Loloma Hour: Where nature and happiness meet
In Fiji, tourists are helping conserve the archipelago's natural and cultural environment – one hour at a time.
"Any Fijian will tell you loloma [means] love. It also means mercy, being kind, having compassion and charity, being generous," explains marine biologist Kolora Lewadradra. "Loloma also means the deep care that one has for another, for the land, the environment, the ocean – it's a word that expresses profound affection or goodness."
Loloma Hour, a new initiative co-ordinated by Tourism Fiji, aims to capture that sense of integration with nature and love for the natural world. It encourages travellers to spend just 60 minutes of their holiday giving back to Fiji and contribute to projects helping the landscapes, seascapes, ecosystems and culture that make the archipelago so magical.
Activities span the gamut, from helping conserve indigenous species, rehabilitate the reef and protect the coastline to preserving local culture by learning crafts such as basket weaving or pottery. But some of the most popular options are those that get travellers into Fiji's crystal-clear waters.
Creating evangelists through protecting the reef
Marine biologist Rob McFarlane leads ocean programmes at four resorts in Fiji, including Barefoot Manta Island in the Yasawa archipelago, where he heads up the resort's Marine Conservation Centre. As well as studying the reef manta rays that feed in a nearby channel during the dry season, McFarlane's team has counted and observed more than 330 reef fish species and 110 hard coral species within the local protected marine area, which spans just 26 hectares (64 acres).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Winter brings Australia's ‘humpback highway' to life and peak hour is about to begin
Every winter, Australia's 'humpback highway' hums to life. Thousands of humpback whales migrate from Antarctic feeding grounds to tropical breeding areas along Australia's east and west coasts. Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a Sydney-based whale scientist, said that peak 'blubber to blubber' traffic on the highway occurs between mid-June and early July. That is when crowds will flock to greater Sydney's headlands and beaches, hoping to glimpse the balletic performers as they defy their immense size. Lucky spotters can watch whales, weighing up to 40 tonnes, breach and crash back into the Pacific Ocean, flanked by bursts of sea spray. 'You don't need a boat to see a whale,' Pirotta said. 'I would encourage Sydneysiders to look out on their weekend or morning walk because we have such a fabulous coastline. 'Anywhere you can see the ocean, you have a chance of spotting a whale.' Once hunted to near extinction, the humpback whales – Megaptera novaeangliae – have made a remarkable recovery. Population estimates now range between 30,000 and 50,000. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email But as numbers grow, migration patterns are shifting. 'Some are hanging out here all year round, at least in those colder southern waters like Tasmania,' Pirotta said. Global heating, shifting food sources and warming oceans are likely factors – with implications for future marine life. No longer listed as a threatened species, humpbacks still face risks in increasingly industrialised seas. Entanglement in commercial fishing gear, shark nets and drum lines, vessel strikes and acoustic pollution from seismic blasting are all potentially deadly hazards. Last year, it took rescuers almost five hours to free a young humpback whale in Sydney Harbour after it became entangled in ropes and buoys. 'When you're a migrating animal the size of a bus, there are a number of challenges that whales face that we as humans present,' Pirotta said. The growing humpback population means conservation efforts 'need to be bumped up', she said. Melting Antarctic ice is also threatening krill – a key food source for the whales, which are so important to supporting ocean health. 'Their poo drives nutrients and helps the food chain, which we rely on, especially our fisheries industry,' Pirotta said. Pirotta works with the Gamay Rangers, who care for country around Gamay (Botany Bay). 'Indigenous knowledge holders reflect the past of our First Nations scientists, our first whale scientists,' she said. For many saltwater people of the east and west coasts, whales are sacred and hold a significant cultural and spiritual place. Yuin man Dr Jack Pascoe, an ecologist at the University of Melbourne, said the whales – Gurawal – hold lore in the form of stories. Pascoe helped establish the Saltwater People's Alliance, which advocates for the preservation of whale song lines. He said Australian environmental laws are 'flawed and not fit for purpose'. Stronger action on climate and more Indigenous-led conservation strategies that recognise species of cultural significance were needed, he said. Simon Miller, from the Australian Marine Conservation Society, has said the 'pressing international threat' of climate change is affecting whale migration and marine ecosystems. 'Australia needs to be a leading global citizen and do our bit … keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees,' Miller said. Like Pascoe, he has urged state and federal governments to develop stronger environmental policies. According to the CSIRO, sea surface temperatures in Australia have risen by 1.08C since 1900, with the greatest warming off the south-east and Tasmania.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Love Island beauty Liv Hawkins dating hunky boxer – and he's a familiar face to Netflix fans
