The Tavarua community and the worldwide surfing community are mourning the passing of Ratu Sakiusa Nadruku Lalabalavu, or as he was know to many, Chief Druku, the chief of Tavarua Island. He was Tavarua’s oldest staff member, and he was one of the first Fijian surfers. He was, and always will be, the heart and soul of Tavarua. He touched so many with his wonderful smile, his infectious laugh, and his unrestrained joy in life. As the welcoming host to visitors to Tavarua he forged friendships with people from far and wide, including with many of the world’s top surfers. Druku will live on in spirit for those of us who were lucky enough to know him.
Druku’s great-great grandfather, Ratu Kini Vosailagi, was the powerful Ka Levu (Paramount Chief) of the southwestern region of Fiji. Ratu Kini was mortally wounded in an altercation on Malolo Island. Fleeing his attackers he swam the several miles from Malolo to Tavarua Island where he died wounded and exhausted. The owners of Tavarua were not to blame for the death of the Ka Levu but feared that they would be seen as co-conspirators and would face revenge. In order to avoid this possibility they gave Tavarua Island to the Ka Levu’s family. Druku has been, for many years, the representative of the Ka Levu’s family on Tavarua.
A true measure of a person is what people remember of that person. Druku’s passing has brought a flurry of communication between SMA members sharing their memories of him. Some of these members have not seen Druku in many many years yet were still very affected by his death and shared their feelings and remembrances with other members. The SMA’s history is so intertwined with him as he was there at the SMA’s inception. SMA has shared 30 years of Tavarua visits with Druku. These are some of the thoughts shared by members:
“My greatest adventure with Druku was when he accompanied me. Jessica, Craig Wilson and his son Alistair on a trip to the southwest corner of Kandavu to look at a surf spot set up by a village that we were told was interested in some way giving land access to the SMA. It was a hair-ball, hours long open-ocean skiff ride around the western end of Kandavu, during which we were slammed by a White Squall with lightening bolts striking all around us and the darkness of night setting in. Druku dramatically rose and commanded the terrified local boatman who was taking us to head straight to shore, despite giant waves breaking all around such a heavily-reefed area, and he guided us in through a maelstrom into a calm lagoon. A local village there took us in for the night, and the next day the weather was fine and we continued on our journey.” and “Back in the beginning, when Big John was the head of the Tavarua Fijains and Druku was a young mischievous man, Druku had a painful tooth, and since this was before the SMA was formed, I gave him a pain pill – a single Tylenol with codeine – and told him it would take about a half-an-hour to work. He sat down where he could see a clock and said he greatly looked forward to when that half-hour passed. I came back in half-an-hour and he was still sitting there. I asked him if the pain was gone, and he smiled and said “Big Thanks!” and then chuckled and instead of saying the pain was actually gone, he stood up to shake my hand – and promptly fell right over, still giggling. That was when I learned that even big Fijian men are very sensitive to little American pain pills.” Mark Renneker
“In the mid-80’s I was with our group on Tavi and it was a year of clean consistent Cloudbreak. I’d brought two boards, my old fave and a new one. Was out in overhead waves and broke the old favorite. Grabbed my new one out of the boat and paddled out. A big set came through and cleaned out the lineup. I dove deep and came up to find half a board attached to my leg. The board had never been ridden. Not a single wave. Coming back to Tavi that day, it was perhaps not too surprising that no one would loan me a board. Except Druku. His board was a beat up old 8 footer that he loaned to me without hesitation. I used it the rest of the trip. Had a great time. In the latter years, Druku’s crazy side came out each week: at the Meke. He continued doing that until, what…two years ago? Amazing: always wild faced for the kids in the front row who loved to be scared by him, then immediately laugh because Druku was so masterful at bringing them back to the funny side of the dance. What a guy. I’ve thought a lot about him in the past week. He has been there for us for 30 years. This coming year will have a hole in it.” and “I was out in head high clean waves in front of my Oregon place yesterday and thinking about Druku. Remembering that he was the only one that would loan me a board after I’d broken two in the first few days of any early trip. Combo that with thinking about his ready laughter….very fond memories. It made for a wonderful session yesterday.” Ethan Wilson
“…with hopes that he will have a safe journey into that other world propelled by our fine memories of what a gracious soul, warm spirit, and big heart he had. He touched us all.” Gary Groth-Marnat (Wombat)
“I remember in the early 90’s when Druku came up to me with his fierce Fijian warrior scowl and look, wanting to know if I was running the program presentations. I was melting to try to figure out if he was going to attack me in true Fijian warrior fashion. He kept the face for several seconds as he looked at me then laughed, shook my hand and walked off laughing. I saw a much more sensitive side in ’10, ’12 and ’15 as I fitted him for reading glasses. Over the last several years he grew more somber, but his eyes lit up when I gave him glasses that worked for him.” Bill Jones
“Thank you for sharing this information re the passing of a commanding and fearless man, Druku (Ratu Sakiusa Nadruku Lalabalavu). However, the Love he showed my young (at the time) children (Christian and Charles) when they came to Tavarua in 1987, was for me, the most enduring memory I have of this great Family man. At the same 1987 Conference, I recorded that Asisela Tuitai (a Fijian Medicine Man) told us that “there is something special about this place” (Tavarua). He stated that his belief was that Tavarua was the center of a great force and that the restaurant itself has great healing power. Tuitai attributed this to the presence of the very old skull buried beneath the restaurant. It was later told to me that Druku, the First Fijian surfer, was the Great-Great Grandson of Ratu Kini, the Fijian Chief and “Traditional Owner” of Tavarua whose skull it is said is the one buried on Tavarua. Now I don’t know whether any of this is correct or not. However, I do believe that Tavarua indeed has magical healing properties (spirits): as do most people who have surfed there. I would support any SMA initiative that is in keeping with the Traditions and Wishes of Druku’s family. May Druku rest in peace and be forever in our hearts.” Geoff Booth
“Yes Geoff, He was a warrior, tough as nails and heart of gold. You in particular can be proud that you are of his mould. Who doesn’t feel love for our Fijian friends? They have been such an important part of our lives and we owe them so much. When Paula became very sick I went to Fiji and the Fijians performed a special Kava ceremony and prayed for her to get better and now we still have her. In my heart they are the reason. They are special people. I’ve had a couple of hard times in my life, but do you know what, I was sustained by knowing I still had their love.” and “ Don’t forget that Druku was the first Fijian to learn to surf (with a cruciate deficient knee from football days). I also remember him grabbing a shark out of the lagoon and hauling it up the beach with his bare hands.” and “A great inspiring man.” Simon Leslie
Many years ago Simon and I attended a ceremony upon the death of another chief. At the ceremony Simon, being the doctor and the man, was presented with a Tabua, a polished whale’s tooth that is an important cultural item in Fiji and is given as a gift of honor or esteem. The next day, in private, Druku came to me to present me with a Tabua. I was so touched that he thought to do this. For me. this is one the greatest personal memories of Druku that I will always carry with me. Simon flew to Fiji to attend Druku’s funeral as a representative of the SMA, and he presented his Tabua to Druku’s family. Druku meant so much to the SMA that we thank Simon for his not only willingness, but eagerness, to make the flight from Australia to Fiji to have an SMA presence at the funeral.
These are a few of our members’ memories of Druku. I’m certain that each member who ever met Druku has special memories of their own. As I said before, we were lucky to have known him.
Written by
Ethan Wilson, MD
Paula Smith