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Waiting for $6M

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Alibusu from Malaita Province perfoming their items during the Macfest.

$3M for MACFest outstanding bills, $3M for Tourism rebranding

By Gary Hatigeva

WITH the huge cut on its Appropriation Budget early this year, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is amongst government line ministries that are seeking parliament’s approval for additional funding to support its ongoing implementation and completion of its 2018 priority programs.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to elaborate on its bid under the 2018 Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2018, Ministry officials revealed that the total supplement will go towards two areas under their programs.

In his presentation, the Ministry’s Under Secretary, Moses Tepai who appeared on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, explained that from the total, $3 Million has been subjected to go towards outstanding bills incurred in the recent Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest).

The team did not give any specific details to the MACFest outstanding bills, but pointed out that it has been a successful event and a lot of locals especially, artists, performers and music entertainers have benefited hugely in terms of financials, with Solomon Islands being host.

But before the tourism team elaborated on its case for additional funds, PAC member and MP for West Kwaio who is also Chair of the Committee of the Whole House, Peter Tom questioned the benefits Solomon Islands received from hosting Festivals like the recent MACFest and the Festival of Pacific Arts (FOPA) in 2012.

Also questioning along the same line, the MP for East Honiara and Chair of PAC asked if the ministry or body responsible has done financial analysis and reports on the benefits for hosting events like FOPA and MACFest.

In his response, the Under Secretary said these are questions that have been commonly asked, as many suggested it to be a waste of money, but pointed out that the objectives are based on three Ps, which are to promote, protect and preserve.

“And in this case, the festivals are where we promote the preservation and protection of our diverse cultures and arts”.

He added that apart from the social benefits, in terms of finance, it should be noted that no money goes out, as the events hosted have created small incomes for the locals especially, those in the entertainment, artist, “which is not like those other events where we go out to spend money on, and the money circles within the Honiara economy”.

He further added that the Ministry through the National Organising Committee is currently putting together its report on the recently hosted event and the issue of economic benefits is noted and highlighted in the report.

In terms of state driven projects and tourism development, the Under Secretary added that the ministry is currently working under the guideline of its strategies and action plans, which are based on government policies.

“We want to develop our market for our cultures, our dives, our world war relics but then it depends very much on the budget,” Under Secretary Tepai said.

The other $3 Million will however go towards the final implementation stage of the Tourism division’s marketing and promotion programmes under its Marketing arms, the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB).

The programs included a rebranding exercise that was partly funded in the main budget, but the Under Secretary explained that with more work to be done to see its realisation, an additional funding was required.

“The ministry had originally requested for $5 Million for the implementation of the Rebranding programme in the Appropriation Budget 2018 but only $3 Million was approved,” the Under Secretary added.

Tepai further explained that the rebranding follows an audit from the old branding, and the recommendation was that there was need to rebrand the country’s tourism “and hence we need the financial support to do that”.

The new Tourism brand name is highlighted as “Solomon Is (is)” and the Member for Aoke/Langalanga and Chair of the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC), Matthew Wale questioned the purpose of rebranding and the essence behind the new brand name.

“I just wanted to know the rebranding; I don’t get it, what does it involve in it especially with the naming?”

“Let’s just put it this way,” the Under Secretary explained. “We have tried a bait to fish and once it does not attract fish, then we change the bait,” he added.

He then stressed that the rebranding is not something that the ministry and its stakeholders just decided upon and change it, as “it is changed after a nationwide consultation”.

While he expressed his impressiveness into the amount of work put into boosting the country’s tourism market, the Aoke/Langalanga MP said the government needs to see the bigger picture in all these and make deliberate choices on ensuring that the tourism ministry’s outlined programmes are looked into thoroughly and adequately funded

“I think it’s about time the government takes a very strong stance and put in all its efforts to develop all the products that we have,” the BLC Chairman further stressed.

Parliament will resume this Wednesday to begin its debate into the 2018 Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2018 and the ministry is hoping to hear a yes to its request.

Third Straight loss for Kingz

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Malaita Kingz FC Leslie Kengava tries to make something as Martin Rence provide options.

BY TAROMANE MARTIN

Malaita Kingz FC Leslie Kengava tries to make something as Martin Rence provide options.

A captains’ goal from Paul Wale in the second half was enough for KOSSA FC to claim their second win in the 2018 season of the Telekom Soccer League (TSL) on Sunday.

KOSSA handed Malaita Kingz FC their third straight loss in the new season defeating them 3-2 at the Lawson Tama Stadium.

