LAST week, we looked at the myths and legends in Wainiyabia, a village of the yavusa Toluga, mataqali Nakauraki in the province of Serua.
This week, we will close the chapter with developments in the village, home to 38 families whose main source of income is employment at the nearby hotels and resorts or farming the land for cash crops.
What's interesting to note are the developments taking place in the village today - most completed solely through hard work and commitment from members of their community.
I mentioned last week the koromakawa, Nubuniikadamu, hidden in between lush mangroves past an informal settlement opposite the river from where Wainiyabia sits.
Matanivanua Aloesio Setariki Rawalui shared a bit more information about the move from Nubuniikadamu to their present location.
"Our ancestors were at the koromakawa and moved down to Wainiikabula. The old village was close to the river so this was their main food source," he said.
"A couple of years passed and the villagers heard splashing from the sea down river. So they moved further down near the seaside. The area was filled with sago trees and it was a very swampy area.
"They settled there and named their new settlement Wainiyabia where we live today."
Turaga ni koro Romulo Banuve stood leaning against the wooden railings at his home - opposite the green village hall.
He spoke about developments over the years including the construction of a new village footpath, the mataqali dispensary, a jetty, a church for Methodists, Catholics and Christians, a newly completed kindergarten and a new village hall worth more than $80,000.
"The kindergarten cost $28,000 and it was funded by the mataqali Nakauraki. There was no outside help from government. We used to receive assistance where government contributed a certain percentage and the community also contributed," he said.
"This time, we fundraised for the kindy and the village hall on our own. We even contracted our local men for labour. It would also be used as an evacuation centre during times of natural disaster.
"On Boxing Day, we normally celebrate Wainiyabia Day. This is a time when the village is divided into three groups - each group would work together to reach their soli target.
"The groups are Qio (shark), Tovuto (whale) and Kalia (Bumphead Wrasse). During the celebrations, we organise entertainment and activities for the day. Each group would then give in their soli.
"The money always goes back to the village and we use our own people for the work."
Ro Banuve said certain days of the week would be set aside for the construction of the village hall. Whoever is free on that day doesn't need to be told to help out at the building site which was once an ordinary playground for the children and hot spot for village functions.
"We are actually proud of the fact that we self-funded these buildings. It goes to show what can be achieved if the whole village shares a common goal," he said.
It certainly proves their independence and reliance on togetherness rather than being spoon-fed through government and donor assistance.
Ro Banuve says they are working with Aquatrek on a shark feeding project that enables money to flow back into the village for more future developments.
A partly built changing bure near the wooden jetty is a sign of great things to come. Tourism plans to boost natural attractions nearby are slowly taking shape.
"We hope to build the bure nicely so that tourists can use this to change when they visit the Wainiyabia waterfalls or the sea for a swim," says local guide Joseph Nayacalevu.
"We've got a jetty but it needs to be upgraded. At the Wainiyabia waterfalls, we hope to set up changing rooms there for the tourists and a propertrack for them to follow to the waterfalls. Those are our plans for the future."
From the jetty up a small hump to the main road, the sight of unspoiled beachfront and pristine waters added to the blessings bestowed on Wainiyabia.
As you enter the driveway close to the bridge, a gravesite almost immediately beckons your attention.
"That's where members of the chiefly family are buried. It's reserved especially for them - but there's another gravesite up ahead for our loved ones," Joseph said.
As we walked back to our vehicle after the tour of the village, we stopped in front of a blue and white church building. It was neither Methodist nor Catholic - two dominant religions in the village.
"When Methodists in our community have their Sunday service, they use the church. After they're done, the Catholics also use it for their mass," Joseph says.
"It's been that way for years and there's no conflict. If the Catholics have special masses, they use the church likewise with the Methodists.
"Even though the denominations are different, they believe in one God under the same roof."
Times have certainly changed for the people of Wainiyabia. They've grown as a community and paved the way for communal success through hard work, determination and sacrifice.