Naitaba

Naitaba Island (Naitauba,^[1] Naitaba^[2]) ^[3][4] is an island of the northern Lau Islands of Fiji. It is a triangular shaped island approximately 2.4 km (1.5 mi) in diameter.^[5] The island is volcanic with coral and rises to 186 metres (610 ft) on a flat-topped hill toward the southern end of the island.^[6] The island is forested and coconuts were grown commercially for copra. There is a barrier reef completely surrounding the island.^[6]

Naitauba Island shown in the Lau Islands

History

In early 1920 the coconut estates on Wakaya and Naitaba suffered a heavy loss due to a storm.^[7] In 1965 the actor Raymond Burr and his partner purchased 1,625 hectares (4,015 acres) on the island,^[8] where they raised copra and cattle.^[9] This land was sold in 1983 to Johannine Daist Communion for the use of Adi Da,^[10] with a purchase price of $2.1 million.^[11] It was reported that Adi Da died of cardiac arrest on November 27, 2008, at his home on the island, while working on his art.^[12][13]