25/09/2026
MIKAELE COLAUDOLU — A FINAL JOURNEY HOME
From Waiyevo to Korovou, Bouma — A Son Returned to His Vanua
The journey home began with tears.
From CWM Hospital in Suva, Mikaele Colaudolu was carried north, across the waters and back to the island that had always remained part of his story — Taveuni.
His journey brought him through Waiyevo Hospital, where family gathered outside the closed morgue doors, waiting through the pain and silence for the moment they would finally take Mikaele home.
Then came the journey to Korovou, Bouma.
As Mikaele returned to his hometown for the last time, the beauty of Taveuni surrounded the journey — the green mountains, the coastline, the villages and the familiar roads of home.
But beyond the scenery was something deeper.
Mikaele was returning to his people.
Korovou received him through the vakasobu, a traditional expression of welcome, recognition and kinship. The presentation of i yau and reguregu carried the weight of relationships, obligations and respect between families and the vanua.
It was more than receiving a coffin.
It was receiving one of their own home.
Family, relatives and the community stood together through tears, prayers and traditional protocol. The vanua gathered around Mikaele, acknowledging the life he had lived, the relationships he had built and the place he held among his people.
For ten years, Mikaele had worked at the Novotel Hotel in Samoa, building friendships and relationships far from home. Even there, his connection to people remained strong. His former boss and his wife travelled from New Zealand, standing beside Mikaele’s coffin and offering their farewell and blessings in Māori — a deeply personal tribute from those who had shared part of his journey in Samoa.
Then came the final day.
The church in Korovou filled to capacity.
Family, relatives, friends and members of the community gathered for Holy Communion, prayer, hymns and farewell. The choir continued to sing, turning the church into a place where grief and worship met.
There were emotional eulogies.
Mummy, Ramona Suapale, shared a deeply personal farewell. Mikaele’s older brother, Kusitino Mudunaivalu, also delivered an emotional eulogy, remembering his brother and the life they shared.
When the service ended, the family carried Mikaele’s coffin through the village.
Step by step.
Past the people.
Past the places he knew.
Through the land that knew his name.
Until finally, they reached the burial site.
And there, the journey that had begun in Suva finally came to its earthly resting place.
A SON OF KOROVOU HAS COME HOME.
His journey may have ended, but the love of his family, the strength of his veiwekani and the memories he leaves behind will continue.
For Christians, the grave is not the final word.
Through the tears of farewell comes the promise of resurrection — the hope that death is not the end, and that one day those who believe will meet again.
Mikaele has come home.
Home to Korovou.
Home to his vanua.
Home to his people.
And now, into the loving hands of God.
Moce mada, Mikaele.
May you rest in peace until that glorious morning when we meet again. 🕊️✝️
Alabaster Investments Media
Capturing the journey. Preserving the memories. Honouring the people.
