Hiking at Kayasan Mountain Top at Itoshima, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

 Kayasan Mountain is one of the National Park in Itoshima City  within the Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.

It is one of the many National  Parkes in Fukuoka Prefecture. Many people like to go for hiking at Kayasan. As you go through the pathway either up or down, you would see wild animals, birds, insects and the beautiful flowers and trees of various species that are so beautiful and attractive which decorates the park. This unexplainable experience  is so welcoming and fascinating.

Climbing up the mountain is a challenge so as coming down which you might need a walking stick to aid you hiking but when you reach the top, its amazing views will definitely make you forget about everything and the first think you want is a photo shoot of either the view or  pose for a photo to have the that view as your background.  Your mind will be refreshed with the fascinating views on both sides of the mountain top coupled with the fresh breeze from the sides of the mountain.

You will have the luxury of options to pose for photos at all directions to have which side of the city to be your background. The view at the apex is unbelievable and really breath taking. The view would make you feel like never wanting to go back from where you came from and its not a joke.

Its worth hiking by yourself then hearing stories from other people including this article. It is recommended you visit this place if you are planning for trips to visit places for pleasure. Its worth trying than never.

Below pictures are some of the photos taken by Kysuhu International Students who took their time off from studies to spend their weekend at Kayasan Mountain (October 6,2020).

Hikers at Kayasan Apex

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Pacific Islands Students from Kyushu University Congratulating Fellow PhD Graduating Student - Agape Papali'i from Samoa

 Friends who becomes family

Faafetai tele lava, thank you so much, Vinaka Vakalevu & Tanq tru for bringing the Island spirit to today’s Graduation!! Got me ... missing home so bad!!

I was okay until I saw you guys coming up . Made my graduation so so special today and unforgettable one. Appreciate you all,

Umm see you guys tomorrow for our cleaning session !

PC: Margie Takala, September 2020

Facebook post by:

Agape Feuna'i PapaLi'i

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Should the Apex of Mountain Hagen(Mountain Mul) be one of the Tourist Attractive Destinations in Papua New Guinea?

Do you think that the Apex(top) of Mountain Hagen Range is one of the greatest potential Tourist Attractive Destinations in Papua New Guinea? If your response to this critical question is NO, it  is not a tourist attractive destination amongst other places in Papua New Guinea(PNG)  or  YES it is a potential tourists attractive destinations in PNG amongst others then you are correct at either of your response as the way you see it with your own opinion. There are no correct or wrong answers to the question asked here. But you think about it. Give your mind some reasoning and you should come up with some interesting ideas around it.

There may be  literatures or descriptions about  fascinating events, cultures and places within and around Mount Hagen city. Some people write about the beautiful Mount Hagen Main Market known for the varieties of food. Others write about cultures and the famous  Mount Hagen Cultural Show which is hosted  almost every year. Others interestingly explains the formation of the Mountain Hagen (Mul) Range and extinct volcano and its resulting fertile land of Wahgi Valley by National geologists in the likes of Koiti Mel  et al. Others describe how beautiful the apex of Mount Hagen Range. 

The online Wikipedia  on the other hand gives some factual statistics about Mount Hagen of which many Western Highlanders boast about and take pride in their God given land and home. 

Amongst other lists of interesting tourist attracting destinations or significant events in Western Highlands Province, below are the current tourist attracting destinations but not limited to others.

• The Famous Mount Hagen Cultural Show.
• Baiyer Zoo
• Mount Rondon Ridge
• Variety of fruits and vegetables at Mount Hagen Main Market.
• Various Hotels

These tourist destinations are either promoted by Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority or by individuals who provide online information in these regards  or by any other means. Based on such information, tourists decide when and where to visit. 

Amongst the current tourist destinations within Western Highlands Province mentioned above, there is this beautiful Mountain Hagen Range Apex locally known as Mul Kui is one of the best and most attractive tourist destinations in Western Highlands Province which is least realised and least promoted at certain levels. What makes you think that this is possible or otherwise?

