BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

ZARU Hotel Management acknowledges its partners for their support in the completion of phase-one of the Zaru Hotel project.

Speaking on behalf of the management, Judith Kwan said the success of the project was made possible through strong collaboration and collective partnerships.

She said patience, resilience and cooperation among stakeholders enabled the project to progress despite challenges.

“This project has not been without its challenges. Like many other developments in our country, it requires commitment. Today’s opening is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, determination and belief in local investment,” Mrs Kwan said.

She acknowledged the support of the Western Provincial Government, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, contractors, suppliers, financial partners and the local community whose cooperation made the development possible.

Kwan said the Zaru Hotel project was born from a vision to contribute meaningfully to the growth of tourism, business and employment opportunities in Western Province, while providing quality accommodation that reflects both comfort and local identity.

She said phase-one of the hotel delivers 16 guest bedrooms, a conference facility and two commercial spaces that can be leased for a souvenir shop, convenience store or handicraft business.

“These spaces are intentionally designed to encourage local entrepreneurship, supporting small businesses and ensuring that the benefits of tourism extend directly to our people,” Kwan said.

She said the hotel’s long-term plans include expanding its capacity and services, strengthening Gizo’s position as a key tourism and business hub in Solomon Islands.

Kwan acknowledged the Minister of Culture and Tourism, invited guests and community members who attended the opening ceremony.

“Today is truly a significant and proud moment for us as we officially open Phase One of Zaru Hotel here in Gizo. Your presence means a great deal to us, and we sincerely thank you for taking the time to celebrate this milestone together.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors, hosting meetings and events and working alongside local businesses to grow together,” she said.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE newly opened Zaru Hotel is raising the bar for accommodation in Gizo, offering modern facilities that aim to enhance the experience of both local and international visitors.

The first phase of the hotel was officially opened yesterday by Minister of Culture and Tourism Choylin Yim Douglas in a ceremony attended by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, the Premier of western province, the Provincial Minister for tourism, officials from Tourism Solomons, members of the Western Provincial Assembly, chiefs and community members.

Zaru Hotel features a modish walkway, comfortable single and double rooms, a hot water system and Starlink internet connectivity, positioning itself as a modern hospitality option in Gizo.

In her keynote address, Mrs Douglas said the hotel has renewed confidence, created new opportunities and opened a new chapter for Western Province as one of the country’s leading tourism destinations.

“First and foremost, I would like to sincerely acknowledge and thank the proprietor, Jacob Kwan, your partners and family. Your vision, dedication and unwavering commitment to this project are truly commendable,” she said.

Douglas said developing a standard hotel in the current economic environment requires courage, resilience and self-belief – qualities she said Kwan demonstrated throughout the project.

“What stands before us today is not just another accommodation facility. Zaru Hotel represents a significant step forward in raising the standard of hospitality in the Solomon Islands. This type of development is exactly what we need to boost both our domestic and international tourism,” she said.

Douglas said the design, comfort and service offered by the hotel will set a benchmark for tourism operators and other businesses to aim higher.

She said the government remains clear about its priorities in the tourism sector and that is for economic growth and diversification.

Douglas said the government is optimistic in seeing more quality rooms, improved standards and increased participation from local investors.

She said most of the investment in the hotel came from Kwan’s personal resources, describing it as a strong statement that local investors are prepared to go beyond their limits to drive development.

Douglas said the government is pleased to support such investments as part of its policy to partner with genuine local entrepreneurs committed to quality development.

She said Zaru Hotel is expecting to contribute to job creation, skills development and increased visitor spending in Gizo, while strengthening Western Province’s reputation as one of the premier tourism hubs in Solomon Islands known for its pristine waters, vibrant marine life, World War II history and rich cultural heritage.

Douglas said the hotel sends an important message nationwide: high standards are achievable, local investors can lead major developments, and the future of tourism in Solomon Islands is bright when stakeholders work together.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Application for polling officials in the by-election for the West Baegu/Fataleka, Ward Five election is still open.

Election Manager for Malaita Province, Peter Herehura said he is excited to see that many individuals from Malaita have come and filled out application forms.

“We are very happy that many of our people show interest in coming forward to collect and fill out the application forms to work during the polling day as polling officials.

“We continue to receive and expect many more applications to come,” he said.

He said the deadline for the polling officials’ applications is March 2.

In the meantime, he said after the deadline, all the applications will be sent to their head office in Honiara for selection of candidates for shortlisting.

He said they will not be involved in the process of selecting the polling officials, as some people may think they are biased and favouring candidates.

He said they will only be responsible for calling the successful candidates who have been selected and approved by the office in Honiara.

“So, after the deadline for forms, we will send them to our head office in Honiara for selection and shortlisting.

“This is to avoid bias and favoritism towards applicants, as some people may think,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) will construct three new upper air observation stations as part of a major upgrade to its weather monitoring system.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), David Hiriasia, revealed this in an exclusive interview with local media.

Mr Hiriasia said the project aims to strengthen meteorological services through upgraded equipment, including upper air observations using weather balloons.

“This upgrade will improve our upper air observations through the flying of balloons to collect atmospheric data. It is important to gather data from the upper atmosphere to improve weather monitoring and forecasting,” he said.

He said the project is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with donor partners.

Under the plan, a new upper air station will be built in Taro, Choiseul Province. The existing Honiara station will be relocated to Tulagi in Central Province, while another new station will be constructed in Lata, Temotu Province.

Mr Hiriasia also confirmed that there are plans to revive the Kirakira station in Makira-Ulawa Province.

“There will be new officers and office facilities for Kirakira and Tulagi as these will be new establishments. Locations such as Taro and Lata will involve upgrades to existing offices,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the new infrastructure and upgraded equipment will enable the Meteorological Service to provide more accurate weather information and timely warnings.

“This is not only about weather warnings, but also about climate change monitoring. These upper air observations will help us detect changes in weather patterns and climate, and also assist the National Disaster Management Office in strengthening early warning systems and disaster response for communities,” he said.

Mr Hiriasia said the ministry hopes to complete the work within this year or early next year, depending on progress.

“These are key developments for the Meteorological Service, alongside other projects supporting climate change work within the ministry,” he said.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale says those caught bringing in Methamphetamine to Solomon Islands should not be rehabilitated, but rather, face maximum penalty.

He was reacting to Acting Police Commissioner for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Mathias Lenialu’s presentation during the hearing of the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill 2025 before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) yesterday.

In his presentation, Lenialu mentioned that imprisoned people could still make useful contributions to society.

“The RSIPF’s view is that the possibility of rehabilitation of minor possession of offences by the first-time offenders should be preserved,” he said.

Wale said he notes the police commissioner’s comments about rehabilitation but questions why those bringing in the drug should be rehabilitated.

“I note your comments about rehabilitation, but why would we rehabilitate those caught bringing in meth?” Wale asked.

He said they really need to go down hard on this meth issue and if they have data, they would be better informed.

Wale mentioned that this is just the beginning, and if it’s beginning to pick up, a hard no approach is needed.

He said if this issue goes to the point where we have a lot of people addicted, then of course health considerations and rehabilitation will inform policy.

However, the Opposition Leader said if this issue is still in its early stage, we should not talk about rehabilitation but about tougher laws for those who bring meth into the country.

Wale also stressed on the 15million maximum fine for those found bringing in meth.

“This 15million maximum fine, is it deterrent enough for the kind of people who are trafficking these kinds of things through our waters?

“If we catch them, is 15m enough? I doubt it,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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