Kanacea

Kanacea (pronounced [kanaˈðea]) is an enclaved sovereign island country in Fiji's Lau archipelago. It has a total land area of 13 square kilometers and it has a maximum elevation of 269 meters (Mount Beddiroque). Kanacea is 15 kilometers west of Vanua Balavu Island, 278 kilometers south west of Suva, 600 kilometers south east of Tonga and 340 kilometers of Wallis and Futuna. Due its remoteness and private ownership status, Kanacea has developed a distinct biodiversity of marine life over the seven coral reefs that circle the island. Kanacea's capital city is Port Nayabu and its most populous city is Minerva.

Togan period
The sovereignty over Vanua Balavu and the adjacent islands (included Kanacea) was given, probably about the year 1848 or 1850, to Tongan King Ma’afu by Tui Kilakila, the Tui Cakau of that day, of whose province the Lau Islands had up to that time formed part.

In 1862, Ma’afu returned to Tonga leaving Viainiqolo, one of his lieutenants, to represent his interests in Fiji during his absence. This person became embroiled in a dispute with Tui Cakau and upon his invading to Taveuni was shot dead on the beach at Wairiki by Tui Cakau's son.

Tui Cakau, alarmed at the results which might possibly ensue after Ma’afu's return and instigated by white men, large areas of land started to be sold to European planters by him either as retribution because they were the land of “rebels” who sided with the Tongans or simply for western goods and wealth.

First sales
When Tongan King Ma’afu’s men declared war on Tui Cakau over this act in the 1860s, the people of Kanacea Island were among those that did not support Tui Cakau. This gesture of defiance infuriated Tui Cakau, so he had the people of Kanacea banished and their island sold off. The whole island was sold to Charles Rebman on the 19th of August 1863 who later resold half of it on 10th of July 1865 to Leonard Boehm.

At first, the Kanacean people were moved to Somosomo as slaves to await the cannibal pot of the Tui Cakau. While awaiting their fate, they were subjected to extreme punishment and hardship. Fortunately for them, the Tui Vuna, a close ally of Tui Cakau, asked that he be allowed to take the people of Kanacea to Vuna.

Vuna settlement
Tui Vuna gave them a piece of land where they could live and plant, and which they called it Kanacea as well. At first, they were not readily welcomed in Vuna as it seemed to the Vuna locals that their space was being invaded. The Vuna people were forced to settle further south due to land alienation. Nevertheless, intermarriages took place and new relationships were forged.

Due to this fact, much of the history of Kanacea before the 18th century has been lost forever. Many of the oral stories have been lost in time and there are only vague memories.

Regal power
Kanacea is a federal republic with a parliamentary democracy. Thomas I is the Chief Executive and the head of state of Kanacea, holder of Regal Power. The Chief Executive can exercise sovereign powers, such as reviewing and making appointments of ministers, ambassadors and other key public officials, advice the Prime Minister and sign treaties with other micro and macronations. The Advisory Committee of the Chief Executive helps him to administer his functions into the legislative, judicial, executive and security matters.

Legislative power
The National Assembly of Kanacea holds legislative power and consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives is democratically elected. A general election must be called no later than four years after the previous election, using a direct election vote system where people elect one representative per constituencies and two senators per province and territory.

Senate of Kanacea
The Senate of Kanacea is the upper house of the Assembly. It consists of eight members, two for each of the provinces and the federal territory.