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ARCHIVES
ARCHIVED MESSAGE BOARD 2001 (section 1)

For commercial purposes or publication we ask that copyright approval and acknowledgement of Author's and source can be quickly obtained through Emailing our Office with your request. If approval is not sort we will view the matter as an infringement against 'copyright'.  

News clippings remain the copyright of the individual Newspapers concerned - EMAIL US

All material in this Web Site is Copyright © K. Sigrah & S. M. King  2001  All Rights Reserved.

 

Stacey King & Ken Sigrah
stacey@banaban.com
Gold Coast
Australia
15 December 2001
To everyone who ordered a copy of "Te Rii Ni Banaba" the first batch of books were airmailed off on Monday 3rd December (9 days ago). We would expect this despatch to still arrive to those who ordered in time for Christmas.

We now have received our second shipment of books for those who would like to order a copy. They are $35USD which includes economy airmail. After Christmas mail rush this usually will only take 1-2 weeks at the most anywhere in the world. Of course this does not include remote place like Banaba or Rabi islands.

We look forward to receiving your book reviews in the future... Enjoy your reading!!!

michelle goodall
michellegoodall67@hotmail.com

England
14 December 2001
hello stacy i have lost your email address so i hope you get this when you check the board, I ordered the book from you and you called me to check my cc details i am just getting a little concerned that the book has not arrived yet the date is the 14.12 could you email me and let me know if it has been posted yet thanks Michelle.

David
United States
30 November 2001
I want to apolozise for my grammer and spelling errors in my message. I did not proof read.

David


United States
30 November 2001
Hi, I am a student at cal State University Doninquez Hills California we are located 20 minutes north of Los Angeles. I have a project on Cultural survival and I find you history very fascination I will be doing an oral presentation and a writen report about your culture and the history of your land. You are very stong and resiliant people. Goog luck in the future in tring to get back your land. I think my colleagues will be very informed after I do my presentation.
Once again good luck and never give up

Craig Lapsley
craigandkate@bigpond.com

Australia
21 November 2001
My name is Craig Lapsley. Born on the Island of Banaba in
1971 and raised there by my beautiful parents Ian and Raratu, I also have a sister Janet who was born in 1972. I attended the kindergarten and grades 1&2 on the Island.
So many fantastic memories and as a child could not think of a great start in life.
Could you please let me know if there is anyone else out there who attended school on the Island in the seventies and how I can get in contact with them.
Thankyou,
Craig

Michelle Goodall
michellegoodall67@hotmail.com
West Yorkshire.
England
21 November 2001
I wonder if there's anyone out their that can help me? my father worked on ocean island and was very saddened after watching the program "Coming Home to Banaba" he was under the illusion that the island had been restored after
the mining. It was during the program that we saw some old film footage that contained a clip with my father in it. my father is english and worked loading the ships between the years 1968-1972.His name is SIDNEY JUST and he talks often about his time spent on the island but sadly he as few photos
and no film footage it was nice to see my dad on T.v even though it was only a 2 second glimps.If anyone remembers SID can you contact me on my email address michellegoodall67@hotmail.com
or if you prefer write to me at
11 LARCH CLOSE
NORMANTON
WEST YORKSHIRE
ENGLAND WF6 1LN
Please feel free to put this email on the message board and I will check back regularly any thing no matter how small will bring a little light into my father life as he suffers constant pain through his ill health. Thanks in anticipation -Michelle Goodall

Paulo Vanualailai
vanualailai@yahoo.com
Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Japan
19 November 2001
Recently I have acquired the newly released Te Rii ni Banaba, (Sigrah and King 2001). While still in its first chapter, I am awed at the clarity in which the Authors attempted to piece together the tangible and intangible evidences of raw scientific data and that of oral literature to present the historical and chronological backdrop of our early forefathers in a truly captivating manner.

Recalling stories as being told to me by my grandmother and grandfather who were part of the exodus from Banaba to Gilbert under the Japanese invasion of Banaba in 1945 and that of my mother who was born in Tarawa and came to Rabi in Fiji as the first Banaba settlers in Rabi along with other Banaban family members, the book brought back nostalgic feelings, a feeling of being one with what our forefathers and parents went through even though physically I am not there. A vicarious feeling so to speak that transcends the boundary of time, so full of miseries, helplessness, anger, pain and uncertainty, culminating even to this present generation.

