Diving Instructor Turns To Salt Making

What do you do when business is slow in light of the COVID-19 restrictions?

Ask coral farmer and diving instructor Jone Waitaiti who has turned to making salt which he hopes will see some returns in future.

Creativity has always been on Mr Waitaiti’s mind and being innovative, he says, is second to that.

Because his diving classes has been on hold until further notice, he turned to other ideas.

Mr Waitaiti always wanted to make salt but he never really thought deeply about flavours until he discovered some organic flavours in his garden.

“I want to make salt in different flavours and colours as possible with all organic exotic flavours,” he said.

Mr Waitaiti collects seawater just beyond the reef.

Currently, he’s made lemongrass and turmeric salt, and planning to make a ginger, kaffir, lime, garlic salt and rose salt with real rose.

“I am using firewood instead of gas.,” he said.

“I’m cooking salt beside the ocean because it gives a nice aroma and its easy for me to get saltwater during high tide.

“I believe high tide brings the cleanest water from the deep and it is filled with nutrients,” Waitaiti said.

BBQ salt rub

Mr Waitaiti said he could also make salt rubs for BBQ  for different types of meat.

“I have a passion fruit tree in my garden so I will make passion fruit salt. Just like creating new tastes, I love to cook.”

He said some villages were running out of salt during the lockdown.

Mr Waitaiti said Taveuni has one of the greatest waterfronts in Fiji and also one of the most beautiful pristine reefs in the world, as tourists from all over the world come to dive in the beautiful reef.

Hence, he is taking advantage of that.

Mr Waitaiti lives in Viani Bay, Ucunivatu, Vanua Levu.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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