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RNZ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
George 'Fiji' Veikoso: The iconic voice that united the Pacific
George "Fiji" Veikoso was one of the Pacific's most beloved musical voices. Photo: Facebook / Homecoming Music Festival "I knew that it was that time" Those were the quiet words of Dave Stevens, one of George 'Fiji' Veikoso's closest companions. Stevens told RNZ Pacific he cared for the island reggae icon for "over a year" and was by his side in Suva when he passed away last Wednesday at the age of 55. Speaking from Suva, Stevens' voice quivered as he tried to find the right words to talk. "I'm feeling ok, at the same time I'm like, he knew it was his time to go, right now we don't have anything to say in terms of hearts are achin', but he knew his time was right." The Pacific has lost one of its most beloved musical voices. 'Fiji' was a the legendary artist known for blending soul, R&B, and island harmonies that redefined Pacific music. He is being remembered by fans and leaders across the region. His music spanned generations, with hits like 'Lonely Days' and 'Come On Over' becoming anthems not just in Fiji, but across the entire Pacific diaspora. To many, he was not just an entertainer; he was the soundtrack to family barbecues, long drives, heartbreaks, and homecomings. His passing marks the end of an era, as he now joins a pantheon of Pacific greats such as Daniel Rae Costello, another Fijian-born singer who died on 22 July 2019. George 'Fiji' Veikoso helped shape the sounds of Island reggae and R&B. Photo: ABC Pacific / Penina Momoisea Another one of his closest childhood friends Akuila Qumi said their relationship began long before Fiji catapulted into fame. "We were brought up in the same neighbourhood in Raiwaqa. I first heard of him when I was 13; he was much older." "As a person, he was very humble, very intelligent, a good brother. "He took off to Hawaii in the late 80s and came back in 1996 when his grandfather passed away. That's when we connected; he was staying over at my place. "Just an experience that I went through with him that sort of solidified our friendship, saying nah this guy is on another level, he's special," Qumi said. According to Qumi, Veikoso's grandfather instilled in him his Fijian roots. After the passing of his grandfather, Qumi and Veikoso experienced a supernatural phenomenon. "There was this experience I'd never forget," Qumi said. "Suddenly, the doors busted open, the curtains were parallel, there was a strong wind, I mean, I was freaking out, and then I was looking at [Veikoso] and he was staring up in the air, and there were tears in his eyes, going 'my grandfather's here to see me'. "So out of the blue this butterfly flew in and right in front of him, by that time the curtains were just parallel, waving out and then he told his grandfather that he would do his best, that he would honour him and take the music, take the culture out to the world. "When that happened, the butterfly flew out and everything went normal, so that kicked off his friendship and from then on I said this guy is special, he's got some mana with him, and he's gifted. So, over the years, I was fortunate to see him in his element." Veikoso was born in Fiji, and later moved to Hawai'i where his music career truly began, starting out as a member of the band Rootstrata in the 1980s, then eventually going solo, carving out a distinctive sound that blended reggae, soul, gospel, and island rhythms. Fiji released hit albums including 'Born and Raised' , 'Indigenous Life', 'Love and Roots', 'Xperience' and his last album 'Coconut Island' and 'Indigo' to name a few. Veikoso was a huge inspiration for local musicians in Fiji who would look forward to seeing him back on the island. One in particular is Big Wils, who described his first gig alongside Veikoso as a career-defining moment. "The last time I met him was last month, his cousin Dave was playing at the Crown Plaza, that was the last time and I didn't think it would be the last time" Big Wills said Veikoso was preparing for the upcoming 'Homecoming Festival' in Nadi this September. "He was talking about homecoming, about how excited he was, and how busy he was. We were all excited and looking forward to it. It's so sad to hear the news. Big Wills said everyone in Fiji is in mourning. "He put Fiji on the world map," he said. New Zealand Fijian poet and relative Daren Kamali said while the loss is painful, there's a sense of peace knowing Fiji had been unwell for some time. "When he's here in Aotearoa, he always has my name at the door. He said the family are all content that Veikoso is no longer suffering. "We are all sort of content he's now at rest now, he's been in pain a long time, although he didn't show it, he was actually suffering as well. "We're glad he's resting now". Fijian Prime Minister Sitveni Rabuka posted a tribute online, describing Veikoso as "one of the greatest musicians of all time". "I am saddened to learn of the passing of one of the greatest musicians of all time, George Fiji Veikoso a proud son of Fiji, a legend in his own right - his voice inspired so many across the Pacific and around the world. "A true ambassador of Fiji on the regional and international stage, his music inspired generations and his legacy will live on in the hearts of thousands of people. "On behalf of the government and the people of Fiji, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fans around the world, Rest in peace, Fiji." Rabuka wrote. New Zealand Labour Party deputy leader, Carmel Sepuloni reflected on her time with the late artist who impressed her with his extensive knowledge of Pacific history. She considered herself lucky to have shared moments with Veikoso who she nicknamed 'Porgy'. "Fiji is a legend to our whole pacific region and our pacific community, we've all spent many years as the backdrop to our lives. "We were fortunate to be in Samoa at the time of the homecoming concert there, I was there for work and we stayed on to spend time with George. "The thing many people didn't know about George is the man was like a historian he was incredibly intelligent, he knew about the history about our Pacific region, he was so good with our Pasifika languages. "He will be sadly missed, he was a great supporter and mentor to other Pacific musicians and I've heard and seen from so many of them, they're really feeling it right now. Sepuloni said that he will be greatly missed by many, and his passing marks a significant loss for the music industry. The last time Veikoso visited Aotearoa was during the Moana Pasifika match versus the Hurricanes, a game their team won. He was photographed celebrating with the team.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dakota Relays sees meet evolve over a century
