Shine A Light: Have You Seen Peniana Vadei?

It’s been 10 days since Peniana Masuciri Vadei had mysteriously disappeared in the popular Maui Bay along the Coral Coast in Sigatoka.

Ms Vadei, fondly known as ‘Pe’ within her family, had spent the Constitution Day holiday last Wednesday (07/09/2022) on a picnic trip with her mother, Taina Rokobuli, her 17-year-old brother, and his friend in Maui Bay.

She had gone missing on the same day and was last seen wearing navy- blue short pants and a black vest.

Pe’s disappearance is a mystery to locals living along the coral coast. It’s the first time such a reported incident has happened in Maui Bay.

Ever since the construction of the pier in 2004, Maui Bay remains an ideal stopover for those travelling on the Queens Road. Maui Bay, according to locals, have only recently become a popular picnic spot after the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions.

It is understood Police are still conducting their investigations into Pe’s disappearance. The investigation is headed by the Sigatoka Police.

So far, two fishermen, who had last seen Pe gone for a swim, and some of those who were present in Maui Bay, were questioned by family members and Police.

They had positively identified Pe’s clothes. It is also understood that Police had deployed divers on Monday and Tuesday to comb the waters from Maui Bay to Vatulele Island.

Jale Fatai, Taina Rokobuli, Wilisoni Victor in Maui Bay on September 14, 2022. Photo: Ivamere Nataro

“Pe wanted to lie down, so she laid on my lap, and I hugged her through- out the trip, the kind of hug that showed a mother’s love. I’m starting to realise it was probably the last motherly gesture I would show my daughter,” Ms Rokobuli said.

“She was also asking me if she could take a walk along the reefs. My daughter is someone who loves to walk and sightsee. But she returns home.”

Despite the lack of evidence surrounding her daughter’s whereabouts, Ms Rokobuli is hopeful that she will find her daughter.

But she is ready to accept whatever her daughter’s fate is.

Ms Rokobuli still travels to Maui Bay to find answers to her questions and some sense of closure.

YOUTH MEMBER

Fredrick Peter Quaihoi only came to know Pe when she joined their youth group – First Love – last year. Mr Quaihoi was also Pe’s senior at Jai Narayan College. He recalled that Pe was a kind and respectful girl.

“I only came to know when she started attending our youth group. She was an intelligent girl, helpful and was an active member of our

youth group.”

“Our youth group still prays for her that wherever she is, she finds peace.”

Feedback: ivamere.nataro@fijisun.com.fj