Nayau | |
|---|---|
Island | |
  Nayau Location in Fiji | |
| Coordinates: 17°59′S 179°3′W / 17.983°S 179.050°W | |
| Country | Fiji |
| Island group | Northern Lau Islands |
Nayau is an island in Fiji, a member of the Lau archipelago. It was the ancestral island of the Vuanirewa Clan, who were later exiled to the nearby island of Lakeba.[citation needed]
There are three villages located on the island: Salia, Narociva and Liku.[1]
Charles Wilkes visited the island in 1840.[1] In 1979 Hurricane Meli struck the island, causing severe damage to two villages and leading to the deaths of several people.[1]
As of 2009 the island has around 400 persons.[1]
The main export of the island is copra, derived from coconut trees.[1]
The island is ringed by shallow reefs. Its coastal shores are thought to have been formed by storm-wave depositions.[1]
It is located at 17°58'39"S 179°3'13"W, northwest of Lakeba.[citation needed]