Chief Druku’s generous spirit and broad grin made a lasting impact on everyone he met.
The “heart and soul” of Tavarua Island died this week. After a lengthy battle with cancer, Chief Druku Lalabalavu, the leader of Fiji’s heart-shaped island, passed away at the age of 63.
Two years ago, it looked as though Lalabalavu had beaten his cancer. Sadly, it returned, and this time it was inoperable. He traveled to the United States to undergo several procedures to “alleviate his symptoms and to enable him to manage his constant pain”, then returned to Fiji to be with family.
Druku was one of the first Fijians to learn how to surf, and his spirit and generosity touched everyone he met. In the early 1980s, before Tavarua was a world-famous surfing destination, Druku was instrumental in making the island what it is today. When the founder of the Tavarua Resort, Dave Clark, came to Druku with an idea, the chief welcomed not only Clark, but the entire surfing community to his tiny island with open arms.
“Many people worldwide have been touched by the broad grin, the cheeky laughter and the generosity of spirit that Druku has,” his family wrote. “He is well known among many including the very best surfers in the world– and is their welcoming host when the WSL comes to Fiji for their competitions. He is the heart and soul of the island and patron of the Tavarua Island extended family.”
Our heartfelt condolences go out to friends and family of Lalabalavu.
