Harrison left Fijians with memories, music
A couple of years ago, George Harrison and his lovely wife, Olivia, visited Lomalagi Resort on Vanua Levu, in Fiji. After a couple of days they asked if they could visit the nearby Fijian village.
The visit was arranged, with much excitement and anticipation by the villagers. When we arrived, they had a big area set up, with mats and cushions for all of us. Tea was served. Then the men put on a Fijian "meke" -- a beautifully choreographed war dance.
Following that performance, the "Lomalagi Band Boys" got out their guitars and a ukulele and began to play. George immediately jumped up and joined the band.
He played a couple of Beatles songs, then joined with the boys, playing along with them.
First he took the ukulele and began to play. After a couple of Fijian songs, he borrowed one of the guitars and played more Beatles songs, to wild cheering and applause. The concert lasted more than an hour.
The musicians' guitars and ukulele were very old and pretty beat up. About six weeks after Harrison's visit, a huge box arrived, containing three guitars, a ukulele, small percussion instruments for the band and for the school children, and lots of extra guitar and ukulele strings. A few days later, two more packages arrived, each containing a dozen Beatles cassettes.
George Harrison will be missed by all but his legacy lives on -- in the beautiful Fiji islands.
Collin McKenny
Owner, Lomalagi Resort
Vanua Levu, Fiji
http://starbulletin.com/2001/12/07/editorial/letters.html
