RIP Leavi Api (aka Crimestopper), poster boy for a happy life
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I woke this morning to find a note from Ulai to Jimmy and I explaining that Tui Mlai had called him to say that Leavi, known to many of us as ‘Crimestopper’ had passed away peacefully last night at home in Vuo village with his family at his side.
This is a shock. Not because Leavi was getting older (somewhere between 60 and 70?!) and more regularly sick but because for those of us lucky enough to meet this man would find hard to believe that he could be without life, without bula.
I know many of you who will read this news today will find a rush of feelings – of shock, sadness, but very soon of happiness. For Leavi was happiness.
The Host
Leavi was one of the first people I met on Vorovoro in 2006. He immediately made an impression on me – overtly warm in his handshake, smile, bright eyes and bula – you could feel his good energy instantly. Like the others around him – Tui Mali, Epeli, Poasa, Francis, Anna, Va – you really did feel like you had ‘come home’ when you first arrived on an island that couldn’t have looked less like home for us.
The Gardener
Leavi sang to his trees, plants, vegetables, and flowers. He read them the Bible. He caressed them. The love he would show us, he showed them. The gardens blossomed. I remember being in the gardens with James Strawbridge and Leavi. James turned to me and said, ‘Is this Buddha?’ such was Leavi’s overwhelming sense of peace.
The Law Enforcer
There was a rumour spreading around the island of a ‘frog bomber’ – someone deliberately putting frogs inside the girls mossie nets at night. The self-appointed ‘Crimestopper’ immediately called for a court case. He ‘arrested’ the three suspects including me and led us using the ‘fire alarm’ as a siren through the village, our hands tied with bananana leaf hand-cuffs. No one found this more amusing than Leavi who had somewhere found a pair of glittery hand-cuff earings to wear – he looked like he was taking part in a tropical Mardi Gras. He was the only law enforcement Vorovoro ever had or needed.
The Healer
If you were sick, tired, angry, or needed first aid – Leavi would be there. using local medicine, he and Pupu Epeli would apply to great effect. More often than not he would simply heal a situation with his love. A hug, shared tears, or laughter and things would be fixed. There was no problem that couldn’t be sorted by this fisherman and farmer.
The all-night Musician
The kava matt gatherings were always better when Leavi was there. When we recorded the Vorovoro Sessions Leavi led the way with Tevita, extending each song for at least another chorus with his incredible repetoire of animal noises, you could hear his voice going but two, three, four hours later he would still be there – ukele in hand strumming away, slowed by nothing except another ‘malau bus’ (large coocnut shell) of grog. The best times on Vorovoro were Kava times with Leavi.
The Great Entertainer
When I found out Leavi would be one of the four-man team coming to to the UK in 2009 to represent Vorovoro and Fiji Tourism, I knew we were in for a treat. Even on arrival his stories of what had happened on their one night stop in Korea had everyone crying with laughter. Leavi was doing great impressions of the angry Korean chefs in the hotel they stayed in when ‘Team Fiji’ went back to the buffet over and over and over again. Later that night he told of how he ended up taking the hotel lift to the top floor by mistake and had to knock on someone’s door in his pocket sulu and persuade them to show him how to find his room. Another friend made when most of us would have caused offence.
The Fijian Peter Pan
Perhaps Leavi never really grew up as he grew old and his body grew tired. His infectious giggle as he threw himself in the sea at the end of an Isa Lei waving with all his might at those departing the island would leave most of us crying with laughter and sadness, as we do today. Age did not weary Crimestopper!
It’s perhaps too early to decide how we can honour this great man. Perhaps we can start by sharing our stories of him online and then gathering them for his family.
As Ulai said today, Vina’a va’alevu Api sara na lasa va’a na vei ’o’ani – thanks Api for the fun and company.
Life was better with Leavi. For me he represents how the world should be. He was the best wingman anyone could ask for. Rest as you lived tavale, in Peace.
Comments
Very sad news!
I had the pleasure of working with Leavi for 4 months. He was one of the most kindest, friendliest and cheekiest person i have ever met. I’ll never forget how he played guitar upside down, and was an AMAZING singer. so many meke’s and Goat Song’s.
