Katanning locals start GoFundMe for family of Moni Karakaua lost to sea at Salmon Holes in Albany on Anzac Day

A Fijian family has been left heartbroken seven months into starting their new life in the Great Southern after losing their much-loved husband and father to the sea on Anzac Day. Moni Karakaua came to the Great Southern in January 2020, leaving his family behind on Rabi Island in Fiji to work at WAMMCO with hopes to build a new life for them in Katanning. After years apart, Monitake was reunited with his wife Tonga, daughter Sarah, 9, and son Arima, 7, in July last year. Less than a year later, their lives would be ripped apart. On April 25, the 29-year-old was fishing with family and friends when he slipped on a rock and fell into the ocean at Salmon Holes, a popular but notoriously dangerous fishing spot off the coast of Albany. After his life jacket failed to inflate, a fellow fisherman jumped to the rescue while Tonga and their three friends threw buoys, but the strong current had pushed him out too far. Police arrived at the scene about 30 minutes later, marking the start of a multi-day search by sea and air, which ended on April 29. Tonga described her husband of 10 years as a caring, supportive and sociable person who was a dedicated Christian and regularly attended Katanning Foursquare Church. Through tears, she said the incident has devastated so many. “I witnessed everything there, I was on the rock when he slipped, it was really rough, windy and cloudy,” she said. “We were just going for a picnic and to catch fish with the family. “It was our first time there and the sea, it’s unpredictable, the current is too strong. “Since he’s gone, it’s really hurt, devastating, I’m depressed, it’s really heartbreaking.” Tonga expressed her appreciation to the Albany Fijian Church who provided housing, food and water for herself and children during the four-day search for Monitake. Close friend Sharon Muir is also hoping to help the young family, who have lost their sole breadwinner, return to Fiji. She has started a GoFundMe page, which has so far raised $4093 of its $10,000 target. Another family friend, Robyn D’Aprile, who became like a mother to Monitake after his move to the town, said the accident was a shock as Moni “was no stranger to the sea” often spear fishing and taking safety precautions like wearing a life jacket and fishing in a group. Ms D’Aprile said his disappearance has left an “emptiness”. “You couldn’t get a nicer person, he touched so many lives,” she said. “He was just a hard worker, genuine, beautiful and happy person. “When it happened, so many people were just cut up, it was like this emptiness, this void.” With his single WAMMCO pay-check, Monitake was financially supporting his wife and children, as well as his mother and three brothers and their families in Fiji who lost their jobs during the height of the COVID pandemic. Ms D’Aprile said Monitake was living off $20 a week but kept positive through his faith. “He loved to talk, and his main topic of conversation was God because that was his centre,” Ms D’Aprile said. “Sharing the word of God, that’s Moni’s passion, and encouraging his friends and workmates, even our own family,” Tonga said. Tonga said she was touched by the community’s support. “I’m so touched in the way they treat us, especially our church members,” she said. “We are so blessed to have this Katanning community. “We are so grateful that God touches their hearts.” The GoFundMe is available here.

Katanning locals start GoFundMe for family of Moni Karakaua lost to sea at Salmon Holes in Albany on Anzac Day

Everyday Digital

$8 per week

Everyday Digital & Weekend Papers

$10 per week