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The 100th running of the Howard Wood Dakota Relays ran over the weekend and the event has changed over the years. The Howard Wood Dakota Relays formerly known as the Dakota Relays started in 1923, but not in its current location. 'The original track here was over by where the old Sears building used to be, on the east side of downtown Sioux Falls,' Howard Wood volunteer Steve Hauff said. 'They moved over here in 1957, still cinder, and it was early in the 70s that it became an all weather track.' The track is not the only modifications the Dakota Relays have seen. Along with the facilities, athletes have seen upgrades to the way the event is scored, thanks to the many technological advancements over the past century. 'Back when we used to do it, we were on the picker stand,' Hauff said. 'So you're up there trying to pick first, second, third. Are my eyes as good as they used to be? No. That's why you have the electronics today.' 'We've gone from the bamboo poles to pole vault with to aluminum, to fiberglass. So the technology that, we've witnessed in our world has certainly hit the track and field, field,' Howard Wood volunteer Dave Stevens said. The premiere event has brought athletes from nearby states together for years to compete against one another and the meet success has relied heavily on the help of their volunteers. 'We see a number of records, we see a number of personal records that are set,' Stevens said. 'I have a passion for track and field and I think that all the other volunteers have a passion to come out and do the best job they can do and do it for the student athlete.' The South Dakota State Track and Field meet will also be held at Howard Wood Field. The meet starts May 29th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Globe and Mail
19-02-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Great Atlantic Acquires Nashwaak Lake Tungsten Property, Located Three Kilometers Northwest of Sisson Project Western New Brunswick
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2025) - GREAT ATLANTIC RESOURCES CORP. (TSXV: GR) (the "Company" or "Great Atlantic") is pleased to announce it has acquired 100% interest (through a purchase agreement) in the Nashwaak Lake Tungsten Property, located in western New Brunswick. The property is located approximately three kilometers northwest of the Sisson Project (tungsten and molybdenum project) of Northcliff Resources Ltd. Tungsten mineralization is reported at the Nashwaak Lake Property including reported 0.443% tungsten (0.558% WO3) over 0.96 meters core length in a 2009 diamond drill hole and 2.03% tungsten (2.55% WO3) for a 2022 rock sample. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The Nashwaak Lake Property consists of one mineral claim covering an area of approximately 222 hectares. Great Atlantic's management have compiled historical exploration information for the area of the property from Reports of Work on file with the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development. These reports document soil and prospecting rock / drill core samples anomalous for tungsten within the area of the Nashwaak Lake Property. Reported highlights include: Three 2009 rock samples (from glacial float) collected by Geodex Minerals Ltd. were reported to exceed 2,000 parts per million (ppm) tungsten with up to 2,140 ppm tungsten (0.214% W or 0.27% WO3) (Martin, 2010). Two 2009 diamond drill holes by Geodex Minerals Ltd. were reported to intersect 3,064 ppm tungsten (0.306% W or 0.38% WO3) over 1.55 meters core length and 4,430 ppm tungsten (0.443% W or 0.55% WO3) over 0.96 meters core length (Martin, 2010). These near-surface intercepts are reported to be within altered granite. A 2016 soil sample collected by Dave Stevens was reported to return a highly anomalous value of 214 ppm tungsten (Steven, 2016). A 2017 rock sample collected by Dave Stevens was reported to return 8,030 ppm tungsten (0.803% W or 1.01% WO3) (Stevens, 2018). The Report of Work indicates this sample to have been collected from glacial float. Great Atlantic recently obtained sample data for rock samples collected by the late Dave Stevens during 2022. A rock sample reported to have been collected from the area of the Nashwaak Lake Property returned 20,300 ppm tungsten (2.03% W or 2.55% WO3). Great Atlantic's management are assuming this sample was collected from glacial float. The Sisson Project of Northcliff Resources Ltd. is located approximately three kilometers southeast of the Nashwaak Lake Property. The Sisson Project hosts the Sisson Tungsten - Molybdenum Deposit. Northcliff reported mineral reserves at the Sisson Deposit of 334.4 million tonnes of proven and probable reserves at 0.066% WO3 and 0.021% Mo and an NSR of $24.15 / tonne (January 2013 at $8.83 / tonne NSR cut-off). Readers are warned that mineralization at the Sison Project is not necessarily indicative of mineralization at the Nashwaak Lake Property. Readers are warned that Great Atlantic has not verified tungsten soil anomalies or tungsten bearing rock samples at the Nashwaak Lake Property as stated in this report. David Martin, (New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador), a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and VP Exploration for Great Atlantic, is responsible for the technical information contained in this News Release. On Behalf of the board of directors "Christopher R. Anderson" Mr. Christopher R. Anderson President CEO Director 604-488-3900 Investor Relations: 1-416-628-1560 IR@ Never miss an update! Follow Great Atlantic Resources Corp. on social media for project updates, photos, and much more. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: About Great Atlantic Resources Corp.: Great Atlantic Resources Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on the discovery and development of mineral assets in the resource-rich and sovereign risk-free realm of Atlantic Canada, one of the number one mining regions of the world. Great Atlantic is currently surging forward building the company utilizing a Project Generation model, with a special focus on the most critical elements on the planet that are prominent in Atlantic Canada, Gold, Copper, Zinc, Nickel, Cobalt, Antimony and Tungsten. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
