Vaitupu
| Vaitupu | |
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| — Atoll — | |
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 Vaitupu
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| Coordinates: 07°28′S 178°41′E / 7.467°S 178.683°ECoordinates: 07°28′S 178°41′E / 7.467°S 178.683°E | |
| Country | Tuvalu |
| Population (2002) | |
| • Total | 1,591 |
Vaitupu is an atoll, which is part of the nation of Tuvalu. Vaitupu, the largest atoll of Tuvalu is located at 7.48 degrees south and 178.83 degrees west. The capital is Asau.
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[edit] History
The exact date of Vaitupu's first settlement is unknown. According to oral history, the founder of the Vaitupuan community was a Samoan by the name of Telematua, who arrived in the 16th or 17th century. However, it is possible that Tongans may have first reached the atoll during the mid-13th century. Vaitupu has maintained contacts with Tonga throughout its history, both peaceful (marriage alliances) and hostile (visits by Tongan slave-seekers). Vaitupu was also visited by I-Kiribati, and was thus far from isolated.[1]
Obed Starbuck, a whaling captain, visited Vaitupu on the Loper in 1825,[2] naming it 'Tracy Island’. The United States Exploring Expedition under Charles Wilkes visited Vaitupu in 1841.[3]
Samoan pastors from the London Missionary Society successfully introduced Christianity in the 1860s. The pastors implemented religious regulations, outlawing many customary practices. They also introduced the Samoan language, as their Bibles were written in Samoan. Vaitupuans became literate in Samoan rather than in their own language.[4]
The population of Vaitupu from 1860-1900 is estimated to be 400 people.[5][6] Vaitupu is home to the second-largest population in Tuvalu, numbering 1,591 (2002 Census). 600 students from ages 13 and 21 are sent here from throughout the archipelago to attend the country's only secondary school, Motufoua. Despite its relatively large size, the island became so overcrowded during the 1940s that several families migrated to Fiji to live on Kioa Island.[7][8]
There used to be a primary school called Elisefou (New Ellice) on Vaitupu. The school moved to Vaitupu in 1923 and closed in 1953. Its first Headmaster, D. G. Kennedy, was a known disciplinarian who would not hesitate to discipline his students. The two most famous Tuvaluan from the school were Tuvalu's first Governor General, Sir Penitala Teo, his first Prime Minister, Toaripi Lauti.
Motufoua school, the secondary school on Vaitupu was established in 1905. Vaitupu received worldwide attention in 2000, when a fire in a dormitory at the Motufoua school killed 18 girls and an adult supervisor. It was later discovered that the fire was caused by a student using a candle to read during the night. The late Prime Minister Ionatana Ionatana declared a national tragedy and quickly travelled to the island to witness the aftermath.
In 2010 the largest diesel-solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid electricity system in the South Pacific was installed at Motufoua school.[9] Prior to the instalment of the system the school relied upon a diesel powered generator, which needed to be turned off during the night. The hybrid system systems saves thousands of dollars in diesel costs and provides the school with a 24-hour supply of energy, with up to 200 kW per day.[9]
[edit] Geography
[edit] All
The island, which covers approximately 5.6 square kilometers, includes swamps, mangroves, a fringing coral reef and a large lagoon.
[edit] Islands
Vaitupu atoll consists of at least 9 isles, which are:
- Luasamotu
- Mosana (group of 2)
- Motutanifa
- Temotu
- Te Motu Olepa
- Tofia
- Vaitupu proper
- And at least 1 other isle
- There is at least 1 isle inhabited, which is Vaitupu proper.
- The biggest island is of course Vaitupu proper, which is followed by Tofia.
[edit] Inhabited
The only village on Vaitupu consists of the neighbourhoods Tumaseu and Asau. There is a church, Tolise Primary School, at least one guesthouse and a post office.
The small Islet of Temoto in Loto Lagoon is home to a single family of 13 headed by the English born writer Lewis Wade.
[edit] How to get here, transportation and tourism
Today, Vaitupu can be accessed by either private boat or the government-operated MV Nivaga II at irregular intervals from Funafuti. There are paths. In the village there is a guest house.
[edit] Notable local persons
Taukelina Finikaso has served as Minister of Communications and Works in the Government of Tuvalu since 2006. He represents Vaitupu in the Parliament of Tuvalu.
Apisai Ielemia has served as Prime Minister of Tuvalu since 2006. He represents Vaitupu in the Parliament of Tuvalu.
[edit] See also
- List of cities in Tuvalu
- Islands of Tuvalu
- Photographs by Monise Laafai of the centenary celebrations of Motufoua school
[edit] References
- ^ Donald G. Kennedy, Field Notes on the Culture of Vaitupu, Ellice Islands, Journal of the Polynesian Society, vol.38, 1929, pp.2-5
- ^ Keith S. Chambers & Doug Munro, The Mystery of Gran Cocal: European Discovery and Mis-Discovery in Tuvalu, 89(2) (1980) The Journal of the Polynesian Society, 167-198
- ^ Tyler, David B. - 1968 The Wilkes Expedition. The First United States Exploring Expedition (1838-42). Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society
- ^ Donald G. Kennedy, Field Notes on the Culture of Vaitupu, Ellice Islands, Journal of the Polynesian Society, vol.38, 1929, pp.5-6
- ^ W.F. Newton, The Early Population of the Ellice Islands, 76(2) (1967) The Journal of the Polynesian Society, 197-204.
- ^ Richard Bedford, Barrie Macdonald & Doug Monro, Population Estimates for Kiribati and Tuvalu (1980) 89(1) J. of the Polynesian Society 199
- ^ G. M. White, Kioa: An Ellice community in Fiji (1965)
- ^ Klaus-Friedrich Koch, Logs in the Current of the Sea: Neli Lifuka's story of Kioa and the Vaitupu Colonists (Canberra 1978; Michael Goldsmith, Review of Klaus-Friedrich Koch, Logs in the Current of the Sea, Journal of the Polynesian Society, 87:4 (1978), 361-62
- ^ a b "Motufoua Secondary School solar project - Battery buffered, grid parallel PV solar system". EcoGeneration. May/June 2010. http://ecogeneration.com.au/news/motufoua_secondary_school_solar_project/040753/. Retrieved 18 Oct. 2011.
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