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Vanua Levu - History

Savusavu has for many years been called Fiji's Hidden Paradise. In the mid 1800's, European settlers began to arrive in great numbers. Savusavu was one of the first coastlines settled following Levuka. Earlier than that, the whalers had a Station in Savusavu and the Sandalwood Sailing Trading Vessels often called for rest, fresh water, or to gain information about trading.

Today, Savusavu Township has a population of only 2700 people who are some of the friendliest people on this earth and are a colourful mix of Fijian, Indian, Chinese, European and part European's.

Savusavu was originally established as a center for sailing ships plying the coastline for sandalwood and beche-de-mer (sea cucumber). It later became the centre of the cotton industry. It is now the major coconut producing area of Fiji. The demise of the sandalwood trade occurred through a massacre involving the crew of the ship "Hunter", an East Indiaman under captain Robson that reached Wailea in February 1813, and the Wailea chief Vunisa who demanded help in his wars before he would allow the crew ashore.

Robson finally gave in and assisted Vunisa's warriors in a successful raid up the Dreketi river. Four months later and with a ship still less than half full of sandalwood, Robson swore revenge. This resulted in the death of many Vunisa's warriors and Robson's crew who then suffered the unenviable fate of being cannibalised. That was the end of the sandalwood trade and it was not until five months later the new ships arrived in search of beche-de-mer.