Josateki Nawalowalo

Ratu Josateki Tuivanuavou Nacagilevu Nawalowalo (1950 – 27 August 2010), commonly known as Ratu Jo Nawalowalo, was a Fijian chief, businessman, and the chairman of the Kadavu Provincial Council. He also chaired the Fiji Kava Council, which promotes the sale of yaqona locally and internationally.

As chairman of the Provincial Council, Nawalowalo promoted aggressive infrastructural development programs. He also strongly supported the central government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, and refused to let Military teams tour Kadavu to campaign against the government's controversial Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill, which Nawalowalo strongly supported.

On 29 March 2006, Nawalowalo expressed interest in contesting the Kadavu Fijian Communal Constituency for the ruling Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Party (SDL), but ended up withdrawing in favour of the incumbent, Konisi Yabaki.

In the aftermath of the military takeover of 5 December 2006, Nawalowalo changed his views, and threw his support behind the new regime.^[1] This provoked an angry reaction from some of his fellow chiefs, who were reported by Fiji Television on 9 December as instructing him to refrain from making any further public statements without their approval.^[2] In May 2008, he was not returned as chairman of the Kadavu Provincial Council.^[3]

Nawalowalo co-chaired the task force focusing on economic growth within the National Council for Building a Better Fiji.^[4]

Nawalowalo died 27 August 2010, aged 60.^[5]

References

1. "It's time for a cleansing exercise". Fiji Times. December 6, 2006.
2. "Chiefs instruct Provincial Council Chairman not to issue public statements on crisis, without approval". Fiji Television. December 9, 2006.
3. "Kadavu Council defeat has no bearing on Nawalowalo's Fiji GCC task work". Radio New Zealand International. Radio New Zealand International. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
4. "Flawed democracy", Fiji Labour Party website, July 23, 2008