Junior Kasute’e netted two goals for KOSSA to lead Malaita Kingz FC 2-1 at half time before KOSSA team captain Paul Wale netted the decisive goal 67 minutes of the second half.

Martin Rence pulled a goal back for Kingz 74th minutes into the second half but could not find the equaliser despite a last minute chance.

KOSSA FC interim Head Coach Fred Osifelo said their victory was a team effort and that there is still more room for improvement for their remaining matches.

“It’s a new team comprising of mostly young ones. It was a team effort; everyone did their part and contributed to the victory today,” he said.

“Credit to the boys for braving the heat and getting the win for us. It’s our second win, more to come. We respect every team the only thing for us is to work more and train hard.

“Our combination needs more gel but slowly as the weeks come we’ll work on improving this. There’s room for improvement but the positive thing for us is that we got all three points today,” he said.

His counterpart Rence Talo said it was a much improved performance from his side but vows things will improve when their three key players return from international duties.

“Actually the boy’s performance today I though improved a lot compared to our past games. It was just on finishing and making use of our chances upfront let us down,” he said.

“Obviously it seems I need the three lads to come back because their combination up front really helped us during the top eight championships,” Talo said.

“I find it a bit hard to fix the problem with the current three because the gel is still not there for us yet,” he said.

Other results from the TSL matches played over the weekend saw Henderson Eels FC defeating Western United FC 4-2 while Real Kakamora FC claimed their first win in the competition defeating FC Guadalcanal 3-0 on Saturday.

Solomon Islands improves rapidly in hockey

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islands men’s hockey team during the presentation and the closing ceremony.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

IN PORT VILA, VANUATU

SOLOMON Islands is rapidly improving in hockey, says the competition manager of the regional hockey governing body.

Oceania Hockey Federation (OHF) Competition Manager Kevin Peeble said since the reintroduction of hockey in Solomon Islands three years ago, much improvement have been shown on the regional stage.

This level of improvement can be measured with the standard the national teams are showcasing and the effort they are putting into their game on the turf against other teams in Oceania who have been playing the sport for many years, according to Peeble.

Peeble is in Vanuatu at the moment as one of the key members of the organising committee for the Oceania Qualification for the World Hockey Series which was held last week at the Wan SmolBag Hockey Stadium in Port Vila.

The competition also doubles as a qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“We’re very impressed with the way Solomon Islands have come in their standard of hockey.

“The way and the standard shown while playing here during the tournament was very good. And for a country that has been playing hockey for not very long, its development is being really good.”

Peeble added he admires the way President of Solomon Islands Hockey Federation (SIHF) Nihal Seneviratne handle matters regarding hockey development there.

“Solomon Islands have a very good administration with Nihal running and revitalizing hockey in Solomon Islands along with its development personnel Allen Temoa.”

Inorder to grow and develop the code further, Peeble insisted he would like to see a proper hockey facility developed to aid the further promotion of the game.

“Obviously, it would be nice to have an artificial ground but they are very expensive.

“Or maybe we can just built a half size pitch like this one in Vanuatu where it’s much cheaper.

“Once Solomon Islands players can get used to playing on a proper facility, their skills will improve very rapidly.

“So I think from the Oceania point of view, we’d like to see some development of facilities in Solomon Islands so that the players can get better.

“And of course this means that we can start getting the children into hockey and develop their skill level at a younger age and they will develop the same way as in Fiji and Vanuatu or elsewhere around the world,” he explained.

Solomon Islands participated in last week’s Oceania hockey competition with both the men’s and the women’s national teams but fell short against the Melanesian hockey powerhouses Fiji and Vanuatu.

Peeble stressed that the results attained by Solomon Islands during this most recent Oceania competition is not a matter of great concern to him.

“Don’t worry about the scores. But just worry about coaching the girls and the boys. I have already spoken to a few Solomon Islands hockey officials during the tournament and told them to continue coaching and training the way they want hockey to develop there.

“I also strongly emphasised that don’t expect the results to be very good in early years. You will get better as you develop. And especially if they manage to get the programme running well on track,” he assures.

The Oceania hockey development manager highlighted that Fiji and Vanuatu are very good because they have been playing for a very long time and are slowly developing close enough to the other two Oceania heavyweights Australia and Zealand, who are in fact ranked as the best hockey teams in the world.

“In Oceania we have Australia and New Zealand who are highly ranked of course and the island states are at various stages of development.

