No money, no electricity, no public boat service but a strong sense of community -these are just some of the features of one of the world’s most remote islands, as revealed in a fascinating documentary.
YouTuber Luke Korns, 27, set out on a quest to visit Utupua, which is one of the most far-flung outcrops in the Santa Cruz Island chain, and it can only be reached by private boat.
In a video titled ‘I visited the island that capitalism never reached’, Luke is seen starting his journey by flying into the capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara.
From there, he took a smaller plane to the island of Nendo, where he met with a man called John Mark who was originally born in Utupua and eager to get back.
YouTuber Luke Korns set out on a quest to visit Utupua, which is one of the most far-flung outcrops in the Santa Cruz Island chain and it can only be reached by private boat
As there is no public boat service to Utupua, getting there can be expensive, but in the end, Luke clubbed together with a local man to get there
Luke received a warm welcome on Utupua and the islanders celebrated his visit
As there is no public boat service to Utupua, getting there can be expensive, but in the end, Luke and John Mark club together to hire a small motorized vessel to do the journey.
John Mark explains that he ended up in the village of Lata in Nendo with his family for work and he has been there for four years.
However, he reveals to Luke that life was much simpler and more enjoyable on Utupua where no money is needed.
He says: ‘No [I’m] not really happy here in Lata. As soon as you arrive here, you have to use money. That becomes a frustration to me.’
Luke and John Mark manage to convince a local man to let them rent a boat from him.
They made sure to load the boat with plenty of gasoline as there is nowhere to get fuel from on Utupua.
Before they set off, Luke tells viewers: ‘We had to make sure the weather was absolutely perfect that day because even in perfect weather, you never really know what can happen.’
John Mark also adds that the journey is ‘quite dangerous, but we have to risk our lives now.’
By nightfall and after a day of travel, the duo eventually reach the shores of Utupua.
Footage shows islanders coming to greet them, with torches lit to help guide their way.
Utupua is home to around 1,000 residents and there are five villages
Luke says because the island receives little support from outside, the islanders often refer to their homeland as ‘the forgotten island’
After getting out of the boat, Luke had to seek permission from the head chiefs and explain the purpose of his visit to gain access.
Utupua is home to around 1,000 residents, according to a 2019 census, and there are five villages.
Luke – who initially ventured to a community with about 200 people living there – explained that his purpose was to document a place that ‘not a lot of Americans talk about,’ as a travel-focused filmmaker.
Despite not feeling confident about his speech, the chiefs granted him access and he was allowed to stay the night.
The avid traveler continues by narrating: ‘The next morning I think I felt as confused as everyone else.
‘It’s always hard to know how to break the ice in these types of circumstances but I’ve learned that you kind of just have to go for it.’
Luke discovered that all of the villagers got dressed up because there was a religious celebration to honor the new bishop.
His visit was also a cause for celebration.
After a spot of singing and enthusiastic dancing, John Mark gave Luke a tour of his village.
Luke discovered that all of the villagers had got dressed up because there was a religious celebration to honor the new bishop and his visit was also celebrated
Luke initially ventured to a community with about 200 people living there. He then went to visit all of the other villages and received a warm welcome each time
Th locals say they would like more support from the government so they can upgrade their healthcare and educational facilities
The YouTuber found that there was no electricity apart from solar powered lights and he learned ‘within the community, money really isn’t used here at all.’
John Mark explains that instead of money, all of the households invite other members of the village in to eat and ‘that’s the beauty of our community… it’s all about sharing.’
The villagers also help each other to build shelters using natural resources. The next day, John Mark took Luke to another village on the coast.
In the YouTube video, the locals can be seen excitedly bounding down to the beach to greet them wearing traditional tribal dress. From there, Luke ticked off all of the other villages on the island.
From talking to the locals he discovered that while they are happy being at one with nature, they would like more support from the government so they can upgrade their healthcare and educational facilities.
Luke says because the island receives little support from outside, the islanders often refer to their homeland as ‘the forgotten island.’
One man Luke meets, shows him how a book with a map of the region names all of the other islands, except for Utupua.
In a bid to improve peoples’ lives on Utupua, John Mark reveals that he has decided to run for the position of ‘chief communication officer’ for the island.
He says: ‘The system is there but sometimes some of the system is not addressing our issues, that’s what I’m working on. I have to look after the people of Utupua and the voice of the people this this is where I will stay and forever.’
Finishing on a poignant note detailing why life on Utupua is so special, John Mark concludes: ‘The meaning of life is a sense of unity. People are walking together, living together in peace, living with nature and the environment.
‘We eat with our hands, we swim in the sea looking after each other the meaning of life is all about sharing.
‘Sharing what you have with the most needy people in the village and with the family members and with everyone… one big family here… it’s very beautiful.’