To clear some doubts, there were few international tourists  especially missionaries who have visited the top of Mountain Hagen Range. In the case of local tourists, those tribes (Nenga, Mele, Munjuka, Kumdi, Komka, Kutump, ) living at the foot of Mount Hagen (Mul) Range and those nearby tribes visit the apex of mountain range almost every year on fine whether conditions and on school holidays as most school kids love to visit the top of Mul Kui.

What really fascinates them is to reach the apex(top) of Mountain Hagen (Mul) Range. Not only that, but also there are various reasons of which the obvious  objective amongst others is to see the two mysterious lakes at the top of the mountain range. The locals who have been there describe the reactions of both lakes when people visit. Other locals wish to visit but they never visit and it has been on their wish list to visit the two lakes.

( Clear Lake at apex of Mt.Hagen RangePhoto courtesy: Manuel Jacob Nui -)

People who have visited the place or those who are told by ancestors about the two lakes do know the common myths of the two lakes. There are few behavioural descriptions about two lakes at the top of the Mountain Range.There could be many descriptive articles  in this regard but what was fascinating to the author of this article was this particular facebook post by Alfred Kik  based on Manuel Jacob Nui's photo of one of the lakes and it is quoted here: 'There are two big lakes found at the peak of Mt Hagen (‎3,778 m (12,395 ft)). In Melpa language, the one in this photo is called Num Pombra (means 'dark lake') while the other is known as Num Kundul (‘red/light lake'). There is an interesting myth about the lakes. The dark lake is always 'friendly'. Its perfect blue-sky reflection in crystal clear water and the welcoming surface waves with snow-like bubbles will make you feel like staying there forever. The red lake with its gloomy appearance always scares people and/or increases limnophobia. People are discouraged to get close to the lake or they shall never return.'

The author of this article never seen the lakes but it is on the wish list to visit this place one day and hope some of the viewers of this article who also dream of visiting the lakes too and experience the beauty.

Almost every year, most locals live around the area make plans in group and visit the apex of the Mountain Hagen Range. There are very interesting stories you can tell if you ever visited this place. Some of the obvious reasons are for sightseeing purposes which include but not limited to:

• The Fantastic sightseeing on the lookout at the apex where you have a clear view of Western Highlands Province , Jiwaka Province and off course Wapenamanda at the background. It is really a breathtaking view and off course a stress relieving view many would agree.
• The interesting evidence  of the springs that forms the headwaters of Famous Baiyer River/Lai and Wahgi River. 
• Enjoy the comfort of short lawns and relax at the top taking rest or having lunch while enjoying the view with sounds of colorful birds singing and enjoying the morning dews on unique  and ever blooming varieties  of flowers that a naturally grown around many smaller lakes at the apex. The ever blooming flowers are welcoming and will make you think that you are in a blessed area and wish for permanent residence but the cool mountain breeze will make you feel cold and shivering that will chase you away.
• The wonderful experience and witnessing or proofing  the myths of  the two mysterious lakes at the apex of Mount Hagen (range).

These are the reasons many people are so much interested to visit the top of the mountain range and the interest keep building and expanding for the people who have already been there and those who are planning to be there too. This clearly shows that, this place has a very high potential of attracting both local and international tourists. It looks feasible to develop this place and promote this place to attract tourists and this place will be one of those fascinating tourist destinations in Papua New Guinea just like Mount Wilhelm, Mount Giluwe, Mount Tavuvur etc..

Finally, do you agree that the Apex of Mount Hagen (Mul) Range will be a fantastic tourist destination in the Future for both Nationals and Internationals?  Leave you comments here.....

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Bukapena Landowners Protest on Compensation Payment

The Legitimate Landowners of Bukapena Government Station in Mul District of Western Highlands Province have protested and call the Department of Lands and Physical Planning to put on hold to the process of gazetted compensation payment.

