By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

More rural coastal communities in Malaita Province are venturing into seaweed farming.

This has come to the attention of many people after some successful farmers and groups shared testimonies about their successful seaweed farming and their earnings in the province. 

In an interview with the Malaita Provincial Fisheries Officer, Alick Konamalefo, he said many individuals who are interested have started their own farms.

He said that some even started farming without attending any seaweed training or receiving support from the fisheries office.

He said that the momentum of seaweed farming has risen compared to previous years in the province. 

“There is growing interest from communities. New communities are venturing into seaweed farming,” he said.

He added that regions across Malaita are actively engaging in seaweed farming and are in the process of expanding their operations.

“Many of the active farmers in the province have attended trainings and are supported by the fisheries office in Auki,” he said. 

Seaweed is a term for various large marine algae and plant-like organisms that grow in oceans, rivers, and lakes. It is a vital, nutrient-dense, and sustainable resource used for food, fertilizer, and in products like cosmetics. 

Some farmers have also received farming equipment and supplies like seaweed lines, floats, and seaweed plants from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to improve their operations and support their families. 

Seaweed farming in the country contributed about $7 million in 2024 and $11 million in 2025. 

Island Sun understands that a few foreign-operated businesses in the country are purchasing seaweed locally for export to overseas markets.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The struggling vendors in the Auki Central Market, Malaita Province, have voiced their disagreement at security officers of the market for chasing them away during the night. 

It was during a night, when Auki was experiencing heavy rain and strong winds.

At that time, security officers came and told the vendors to leave the market building. 

The vendors said that during times of heavy rain and strong winds, the market security should have the compassion to at least accommodate them in the market to rest for the next day. 

One of the vendors, John Basiori from West Kwaio, said the situation is challenging, especially for vendors coming from far away and who do not have relatives residing in Auki. 

He said that many of them have been using the front shops for sleeping at night, and it is getting worse during bad weather.

“Many of us depend on the front shops to rest for the next day’s marketing, and this is very challenging when we experience heavy rain and strong winds.

“The security should have some respect and a good heart to at least accommodate us in the market building,” he said.

Meanwhile, Basiori is calling on the Malaita Provincial Government to build a safe resting place for the vendors who travel from far places just to sell their produce, or else allow the vendors to sleep inside the market building.

Island Sun understands that Auki Central Market does not allow any vendors to sleep inside to avoid theft and the consumption of alcohol.

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) appeals to public to stop dumping waste at the eastern end of the Lungga bridge, by the AJ Mall.

MID expressed serious concern over the massive accumulation of rubbish near the eastern approach of Lungga bridge.

The dumpsite would be one of the first sights for visitors and residents arriving at AJ Mall in Honiara, a statement from MID on its Facebook page yesterday said.

The ministry currently has two active contractors engaged in cleaning the east Honiara highway from Honiara City Council (HCC) Roundabout to Henderson Court, MID said.

However, they face a losing battle against illegal dumping of household waste in public spaces and littering from vehicles.

“This is a pubic hazard and road safety concern.

“Our road assets and boundaries deserve respect. Let’s take pride in our city and keep it clean for everyone,” MID said.

MID urges public to be responsible to dispose waste at the allocated sites, to help and keep Honiara clean.

Photo credit: MID

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The community members in Ward 14, in Lau Baelelea constituency, have expressed their appreciation to R-WASH for facilitating a sanitation training earlier this month.

The training was made possible for the communities through the efforts and plans of their Ward Development Committee and their MPA for Ward 14, David Solo Baerara. 

In an interview, the Ward Development Committee Chairman, Knoxley Atu said that the training is part of their development plan for Ward 14.

He said that they decided to undertake a sanitation project because they have not seen any changes when they spent their ward grant on agriculture, fisheries, and forestry projects. 

“This initiative is part of our plan with our MPA, David Solo Baerara. We are moving forward with this sanitation project because our ward grant is insufficient.

“Also, in previous years, we have spent the grant on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries projects, but there have been no changes at all,” he said.

He said that during their training, the facilitator practiced and showed the community representatives how to make toilet bowls and a small house to accommodate them.