“Therefore Fiji has been playing hockey for many many years. In my experience, I’ve played against Fiji Hockey in 1970 so they have good facilities and been playing for a long time whereas Vanuatu maybe about 12 years and they have grown to become much better since we’ve put up this artificial pitch down here. Tonga and Solomon Islands very recent, so are developing in hockey standards.

“So in overall thinking, the standard for Solomon Islands is developing. Things will get better over the next few years. Mark my words.”

Peeble said he hopes to see a much improved result in next year’s Oceania Cup in Australia where holds a second chance opportunity for Pacific Islands states to compete in another qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan.

Double bronze for Solo Hockey

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islands women’s team during the presentation.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

IN PORT VILA, VANUATU

Solomon Islands women’s team during the presentation.

THE Solomon Islands national men’s and women’s hockey teams have finished on the third place of the Oceania qualification for the World Hockey Series which was concluded in Vanuatu on Saturday.

This follows the victories recorded over Tonga in each of the third and fourth play-offs of the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.

The final play-offs on Saturday wrapped things up in the five-day event held at the Wan SmolBag Stadium in Port Vila.

In the men’s competition, Solomon Islands ended the play-off for third and fourth with a 4-0 thrashing of Tonga.

Paul Brown opened scoring for Solomon Islands in the first period before Captain John Wesley increased the lead to 2-0 in the second period.

Things turn sweeter for Solomon Islands in the final period when two goals via Ralph Masae and Paul Luiramo sealed the 4-0 victory before the fulltime buzzer.

Solomon Islands men’s hockey team during the presentation and the closing ceremony.

In the women’s play-off for third and fourth, the national women representatives defeated Tonga with a 4-1 victory.

A double from Jeremie Oliver and one each to Claudia Votu and Hilda Kabini ensured Solomon Islands collected a win in their final match.

President of Solomon Islands Hockey Federation (SIHF) Nihal Seneviratne congratulated both teams for the third place finish.

Meanwhile, Vanuatu won the men’s while Fiji won the women’s competition.

The victories enabled Vanuatu men and Fiji women to qualify onto the next stage of the World Hockey Series which also doubles as the Oceania qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Tanagu stops Silisia

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Diesel Vitis’ Bronson Tanagu celebrates after his win over Hatangas’ Lemuel Silisia on Saturday…Picture Taromane Martin.

BY TAROMANE MARTIN

Diesel Vitis’ Bronson Tanagu celebrates after his win over Hatangas’ Lemuel Silisia on Saturday…Picture Taromane Martin.

DIESEL Viti boxing club fighter Bronson Tanagu has ended Hatanga boxing clubs’ Lemuel “the power pack” Silisia three bouts undefeated run on Saturday after picking up a judges split points decision win at the Multipurpose Hall.

Tanagu who lost to Covenants’ Henry Kia last month, was able to win over the judges half way in round two and in round three, after a poor round one, catching Silisia with his jabs and one two combinations during their HABA welterweight division fight on Saturday.

Tanagu said the victory meant a lot to him and was very pleased with the win over the power pack Silisia.

“Yes, I’m really pleased with the win tonight because I’ve been training really hard for this fight,” he told SunSPORTS.

“We both challenged each other leading up to the fight, he even put out the challenge via his face book account. That made me work even harder and to get the win over him is very satisfying.

“My victory tonight gives me more confidence and makes me even more focused on achieving my goal of representing Solomon Islands at the regional of even international level.

DISAPPOINTED… Hatangas’ Lemuel Silisia falls to the canvas with disappointment after his loss to Bronson Tanagu on Saturday.

“I will continue to work hard and harness my style and try to change it up for every fight until I arrive at where I want to be.

“And that is to represent Solomon Islands at the Pacific Games, Mini-Games, Commonwealth Games or even the Olympics one day.

Meanwhile the ‘Power-Pack’ Silisia said he was disappointed with the judges’ decision and loss but says he looks forward and will continue preparing for his next fight.

Other highlights from Saturday’s HABA boxing tournament saw Hansel Ramo of Solomon Pride taking revenge on Hatanga’s Jeff Nyieda, the judges scoring the fight an outclass win for Ramo and coach Jonathan Tapsell.

Leikolo Besa of Solomon Pride picked another TKO win defeating Hatangas’ Spencer Kiliman in round two while Diesel Vitis’ Henry Pua claimed a judges split point’s decision win over Hatanga’s Junior Navo in the light weight divisions.

