Nukulau Island
From quarantine facility to recreational park
ON Wednesday, September 10, 1969, The Fiji Times published an article about the historic Nukulau Island becoming a first of a series of national parks to be established by the government.
It would be designated for recreational use by the public.
On Tuesday, September 9, the then assistant secretary for Communications, Works and Tourism, T O’Neill, with the Public Works and other departmental officials went to the 25-acre island off Laucala Point to examine its potential as a park and playground.
Mr O’Neill said it had been agreed in principle that the administration of the island should be transferred from the Medical to the Lands Department.
“In time Nukulau may become part of a national park system,” he said.
The intention was to de-proclaim the island as a quarantine station and control it on the same basis as other crown land.
Mr O’Neill said because Nukulau had not been used for quarantine purposes for many years, there was no point in the Medical Department retaining it.
A proposal was made to build a large bure on the island for use by organised tour parties.
This would be the beginning of the island’s development.
He added that it had also been agreed in principle that commercial operators should pay a small fee for each passenger they landed on the island, in the same way that Suva City Council charged for the commercial use of Mosquito Island in the Bay of Islands.
Nukulau had white sandy beaches, corals and was a good swimming spot and had long been a popular weekend getaway for Suva boat owners.
Back then the Royal Suva Yacht Club had a clubhouse on the island.
Nukulau also has an important place in Fiji’s history and a battle between two fleets of giant war canoes was once fought off it too.
According to a report in 1846, the United States commercial agent in Fiji, John Brown Williams, and a notorious land grabber bought the island for $30 and built a two-storey house on it.
In 1849 Williams celebrated the fourth of July with cannon and musket salvoes which led to his house being burnt down when one cannon exploded.
In helping to douse the flames, Fijians also looted the house’s remnants.
Williams brought a claim of over $40,000 against King Cakobau on account of the fire and a 20-year dispute began during which he called up American warships to back his demands.
The dispute and threat of American bombardments was one of the reasons which ultimately led to Cakobau’s desire for Fiji’s cession to Britain.
Today, the island falls under the Ministry of Lands.
Before visitors can get a chance to enjoy their time on the tropical island, they first have to obtain a permit from the ministry.
According to the ministry’s website, all visitors to Nukulau are required to provide a permit to the island caretaker upon arrival on the island.
The permit is issued by the ministry resources with a charge of $2 per person.
If visitors want to spend more than 24 hours on the island then an additional $2 per person is charged.
On transport to the island, boat fare is usually $15 return according to the ministry for adults and half price for children but it is something visitors can always discuss with boat owners or operators.
The island has a very laid back setting, ideal for picnics or just a place to simply enjoy nature’s wonders and rejuvenate.