Written by Kirsty Barnby

This blog is about the reefs of the South coast of Fiji and the practice known as coral gardening which helps…

Written by Kylie Barton

There are so many innovative initiatives happening around the globe to promote a greener way of living to help combat climate change. Recently we looked at how real-life mermaids…

The UN Climate Change Conference held in Bonn, Germany this November was held to look at next steps for the international community following on from the Paris Agreement. And our very own beloved Fiji was the presiding nation with Fijian Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama assuming the presidency of COP23.

https://www.facebook.com/fijitimesonline/videos/10156025315333678/

The…

Written by Kylie Barton

‘The Ocean as our lungs’ was the main theme of the Pacific Blue Economy Conference that was held at the end of August in Suva. The United Nations Resident Coordinator to the Pacific, Osnat Lubrani, said that the ocean is compromised, and as a result so…

Written by Kylie Barton

We are extremely excited here at Island Spirit that the International Civil Society meeting will be held here in Fiji, Suva to be exact, at the end of this year. This is the 14^th occurrence of the event, which provides a platform for key civil society…

Written by Kylie Barton

Here at IS when we read a headline about people dumping things in our beautiful oceans here in Fiji we can’t help but get a little emotional. Earlier this month, it was found that a Chinese tuna vessel has been caught in that very act. The…

Written by Laura Griffith

A plastic bag tax has been announced in a Fiji, in a bid to safeguard the environment.

Ten cents will be charged per bag used in order to reduce plastic waste and usage in Fiji. As an alternative, the ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism will introduce…

Written by Laura Griffith

Coral reefs are on track to be the first of the world’s ecosystems to be entirely wiped out by humans. Some scientists estimate that reefs will have disappeared as soon as 2050 – many calculate atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is already above…

Written by Laura Griffith

What attracts visitors to Fiji is not only its beauty and beaches on land, but also what can be seen below Fiji’s warm South Pacific Ocean, as I was yet to discover!

There is a wide variety of life in Fiji’s waters, including dolphins, sea…

Written by Laura Griffith

Dishing up a fresh perspective for IS, our team member Laura talks about Island Spirit’s Wildcrafted Fijian headbands –  our latest product to launch in celebration of World Fair Trade Day on May the 13th.

“As a former Textile Designer, with background in designing contemporary garments & products for a Global Design…

Written by Laura Griffith, Marketing and Sales Co-Ordinator

Laura talks about her first month on the Fijian Islands…

“For my first official Island Spirit meeting in beautiful Fiji, Kirsty and I embarked on a 24-hour journey together to head to Fiji’s Garden Island, Taveuni with two friends. With a hire…

Written By Kylie Barton

In December 2016, Fiji declared an impressive target to protect 16 per cent of all land area by 2020, and local communities will play a huge part in helping this goal become reality.

Here at Island Spirit we have been working with the community in Fiji for…

How to Remain Environmentally Optimistic During This Presidency

Written By Kylie Barton

With the election of a climate change denier to the White House, it would be easy for those of us who consider ourselves conservationists and environmentalists to throw up our hands in dismay and give up hope. This however,…

Written by Kylie Barton

At Island Spirit we have talked about the importance of protecting sharks, rays and other endangered species many times over. It is an important topic, not only from an endangered species perspective, but also from the perspective of ensuring the natural balance in our seas is retained….

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Published in the Fiji Times on the day after Fiji won the Olympic Gold in Rugby Sevens:

As Fiji’s big stars proudly stride forward in full swing showing their best at the Olympics, there is a whole galaxy out there doing amazing things in this strong, resilient,…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Fiji’s undergrowth is home to a colourful and often surprisingly humorous bunch of creatures and wildlife.

This parrot pictured above is native to Taveuni and has a very cheeky personality. (Whilst photographing him – He actually climbed onto my arm whilst chatting to himself then took the lens…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Fiji celebrates World Tourism Day as a Democracy once more – rejoice!

