THE gentle sound of waves along Muri Beach in Rarotonga may be far from the lively streets of Raiwaqa in Suva, but for Israel Jacob Anthony Whippy, every step of his journey carries the heartbeat of home.
At 38, the Suva-born hospitality professional has carved out a name for himself abroad, serving as restaurant manager at the Muri Beach Club Hotel in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
His role reflects not only years of hard work, but a childhood shaped by resilience and perseverance.
A childhood rich in love and values
Born in Raiwaqa, Suva, and raised mostly by his grandparents, Israel’s early life was rooted in strong family ties.
His grandfather was from Rokovuaka in Ra, while his grandmother hailed from Tailevu, Bau – a woman he describes as his greatest influence.
“I am very fortunate to be brought up in a loving household where my grandmother was my greatest influence. She accepted my sexuality growing up and always encouraged me to be myself.
She worked in the hospitality industry in the 60s and she instilled proper English etiquettes and mannerisms to me and my cousins.
“But hospitality has always been imbedded in our culture, and we were always taught to be hospitable.
For Israel, childhood adventures were always simple and fun. It included playing superheroes with bedsheet capes, playing pani, catching fish in the drains and the popular police and robber game.
“Most of the children on my street were around my age and back than we didn’t have mobile phones or internet.
“We would climb the mango trees for mangoes; we did art and craft and played contact sport. We often walked to Suva point for a swim or to gather clams – there was always an adventure growing up.
Those experiences, he said, taught him the value of community.
His family’s home in Raiwaqa was modest but always full – cousins and extended family often filled the space with laughter, music and shared meals.
Weekend kava sessions, classic Fijian and English songs and family storytelling were constant features of his upbringing.
“Growing up was tough as we didn’t have much. My grandfather was the sole breadwinner,” he said.
“But whatever we lacked materially was made up by the richness of family, friends and memories. Everything was shared – food, clothes, even sleeping space.
A taste of hospitality
Israel was first introduced to hospitality during his final year of high school when his aunty, Charlene Ali, then a senior accountant at Bad Dog Café, offered him a holiday job.
“I quickly jumped at the idea because I wanted to make my own money,” he said.
“It was getting hard asking my grandparents and parents for money as the family grew.
Starting as a steward, he worked diligently and rose through the ranks to become a supervisor, spending almost a decade with the café.
He later pursued formal qualifications through the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) and is currently working towards completing a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management at the University of the South Pacific.
The hospitality path, however, had been quietly forming for years, inspired by another influential figure – his aunty Ida Whippy, a former duty manager at Holiday Inn.
“After school, I would go to the hotel with my school projects for her to type,” he said.
“I would sit in the lobby and watch the staff from food and beverage to housekeeping moving around the hotel. The hotel was like a family, and they even greeted me like I was one of their children.
“Watching my aunt Ida lead a team inspired me. I told myself one day I would be like her.”
Representing Fiji abroad
Today, Israel is living that dream in Rarotonga, where he manages the restaurant at Muri Beach Club Hotel.
The role has allowed him to lead a diverse team and showcase Fijian hospitality on an international stage.
“I’m so proud represent Fiji in a foreign country, especially in a management role,” he said.
“It speaks volume that the hotel employs many Fijians. Our hospitality is genuine — it’s not taught, it’s engraved in our personality and culture.”
His experience in Fiji included helping restaurant owners establish fine dining venues and bars — from recruiting staff and designing restaurant layouts to menu development, marketing and staff training.
At Muri Beach Club Hotel, Israel has been given creative freedom to ‘shape the restaurant’s identity’.
“Every pot plant, napkin fold and wine on the menu was personally selected by me,” he said.
“I motivate my team by creating an enjoyable and respectful environment were staff have confidence to be open with me whether they are having a bad day or need help in enhancing the guest experience.
“My typical day starts with giving thanks to God in prayer, answering emails then doing a bit of stretching.”
Life away from home
Despite his success, living abroad he says comes with sacrifices.
Being away from family and Fijian food remains the biggest challenge for Israel.
“That one person who motivates me the most is my mother. A good morning text from her and the reminder that she loves me is the most cherished thing I never take for granted.
“I am currently staying in a hostel, so I help with cleaning at the hostel. I also do my checklist for the week provided by the hostel manager.”
Israel has lived in Rarotonga for two years and when he’s not busy running the restaurant, he is either thrift shopping or drinking nu or coconuts by the beach after a swim.
Israel Whippy is the restaurant manager at Muri Beach Club Hotel in Rarotonga.
Picture: SUPPLIED
Israel has spent two years in Rarotonga. Picture: SUPPLIED
Israel with his siblings. Picture: SUPPLIED
With his grandmother, Violet Hazelman. Picture: SUPPLIED
The one person who motivates Israel is his mum. Picture: SUPPLIED
With his work family. Picture: SUPPLIED
