Kauluri

Kauluri is a coastal village located on the western side of Viti Levu, the largest island of Fiji. It lies within the Nadroga-Navosa Province and is approximately 15 kilometres southeast of the provincial capital, Lautoka. The settlement is positioned along the south‑west coastline, overlooking the open waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The history of Kauluri is closely tied to the broader development of the Nadroga region. The area was first settled by indigenous iTaukei Fijians during the pre‑European era, who established small agricultural communities centred around yam and taro cultivation. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Kauluri became connected to the economic expansion of Fiji’s sugar industry, with many villagers engaging in labour on nearby sugar estates or working as traders and transporters. The village’s proximity to Lautoka, Fiji’s primary port and industrial hub, helped facilitate the export of sugar and other agricultural products, thereby integrating Kauluri into the national economy.

Today, Kauluri remains predominantly a rural community, though its residents are increasingly engaged in mixed farming and small‑scale commerce. The local economy relies on coconut, palm produce, and a modest fishing sector that supplies both local consumption and neighbouring markets. The community also participates in regional tourism; the picturesque shoreline and traditional Fijian cultural practices attract visitors seeking a quiet, authentic experience of Fiji’s island life.

Demographically, Kauluri is representative of the province’s ethnic composition, with a majority of iTaukei Fijians and a minority of Indo‑Fijian families. Traditional communal land ownership structures continue to govern land use, while modern governmental services such as primary education, healthcare, and road access have progressively been extended to the village. Kauluri’s residents maintain a strong sense of cultural identity, celebrating communal Fijian ceremonies, rugby competitions, and festivals that reflect the island’s multicultural heritage.