Convict Tang - Fiji

There are four countries in Oceania: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Tuvalu incorporating the British Union Jack within the design of their own flag. This reflects the widespread historical influence of the British Empire throughout the Pacific region. This influence is spread from Australia to the state of Hawaii and British Columbia.

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Acanthurus triostegus - The manini is also known as the convict tang because of its striped design. Tangs typically sport bright colors and have small downward angled mouths with a single row of teeth, an ideal feature for scraping the algae off coral reefs, their primary habitat. As an algae feeder, the manini provides an important service to the coral reefs by keeping the fast growing algae from smothering the slow growing corals. As juveniles, they tend to travel in medium sized schools, but become solitary as adults.

Balaka Palm - Fiji

Balaka seemanii - The balaka palm, also known as the spear palm, is endemic to Vanua Levu and Taveuni islands. This delicate palm thrives in the understory layers of rainforest settings at elevations of 140 meters and up. The palm grows to a height of about 7 meters; the slender trunk rarely exceeds 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter. Warfare between the various Fijian tribes was common and the trunk of the balaka palm was the primary source used for making spears.

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Fiji consists of two groups of ethnic peoples; the Melanesians and Indo-Fijians; about 54% and 38% respectively. The colonial domination of Fiji by Great Britain culminated in the rapid growth of the sugar cane industry and resulted in a massive labor shortage. The British imported additional laborers to work the plantations from India. The majority of these indentured laborers, also know as “Girmit,” integrated themselves into Fiji at the end of their work contract to become a vital part of Fijian society.