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{{Infobox settlement
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| name                    = Laucala
| native_name             =
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| settlement_type         = Island
| pushpin_map             = Fiji
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| pushpin_map_alt         =
| pushpin_map_caption     = Location in Fiji
| coordinates             = {{coord|16|45|00|S|179|41|00|W|region:FJ_type:isle|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint           =
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| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = [[Fiji]]
| subdivision_type1       = Island group
| subdivision_name1       = Northern [[Lau Islands]]
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| unit_pref               = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
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| area_total_km2          = 10
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| population_density_km2  = auto
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}}
'''Laucala''' (pronounced {{IPA-fj|lauˈðala|}}) is one of a triplet of small islands that lie to the east of Thurston Point on the island of [[Taveuni]] in [[Fiji]]. The privately owned islands are the site of the Laucala Resort.
The total land area of the main island is {{convert|12|km2|abbr=on}}. It is {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}} long with a maximum width of {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}}, narrowing to {{convert|1.5|km|abbr=on}} in some places. The other two islands in the group are [[Qamea]] several hundred metres to the west and [[Matagi Island|Matagi]].
== History ==
The island was first settled by the Qaraniyaku people, led by their founder Buatavatava Naulumatua. He established Nauluvatu village.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Sayes |first=Shelley Ann |date=1984 |title=Changing paths of the land: Early political hierarchies in Cakaudrove, Fiji |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00223348408572477 |journal=The Journal of Pacific History |language=en |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=3–20 |doi=10.1080/00223348408572477 |issn=0022-3344}}</ref>
=== Sphere of influence ===
Many islands and villages in the northern Lau islands were under political control or influence by Laucala: the villages of Vutuna, Daliconi and Mavana on [[Vanua Balavu]], and the islands of [[Naitaba|Naitauba]], [[Namalata]], Yacata, [[Qelelevu]] and [[Cikobia-i-Lau|Cikobia]].<ref name=":0" />
Later, the islanders of Vuna (village in [[Taveuni]]) took over in the Lau islands, replacing Laucala power in theses islands.<ref name=":0" />
=== Migration ===
In 1865, the island of [[Naitaba|Naitauba]] was sold to Europeans by the Tui Cakau and its inhabitants moved to Laucala. Later, the people of Laucala were displaced to the neighbouring island of [[Qamea]].<ref name=":0" />
===World War II===
During [[World War II]] the [[US Navy]] built a [[Lauthala Bay Seaplane Base]] at Nadi as part of [[Naval Base Fiji]]. Based at Lauthala Bay Seaplane Base was the [[VP-91]] unit with [[Consolidated PBY Catalina]] seaplanes.<ref>[https://pacificwrecks.com/airfields/fiji/lauthala_bay/index.html Lauthala Bay Seaplane Base]''pacificwrecks.com''</ref>
=== Sale to Dietrich Mateschitz ===
In 2003 the late [[Dietrich Mateschitz]], head of the [[Red Bull]] energy drink company, bought the island from [[Forbes]]'s heirs for  £7 million.<ref name="Booth, T">{{Cite web|url=http://www.epubbud.com/read.php?g=B486GPP3&p=1|title=Travel Adventures - Fiji|author=Booth, Thomas H.|date=Oct 26, 2011|publisher=Hunter Publishing, Inc.|accessdate=21 December 2014}}</ref>
The resort now includes 25 [[Bure (Fiji)|bures]], each unique from one another with differing themes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.designboom.com/architecture/red-bull-co-founder-dietrich-mateschitzs-laucala-island-resort-10-12-2013/|title=red bull co-founder dietrich mateschitz's laucala island resort|date=Oct 26, 2011}}</ref> The projected cost per night ranges from US$7,000 to $36,000.
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Vanua Levu}}
{{Islands of Fiji}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Islands of Fiji]]
[[Category:Vanua Levu]]
[[Category:Cakaudrove Province]]
[[Category:Private islands of Fiji]]
[[Category:Forbes family residences]]
[[Category:Dietrich Mateschitz]]
{{Fiji-geo-stub}}