Fiji Singer George Veikoso Dies at 55, How did Fiji Die?

George “Fiji” Veikoso, the soulful voice behind island reggae and a beloved figure across the Pacific, has died at the age of 55. It’s just heartbreaking, you know — someone who brought so much joy with his music is gone now, and it feels like a light dimmed across the islands.

The Shock Hits Home — What We Know So Far

People close to Fiji said he passed away peacefully in Fiji on July 23, surrounded by family. You can feel the emotion — radio stations across Hawaii and Fiji played his songs back‑to‑back, and his fans lit candles in his honor.

•  His death was confirmed by Polynesian Music’s social media post.
• Organizers called him a “beautiful soul” and “a movement, a voice for the people.”
• No official cause of death yet, but it's clear he had been dealing with health issues for a while. 

This all hits close — you can sense the shock. One fan even took to X, writing:

“Rest Easy Fiji ❤️"

REST EASY FIJI 😢❤️

— TAUF$ (@ReealChazaa) July 24, 2025

How Did Fiji Die? The Sad Truth Behind His Passing

It feels like the second you hear “George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso has passed,” all the details start racing through your mind. Here’s what we’ve pieced together:

• Fiji had been battling a long-term illness, which left him performing in a wheelchair recently. Fans saw him, and noticed the change—his strength wasn’t the same.

• Reports say he struggled with gout and other health complications over the past few years. Still, he performed. He didn’t want to stop.

• On July 23, 2025, he died peacefully in Fiji, surrounded by family and loved ones.

• Though no specific cause has been officially announced, sources describe it simply as after a long illness.

It’s one of those moments when you go, “It was bound to happen someday”—yet it still hits like a slap in the face. You feel sad, but also relieved he’s no longer suffering.

Fiji’s Journey — From Small Town to Global Stage

Born May 10, 1970, in Tailevu, Fiji, he grew up singing in church and got just $5 for his first big gig. But that was just the start, you know?

• He moved to Hawaii in 1987 during political unrest in Fiji, and that’s when his music journey truly began. 
• Fiji released his first album, Evolution, in 1994, and followed with Born & Raised, Love & Roots, and several others. Songs like “Lia,” “Sweet Darlin’,” and “Symphony of Love” were played at every island party. 
• Fiji has won numerous awards - Na Hoku Hanohano Male Vocalist and Favorite Entertainer in 1998, Best Pacific International Artist in 2014, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. 
• He also co-wrote the Hawaii theme for Baywatch and made a brief appearance in Blue Crush. That crossover was monumental for island pride. 

His performances were more than music — they were culture. He blended traditional Pacific rhythms with reggae, R&B, and jazz. And people felt it; it was raw and real, you know?

A Pacific-Wide Reverberation of Loss

Fans, colleagues, and colleagues have been sharing their thoughts and memories online.

• Kiwi reggae band Sons of Zion posted on Instagram: “Forever in our hearts. Love you, Fiji, thank you for everything, King.” 
• Producer Damon Elliott wrote on Instagram it “just hurts” — he said in a post, that Fiji believed in him “when I didn’t believe in myself.” 
• Fiji's reach was transcendent — New Zealand politicians labeled him a national treasure, Pacific leaders spoke of his music as “the soundtrack to our celebrations and our heartbreaks.” 

You are left with the very real sense of loss. Fans share stories of Fiji’s songs helping them along life’s ups and downs. That’s pretty powerful.

Fiji Left a Legacy — And a Festival

Last September, Fiji returned home to Fiji for a sold‑out Homecoming concert in Nadi. It wasn't just a show — it brought in about FJD 1 million and lifted the local spirits. 

He was set to headline again in September 2025. Now that event will feel different without him leading the stage.

Still, that legacy lives on. His music has half a billion streams online, and his style continues influencing new artists in Polynesia and beyond. 

It Hits Us All — Why This Matters

Fiji was one of those artists you didn’t have to be a big music fan to love. His voice carried the warmth of home, of roots, of identity. He bridged worlds — Fijian, Hawaiian, reggae, mainstream America — all in one smooth voice.

Hearing he’s gone is sobering. It makes you reflect on your own soundtrack — the songs that carried you through heartbreak, celebrations, love. Fiji’s songs did that for so many.

What Happens Next

The family hasn’t released a cause of death yet, and officials are honoring their wishes for privacy. We’ll keep an eye out for funeral or memorial details, especially regarding the next Homecoming Festival update.

In the meantime, fans are turning playlists into memorials, radio stations are celebrating his life through his songs, and young Pacific musicians are already pledging to carry on his legacy.