LOVE Island beauty Liv Hawkins is dating a hunky boxer. With a background in reality telly like Liv, Netflix fans will likely recognise the hunk from a dating show on the streaming platform. 6 6 6 Olivia Hawkins, 29, has been on some dates with Kelechi Dyke, 31. And it looks as though things between the pair are hotting up and getting quite serious. A source told The Sun: "Liv was linked to fellow Celebs Go Dating co-star Louis Russell when production on the series first started. "But since then she's been on a series of dates with boxer Kelechi 'Kelz' Dyke, which have been filmed for the show. "Netlix fans will know him from Too Hot To Handle as well, so he is well versed in reality TV. "But the chemistry between him and Liv is genuine and they are really into each other. "Watch this space," they cryptically shared. The Sun has contacted a rep for Olivia for comment, but they did not immediately respond. But despite Liv's blossoming romance, she is said to be in talks for a THIRD Love Island stint. Just a couple of months after appearing on Love Island: All Stars, Liv is being lined up to film Love Island Games in Fiji after impressing bosses. Love Island 2025 cast revealed as footballer, actress and beauty influencer who cheated death sign up During her All Stars stint, Liv did not find love. While on the show, she formed a connection with Marcel Somerville, but things sadly didn't last between the pair. Olivia and Marcel were dumped from the villa on Day 10 due to being voted as the least compatible couple by the public. Shortly after their villa departure, the pair announced they had split. Love Island winners - where they are now EVERY year Love Island opens its doors to more sexy Islanders who are hoping for a holiday romance that could turn into more. Here we take you through all of the Love Island winners so far and what their relationship statuses are now: 2025 - The second series of All Stars saw Gabby Allen and Case O'Gorman scoop the crown. STATUS: Still together. 2024 - The summer Love Island saw Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan were crowned the winners. STATUS: Broken up. 2024 - The first ever All stars spin off show was won by Molly Smith and Tom Clare. STATUS: Still together. 2023 - Jess Harding and Sammy Root took home the 50k, and won the summer 2023 Love Island. STATUS: Broken up. 2023 - The first series of 2023 saw Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan crowned Love Island winners in South Africa. STATUS: Still together. 2022 - Davide Sanclimenti and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu's time in the villa was anything but a smooth ride, but they managed to win the public's hearts - and the ITV2 reality show. STATUS: Broken up. 2021 - Liam Reardon and Millie Court were announced winners of Love Island 2021. STATUS: Still together. 2020 - The first ever winter Love Island saw Paige Turley and Finn Tapp crowned winners after falling in love on the show. STATUS: Broken up. 2019 - Series 5 saw Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague runners up to winners Greg O'Shea and Amber Gill, who met in the last few days of the series. STATUS: Broken up. 2018 - It wasn't surprising fan favourites Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer won the show, as they were strong throughout. But sadly things didn't last. STATUS: Broken up. 2017 - Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies had lots of ups and downs in the villa but went on to win. STATUS: Broken up. 2016 - Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde were together from the start of the series, and since they won the show they've had two kids and are married. STATUS: Still together. 2015 - Despite poor Jess Hayes being Max Morley's second choice on the show, they did win - but they didn't last as a couple. STATUS: Broken up. They decided to remain friends and said that they still spoke regularly and had a strong friendship. But despite Liv's lack of luck with love, Love Island: The Games are keen to swoop her up. The US-produced show, which streams on Peacock before airing here on ITV2, will film later this year and producers are keen to have Liv on it. A source said: 'They feel like she didn't get enough of a chance to shine on All Stars as she left the villa too early, but they believe she will go down a storm on The Games. "She is currently still filming Celebs Go Dating for E4, but if talks continue to go well, she could be winging her way to Fiji soon afterwards.' 6 6
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Love Island beauty in talks for spin-off just months after All Stars stint and C4 dating show
LOVE Island beauty Olivia Hawkins is in talks for another spin-off, just months after her All Stars stint. Olivia, 29, who is also set to appear in E4 's Celebs Go Dating this summer, is being lined up to film Love Island Games in Fiji after impressing bosses with her second run. The US-produced show, which streams on Peacock before airing here on ITV2, will film later this year and producers are keen to have Liv on it. A source said: 'They feel like she didn't get enough of a chance to shine on All Stars as she left the villa too early, but they believe she will go down a storm on The Games. "She is currently still fiming Celebs Go Dating for E4, but if talks continue to go well, she could be winging her way to Fiji soon afterwards.' The Sun has contacted Olivia's representative for comment. Olivia recently got cosy with her Celebs Go Dating co-star, Louis Russell, after they broke the reality show's rules. The Love Island and Too Hot To Handle stars hit it off after landing in Ibiza to film and were spotted snogging poolside. Olivia later gave some insight into her time on the Spanish island, including some flirty snaps with Louis. She posted a series of behind the scenes photos from Ibiza, which included posing with some of her co-stars Kerry Katona and Jon Lee. They showed the cast hanging out in stunning locations and enjoying the island nightlife. In one selfie posted with Jon and Louis, the latter has his tongue sticking out flirtatiously towards Olivia as she winks her eye. Love Island's Olivia Hawkins shares steamy snog with Celebs Go Dating co-star at Ibiza pool party Louis reacted to the photo in the comments of the post. "Last flic [sum] it up," he wrote, adding a tongue out emoji, to which Olivia replied, "steady on." The pair had swapped flirty messages on social media ahead of the trip and later were seen kissing by a pool, with an insider said the sexual chemistry was very obvious. 5 5 5 5
