Kiniviliame Ravonoloa is quite the entertainer when it comes to social gatherings. It's not because he goes all out to make good, clean fun and put a smile on everyone's face. Instead, his outspoken and straightforward personality puts him in a good position to talk about issues of interest.
And it augers well with his role in the Fiji Locally-Managed Marine Areas Network as the tikina Korolevu-i-Wai representative- joining a group of practitioners in Fiji, working with other like-minded individuals in the Asia-Pacific region and the globe to improve management efforts of marine resources.
The Votua villager from Nadroga joined a team from the National Trust of Fiji on Yadua Island for a two-day climate change adaptation workshop, funded by the Global Environment Facility.
You can tell he's quite passionate about the environment and managing local resources having participated in his own village community programmes on the issue. And it's this passion that has allowed him to visit places around and outside of Fiji.
"Kedra sasalu kawamudu noda kawa ni mataka - levu na sasalu, marau ko nau (The seafood will be of use for our generations in future - there's a lot of seafood, mum will appreciate it) - these are two sayings I find useful when describing the work I do," said the 32-year old father of three.
"It means that if we act now to protect our marine environment, it would be there for our future generation. If we look after our environment properly, mother (nature) will continue to provide for us.
"I've been actively involved in community projects and the success of each project depends largely on its acceptance by the people. It should come from the heart because it's a gift, an opportunity for you to do something to preserve and manage your natural resources.
"Over the past four years, I was given several roles in the area of conservation for FLMMA in the Western Division. It was more about creating awareness on integrated coastal management."
Before joining FLMMA, the former Queen Victoria School scholar joined the Public Service Commission and later the Ministry of Education as an executive clerk until 2000.
He moved onto the hotel and tourism industry at the Warwick Fiji Resort as a night auditor and a diving shop manager during the day at Mike's Dive Shop along the Coral Coast.
"My father, Emosi Buruavatu, is the Tui Davutukia for Korolevu-i-Wai district. Whenever I participate in a forum for FLMMA or conduct community visits, people can tell that I'm the son of a chief because of the way I talk and converse with them," he said.
"It's important to talk straight to people instead of beating around the bush. If you want to save the environment or manage your resources better for a sustainable future then it's best to paint a real picture of what would happen if we don't do anything about it.
"When dealing with this issue, good governance also comes into play. That's what I talked about on Yadua during the climate change adaptation workshop. I spoke on the importance of governance when trying to put into place sustainable practices for a good livelihood.
"Without governance, things will fall apart. You need people to step up to the responsibilities of being a leader and lead the way into a sustainable future."
Kini says the topic of conservation should be a priority because of our dependence and relationship with the land and sea.
His commitment to FLMMA took him to the Philippines to present an update on Fiji's progress managing marine protected areas. Locally, he's been to most islands in the Fiji group, with only 16 islands left on his calendar to visit.
"It was a big experience for me travelling abroad and visiting different places. It allowed me to interact with people and gain valuable knowledge about their work with conservation and preservation," he said.
"My role in all this is to simply serve the people of Fiji. This is what I love doing, serving people, doing what I can to help them understand the importance of keeping our environment for our children."
Kini has maternal ties to Natokalau, Ovalau and is also an active fish warden in his village monitoring taboo areas or marine protected areas from poachers and greedy fishermen.