Grace Road Halts Yasawas Resort

Grace Road Group will not continue its resort development on Champagne beach in Yasawa-i-rara amidst claims its workers were threatened by landowners.

Group president Daniel Kim made the comment yesterday and said construction workers on the site were physically abused by landowners over the past three years.

He said he saw no reason to settle an outstanding debt of $299, 223 to landowners for a lease on the site.

When first approached about the progress of development on Champagne beach, Mr Kim said work on the construction of the resort was suspended because of coronavirus.

But when asked over the unpaid premium, Mr Kim said trouble developed when some landowners wanted Grace Road Group off the island.

“Why should we pay? They broke the law first. They threatened with a knife. Why should I pay them? Why should I give money to someone who threatened me before that, for someone who doesn’t want to develop, who doesn’t want to move forward?”

He said a barge carrying items for development on the island was met with knife-wielding landowners.

“They punched our people,” he said.

“They pushed our people.

“We are the victims.”

Grace Road Group president Daniel Kim.

When Mr Tuiteci replaced his brother as clan leader, he expressed his displeasure with Grace Road Group’s development in Yasawa-i-rara.

He said landowners of the respective mataqali continued to approach him for premiums they claimed were not paid.

“I did not agree with their business model,” he said.

“While we welcome foreign investors, we felt there were sinister intentions linked to Grace Road for their international reputation.

“The island is small, but the development Grace Road had in mind would have limited the islanders and other investors access to certain areas on Champagne beach.

“There was also concern over the environmental footprint.”

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