No money, no electricity, no public boat service, but a strong sense of community – these are just some of the characteristics of one of the world’s most remote islands, as revealed in a fascinating documentary.
YouTuber Luke Korns embark on a quest to visit Utupua, one of the most remote outcrops in the Santa Cruz Island chain, accessible only 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 a man named John Mark, originally born in Utupua and eager to return.
YouTuber Luke Korns embarked on a quest to visit Utupua, which is one of the most remote outcrops in the Santa Cruz Island chain and can only be reached by private boat
As there is no public boat service to Utupua, getting there can be expensive, but eventually Luke teamed up 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 team up to hire a small motorized vessel to make the trip.
John Mark explains that he ended up in Lata village in Nendo with his family to work and he has been there for four years.
But he reveals to Luke that life was much simpler and more comfortable on Utupua, where money is not needed.
He says: ‘No (I am) not really happy here in Lata. As soon as you get here, you need money. Thate becomes a frustration for 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 petrol 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.’
At nightfall and after a day’s travel, the duo eventually reach the shores of Utupua.
Footage shows islanders coming to greet them, with torches lit to guide their way.
Utupua is home to about 1,000 residents and there are five villages
Luke says that because the island doesn’t receive much outside support, the islanders often refer to their homeland as ‘the forgotten island’
After disembarking from the boat, Luke had to seek permission from the Chiefs and explain the purpose of his visit to gain entry.
Utupua is home to about 1,000 residents according to a 2019 census, and there are five villages.
Luke – who initially ventured into a community with around 200 people living there – explained that his aim was to document a place that ‘not many Americans talk about’ as a travel-focused filmmaker.
Despite not feeling confident about his speech, the chiefs granted him entry and he was allowed to stay the night.
The keen traveler goes on to say: ‘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 just have to go for it.’
Luke discovered that all the villagers were dressing up because there was a religious celebration to honor the new bishop.
His visit was also an occasion for celebration.
After a spot of singing and enthusiastic dancing, John Mark gave Luke a tour of his village.
Luke discovered that all the villagers had dressed up because there was a religious festival 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 the other villages and received a warm welcome each time
The locals say they want more support from the government to upgrade their health and education facilities
The YouTuber found that there was no electricity except for solar-powered lights, and he learned “within the community, money really isn’t spent here at all.”
John Mark explains that instead of money, all households invite other members of the village to eat, and “that’s the beauty of our community… it’s about sharing.”
The villagers also help each other to build shelters using natural resources. The next day John took Mark Luke to another village on the coast.
In the YouTube video, locals can be seen excitedly walking down to the beach to greet them wearing traditional tribal attire. From there, Luke ticked off all the other villages on the island.
After speaking with the local people, he discovered that although they are happy to be at one with nature, they would like more support from the government to upgrade their health and education facilities.
Luke says that because the island does not receive much outside support, the islanders often refer to their homeland as ‘the forgotten island’.
A man Luke meets shows him how a book with a map of the region names all the other islands except Utupua.
In an effort to improve the lives of the people of Utupua, John Mark reveals that he has decided to run for the position of ‘Chief Communications Officer’ for the island.
He says: ‘Tthe system is there, but sometimes some of the system doesn’t solve our problems, that’s what I’m working on. I have to look after the people of Utupua and the voice of the people, this is where I will stay and forever.’
Ending on a poignant note describing why life at Utupua is so special, John Mark concludes: ‘The meaning of life is a sense of unity. People go together, live together in peace, live with nature and the environment.
‘We eat with our hands, we swim in the sea and look after each other, the meaning of life is about sharing.
‘To share 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.’