LOST - Those darn torches

I am a little obsessed with LOST right now and was thinking about the torches they use. If you were stranded on a deserted island - how would one go about making a torch that stays lit? I know that you can use birch bark if these trees are available but I don't think they have these in tropical regions. Any experience in making torches?-Please let me know in case I happen to find myself isolated somewhere in the wilderness and need a light, supposing that I am even able to get a fire going.