Dejected.. Solomon Islands team captain Junior Aengari sheds tears after their semi final loss to Tahiti on Thursday.
“Sorry we could not qualify”
By Taromane Martin
Dejected.. Solomon Islands team captain Junior Aengari sheds tears after their semi final loss to Tahiti on Thursday.
HEAD Coach for the Solomon Islands national under-19 soccer team Batram Suri has apologised to the nation following his side’s semi-final loss to Tahiti yesterday.
Solomon Islands lost 3-1 to Tahiti on Thursday at the Stade Pater, in Pirae Tahiti.
It ended in tears for the Solomon’s as goals from Roonui Tehau, Rainui Nordman and Eddy Kaspard was enough to cancel out Ali Mekawir’s 80th minute goal for the Solomon Islands.
Tehau struck three minutes into injury time of the first half for Tahiti’s first goal before Nordman made it 2-0, 74 minutes in the second half after Solomon’s team captain John Aeta was forced off the field with an injury, in the 56th minute.
Mekawir managed to pull a goal back for Solomon Islands but was not enough to stop Kaspard from sealing the win for Tahiti with a vicious strike past goal keeper Nanago.
The victory means the hosts’ Tahiti along with New Zealand have both booked their spots for next year’s U-20 World Cup in Poland.
Coach Suri said while they are disappointed with the loss, it is not the end of the world for his players who still have a long way to go in their playing career.
“We were unlucky today. I apologies to everyone because we could not qualify and could not make the people of our nation proud,” Suri said.
“Their victory today was our own fault because we created a lot of mistakes. However this is not the end of the world.
“I believe the boys have gained a lot of experience and have also learned a lot from this competition.
“Such as what it is like competing at such level. They boys are still young and have a long way in their playing career.
“We still believe that in the near future Solomon Islands will qualify for the FIFA World Cup,” he said.
Suri adds pride is the only thing left to play for when they meet New Caledonia for the third and fourth position playoffs.
“We have to play. We cannot leave anything. We have to play for our pride because it is good for our nation. At least we play for the third position is better than nothing,” he said.
Members of the Solomon Islands Hockey teams prior to the official opening ceremony.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
In Port Vila, Vanuatu
THE 2018 Oceania Hockey Series Round One kicked off in Port Vila, Vanuatu Tuesday evening.
The competition is being attended by four countries and is being held at the Wan Smol Bag Hockey Center at Port Vila.
Participating countries include hosts Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Tonga.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, President of Vanuatu Hockey Federation, Jack Manuel Chilia said he’s overwhelmed with the presence of the three Oceania countries who managed to turn up for the event.
“We are happy to host the event in Port Vila and we’re very pleased that we are going to play against our sisters and brothers from Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tonga.
“We have worked so hard to make this happen,” he said.
Solomon Islands boys during the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony on began with a parade led by Team Fiji, followed by Solomon Islands, Tonga and then the hosts.
Kevin Peebles of Oceania Hockey Federation said the World Hockey Series qualifier is an important step toward the qualifiers for the Olympic Games.
“May the best teams win. The winning team is important for Oceania where they will carry on our hopes forward into the next stage.”
Members of the Solomon Islands Hockey teams prior to the official opening ceremony.
The tournament was declared open by the Vanuatu Association of Sports National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) Henry Tavoa.
Delivering his official remarks, Tavoa urged all teams to play to their best with the good spirit of Hockey.
“I would like to thank the Vanuatu Hockey Federation (VHF), the Vanuatu government and sponsors Telekom Vanuatu Limited and Bank of South Pacific (BSP).
“I would like to say a few words, to say that the teams that qualify from this competition will go on to represent all of us.
“So whatever happens at this competition, whether one team loses or one team wins, we support the teams or the team that go on to the next level of the competition.
“So at the players or look at the friend sitting next to you from other countries and say all the best to them.
Henry Tavoa, the CEO of VASANOC (Left) and Kevin Peebles of Oceania Hockey Federation.
“I’m not only representing VASANOC but also the sports commission which is the body that’s behind the venues and the facilities and also look after the sports policy in Vanuatu. In that, I’m proud that we can host another hockey competition. Also big thank you to the wan smol bag for the use of the excellent facility that we have here.
“Onbehalf of the youths of Vanuatu, on the behalf of sports in Vanuatu and on behalf of hockey in Vanuatu, and on behalf of all the sports that are trying to host something like this, and on behalf of all of us, may I now declare this competition officially open,” Tavoa stressed.
