20 December, 2025, 1:01 am Central - 22°C Rain

Yaqona sessions and kava barrels are breaking families in Fiji – Akauola

Yaqona sessions and kava barrels are breaking families in Fiji – Akauola

By Mansi Chand
14/11/2024
National Director for Marriage Ministries and Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Director Matai Akauola

People who are knocking off from work and going directly to the yaqona session is a concern because it is breaking families, the government has to note this because if families are breaking – it’s the breakdown of the nation as well.

National Director for Marriage Ministries and Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Director Matai Akauola highlighted this during fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan when asked about the status of marriages in Fiji.

He says previously there were small groups but there are several groups drinking yaqona and it's even going down to the schools as well where they raise funds in kava barrels.

Executive Director Hemraj Mangal says sometimes time is invested in the wrong place which leads to no quality time spent by parents with their children and vice versa.

Mangal says they had gone to a restaurant where a couple were only looking at their social media not interacting with each other and we need to bring back the quality family time in our communities.

When asked about the social and moral decay connected to a lot of children on the streets with addiction to drugs, Akauola says it’s like a pandemic, and it’s now visible compared to before.

He further says children are on the streets roaming around at 1am.

He says this is not only the government or the church's problem and the community needs to come up with a strategy to solve this issue.


FEATURE NEWS
Army Commander verbally reprimands Brigadier General Gadai, reaffirms RFMF commitment to democratic processes
The Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai has reaffirmed the RFMF’s historic decision during the Decem...
5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Recruits reminded of the importance of accountability and urged to wear their uniforms with pride
Minister for Policing, Ioane Naivalurua reminded the Batch 68 recruits during their passout today of the importance of accountability, urging ...
7 hours ago

Jittu Estate set to host Vuvale Fun Day to empower community and youth
Jittu Estate will come alive tomorrow during Vuvale Fun Day, a community event hosted by Inspire Pacific which is designed to unite families and ...
7 hours ago

Govt doesn't interfere in electricity pricing decisions - PM
Following the announcement in the increase in electricity tariff rates from January 1st, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has stressed that while ...
7 hours ago

New e-ticketing system complies with legal receipt requirements - LTA
The new e-ticketing system fully complies with all legal requirements for issuing fare payment receipts, which are now provided electronically and ...
8 hours ago

$8.8M bridge upgrade to improve accessibility for Taveuni
Accessibility for the people of Taveuni is expected to improve as work on four key bridges worth a total of $8.8 million has begun.While ...
9 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States has expressed serious concern about human trafficking indicators linked to the Grace Road Group in Fiji, as highlighted in the 2025 ...
1 day ago

Human trafficking allegations and issues relating to Grace Road Group
Human trafficking allegations and concerns linked to the Grace Road Group/+ARTICLE-311061+ARTICLE/PM says Govt cannot interfere into any human ...
2 days ago

Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
8 days ago

TOP