Yet in the face of such great adversaries, renewed strength and determination burns deep in within me to see life in a different light altogether, after all one has to shrug off the seemingly overhanging gloomy omens of our destiny which for generations have been carved out in the skeleton remains of the hardened coral pinnacles of Ocean Island.

For those whose interest and ambition to study and learn more about the Banaban culture and heritage, please don't hesitate to get yourself a copy of this great book. It entails almost the entire essence of our Banaban cultural life in a nutshell, how we perceive and see life spiritually, how our social and intricate cultural ties and norms was affected by inculturation of other races to our shores in bygone days, and the curse of birds dropping that moulds and shapes our destiny from the enclave remoteness of Banaba to the busy cultural crossroad of the Pacific in Fiji.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ken and Stacy for their unending support to bring back to life the forgotten stories of our past. Indeed the book has summed up Ken's very words when he quoted, "or the Land that we Love and to what we have lost, will Remain in our Hearts Forever".

Kam Batin raba.
Ian Selby
ferris.selby@talk21.com

United Kingdom
13 November 2001
I am an Englishman trying to trace one of my relatives who I understand was buried on Banaba. He died on Banaba on 15 March 1928 after being put ashore to the British Phosphatic Commission Hospital from the SS Kintyre, a passing freighter.

My Great Great Uncle's name was James Welton Hunter.

I was wondering if there were any graves on the island and if so, is his visible?

I'm not sure if you can help me, but would be grateful if you could forward this message if there is anyone else who may be able to assist me.

Thank you for your help - I wish your organisation well.

Best wishes

Ian Selby

(This message was received by Stacey King via the Banaban website and posted here at Ian Selby's request for information. To answer Ian's question, yes the old European cemetery is still on Banaba but very overgrown. I have not been able to local his uncle's name or the ship in our extensive historical and photographic database. Hopefully someone else or maybe one of the others on the HOMECOMING trip who spent time exploring the old cemetery might be able to help Ian with more information. S.K.)

Anne Johnstone
faraway fish@anther
London
UK
13 November 2001
There dieing fast they need your help!!


please help them
thank you


Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Gold Coast
Australia
07 November 2001
If you would like to view an English translation of Kalle Dixelius Swedish newspaper article about the Banabans titled: "The Island of Yearning Has Sunken Below The Horizon" please click on here to view the article:

http://www.banaban.com/kalle1.htm

Anne Johnstone
faraway_fish@another.com
London
UK
07 October 2001
Hello everybody! I have been reading recently about the island of Banaba (and Kiribati also) and it seems that I have missed, on several occasions, an OU programme called "Return to Banaba". I was wondering if anybody knows if this is to be shown again in the near future.

Thank you
Anne

John D. Haigh
haigh@tpg.com.au

Australia
07 October 2001
The trip to Banaba mentioned below has been delayed till about Feb 2002.
Planing to stay about 4 days so if interested, send me an email and I will keep you informed
Regards,
John

Masazumi Toraiwa
toraiwa@aol.com
Tokyo
Japan
07 October 2001
I am a Japannese professor who has been studying British and Irish Literature at a University in Tokyo. Several years ago. I watched the BBC documentary film about the phosphate mining and disastrous resul of it. Since then the fact has been set somewhere in my mind. I could not forget it. Recently I begin to intend to visit the island to watch it myself and to understand it.
But foolish of me, I have no idea how to get at it: the location, the cost, etc etc.
Will anyone give me more informations about visiting there from Japan, please?

Masazumi Toraiwa
Department of English
School of Literature
Waseda University
Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

email: toraiwa@aol.com

Temate Melitiana
josepharinta@paradise.net.nz
Wellington
New Zealand
29 September 2001
Talofa Ken.
I was surfing and coincidently I came across this website, not knowing it belongs to you. Your site is brilliant "e aki aua" according to the the Rabians. Ken if you happen to go to Suva, give my regards to my four toys Joseph, Tarabito, Jorinta and Junior at the Rabians SDA village in Savutaletale. All the best and catch you later. Tofaa!