Meanwhile, the competition kicked off on Wednesday morning with the Vanuatu men’s national team taking on the Vanuatu under-18 side, followed by the Solomon Islands men’s team going against Tonga.
The teams lining up during the opening ceremony.Solomon Islands girls during the opening ceremony.
THE Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) is yet to confirm request by the Fiji Football Association for an international friendly match between their two national soccer teams.
According to a report carried in the Fiji Times newspaper, Fiji FA Competitions Manager Mr Amitesh Pal had confirmed September 5th as the date for the friendly match and Suva’s ANZ Stadium as the venue.
SIFF Media Officer Simon Abana confirmed while SIFF had received the Fiji-Solomon Islands international friendly match request he is still awaiting official response from the federation executives for confirmation.
Mr Abana however confirmed that the proposed friendly match with the Macau national men’s football team is still set to happen on August 28.
Should SIFF agree to Fiji FA request for the friendly match it will see both countries meeting each other for the 28th time.
Solomon Islands have won six of the last 28 meetings while Fiji won 11 and drawing 10 times.
The last meeting between the two countries happened December last year where the match ended nil-all.
THE memory of the PT109 crew has been commemorated with a six-man team swimming the 4.2 mile route from Kennedy Island to Olosana and Naru and back to Kennedy Island.
On the early morning of August 8, 2018, waded into the cold water and began their journey. Five dugout canoes accompanied the swimmers along with a lead boat and a rear boat.
The swim was strenuous and intense. But the team proceeded through the water without the additional challenges of serious injuries, risk of hostile fire from enemy aircraft and vessels and lack of food and water that had beset the PT 109 crew.
The tranquil setting is a far cry from the fierce combat that had raged across the Solomon Islands during World War Two.
On the beach of Kennedy Island, August 8, 2018, following the commemorative swim. Pictured left to right are Jack Lundberg, Adrian Mula, Peter Canfield. John Kulewicz, Jay Madigan, Rich Lovering and Peter Canfield.
The swimmers are Peter Canfield (an Atlanta lawyer), John Kulewicz (a Columbus lawyer and team leader of the swimmer), Rich Lovering (a Columbus lawyer). Jack Lundberg (a builder in Montana and Ohio), Jay Madigan (an Orlando environmental consultant) and Adrian Mula (from Antigua, first mate on the yacht Antares, anchored nearby).
It took them two and a half hours to three hours. The swim was especially meaningful for those whose fathers and uncles had served in the American forces in the Pacific during World War Two.
Island Sun Gizo and Kerrie Kennedy of Dive Gizo accompanied the team to Kennedy Island, Olasana, Naru and then back to Kennedy.
The great swimmer Rich Lovering (a Columbus lawyer) who first reached Kennedy Island – 4.2 miles swimming from Kennedy, Olasana, Naru and then return to Kennedy.
“In the days before the swim got underway, the team was honoured to receive best wishes from former US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy as you embark on this incredible journey and for finding such a meaningful way to mark the 75th Anniversary,” the team leader John J Kulewicz told Island Sun Gizo.
Kulewicz is the son of the two other crew members (Ensign Leonard J Thom, the Executive Officer, and torpedoman Jack Kirksey).
Historian Mike Bell of Maine spoke with team members and shared personal memorabilia.
He said Mary Ellen Frawley, sister of Ensign Thom, sends her best wishes and prayers.
He said a highlight of the swim was the opportunity to meet with the extended families of Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana, the two Solomon Islanders who had brought the crew’s rescue in coordination with Australian coastwatcher Reginald Evans and a team of seven scouts.
Kerrie Kennedy greets Peter Canfield upon his arrival at Kennedy Island.
The Gasa family welcomed the team to their village and homes. Entourages from the Kumana family paid visits to the team, one arriving aboard a speeding boat from which an American flag given to them by the US Navy was waving in the stiff wind and rain.
Danny and Kerrie Kennedy of Dive Gizo arranged the family meetings and handled all of the logistics for the swim. Danny (unrelated to JFK’s family) is an American expatriate born in Florida who has served in the provincial parliament. His wife Kerrie was born in Australia. The opportunity to work with them was indispensable to the success of the team.
The team was quartered at Fatboys Resort. Ideally situated across the water from Kennedy Island, the facility bears a name with literary origins that is hardly descriptive of the energetic involvement of all guests in a wide range of water activities.
Australian proprietors Karen and John Flynn and the friendly local staff made the swimmers feel especially welcome with their warm hospitality and a wide range of nutritious daily meals.