Although this may seem a tenuous link; the fact that today the Fijian tourism industry is experiencing World Tourism Day as a democratic country once more is something to be very much celebrated. The focus…

Written By Kirsty Barnby

Island Spirit’s Crowdfunder Solar Project; A Brighter Future in Fiji. June 2014.

Island Spirit and Belmont High School are once again teaming up. This time we are asking people to come forward, dig deep and put some pennies towards a solar unit for Vidawa Community Hall, Taveuni,…

Written by Kylie Barton

Fijians are well aware of the damaging effects extreme weather can bring, especially as an Island state like that of Tonga which was hit by a category five tropical cyclone with winds up to 300km per hour earlier this month where 70 per cent of buildings…

Written by Kylie Barton

Last month, senior representatives from the Chinese government signed a deal with Fijian officials to set up a hydropower station to increase access to electricity for the citizens in and around Somosomo, Taveuni.

Fijian Permanent Secretary Tikoduadua said: “The contractual agreement will allow the Chinese government to…

Written by Kylie Barton

The health industry has been using mobile phone technology to tackle health issues plighting the world’s poorest for some time now, but as technology continues to advance and become more wide spread, IS asks if it could aid the development process for some of the world’s…

Written by Kylie Barton

Countless research has demonstrated that societies with the least material prosperity are often richest in terms of happiness, community spirit, and general emotional well being. So is ‘development’ in the way the term is most often used actually desirable?

We at Island Spirit ask this question as…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Tadra Womens Arts and Crafts Project, Taveuni is now officially under the Island Spirit umbrella and will soon be supported by a AusAid volunteer.

3% of each guests Island Spirit escape will go straight into the fund for this project – that equates to at least $USD32…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Monday 13th May

• VESA arrive on Taveuni and start to use Beverleys as their project site.
• I start researching new coral gardening locations to add to the outer reef of Beverleys.
• On one of out trips to the inner reef between two stunning islands not far…
  

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Robyn, the owner and manager of Nakia Eco Resort, has kindly donated 40 young trees to Island Spirt for replanting in Vidawa village and along the farming section of their rainforest trek.

During the Taveuni Island Discovery trip in April with Kyle Waters from Toronto, Canada, we…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Eco adventures with ‘Island Spirt’ ( in Fijian – ‘Yanuyanu Yasi’).

This has been one of  my best days on Taveuni. I have finally discovered the brilliance of the natural…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

We are excited to announce a new Optional Activity from Island Spirit …. drum roll please… Horse Riding!

One of the villages I work with has eight lovely horses. Most are bush stallions but four are ridable. I say rideable in the loosest sense of the word!…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Island Spirit is proud to be partnered with Waitabu Village and Marine Park. Here’s a little more about the village and it’s renowned Marine Park. A paper called: “Sacred Water”; 10 years of community managed marine protection supported by ecotourism-based income generation at Waitabu Marine Park, Fiji Islands. Gives a…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

I did a little presentation to a group students and guests at Daku Resort, Savu Savu, Vanua Levu, Fiji this week.

It was a last minute request and I ended up with a dog as an onscreen companion instead of any fancy slides. (Note to self -…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Coconuts trees stand in unison quietly. One side of their tall, lean trunks are glowing orange as the afternoon sun continues to slow-roast them. I…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Cocktails in coconut shells? More like kava in coconut shells. I’ve got myself a bit of a reputation for being the kava queen wherever I go and drink with the locals because I am one of few women who enjoy drinking it and can stay up for hours chatting…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Volcanic in origin, Fiji is a group of 300 islands located in the South Pacific approximately 1,770 k (1,100 miles) north of New Zealand.

Flight times to Fiji are 10 hours from Los Angeles; four hours from Sydney; slightly over two hours from Auckland and about six…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Island Spirit joins with the Honour Fiji Journey

This collaboration came about after meeting the Director of the Honour Fiji Journey and feeling the we had similar goals. Island Spirit facilitated the groups activities whilst they were staying…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

This evening I have admired the fat fruit bats as they wake up, unpacked my goodies, shooed a mouse out of my bread bag, cooked a thai meal, scared myself that someone else was under the bed, written this, talked to the dog, thought about life…