“In this project, we have just brought a facilitator from R-WASH to teach us how to make the bowls and build blocks,” he said.

He said that the community members enjoyed the training and learned a lot of new knowledge about how to make the toilet bowls.

Meanwhile, Atu said that they have completed building sanitation facilities for the communities in two zones within Ward 14 and have yet to start in the last zone of their ward.

“Currently, we have completed building good sanitation for our communities in two zones and are left with one zone,” he said.

He added that not only did the community benefit from the initiative, but churches and schools within their ward also had access to this initiative.

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BY BEN BILUA

THE Isabel Provincial Government (IPG) acknowledges the efforts of BBC Media Action for organising a Digital Media Literacy training for leaders in Buala, Isabel Province.

Speaking during the opening of the training, Deputy Premier of Isabel Provincial Government, Tony Vahia, said the workshop is timely as it provides a significant step towards building knowledge and countering risks as the digital world continues to evolve.

He said the Digital Media Literacy training lays an important foundation for Isabel Province to address the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation that often undermines social harmony.

Vahia said the provincial government is pleased that the training is being conducted in Isabel to help community, provincial and youth leaders navigate the digital space responsibly by learning how to access and verify information before sharing it with wider audiences.

“Having such training for community leaders, provincial leaders and youth leaders helps guide communities and the province to engage in digital media constructively,” he said.

Vahia calls on participants to make full use of the training opportunity and acquire knowledge that can help promote unity rather than division in the digital space.

“You will be our digital media ambassadors for truthful communication in your respective roles,” he said.

Vahia acknowledged BBC Media Action and the British High Commission Honiara for supporting the workshop.

“Your commitment to building digital capacity in Isabel Province is deeply valued,” he said.

Director of Isabel Health Authority who was also a participant, Martin Gavira, described the workshop as an eye-opener for many participants.

He said the lessons learnt will play a key role in helping leaders access and verify information before communicating it to wider audiences.

“Digital Media Literacy is a new concept to us. We have heard about digital media but did not fully understand what digital media literacy means or the risks of misinformation and disinformation within the wider world web.

“This workshop is timely and relevant, especially as our communities will soon have access to the internet in the future,” Gavira said.

Speaking on behalf of the provincial government participants during the closing of the workshop, Cynthia Vunagi also acknowledged BBC Media Action and its partners for choosing Isabel Province as the first province to undergo the training.

She said the two-day training was intense as participants were introduced to new knowledge about digital media.

“We can now verify information using the steps we learned to ensure our audience is well-informed.

“I have learned a lot, particularly how to verify information by using the ‘source’ principle. We hope there will be more training like this for us in the future,” Vunagi said.

Photo: Supplied

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BY BEN BILUA

West Maringe’s Kolosori community in Isabel Province, has stepped in to support a family who lost their home and belongings in a fire last Sunday.

Community members gathered and donated a number of personal items, including clothes, plates, spoons and cooking pots to assist the affected family.

The items were handed over yesterday by Parish Priest of West Maringe, Father Mesack Besa, and community chief, Fredick Kana during a brief gathering at Bohio settlement where the family currently resides.

Chief Kana said the assistance may be small, but it reflects the community’s willingness to help the family recover from the unfortunate incident.

“These items are very few, but we hope this kind gesture will play an important role in helping the family restart their lives,” Kana said.

Reports reaching Island Sun state that the fire was allegedly started by a mentally ill young man following an argument with his mother on Sunday.

Attempts by the mother and youths from Kolosori to put out the fire were unsuccessful, resulting in the house and all belongings being completely destroyed.

Police from Buala travelled to the settlement on Tuesday in an attempt to apprehend the young man for public safety.

However, they were unable to locate him as he had already fled and gone into hiding.

Community elder Reuben Dotho said the incident has caused fear and concern among villagers.

He said the young man reportedly became mentally ill last year and has since been involved in several incidents affecting community property and food gardens.

“The first incident happened last year when he damaged our water supply pipeline. Police were called and arrested the boy, but he was later released,” Dotho said.

He added that the young man allegedly continued causing trouble in nearby communities after his release, including burning down garden huts belonging to villagers.

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