“The swim was a true test of our spirit and stamina,” said team captain John
Rich Lovering with his canoe counterpart John Wesley Tiabule pose for a photo after the swim at Kennedy Island.
“My teammates and I were inspired by curiosity, idealism and the love of country and willingness to take personal risks in service of the nation that guided the crew of PT 109 and all who served in World War Two.
“We each left the water with an even deeper respect for the adversity that President Kennedy and the surviving crew of PT 109 overcame. We head home with an especially grateful memory of all who served in the South Pacific, including the two sailors who perished in the PT 109 collision, and a sincere appreciation for the generosity of the people of the Solomon Islands,” said Kulewicz.
He said around 2.20am on August 2, 1943, the Japanese destroyer Amagiri emerged from darkness and fog to ram through PT 109, an American motor torpedo boat skippered by Lt John F Kennedy, that was patrolling in the Solomon Islands.
Two of the 13 crew members were killed instantly. The 11 survivors swam three miles to a deserted island, then known as Plum Pudding Island or Kasolo, after daybreak.
Post-swim team photo from Kennedy Island beach, with canoeists, Kennedy Island curator and spectators.
Two days later, they took to the water again to move to a nearby island called Olasana, in search of food and fresh water. There the crew awaited rescue while Lt Kennedy made several nighttime swims into Ferguson Passage and Blackett Strait to look for returning PT boats, and daytime swims over to the neighboring island called Naru.
After a fateful encounter with native canoeists Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana, who took news of their survival to Australian coastwatcher Reginald Evans and the US Navy, the crew was rescued on August 8, 1943.
Team visit with the widow and family of Biuku Gasa, one of the two rescuers.PT 109 crew
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela delivering his speech during the opening of the Yam Cultural Festival.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela delivering his speech during the opening of the Yam Cultural Festival.
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has described the Solomon Islands culture as the eye of the storm for tourism development in the country.
He was speaking during the opening of the Yam Cultural Festival in Small Malaita last Sunday.
He stated that if we are to make the country an attractive and unique destination, our culture should be the core activity for our tourism industry.
“I believe our cultural uniqueness is the attraction. So Cultural events like this would unlock the impasse to the development of Solomon Islands tourism industry.”
Acknowledging the fact that the country has very few cultural events, the Hon. Houenipwela reiterated that such events “will provide the much needed catalyst to this promising sector”.
According to Houenipwela, “The Yam Cultural Festival is intended to be a permanent event”, and therefore a cultural and festival village that was set up was intended to be the permanent home for the event, as well as other cultural events throughout the year.
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to convey his gratitude to the organizers of the 2018 Yam Cultural Festival.
Deputy permanent secretary James Bosamata of the Ministry of Education
and Human Resources Development and Fr Philemon Akao with the newly handed course materials.
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
Deputy permanent secretary James Bosamata of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development and Fr Philemon Akao with the newly handed course materials.
THE Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has promised support for the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) towards the new pathway of offering diploma courses for primary in-services teachers.
The Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary James Bosamata said this on Wednesday at the course materials handing-over ceremony in Honiara.
Bosamata uttered that the ministry will step in to support new initiatives because its system is relevant to the government’s education system of the country.
He said this means support from the government at the development stage of these courses is crucial.
“I would like to say that it’s a good initiatives, it show that those who are behind this (initiative) are serious about it and they are innovative to start of another new development in their (ACOM) education sector, with that for sure we (MEHRD) will support you,” said Bosamata.
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has urged Malaita province to work extra hard to attract investment and development projects in order to provide for its increasing young population.
Prime Minister Houenipwela highlighted this during his speech at the 35th Malaita Province 2nd Appointed Day in Small Malaita, Monday this week.
The Prime Minister revealed that Malaita province alone accounts for 23 percent of the National Population estimate of 666,557.
“Five years ago, the population of Malaita was estimated at 152, 647. As at July 2018, it is estimated to be at 158,076, an additional population of 6,429 in five year. At that rate it means we are producing approximately 1,286 children per year. To educate our children this is equivalent to building 43 school classrooms per year, or nearly 4 new school classrooms each month,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that for Malaita;
(a) 78 percent of the population is below the age of 35 years: that is approximately 82,300 people;
(b) Of that group, 77 percent – that is 62,975 – is aged between 15 – 35years old.
“Taking the above statistics, almost 80% of Malaita population is below the age of 35 years old. In other words, only a small minority (approximately 20%) of the provincial population is above the age of 40 years,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the youth population in Malaita Province is at a staggering 80% of the total provincial population.
He said this provides the need for critical overview for driving important policy development decision-making; otherwise we will have a serious situation at hand.