Rikaare.Bonto
rbonto@tskl.net.ki
Bairiki,Tarawa
Kiribati
19 September 2001
Mauri, Fr.Joseph.Kanimea .

Nao iai nako irarikm Br.Tirikai ???? Ai bon te kamauri naba nakoim ma ngaia ao kain ami tabo ane te MSC Samoa anne , ma irouia kain MSC Tarawa ao kain te Yagona Club Ueen Nanteti iaon Bikenibeu aika mitinare ni Catholic.

Tia bo moa kee..lol..:) :)

Rikaare

John Haigh
haigh@tpg.com.au
Newborough Victoria
Australia
10 September 2001
Hi Banaban friends,

After several trips to Rabi, I finally am getting to Banaba.

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we have a boat going from Kiribati to Banaba via Nauru.
Picking up a group from Nauru on Monday October 22nd and back on Friday 26th.
Have about 20 going but room for up to 20 more. Cost from Nauru is about $580 australian ( includes food and boat charter).

Get in touch with me if you are interested in the trip.

God Bless,
John Haigh

Jeremy Cooper
jeremy@olio.demon.co.uk
Milton Keynes
UK
06 September 2001
"Coming Home to Banaba" will be screened in the UK - yet again! - on BBC2 at 00.30-01.00 on Thursday 13th September. Set your video!

Karen Vogel
munchmunchkin47@aol.com

United States
03 September 2001
Kwe Kwe. Skennenko:wa ken? (hello! How are you?) I am mixed-blood Native American Ndn, (Mohawk, Huron, Montagnais and Potawatomi), and for the last two years, I have been studying the plight of your Banaban people. And I am interested in learning Banaban language, but cannot find any websites with Banaban language only. Does anyone out there know where I can find pure Banaban language lessons? I am totally dedicated to the preservation of vanishing cultures and languages, and Banaban language and culture at the top of the endangered cultures list. I am also very interested in the progress of the Banabans who have returned to Banaba (ocean Island), and how they are doing with their efforts to restore the island. Please email and let me know!

Karen Vogel
munchmunchkin47@aol.com

United States
03 September 2001
Kwe Kwe. Skennenko:wa ken? (hello! How are you?) I am mixed-blood Native American Ndn, (Mohawk, Huron, Montagnais and Potawatomi), and for the last two years, I have been studying the plight of your Banaban people. And I am interested in learning Banaban language, but cannot find any websites with Banaban language only. Does anyone out there know where I can find pure Banaban language lessons? I am totally dedicated to the preservation of vanishing cultures and languages, and Banaban language and culture at the top of the endangered cultures list. I am also very interested in the progress of the Banabans who have returned to Banaba (ocean Island), and how they are doing with their efforts to restore the island. Please email and let me know!

Carol Filipo
Carol.Filipo@xtra.co.nz
Auckland
New Zealand
29 August 2001
To whoever reads this

My husband is searching for anyone in Kiribati familiar with the family name "KILAVE" or KILAVI". His grandfather was found on a beach in Western Samoa atleast 90 plus years ago. His whereabouts are unknown, however, it is believed he came from Kiribati after rumours of a possible boating tragedy. This boating accident has not been confirmed. His grandfather passed away some 4 years ago in Samoa. His wife and several children survive him as well as his grand children. Anyone with any information would help us in our search. His grandfathers first name was Filipo, however I do not believe this was his birth name.

Please make contact as soon as possible.


Regards, Carol Filipo.

Kalle Dixelius
kalle.dixelius@swipnet.se

Sweden
28 August 2001
Hi everyone,

I am very happy to finally report that my story about the Banabans will be published in Swedens biggest newspaper on the 1st of September. I had to wait almost a year, but it was worth it. This way, it will be read by as many people as possible - not only in Sweden, but in Finland as well. If anyone wants a copy of the paper, just send me an email.

