Raffe Hotels & Resorts has initiated the Malolo Lailai Community Trust, aimed at empowering and supporting local communities in the region. As the parent company of Plantation Island Resort, Lomani Island Resort & Spa, and Fiji Gateway Hotel, Raffe Hotels & Resorts emphasizes a commitment to the cultural values and traditions of Fiji.
The new trust, named after the island of Malolo Lailai in the Mamanuca Islands, will provide opportunities for community members to apply for funding through a structured application and grant system. This funding will focus on five key areas: education, health, environmental care, emergency relief, and community wellbeing. The trust’s mission is designed to deliver targeted support where it is most needed, enhancing resilience and fostering community-led partnerships.
Lee Pearce, CEO of Raffe Hotels & Resorts, noted that guests often express a desire to give back to the communities that enrich their experience in Fiji. He stated that their enthusiasm inspired the establishment of the trust, which aims to formalize and sustain the generosity shown by guests and staff in previous initiatives, such as donating school supplies and assisting during weather-related disasters.
To facilitate guest involvement, Raffe Hotels & Resorts invites visitors at all three of its properties to make a small, voluntary donation—ranging from $1 to $10 per stay—towards the trust. The resorts will match these contributions dollar-for-dollar, effectively doubling the impact of each guest’s donation. This pooled funding will be allocated through a transparent grant system, with updates provided to guests on how their contributions are utilized.
While this is the first formal structure for charitable support at Raffe Hotels & Resorts, the company has a history of initiatives focused on education, environmental restoration, health, and empowerment, primarily coordinated by the team at Plantation Island Resort. Pearce emphasized that prior projects have already positively impacted many lives, and the trust will enhance these efforts, ensuring that local community needs remain central to all decisions.
The group is actively encouraging community leaders to apply for funding to support projects that resonate with the trust’s five core pillars in 2026. Projects may include solar power installations for schools, infrastructure improvements, disaster recovery initiatives, or health and wellbeing programs.
This new chapter in community partnership reflects Raffe Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to not only uplifting local communities but also ensuring guests feel connected to a cause that contributes meaningfully to the health, education, and wellbeing of those who call Fiji home. Through collective efforts, the trust aims to sustain this support for generations to come, fostering a deeper connection between guests and the communities they visit.