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TABUAERAN (FANNING) ATOLL
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| Introduction to Phase II - the Proposed Empyrean Village Inn Empyrean International Limited, a Canadian corporation affiliated with the Atoll Institute, proposes to develop a 200-unit ecotourism resort, plus a related conference and study center, along the southern end of the Napari Islet on Tabuaeran (Fanning) Atoll, in the Republic of Kiribati. Above are renderings of the conference and study center, and the guest villas, all of which employ an open, thatched roof indigenous design concept. The site layout in the left margin illustrates an organic village configuration centered around a lake which is to be formed from a natural tidal flat clearly visible at a distance in the Phase II aerial photo in the left margin, and the photo captures the entire development site starting from the wharf at the southern tip of Napari Islet facing northward. Conversely, the lagoon beach photo in the left margin faces southward from the southern property line of the Cable Station complex and shows a couple of miles of the idyllic lagoon beach. Also in the left margin are photos of the wharf at the southern tip of Napari Islet, the cut dividing Napari Islet at English Harbour from the southern islet and the village named Bairau, plus high altitude aerial photos of the southern tip of Napari Islet, the wharf at English Harbour cut and Bairau village, plus the latter showing a Norwegian Cruise Lines cruise ship anchored offshore. One can unquestionably see the development potential of this picturesque location nestled between the lagoon and leeward coast.
The Empyrean Village Inn Concept The name "Empyrean" is derived from Greek mythology and refers to a mythical 'firmament or heaven, for the gods, formed of light or fire.' Fittingly, the name "Tabuaeran" means 'heavenly footprint,' and refers to the shape of the atoll islets. Accordingly, the development concept of the Empyrean Village Inn is to combine the best features of the indigenous environment and lifestyle with minimal but generally essential modern technology. The goal is to create an equatorial lifestyle in rhythm with the atoll climate and environment, and thus allow guests to enjoy the pleasures of the sheltered lagoon, natural cycles of sun rise and sunset, the starry nights, and Kiribatese hospitality. An all-inclusive rate structure will free guests from any need to carry money, and each villa is to be served by a Kiribatese maid and guide team who will introduce the guests to the Kiribatese culture. In addition to boating, fishing, diving and water sports, Kiribatese cultural activities will be featured such as traditional feasts, dancing and entertainment. In short, the Empyrean Village Inn concept is to provide a culturally and environmentally rejuvenating lifestyle where guests will experience the atoll lifestyle at its very best - while it remains possible in a truly natural state - and thus enable the guests to take home with them the memories of all of the many indescribable pleasures to be had.
The Conference and Study Center The conference and study center is intended as a central feature of the Empyrean Village Inn, and many of the cultural activities are to take place there. Global climate change and sea level rise were more than mere theories when the development concept was first created in 1981, they were recognized as facts that were being documented in Dr. Martin Vitousek's meteorological research. Therefore, the need for and utility of a world-class conference and study center in Kiribati was clear, and it therefore follows that the goals, programs and agenda of the Atoll Institute are complimentary. There can be no better way of impressing upon the world the importance of preserving atoll peoples and environments than by hosting world leaders, scientists, industrialists, and humanitarians in the quest for solutions in an atoll environment at is very best. Thus, providing the ultimate atoll lifestyle is the goal, and arguably there is no superior place on Earth to do so than on Tabuaeran (Fanning). Accordingly, Empyrean International will encourage the Atoll Institute to exploit the conference and study center in its quest for solutions, and to situate its offices and related facilities next to them.
Development Feasibility Studies Detailed development feasibility studies were commenced in 1980 and completed in 1981 by Empyrean International Limited and the Empyrean International Eleemosynary, which were principally created for these purposes. These studies were undertaken, in part, as academic field research by the chairman and president of the Atoll Institute while he was completing an undergraduate finance degree at The American University in Washington, D.C. The principal product of those studies was a Project Summary that was completed in July 1981 and then presented to the Kiribati government; the cover and table of content of it are presented in the left margin. This was an exhaustive study which examined the economic and logistical feasibility of developing an Empyrean Village Inn at two locations in Kiribati, the preferred location being on Tabuaeran (Fanning) atoll, and the secondary or alternate location being on Kiritimati (Christmas) atoll. However, the selection of one site over the other was not mutually exclusive, as both atolls are both capable and in need of similar facilities. It was recognized from the beginning that a central feature of the development concept must be the financial participation of the Kiribati government through the utilization of development financing that was prospectively available on concessional terms from international development institutions. In this way, the Kiribati government and people can maximize the financial benefits to be realized. Thus, Empyrean International looks forward to working hand in hand with the Kiribati government in order to finally realize, some 25 years later, all of the benefits of this research in the near future. |
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