Tikopia and Anuta . Unique and special heritage Islands destroyed by cyclone Lola

Some 3000 years ago the first canoes of Lapita people arrived on the isolated ,tiny extinct volcano Island of Tikopia . Since these ancient times the island has been occupied by about 1200 souls, the maximum number the 1X 2 mile wide and very steep Island of Tikopia can feed , if the people, now Polynesian that arrived from Tonga more than a millennium ,are careful managing the soils and plants .

Even in our times , almost nothing comes in from the outside world. The live of the Tikopians is a fascinating success story on how we humans can create a happy ,fulfilling live by carefully managing the resources of or planet. We can all learn from Tikopia.

And in times of disaster , the population depends on the wisdom and foresight of the four Arikis ,who would have had food storages prepared, and would have advised the people to seek shelter in caves, as their houses blow away in the storm.

We don’t know if this also was the case during cyclone Lola. Communication is down since. All we know is what we can see from an aerial survey . The vegetation has been stripped and villages have disappeared. We know even less about Tikopia’s little sister , the Island of Anuta where only a few handful of people reside. Lola was early in the season, food storage’s might not have been filled. In any case the stored food is more or les fermented sago palm . There is certainly no medicines for the wounded and no build materials for temporary shelters. The caves are wet and dark.

We are in contact with Tikopians in Honiara who are forming the "Tikopia & Anuta disaster committee" and hope to create a bank account for this purpose. The intention is to buy medicines and provisions and send them with the next vessel that will leave from Honiara bound for Tikopia and Anuta (date yet to be confirmed). Another option discussed is to use the money to charter a helicopter from Vanuatu Helicopters, they can land on the beach and make a first assessment of the situation.

We have now a yacht skipper in Tikopia. Scott Nygen skipper of the yacht SV TENGAH has visited the island and has delivered first supplies. And he has established first communication with the island via starlink.