West youth policy launched

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Guest of honour and Western Province Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Oelyn Muala, MPA for 6, South Ranonga.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

Guest of honour and Western Province Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Oelyn Muala, MPA for 6,
South Ranonga.

YOUTHS in Western province for the first time will have a policy to guide strategies to develop and empower them.

Launched in Saeragi village today, the National Youth Policy 2017 – 2030 is the first of the documents from the new 3-tier policy framework for youth development in the country.

The policy will set the direction that will guide the Strategic Framework for Youth Development and Empowerment in Solomon Islands (SFFYDSI) and the National Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship strategy (NYEES).

The Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs’ (MWYCFA) pursuit of a new three-tier policy framework for youth development in Solomon Islands exemplifies the government’s commitment to transform the Country’s youths and adolescents into effective and positive force for nation building.

This is to ensure that every young person is given the opportunity to contribute to the social, cultural and economic, political and spiritual development of the Country.

The launching of the policy document will see entertainment and performances to celebrate such an achievement.

“Youths around Vella La Vella, Ranonga and Gizo will be participating,” said Chairman of the organising committee Sintau bobae.

“There will be traditional and Modern King/Queen Show, custom and contemporary dance.

“Activities including karaoke, product display from youths, face printing, freestyle dance, leisure games Tag-of-war, canoe race and water race game will be on again at the venue,” said Bobae.

He said awareness programmes and talk-back shows for youths is also taking place.

Health talk is a part of this programme.

Youths are also setting up their stalls and looks forward to mingle with guests to the launch.

Bobae said officials will tour to all youth stalls at the venue.

Public are also encouraged to participate. This includes, stakeholders, business houses, company, NGO’s, Ministries and community members that are welcome to be part of the launching programme.

Guest of honour from the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Oelyn Muala MPA for 6, South Ranonga is the Minister for Women, Youth, Sports and Gender balance, Provincial Youth representatives, Stakeholders, NGO’s and Western provincial government officials will be attending the launching.

Naval visit a positive sign: HE Brazier

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Australia High Commissioner HE Roderick Brazier. Photo by Australian Government, DFAT

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

ROYAL Australian navy ships successful visit to the country is a positive sign in terms of Australia and Solomon Islands military relationship, says the Australian High commissioner to Solomon Islands His Excellency Roderick Brazier.

Mr Brazier uttered the presence of HMAS Toowoomba and HMAS Adelaide in Solomon Islands is a positive sign in terms of enhancing the military relationship between the two countries.

“With the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) finishing last year our relationship which stretches back in many decades is moving on to new ties.

“It did expands development, it expands political and strategically and critical the defends presence in the south Pacific,” he said.

Commodore Luke Charles-Jones from the Australian Naval force said the Indo Pacific Endeavour has many key objectives, the main one of those is to enhance the regional military relationship in terms of the work they (Australian navy) do and with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

Jones said their visit will be continued purposely to build on the existing relationship, cooperation and friendship between this two countries.

“This is because building of partner capacity in particular comes about through the bilateral and multilateral engagement we do in the region equally with the RSIPF and as Maritime.

“And as well as prioritising regional security and stability across the South of the Pacific,” he said.

Pupuku Mothers Union set for first mission and 100th anniversary celebration

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Milton Ragaruma
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Hon Connelly Sandakabatu with members of Pupuku Mothers Union group and Chief Siro.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Hon Connelly Sandakabatu with members of Pupuku Mothers Union group and Chief Siro.

A Mothers Union group from Northwest Choiseul constituency’s only Anglican community, Pupuku community will for the first time travel out of the province to Isabel province and are thankful for their Member of Parliament, Connelly Sandakabatu for his support.

On August 16, the six member group received $5000 from Sandakabatu that will assist them when they travel to Buala to celebrate with other Mothers Union members Isabel Diocese’s Mothers Union’s 100th anniversary.

Whilst addressing the group, Sandakabatu told them that mothers are the center and entity in the family and without them the church will not grow.

“You are the eyes, the ears, the mouth and the nourishment of our children and if I can help you the little I have I think that is the best way to grow the church. The best place to grow the church is through Mothers Union,” he said.

Pupuku Mothers Union group leader, Ms Joanah Kanakolo said they are thankful for his support and would not be where they are without him.

“I want to say thank for the assistance you have given us. Although we are a small community you accepted our request,” she said.

Chief of Pupuku community, Abraham Siro also thanked Sandakabatu and commended him for taking time out of his busy schedule to come and see them.

He mentioned that despite Pupuku being a small Anglican community under the Diocese of Isabel, they have a responsibility for the diocese and for the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM).