Richard Hughes
hughes@coniston20.fsnet.co.uk.
Cumbria
England
26 August 2001
Hi! I have read some of the messages already on your web page with much interest. I lived on Banaba (we remember it as Ocean Island)1958 to 1962. It is with great regret that I cannot remember much about the life I had being so young - I have some photo's and that goes some way. My Dad was an Engineer for the BPC and served a four year contract on the Island. My sister was born while we were out there. She was given the name Monita which I believe is Gilbertise.
It was very strange to see "Return from Banaba" - a mixture of feeling sorry and somewhat guilty and a conflicting feeling of wanting to know more about what kind of life I enjoyed out there.
I would be very interested to here from anyone who was out there at the time and can remember my family (or even me!!).
Good luck to all those trying to get the best for the Banaban's - I really hope a success can be made the Island. Cheers.
Richard Hughes

gallery-a
a@b.com
gallery-a
Australia
22 August 2001
it is the picture to call happiness in the heart.

Gary Davis
gary-davis@supanet.com
Solihull
England
17 August 2001
Watched Documentary - "COMING HOME TO BANABA" on BBC2 yesterday. Very interesting programme, it just goes to show how awful the British government treated people living in the colonies. I hope things improve, but what can be done? I wish the people of Banaba well.

Ian maguire
imaguire@ntlworld.com
Kirkintilloch Glasgoow Scotland United Kingdom
Scotland
16 August 2001
Hello to all the people of Banaba, I send you all my love and best wishes from my counrty
if ever I can be assistance in any way please contact me for support and I hope to visit your counrty and help get it back
God bless, Ian maguire Glasgow Scotland xxx

Wolfgang Kubiczek
WolKub@aol.com

Germany
12 August 2001
Hallo, friends,
up to now I didn't know anything about the problems of Banaban people. Reading your homepage I now know a lttle bit more. Nevertheless, I would like to get more information - is there somebody to give some further explanations per mail ?

Wolfgang

Kokea Logo
klleuli@hotmail.com

Australia
10 August 2001
I am looking for friens from Rabi attending school together at Vatuvonu Junior Secondary School from 1981 to 1983.
If anyone knows any contacts of Takesau, Teera and others to inform me at above email-address.

Bati n raba

Ken Sigrah & Stacey King
exports@banaban.com
Lautoka
Fiji as of 3/8/01
01 August 2001
Just to let all our friends scattered across the globe know about the upcoming release of our Banaban history book titled - "Te Rii ni Banaba - The Backbone of Banaba". It will be published very soon and all enquries should be directed to our publisher - Linda Crowl via email at -

crowl_L@usp.ac.fj

at Institute of Pacific Studies, University of South Pacific, Suva, Fiji Isles. This book has been written from a Banaban perspective and will give a very different version of previous history books that have been written by people invovled in the Colonial Government or Phosphate mining industry. The book has been written on behalf of the Banaban Elders and Clans concerned.

We are very excited to know that this project is finally coming to reality. Our thanks "ko raba" to all those invovled in making the book possible, especially Linda Crowl at USP, and of course our people back home on Rabi and Banaba who contributed their knowledge and most of all their full support.

Ken Sigrah and Stacey King

Stacey King
stacey@banaban.com
Gold Coast
Australia
01 August 2001
Dear Tim,

Banaba is on the same time as Kiribati and Fiji Isles Group which is 2 hours ahead of Australia.

Regards,
Stacey

Tim Thornton
tt@marinecomputing.com
Southampton
United Kingdom
31 July 2001
Hello,
Can anyone give me information on the time zone used in Banaban. We thought it was +12 hours, and used this in our Tide Wizard tide height prediction program, but a customer has queried this and suggested -11 hours is correct.

Sarah Joseph
s-joseph@snail-mail.net

England
28 July 2001
I also saw the BBC documentary last week, and cried with anger and shame.
I would very much like to know what I could do that would be useful, where to send a donation, or anything other way to help.

