Former Fijian journalist returns home to revive cultural connections

A former Fijian journalist relocated his family to his ancestral home in Nalutu Village on Naqelelevu Island to repopulate and revitalise its heritage.

Nalutu, nestled far removed from the bustling mainlands of Fiji’s main islands - Viti Levu and Vanua Levu - lies closer to the remote Pacific nations of Wallis and Futuna, Tuvalu, and Sāmoa.

Inspired by family stories and facing political pressure in the media, he moved in 2015 from the capital, Suva, with his wife and six children.

“My uncle, who was here on the island, came to Suva and said there's no one there to continue trying to repopulate the island,” Loga tells PMN News.

“When he came and told me that, and plus this political pressure that we (media) were facing, I thought, why not? Because the island has been empty.

“My uncles and brothers have been going. They're trying to repopulate the land and trying to develop it and get it somewhere.”

His wife and six children were supportive of the decision.

“I decided to come. I asked my wife. She said, ‘Yes’, she agreed. And so we came in 2015. We are still here, and we will continue to be here.”

Loga's career in Fiji's media sector spans over two decades, primarily in radio and later in television. This expertise has proven invaluable in his off-grid lifestyle.

Mika Loga having a meal with his grandchildren on Naqelelevu Island. Photo/Mika Loga

“We've been eating off the land and living off the land and getting our income off the land, off the natural resources that were put here by God for land owners to come and use and sell and get money.

“So, if you ask me right now, did I regret my decision? I'll say no. I was very happy with the decision. I'm still happy, and I even look forward to having longevity and spending my retirement here.”

The Loga family are the only residents on the island and have been living sustainably, relying on natural resources.

They aim to restore the island's traditional and cultural significance, which has diminished over time, and to repopulate it, breathing life back into its shores.

“Naqelelevu will always be our traditional and ancestral home, and we will be here, repopulate it and live here,” he says.

“I believe I'm contributing to my Vanua. I have contributed to my village, keeping it clean.

“For the last 10 years, my family has been here alone, and I'm thankful there's no more poachers coming in, no more uninvited guests coming and destroying the flora and fauna of my place.”

After installing a Starlink satellite, Loga started documenting their life through vlogs, attracting significant media attention and a following of nearly 50,000 online.

Since relocating to Naqelelevu, Mika Loga has been working tirelessly to conserve and protect resources on the island. Photo/Mika Loga

“When I first started, I was thinking, okay, what direction should I go? You know, what kind of image should I portray to those out there who may be interested?

“So I just decided, keep things honest and just tell the real stories, without making anything up, just tell them exactly what I found, what I've seen and what I'm doing and just showcase that to the world.”

“I just like to share the knowledge that I have developed over the years while living in isolation, and my intention was to promote this place to people and attract the right people in.”

His content focuses on authentic stories about island life, fishing, healthy eating, and cultural practices.

Mika Loga says he has never regretted relocating to Naqelelevu. Photo/ Mika Loga

“I must be doing something right, right? I got interest from you, from TV3 in Sāmoa, they've asked for videos and they are playing it on air in Samoa and I think the region too,” he says.

“Someone told me from Australia that he saw one of my videos on a channel called Slice, Radio Fiji One, and FBC wanted a slice of it too, and I’m a regular contributor to Na i Katalau Fijian television programme in Fiji every week. That's been consistent from last year.

“I keep uploading, and the bottom line is to show everyone around the world that such an island exists.”

Loga’s next big project explores the historical ties between Naqelelevu, Wallis and Futuna and Sāmoa.

Mika Loga and his wife, Alice Loga processing copra on the island. Copra is one of the main source of income for the family. Photo/Mika Loga

“There’s a big history in Naqelelevu. Our forefathers came from Futuna via Cikobia in Macuata,” he says. “If our forefathers are from Futuna and they are described as from Samoa, then there’s a connection. I’d like to put it together and see if that's true.”

Loga plans to continue creating vlogs and producing podcasts, aiming to tell bigger stories from Naqelelevu, an island that is so small, with an eight-square-kilometre circumference, yet offers a wealth of compelling narratives.