Members of the Pupuku Mothers Union group told Island Sun that they are very excited to go to Isabel province and are really looking forward to the trip which they will make later this month.

Three Taiwan specialists share SI experience after 11 month mission

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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(Left to right) Chien-Jang Huang, Shao-Chuan Yu and Chia- Han Hou.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

(Left to right) Chien-Jang Huang, Shao-Chuan Yu and Chia- Han Hou.

IN Taiwan, young men are required to do military service or provide their services in any of Taiwan’s ally countries.

Shao-Chuan Yu, Chia-Han Hou and Chien-Jang Huang are three young men who decided to leave their country and travel all the way to Solomon Islands to provide their specialised services rather than joining the military service.

They graduated from the best universities, are all masters graduates and came to serve the country through their services at the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) farm.

Shao-Chuan Yu, who specialises in nutrition mission in the country focuses on helping to improve the health status of Solomon Islanders through school farms and school nutrition.

Chia-Han Hou work involves helping out to manage the farm as well as in the delivery of fruits and vegetables to schools located near the farm.

Chien-Jang Huang’s mission is to provide qualified piglets and pig farm managing skills to local farmers in order to improve piggery industry in Solomon Islands.

They have served and been in the country for about 11 months and will soon leave for Taiwan sometime this month and next month.

All three have found Solomon Islands interesting with eye opening experiences of how different Solomon Islands is to Taiwan.

For Yu, Solomon Islands is a lovely place where unlike Taiwan, life is more relaxed and the pace of life makes him feel so comfortable despite the difference in weather, culture and people.

He says that the friendliness of people here is what lessens the feeling of being homesick.

During his mission, Yu said he had to interview staff of school kitchens and collect data which was very interesting.

“Things like chopping vegetables, boiling the water and cooking the food in local style is also refreshing. I also got more familiar with Solomon Islands’ food culture and know how people eat and cook. I guess that would be my favorite memory of the days I spent in Solomon Islands,” he said.

Hou said the most unforgettable moment during his time in the country is when he worked with the horticulture staff and got to communicate with them in Pidgin and hear them speak in their own dialects.

He said it is moments like this that makes him feel closer to the real Solomon Islands.

Hou added that Solomon Islands is truly the happy isles it calls itself.

“Solomon Islands call itself the happy isles and it truly is because people are always smiling with smiles bright as the sun here. People are always taking their time, enjoying every day with no worries,” he said.

Meanwhile Huang expressed that everything he has seen in Solomon Islands has impressed him.

He said the country is different from Taiwan not only in climate and environment but also people.

“The people here are very friendly and lovely. In these 10 months, I’ve met many people, and they have helped me a lot. This is a great country,” said Huang.

Huang mentioned that working with his colleagues is unforgettable especially when he uses pidgin to communicate with them.

“It seems I can be one of them, to be an islander. I really enjoy my time with them,” he said.

The ultimate focus is to get that qualification, scholarship recipients told

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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(Left to right) Mr Gerald Ngarasi and Mr Jockim Kwanairara.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

(Left to right) Mr Gerald Ngarasi and Mr Jockim Kwanairara.

ACTING Vice Chancellor of Solomon Islands National University, (SINU) Dr Prem Rai has told 18 Taiwan MOFA and eight ICDF scholarship recipients that the ultimate focus is to get that qualification.

He voiced this during a farewell function that was held for the recipients at Jina’s Restaurant last week.

Rai said that among 800 plus applicants they were the fortunate ones to be selected thus must not forget that the goal is to return to the country with their qualifications.

He stressed that this is an investment in human resource that Solomon Islands is in dire need of and they are expected to return and contribute to the economic development of the country.

Rai stated that without human resources the country cannot move forward for growth and development.

“We need human resource and capable people in all sectors who can contribute to the growth of this country. That is what is expected of you. So when you complete your education and return, your family will be proud of you, your community will be proud of you and the nation will be proud of you,” he said.

In relation, Rai said that they will also learn a new language, Mandarin, which will soon become the second established and recognized international language.

He said that they are fortunate to learn the language and this will be an important asset for them.

“We wish you well in your education in Taiwan,” he said.

In further remarks, Rai acknowledged the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan for its relationship with Solomon Islands.

“Taiwan is a country that Solomon Islands has an excellent relationship with. Taiwan is one country that stands shoulder to shoulder with Solomon Islands so we have to acknowledge that, appreciate that and recognise that,” he said.

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