and Volivoli. Also above Nawamagi Village. Above the Sigatoka River. I learned how to ride horses in Cuvu, Nadroga.

The late Ratu Sakiusa Koroicivi, who later became Na Ka Levu. We all lived together as kids. One Christmas holiday, in Tore, home of the late Ratu Epi Volavola, Ratu Sakiusa was the son at that time of Ratu Tevita Na Ka Levu then of Nadroga/Navosa.

That's when I realised the people of Nadroga/Navosa knew how to ride horses but also how to train wild horses so they can become tame so humans can ride them.

I am so grateful to the late Ro Lele Logavatu for taking me there when we were kids or I would not of had these experiences with horses.

The district above the Wainimala River with a need for horses for transportation. Villagers above the Wainimala River can go to Na Ka Levu, in Cuvu, Nadroga, and in

iTaukei traditional manner with yaqona roots present it the paramount chief and ask permission to round up a hundred horses or more for the upper villages of the Wainimala River.

The Wainimala people will need the help of the Nadroga people to catch these wild horses but also train them to become calm so humans can ride them and also to carry heavy luggages up and down the Wainimala River.

Another way to solve these transpotation issues is to ask the American Embassy to ask the US Millitary Joint Chiefs of Staff if they can donate 40 Vietnam War used helicopters for transportation under the humanitarian aid so Fiji doesn't have to pay for them and send some US Airforce helicopter pilots to train our own Fijian people to fly back and forth and up the Wainimala River and land in the village rugby rara grounds.

These helicopters are pretty big. Half the size of the Tui Tebara bus and can carry a whole platoon up the front line and evacuate wounded soldiers.

It was the fastest way of troop transportation during the Vietnam War. With these helicopters all the villagers in the upper Wainimala can grocery shop in Morris Hedstrom and R B Patel Supermarket, buy tools and building materials for their houses from Vinod Patel and Manubhai and back in their villages in half a day, meaning they can eat lunches in their villages at 12 noon same day.

We are so fortunate in Fiji we have these powerful countries at our doorsteps in the form of embassies. The only thing we need to do is knock on the embassy door, like you knock on your neighbour's door: Bhaiya/bhaini … sa tiko

na curry powder? Thank you We reflect on the past so that our view looking forward into the future is a much clearer one!

The upcoming elections certainly casts some darkness!