“I look up to the mountains, does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” Psalm 121: 1-2
Adi Veti Bernadette Qeleinamena Vukalokalo is a young woman grounded in the Word of God. One of two lawyers recently admitted to the Bar in the Supreme Court of Samoa, when asked to be interviewed about her achievements, she leads with a Psalm.
“This has been my verse all throughout my journey…” says the 27 year old USP Law Graduate.
Asked about where she is from in Fiji, Ms Adi responds as a true Pacific Islander, covering all her roots..
“Dromuninuku, Naweni, Cakaudrove and Vanualevun while I also share maternal links to Bukuya, Magodro, and Ba..”
Ms Vukalokalo was always destined to lead. She was a prefect at the Holy Trinity Anglican School and Deputy Head Girl at the Adi Cakobau all-girls School. It is also no surprise that she was Miss Connect Fiji and Runner-Up in the Suva Hibiscus Festival as Miss Fiji, in 2016.
Adi Vukalokalo graduated with an LLB from USP in 2019 and attained her PDLP (Professional Diploma in Legal Practice) to be admitted to the Fiji Bar in 2020.
A year later, she is working as a Law Clerk with the Legislative Drafting Division of the Attorney General’s Office.
Adi is persuing her first years of work experience in Samoa while living with her Mom’s younger brother – a former Fiji Rugby International, Wame Lewaravu – who is married to Samoa’s Director of Human Rights Institute, Loukinikini Vili-Lewaravu.
Ms Vukalokalo is the daughter of Adi Mereisi Lewaravu Ramasima, a Primary School Teacher teaching at Assemblies of God, Fiji. Her maternal side is a family of lawyers..
Her late Great Grandfather Mr. Ratu Jeremaia Lewaravu was a Fiji Magistrate. Her mother’s younger brother, Mr. Ratu Jeremaia Naerecoko Lewaravu is currently a Magistrate at the Fiji Lands & Agricultural Tribunal and her aunt Ms. Vika Durutalo owns her own private firm, ‘Durutalo Lawyers’.
Ms Vukalokalo’s father, Luke Ramasima is a Warrant Officer in the Royal Fiji Military Force (RFMF) with close to 32 years of service including several peacekeeping duties in Iraq, Lebanon & Sinai, and most recently to provide relief during the bush fires in Australia.
With inspirational examples surrounding her and her siblings, Ms Vukalokalo’s younger brother, Sailosi Vulilawa Vukalokalo is currently in Fiji’s U20 Rugby Squad, while studying a bachelors degree in Land Management at USP.
Adi was raised by her maternal grandparents, both teachers by profession.
“My maternal grandmother Mrs. Kinisimere Lewaravu is a retired FNU English language lecturer while the Late Mr. Peceli Lewaravu was a retired school teacher, who worked at the Fijian Teachers Union until he passed away..
“Being brought up by my maternal grandparents, it was indeed humble beginnings and they were very strict about education and most importantly, serving the Almighty God..
“Respecting your elders, being humble and working hard were always the key values that they taught me..
“My dear parents also played a major role in shaping my future. The influence of both my parents’ careers taught me discipline, teamwork, patience and a heart to help and assist people..
“My parents paid for all my tuition in Law School in USP Fiji and Vanuatu and also when I did my PDLP – I was private student all throughout my studies and for that, I owe everything back to them and I will always cherish them”, shares the young lawyer.
I was a very curious child growing up and very adventurous. It was that curiosity that gave me the interest of studying law. I love my family and friends who have become my family in Fiji and here in Samoa.
Ms Vukalokalo says she loves the culture and traditions as well as the people, food and climate of Samoa.
“Working here has the BEST experience I have ever had…
“I give all the Honour & the Glory to the Lord Almighty for this opportunity and blessings for my admission..”
Ms Vukalokalo acknowledged the Office of the Attorney General of Samoa for the opportunity to develop her career.
“I thank my parents, the Lewaravu and Vukalokalo family and relatives in Fiji and Samoa for their prayers, blessings and support. Not forgetting my Drafting Team and OAG Staff and my Church Friends at Potter House for their continuous prayers and support..
“Vinaka Vakalevu and May God continue to bless us all”.
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