Thanks

Sarah

Nicki King
PaddyKing@aol.com
Birmingham
England
22 July 2001
Hi Guys,
Guess what, I too saw the programme on BB2 today.
I was also horrified and ashamed by what I saw.
It seems to me that publicity as to the plight of Banaba is what is required to improve matters and give Banabans back their homeland.
It also seems ironic to me that protesters are currently causing havoc and mayhem at the G8 Conference.
Whilst I accept that the conference is overly lavish and very singular in it's approach to globalisation, the protesters would do far better to lead by example and concentrate their efforts into helping a cause like yours, rather than adopting the destructive methods that they seem to favour at the moment.
What better way to show the super powers what can be done, than to invest their effort time and money into a cause like yours? After all actions speak louder than words, and the publicity that they could acheive would assist their cause far more than being branded trouble makers and hooligans.
I would be interested in writing an article to this effect and would be grateful if you could e-mail me some additional information, particularly about what would be required in order to facilitate the regeneration of your land.
I am aware that fresh water is your main problem, what can be done to improve your situation?
Hope to hear from you and wish you all the luck for the future
Nicki King.

BERNARD SHARP
bernardsharp@yohoo.co.uk
Manchester.
ENGLAND
21 July 2001
I also viewed the Open University T.V.programme today.....
I feel quite ashamed that I was unaware of the Island and
also the immense enviormental problems. I clearly will now
research this subject further. There is a need for
much more media exposure to bring this " sad matter " before
the masses who deeply care about our world.

Best wishes to all

BERNARD SHARP.

Royd Whitlock
royd.whitlock@ntlworld.com

UK
21 July 2001
Dear Stacey & Ken

I have just seen an Open Univesity programme (BBC 2, TV) about Banaba, of which I had been completely unaware.

My first reaction was that of indignation. It made me want to come over and live there and help restore the island, since I have practical and cognitive skills which could be useful.

For the time being, however, can you tell me if there is any way I can help with a donation or/and in any other way, being so far away?

Yours sincerely

Royd W.M. Whitlock [20-07-2001]

Stephen Adds
stephen@scotchegg.fsbusiness.co.uk

United Kingdom
21 July 2001
I was recently made aware of your island's problems after watching a BBC documentary and was shocked to hear of how the people and landscape of Banaban had been desecrated for profit.

I understand that a fundamental problem facing regeneration is the remoteness of the island. Surely this problem could be alleviated if a temporary airstrip were built. I believe that all you would need is a flat surface (made with a bulldozer or workers) which continues over several hundred metres with reasonable drainage away from obstacles such as buildings and trees.

I don't know whether this idea is a practical one but it should surely be considered as with local support it would cost very little.

Kindest Regards,

Stephen Adds

Tom Fuhrman
tomfuhrman@hotmail.com

USA
03 July 2001
Hey Ken and Stacey,

I'm working on sending you those photos, but you can find some here on this site where I posted some.
http://hometown.aol.com/spicychycken/index.html

Egbert Jorissen
egbert@bendorff.nl

Netherlands
30 June 2001
To the people of Banaba,

Hi, my name is Egbert Jorissen and I'm living in the Netherlands (Holland).
When I was 10 years old one of my uncles gave me an atlas. My world litterally opened since that day. Especially the region of Oceania had my attention. I red a lot about the ecological disasters on Nauru and Banaba. And now - I have a good job and can travel - my dream will come true. In the period April/May 2002 I will visit Nauru and Banaba.
I know it is not that simple to travel to your island. Maybe you can provide me with some information. Please do so and let me live my dream.
And of course me and my partner will give a donation to your good cause. Let us know how we can do this.

For know with kind regards,

Egbert Jorissen


Nantoo
ntoo@metz.une.edu.au

28 June 2001
It was interesting to note Ken Sigrah comment that the Banabans have their own language which have dissappeared because of the Kiribati Bible. I would like to draw your attention to the Nauruan language which still persisted though it was Ten Tabuia who converted the Nauruans with the Kiribati Bible they are still using their native language. Maude might be mistaken in his comment on the Banaban language as in the case of Kiribati language where there are minor differences as an example where in the north the word 'kuriko' is used while 'kawaekoako' is used in the south.

The word Auriaria proved the same common language used in the whole Kiribati referring to a mythical god.

José Luis Cepero Creo
Cayetano del Toro nº1-10c Cádiz (spain)

Australia
23 June 2001
Please send me information about your movementnt

José Luis cepero Creo
Cayetano del Toro Nº1-10c 11010 Cádiz (Spain)

España
23 June 2001
I will like know your flag and i hope the best for you all and my soladirity with the cause
   

 

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