“My good people of Malaita, this means we have to work extra hard to provide basic services, education and in health to cater for our people as the population density in Malaita remains the highest in the country,” he said.
“That is why I encourage my good people of Malaita to work extra hard to attract investment and development projects in order to provide for this huge young population.”
THE Malaita maasina forum is planning to stage a Malaita national development forum next month.
The first date MMF is looking at is September 7 and the venue will be made known later.
MMF’s newly elected president Martin Housanau revealed this at his first press conference in Honiara on Wednesday.
Housanau, who was accompanied by some of his executive members, said the planned forum is to gather Malaitans to discuss practical steps and solutions to advance the province and the country.
He said for too long Malaitans dwell on past problems without looking at ways to move the province forward.
Housanau appealed to all Malaitans to unite and chart a way forward for their province.
He said there are many issues Malaita province is facing and Malaitans must work together and find solutions to them.
Housanau encourages their 14 members of parliament, provincial assembly members, their premier and leaders from various works of life to leave behind whatever issues they might have with another fellow Malaitan and work together to advance the province and nation.
A man from Isabel province is questioning Utah 1’s shipping service.
Speaking to the paper yesterday, Esau Ije of Hograno Highlands said he and others are not happy about how they were treated by the Managing Director, Selwyn Riumana.
He explained that on August 10 after having freighted four tyres for “Kosi Transport”, a pickup truck of Koge and Siligodu communities in Hograno Highlands, they made their way to Utah 1 but before even loading them onto the vessel, Riumana approached them and told them to return them to the warehouse.
Ije said that the tyres were later loaded on Ortega on August 13.
He stressed that they are very disappointed by this treatment and are questioning the leadership and service Riumana is offering to the people of Isabel province.
Ije strongly voiced that he should put an end to this behavior as it is not right and most importantly, so that others do not have to go through the same experience in the future.
“He should provide good services for the people of Isabel province,” he said.
Prime Minister Rick Hou and officials at the re-opened Parasi airport in South Malaita. Photo from GCU.
Prime Minister Rick Hou and officials at the re-opened Parasi airport in South Malaita. Photo from GCU.
THE Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCCG) is focusing attention on airport improvements around the country as part and parcel of the country’s National Development Strategy 2016-2035.
To support this objective, the Ministry of Communication and Civil Aviation has already began the implementation of the SIDCCG’s policy to ‘Facilitate Rehabilitation and Development of International and Domestic Airports throughout Solomon Islands’.
The Supervising Minister for Communication and Aviation (MCA), Jerry Manele, who is also the Minister for Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC) has announced these developments Monday this week at the re-opening of the Parasi Airport in South Malaita.
Mr Manele highlighted that the successful re-opening of the Parasi and Mana’oba airports to facilitate air transport services were examples of the Ministry’s implementation programmes.
“The Ministry of Civil Aviation takes this redirection seriously and want to learn from our past mistakes, and build on our current successes, as we move into to the future,” Manele said.
He added that the Ministry is focused on delivering on its sector flagship policies of providing better access and connecting people through air transport services.
The Minister has also highlighted a number of ongoing projects which the Ministry will implement in partnership with development partners such as JICA, the World Bank and the New Zealand Government.
These includes the Honiara International Airport Improvement Project to be co-financed by JICA and Solomon Islands Government which is expected to deliver a new Departure Terminal, an additional new taxi-way, a new Control Tower, the Expansion of Apron to the east end of the airport and the refurbishment to the International Terminal of which three-quarters will become the Domestic Terminal. The project will start in 2019 and is expected to be delivered by the end of 2021.
Another project is the Solomon Islands Road and Aviation Project to be funded by a World Bank grant and part credit by the Solomon Islands Government.
This project will be co-implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) and the Ministry of Communication and Aviation which will deliver an Overlay for the Honiara International Airport Runway, an Overlay for the Munda International Airport Runway, the Munda Terminal and Traffic Tower, an Unexploded Ordinance clearance programme, Navigation and lightning improvements and a Honiara Fire Station. The implementation of these projects will start in 2019 and is expected to be delivered by 2022.
The SIDCC Government is also partnering with the New Zealand Government to co-finance the design of Lata, Seghe, Suavanao and Taro airports to meet all weather operation standards. These projects are expected to start in 2019 and will be delivered in 2021.
Another development announced by Minister Manele was the improvement of pavement reworks for Gwaunaru and Parasi airports to cater for DASH 8 operations which was already completed while Kirakira and Lata airports will follow soon.
