While we were in Suva last summer, we filmed several more very interesting interviews, which I haven’t yet told you about. Back when I was at the University of the South Pacific, I met Sandra Tarte, the Director of the Politics and International Affairs program. While not interested in being interviewed herself, Professor Tarte did put me in touch with Professor Robert Nicole (See Blog 3.5) as well as her father Daryl, who is an expert himself on Fiji and Fijian history, having written several books rooted in his own colonial family history on the islands. I called up Daryl and he was kind enough to arrange to host us at his lovely home in Tamavua.
Tamavua is a village located in the hills looking down on the peninsula that comprises the capital city of Suva. Originally a rural area, now Tamavua is more of a residential neighborhood connected to the city itself. In fact, Jean’s parents Leslie and Florence built one of the first houses in the area decades ago when they moved out of Jean’s childhood home in Lami. The Tartes, too, were some of the earliest settlers in Tamavua, although in a different part than the Bishes.
On the way to visit and interview Daryl Tarte, I needed to make another stop in Tamavua. I had arranged a meeting with Joseph Crook of the U.S. Embassy of Fiji, hoping to get the Embassy’s support for our projects in Fiji. As I pulled up to the modern fortress that is the embassy and passed through the serious security checks getting into the complex, I was reminded of the strange position, comprised of equal parts wonder and fear, that the United States occupies on the world stage. But that is a subject for another day. Suffice to say, Mr. Crook seemed interested in our projects (both the film and the Fiji Oral History Map), but he was unable to secure us a grant at that time. We hope to get the Embassy to help fund our screening of the film in Fiji when it is finally finished!
Arriving at the Tarte home, we were impressed by the pretty house, its beautifully kept and large grounds, and especially, the lovely veranda overlooking Suva Harbour where we chose to interview Daryl. We set up the shot and were ready to begin but, unfortunately, there was a huge amount of noise coming from the house next door, which was under construction. Our sound recordist Anton said that it just wouldn’t work with so much noise, so we had to do something. We went next door and I was able to buy one hour of quiet with a relatively small payment to the crew. Believe me, a construction crew in the U.S. would have cost a lot more for their time! Actually, the truth was that the workers were very intrigued by the fact that we were filming a movie and they started asking us questions and wanted to watch. I think they were under the misguided impression that we were from Hollywood!
We interviewed Daryl Tarte and got to hear about his own fascinating colonial family history in Fiji. Daryl’s family settled on the island of Taveuni in 1871 and founded a 1,500-acre copra (coconut meat) plantation there. He has a deep love for Fiji and a lot to say about its history, both from a personal and wide-scope perspective. Among the books that Daryl has published is a collection of journals from his ancestors in Taveuni as well as a Micheneresque historical novel titled simply Fiji. (Here is a link to his books on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Daryl-Tarte/e/B001JOASF8) Daryl was kind enough to give us a copy of both of this books and Jean promised him a copy of her stories in return!
In addition to the Tartes, we came in contact with another noted colonial family in Suva, and one that Jean has a close personal connection to, the MacDonalds. To begin this story, let’s go back to Alexi and my arrival back in Suva in July before production started for this shoot. We heard about a new place in town called Governors Gourmet Coffee House & Restaurant, which was conveniently located on a residential street near our hotel, so we decided to check it out. Arriving at Governors, we were impressed with the lovely colonial structure and grounds. Upon entering the restaurant, our eyes were greeted by walls of historic photos and memorabilia of old Fiji. We soon learned that the house had been the home of Fijian high chief Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, who in many ways was the father of Fijian Independence. Photos of the great man line the walls of the restaurant, and we learned much about Fijian history just by perusing the artifacts of Governors.
Hanging out at Governors, we also learned that the owners were Ken MacDonald and his wife Carolyn Ah Koy. Alexi recognized the name MacDonald and called up Jean on the phone to check. Jean told Alexi that Ken’s aunt was a school friend of hers from childhood and his father was one of her best friends from the time that she lived in Nadi, Fiji during her first marriage. In addition, we soon learned that his wife Carolyn is the niece of Mary Nelson, the proprietress of the Old Mill Cottage in Fiji, one of our other favorite restaurants in Fiji and good friend of our earlier interview subject Professor Ropate Qalo and his wife. Carolyn and Mary’s family history in Fiji connects to the important story of the Chinese in Fiji, which would make a fascinating movie in its own right.
Long story short, we arranged an interview with Ken and Jean together, and they met and shared tender memories of Ken’s dad and aunt. It was very moving for both of them. And we began to fill in the story of the British in Fiji a little more. Meanwhile, we visited Governors Gourmet Coffee House & Restaurant several more times during our stay and always enjoyed the food, the atmosphere, and the wonderful service. We highly recommend it! (http://www.governorsfiji.com/)