Suva to farewell music legend
Tuesday September 04, 2007

Fiji musicians and the city of Suva will farewell the late Sakiusa Bulicokocoko in a memorial service befitting a legend at Suva's Ratu Sukuna Park today.

Local musician Seru Serevi said a 14-member entourage including Bulicokocoko's band, Kapana Group of Tonga, accompanied his body from Hawaii this morning.

Musicians Mick Beddoes, Dan Costello and Gilman Lasaisuva awaited the arrival of the entourage at Nadi International Airport this morning and performed the welcoming ceremony of 'ai vakasobu'.

A police escort will lead the group to Sukuna Park in central Suva for the lunch hour memorial service.

Serevi said that Bulicokocoko's body will lie in public at Sukuna Park for family, friends and music lovers to pay their last respect.

The group will be hosted by the Deputy Mayor of Suva Ratu Isoa Gavidi who will also deliver a speech.

Pastor Kabu of the Seventh Day Adventist Church will conduct the church service while a number of speakers including Communications Fiji Limited boss William Parkinson, South Pacific Recordinig's Ravindra Patel, Procera Music's Mohammed Akief, acting CEO for Radio Fiji, musicians Tom Mawi, Ken Jansen and Rupeni Serevi have been invited to deliver eulogies.

Local musicians have also been practising to perform at least four songs at the service.

The entourage will leave in the afternoon for Bulicokoco's village in Nakorolevu, Namara for his funeral at 10am tomorrow.