Laucala
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Laucala
| native_name =
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| settlement_type = Island
| pushpin_map = Fiji
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| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Fiji
| coordinates = {{coord|16|45|00|S|179|41|00|W|region:FJ_type:isle|display=inline,title}}
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| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Fiji
| subdivision_type1 = Island group
| subdivision_name1 = Northern Lau Islands
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| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 10
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| population_density_km2 = auto
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Laucala (pronounced {{IPA|fj|lauˈðala|}}) is one of a triplet of small islands that lie to the east of Thurston Point on the island of Taveuni in Fiji. The privately owned islands are the site of the Laucala Resort.
The total land area of the main island is {{convert|12|km2|abbr=on}}. It is {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}} long with a maximum width of {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}}, narrowing to {{convert|1.5|km|abbr=on}} in some places. The other two islands in the group are Qamea several hundred metres to the west and Matagi.
History
The island was first settled by the Qaraniyaku people, led by their founder Buatavatava Naulumatua. He established Nauluvatu village.{{Cite journal |last=Sayes |first=Shelley Ann |date=1984 |title=Changing paths of the land: Early political hierarchies in Cakaudrove, Fiji |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00223348408572477 |journal=The Journal of Pacific History |language=en |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=3–20 |doi=10.1080/00223348408572477 |issn=0022-3344|url-access=subscription }}
= Sphere of influence =
Many islands and villages in the northern Lau islands were under political control or influence by Laucala: the villages of Vutuna, Daliconi and Mavana on Vanua Balavu, and the islands of Naitauba, Namalata, Yacata, Qelelevu and Cikobia.
Later, the islanders of Vuna (village in Taveuni) took over in the Lau islands, replacing Laucala power in theses islands.
= Migration =
= Sale to Dietrich Mateschitz =
In 2003 the late Dietrich Mateschitz, head of the Red Bull energy drink company, bought the island from Forbes's heirs for £7 million.{{Cite web|url=http://www.epubbud.com/read.php?g=B486GPP3&p=1|title=Travel Adventures - Fiji|author=Booth, Thomas H.|date=Oct 26, 2011|publisher=Hunter Publishing, Inc.|accessdate=21 December 2014}}
The resort now includes 25 bures, each unique from one another with differing themes.{{Cite web|url=http://www.designboom.com/architecture/red-bull-co-founder-dietrich-mateschitzs-laucala-island-resort-10-12-2013/|title=red bull co-founder dietrich mateschitz's laucala island resort|date=Oct 26, 2011}} The projected cost per night ranges from US$7,000 to $36,000.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Vanua Levu}}
{{Islands of Fiji}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Private islands of Fiji
Category:Forbes family residences
{{Fiji-geo-stub}}