Notes from the sunflower hut: House for rent - moce & vina'a Benjamin Katz
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From Benjamin Katz in Hawaii:
Available immediately
small one room house, very low utilities!!!
5-30 second walk to the sea depending on the tide and the phase of the moon
roof tends to leak but hey, it’s got character
beautiful maintenance free (may need a bit of water during the dry season) garden including basil, mint, oregano, ginger, turmeric, pumpkin, taro, eggplant, and many flowering plants as well
very friendly neighbors…
Well, I guess this day was always coming. I only wish that I was on the island today to say goodbye in person. To walk down the beach one last time, get on the boat, and close this chapter of my life properly. But I’m not, so those last embraces will have to suffice until fate, or Pacific Sun Airlines, brings me back to our little island. I had every intention of returning in April when I left, but things outside of my control have conspired to prevent that from happening.
It has certainly been an adventure and one that I will never forget. The friendships I’ve made and the lessons I’ve learned fill me with a deep sense of gratitude for having had the opportunity to work on Vorovoro. There is much left to do, but i think that Vorovoro will always be a work in progress and I’m sure that whoever and whatever comes next will bring us all a little closer to where we want to be.
Good luck to all of you and I hope you will stay in touch.
All the best,
Benjamin—-—-—-—-—
From Ben Keene: Vina’a va’alevu ‘Superhero’!
Benjamin’s contribution to Vorovoro and Tribewanted has been excellent over the last year. But there are three main reasons why he will not be able to continue in his role as Sustainability Manager. The first is economic – having an international team on the island is a significant expense, especially now as we have been in Fiji for three years and we need to make sure they all have full-time work visas etc..We have been looking at ways of cutting project costs in the last few months without compromising our goals. The second reason is social – Ben is a well loved member of the Vorovoro community, he just smells… No, its actually much more to do with the fact that we are looking in time to increase the number of local and regional workers and managers in the project, and now is a good opportunity for this with our improved links with the university. Thirdly, and ironically, it is environmental. We need to cut down the number of team members flying long-haul regularly to and from the project. In future I will be looking specifically for team members from within Fiji and/or New Zealand and Australia.
Losing Benjamin will not impact the long-term sustainability plan for Vorovoro. His networking, partnership building and on-island education and practical projects will continue by the current team and whoever comes in next. Benjamin’s legacy is a now full dam on the hillside of Vorovoro that will provide much-needed water for the islands gardens and delivering as sustainable a solution for the project as we have had so far.
Personally I would like to thank Benjamin for his hard work over the last year, his friendship to the Fijian community and members, for his holistic approach towards sustainability as a way of life and not just something we do at certain times, and for his songs on the grog matt. The Duke of the Uke I’m sure will be back, and until then we will miss him. Sota tale tavale and good luck in Hawaii.
Leave your messages for Benjamin below…
Benjamin’s musical legacy: track two, ‘September Sun’ on Vorovoro Sessions
Watch Benjamin in Vorovoro Sessions
Comments
All the best Mr Katz! My personal Vorovoro experience would not have been what it was without you being there during my stay. You did some great work on the project and really set some solid foundations for moving forward towards the sustainable goal.
I’m sure you’ll succeed in whatever you pick up next!
‘Tis a shame you missed the chance for a personal goodbye after forging so many friendships there, maybe you’ll get the chance to see everyone again some time… I hope so.
Sota tale noqu I tau.
x
;)
It is sad for me to add a comment as I was expecting my tallest colleague to return. Some of my funniest memories have been because of you… Santa’s elf springs to mind.
Many people seem pessimistic of the world’s future, but if there were more minds like you… they would not need to fear. You’ve raised the consciousness of many people around you and your impact can be seen all over Vorovoro.
The Mali ladies will be wailing at thought of a tall Hawaiian husband slipping through the net.
Wherever your green path leads you I think you’ll be a massive success… and if you ever release ‘Superhero’ you’ll be a trillionaire.
God speed Bendy Ben.
You played such an important part in my experience on the island, and in Fiji. Thank you, I’m so very grateful to have met you!
I’ve no doubt you will be sorely missed and well remembered on the island, but what excitement lays ahead for you now ;-)
Much love,
Sophie x
Vinaka na cakacaka Ben.
Thanks for bringing the sustainability side of the project to the level its at.
Only met you a few times on the island, but you can see the change because of your input, and also the change in Team Fiji and the things theyve learnt from you. Wananavu.
not being able to close this chapter properly must be hard, but youll be around the tanoa back amongst friends one day.
and im set for the house thanks. and i think mines a little closer to the beach…just hope my boat captain tenants are looking after it!
good luck on your next journey
Sorry we never met Ben, but have been very interested in all you have achieved and your bloggs.
Good luck in your new endeavour
My Super hero,
I am sad you will not be on the islaand when i return, you most definately left a grren affect on me. The way i live now is much more eco-friendly and that is down to you.
You should be very proud of what you have achieved and how many people’s lives you have touched.
You have made an impact on so many people and in the long run the beautiful planet we live on.
I am sorry to here you did not get to have your isa lei so here it is…....
Isa isa vu laga las a dina, nomu laqo…..ok i can’t remember it all, but i am sure we will meet again and i can sing it to you then :)
So scotland is open to all tall hawaian, super hero men :)
Vanaka vakalevu katz for church of katz, your sustainability and you friendly nature…..and so much more.
Good luck and hopefully see you in the near future.
Moce
Love Lisa
xxxx
To my fellow height extremist, bendy ben!
One of my favourite memories is sitting on secret secret beach with you under the crazyily spikey tree playing domino’s and seeing a couple of sharks circling in the shallows…
It’s strange to think you aren’t coming back for now and I’m sure its tough to not have properly said goodbye to everyone but you will be missed here.
Your sustainability forums were always very inspiring and you have not only taught me a lot, but also the tribe, team, the Fijians and H.O.P.E (including Eric a.k.a mr. lover man and Mrs. Robinson!) You should be proud that you have made such an impact on everyone and I know you will go very far green fingers!
I will make sure the herb garden continues to be de-weeded, we will still not buy food tins and I will keep very good care of your shells…you never know. One day they might be stuck into some showers :)
Sota tale superhero x
Oh and I didn’t want to mention the dangerous word but thought it would make you laugh…b l e a c h !
hi ben let us know what you do wont you. and ben can we know how come you arent returning to VV?
Hey Ben. Good luck with everything. Don’t be a stranger and keep us posted with everything
VInaka for all that you’ve given to the island
Sarah
Hey bendy Ben, what a way to go…a shame…no isa lei but it saves all those tears. And you made a huge contribution to Vorovoro, Tribewanted and obviously impacted on many individual lives and you should be very proud of that. There are some huge achievements that you can take credit for and the experience gained in various negotiations has got to come in handy for life! I’ll never forget Superhero, pirate nights, keeping freezing reef divers warm. Your future will be sunshiney and green I am sure. I’m sure I speak for many when I say I hope we cross paths again. Vinaka Ben and see ya later. Julie
Katz
Thanks for the inspiration to be a more thoughtful person about what we take for granted every day. Thanks for listening and understanding my plight about the pigs and their living conditions. Your songs are sung by so many and I have my own little collection of them which I play often when I am driving. Enjoy your life as new experiences come your way. Sota tale xxxxxx
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