The protest began upon the publication of the gazetted payment for Bukapena Government Station. The landowners representative, Mr.Jacob Hon call on the Department of Lands and Physical Planning to do a proper investigation prior to payment processing. There was no proper valuation done and no landowner consultation.

If the payment is to be made for Bukapena Station then it has to be made through the Nenga Andakel Clan and no any other clan,tribe or individual.

The aggressive landowners have blocked the Bukapena Primary School gate and the Health Center and District office were interrupted by the disgruntled Nenga Andakel Clan who are the legitimate landowners of the Bukapena Government Town. They said if the payment is made to other people who have claimed it then all the Government station is mostly likely be affected.
 

News Article on Post Courier Dated March 28,2018

Disgruntled Landowners of Bukapena Goverment Station, The Nenga Andakel Clan members

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BUKAPENA GOVERNMENT STATION (TOWNSHIP) IN MUL DISTRICT OF WESTERN HIGHLANDS PROVINCE.

 Bukapena Government Station is wholly surrounded by a clan well known amongst other clans/tribes in the Western Highlands called Nenga Andakel. The neighbouring clans are: Nenga Rulgump Clan, Nenga Andakomon Clan, Nenga Kumdimp Clan ,Mele Kememp Clan who are the immediate neighbouring clans for Nenga Andakel. However, the neighbouring Nenga clans including the Mele Tribe do not have any land rights or possess any interest in Bukapena Government Station. Thus, the Bukapena Government Station is situated well within the heart of Nenga Andakel Clan.

The Bukapena Village alone hosts six (6) Government Services and the legitimate landowners are the Nenga Andakel. There was no ILG ever been registered in the name of Bukapena within the Lands Department and if any ILG lodged then it is without proper landowner consultation and no proper land investigation is done.

The only six (6) government services established during colonial era are:

• ·         Bukapena Community School (Currently Known as Bukapena Primary School).
• ·         Mul District Headquarter & Mul LLG Council Chamber
• ·         Bukapena Health Centre
• ·         Bukapena Rural Police Station
• ·         Bukapena DPI
• ·         Bukapena Council Market.

 These Basic Government services serve almost all the people of Mul-Baiyer and part of Hagen Central District of Western Highlands Province and they become integral part of the better living standards of the rural population.

It is also known that during the colonial era, my forefathers were smart enough to bring all the vital  government services to my village without fair market value of land during compulsory customary land acquisition. Only the Nenga Andakel Clan sacrificed their customary land to allow for government services to be constructed and they are the legitimate landowners ever since and they will be for unending generations. If any claims or compensations are to be paid to Bukapena Government Station then it has to be paid to the Nenga Andakel Clan and not any other clan, tribes or individual.

On behalf of the Nenga Andakel Clan members and leaders, Mr.Jacob Hon Derk who is the Former Councillor and Clan Leader expressed the Nenga Andakel Clan’s grievances to the Department of Lands and Physical Planning on Post Courier dated 28^th March 2018.  This issue arose upon a published gazetted compensation payment for the Bukapena Station which was claimed by unknown clan, tribe or individual in the Mul District of Western Highlands Province.

Mr.Hon strongly objected and boldly requested Department of Lands and Physical Planning to stop the payment process of the gazetted land compensation payment for Portions 9,409,391,254 and 1256c or whatever latest updated portion numbers of Bukapena and further request the Department of Lands & Physical Planning to further investigate on the ground the legitimate landowners of Bukapena to avoid entertaining the so called paper landowners of unknown creatures in Port Moresby.

Mr.Hon said that, Failure to stop the payment process will result in legal action(s) against these claims and he is off the view that further disturbances to the Government Services will be minimised at this level if payment process is stopped and allow proper land investigation to proceed thereon.

Mr.Hon said copies of written objections were lodged with the Department of Lands and Physical Planning via the Acting Secretary’s Office the objection was registered for deliberation.

Estimated Clan Boundaries of Nenga Oiyamp

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