I loved touring around the gardens with him and Amy as he told us about all the different plants.
I feel so lucky to have met Leavi, and will never forget him.
Isa Lei Api aka Crimestopper.
A big part of the Tribewanted: Vorovoro community, who will be greatly missed…
Such sad news to hear. Leavi was a huge part of the amazing adventure I had on vorovoro.
The songs he played for us, and the songs he taught me will remain as great memories that I will have for my entire life.
He told me how to get a wife in Fiji (catch a fish and bring it home for dinner) and taught by example how to live a carefree & happy life. He will be missed, and never forgotten.
Moce & Vinaka vaka levu Leaving
This news has rocked my world, and makes me think again of life itself and how Leavi lived every day with a smile on his face. This brought a different perspective to a young man from the bubble in Surrey.
I was another of the frog bombers and had one of my favourite evenings when the crimestopper was loving all the attention. I also got to meet his family and have dinner with them, a fantastic bunch and I will always think of them.
You will be missed, but you have taught many people the most important thing there is to know. ENJOY it….
RIP my friend. I will never forget your smile, our morning of gardening, singing Sa Bera with you, and our pint in London. God bless you my man.
Add your photos here, using the title Leavi RIP http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=leavi%20rip
Such sad news. Leavi was a wonderful man, so full of peace and love and he taught so many so much! I’ll never forget him. Early mornings after helping in the garden, he would happily sit down to help me perfect a few phrases, with such patience and then delight the next morning when I would great him with them, even when I got it wrong! I was also lucky enough to be amongst the tribe that visited Leavi’s family home to lend a hand on his farm and enjoy their hospitality. He was a proud man with good reason, but so humble with it. Very knowledgable and happy to share it, so funny with wicked timing, and what a voice… the man brought tears to my eyes with his songs.
Everyone please enjoy their memories of this amazing person.
My thoughts are with the communities that will miss him… I’ll raise a bilo tonight.
I will always remember the late night grog sessions with the stories and the singing and also listening to the rugby on the radio. you will never be forgotten
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful man. Thank you for sharing this, Ben. Leavi’s gentle spirit has left an imprint on so many, and will live on in them. May comfort and peace be with those he has left behind.
I can’t believe this sad news. So many memories, planting pinapples, spending time at his farm, the famous frog bombing trials, singing, laughing. Such a delightfully happy man who had the wonderful gift of making everyone feel happy.
My thoughts are with his family and community. Rest in peace Leavi with a song in your heart and smile on your lips…x
I want to add that we have spoken to Tui Mali, and the community is trying to put the money together to purchase a casket for Leavi. We just sent some $$ via Western Union to Tui Mali to give to his family, but I know they still need more. If you would like to help as well, you can send it to us via Paypal and then we can collect it and send it over via another Western Union transfer. Our address to use for Paypal is jenny.cahill75@gmail.com. Please send me a note as well letting me know. Vinaka!
Api was the only man I could think of to visit first when Ben and I had our first visit to Vorovoro for our first Sevusevu.In the end, the project became a part of him. Sa sia, sa donu Amai Seini. Gole ena va’acegu.
Shocked, sad, but very privilidged to have met the man and shared his wonderful company. I have much to be grateful for from my Vorovoro experience. Thank you Ben and all the islanders. Jay
Can’t believe it; I thought that man would go on forever. Loved our time in the garden, loved hearing your advice. Goodbye, my friend.
Devastating news…Leavi was delightful, a true human, and I agree, an inspiration. Listening to the Vorovoro Sessions (Dua Tale) as I type, full of emotion and wishing I could express my sadness to his family for their loss.
I tried to add pics to Woody’s flickr account but couldn’t – here are my Leavi pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/68684599@N02/
Vinaka vakalevu to everyone for the donations we’ve received so far. We’ve collected $820 FJD so far to send over on Monday – it will be a huge help to Leavi’s family and I know they will be so grateful.
Thanks, Ben, for your lovely tribute to a great man. Crimestopper was off the island with illness when we arrived, and we were eager to meet the legend about whom we had heard so much. Eventually he returned and it all made sense. He lived life in the best way, with grace and humour. RIP Crimestopper! Hugh + Zeenat
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