Bulimaibau’s Life Honoured by Family
The family of Livai Bulimaibau gathered at Qarani Village to commemorate his life.
The 21-year-old was one of the seven men from Gau who went missing on Boxing Day. Mr Bulimaibau was from Qarani Village and had maternal links to Ono-i-Lau in Lau. The seven left Nawaikama Village in Gau on a yellow boat for Levuka, Ovalau on Boxing Day last year to do some shopping, but failed to return.
It was confirmed that they had arrived and left Levuka on the same day. The boat was spotted two days after following an aerial search.
The seven missing are Filimoni Tuisinu, Livai Bulimaibau, Navitalai Bale, Josevata Bolatakeu, Adriu George, Alipate Ross and Ananaiasa Koroi.
Mr Bulimaibau’s father, Apisalome Koroi Bulimaibau, described his son as a hardworking lad.
“He was the eldest of six siblings. Losing him was heartbreaking. When I heard that they went missing I couldn’t sleep for a week,” he said.
“I had a lot of expectations for my son, but unfortunately he would not be able to fulfil any of them. My son always listens to me when I tell him something to do and whether he felt I was right or wrong he never talked back.”
Mr Bulimaibau said he has accepted that his son would never return alive.
“I feel a part of me is missing, but I know I have to accept that he may never return alive. I just hope that his body is found so that we can give him a proper burial.”
The families of the seven men who are living in Suva will commemorate their lives today.
I feel a part of me is missing, but I know I have to accept that he may never return alive. I just hope that his body is found so that we can give him a proper burial. Apisalome Koroi Bulimaibau Livai Bulimaibau’s father