between the Rabi Council of Leaders and the Kiribati government. Economy and culture Gilbertese is the main language of daily communication on Rabi Island. The islanders have held fast to many Banaban customs. Development on Rabi is limited; only two manual telephone lines are in operation, and only a few generators electrify the island. Notable Rabi Islanders David Christopher, who served in the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006, was the first Rabi Islander to hold national office in Fiji. John Tabakitoa Teaiwa was the first Banaban (Rabi Islander) to graduate from university, gaining a bachelor's degree in Agriculture at the University of Hawai'i. He served as Permanent Secretary in the Fiji Ministries of Agriculture; and Housing, Urban Development and Environment from 1989 to 1996. He was Chairman of the Rabi Council of Leaders from 1996 to 2001 and after the 2000 coup was temporarily appointed a Minister in the Qarasea government. Tebuke Rotan and Rotan Tito were important Banaban leaders and church ministers who challenged the British Phosphate Commissioners and British Government on the terms of phosphate mining on Banaba, and the destruction of the island. Nei Makin Corrie Tekenimatang was a school teacher and the first Banaban (Rabi Islander) woman to be elected to the Rabi Council of Leaders. She was the co-editor with Jennifer Shennan of "One and a Half Pacific Islands: Stories the Banaban people tell of themselves" which marked the 60th anniversary of the Banaban landing on Rabi Island Jacob Iakoba Karutake was the chairman of the Rabi Council from 2001 to 2006. He is the first Banaban appointed Certified Justice of Peace. Was part of the Qarase government in 2006 in the multi-ethnic ministry which was later removed in the 2006 coup. He is now a senior administration officer in the Prime Ministers office, where he coordinated multiple school and village projects for the northern and Rotuman groups and is also a well known Government official in the North. References External links Complete article of Nzgeo on the Banabans of Rabi Banaba a semi-official resource on both Banaba and Rabi, including geographical and historical information, as well as news. Jane Resture has an informative Banaba site, including Rabi. Islands of Fiji Vanua Levu Autonomous regions Banaba Cakaudrove Province