BY GREGORY HAKA

Residents of Wainoni in Makira Ulawa Province will soon be able to access mobile network services for the first time ever.

For decades, people of ward 12 and 13 in Wainoni district have walked long distances just to make a phone call, and while that struggle is close to ending with the completion of three telecommunications towers, the facilities are yet to become operational as final requirements are still in progress before services can go live on air.

Stephaney Kehnasi, a civil engineer from the Solomon Towers limited, told Island Sun that out of the 18 new towers in Makira Ulawa Province, most of them were already completed and are awaiting installations of network services depending on the schedules with Our Telekom company network.  

She also said that one challenge they faced is the geographical locations that most towers are located on.

Meanwhile, installations of network services to all completed towers on Makira-Ulawa Province will begin after the installations of network services in Malaita Province.

Kehnasi added that network installation is underway for most towers in Malaita starting this month, followed by all completed towers in Makira Ulawa Province.

Kehnasi said a total of eight towers were constructed in East Makira constituency, three in Wainoni District, two in Star Habour, one in Santa Catalina and two in Weathercoast of Makira.

All were completed along with other towers in mainland Makira except for other towers in Ulawa Island that are still in construction.

The completion of a telecommunications tower at Wainoni in Makira Ulawa Province marks a major step in bridging the digital divide, as three of the 18 new towers constructed in Makira will improve network access for rural communities in and around the province.

Photo: Supplied

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BY NED GAGAHE

Northwest Guadalcanal Constituency (NWGC) is setting its sights on the former Livestock Development Authority (LDA) land at Poha in Northwest Guadalcanal to deliver major national projects.

Member of Parliament for Northwest Guadalcanal, Francis Sade, confirmed that the constituency is in talks with the national government to bring in key national projects to the area.

He made this announcement during the festive season when he handed over several projects for the constituency.

“Our focus is to bring development to our people, and we are committed to delivering more projects in the next two years.

“We are also negotiating with the national government and various ministries to bring national projects to our constituency. One of our top priorities is to take ownership of the LDA land at Poha, which we plan to develop into a growth center,” said Sade.

He also said that the constituency is looking at five national projects from the Ministry of Commerce to be established on the LDA land.

This initiative is part of a larger plan to create more opportunities for the people of Northwest Guadalcanal.

In addition, the constituency is set to receive heavy machinery, which will be used to upgrade roads in the region.

“Once the machinery arrives, we will begin improving the roads in the constituency.

“These are the basic services we want to provide to our people—access to health, better roads, and essential services to improve their livelihoods,” said Sade.

The Member of Parliament said that the next two years will be critical for the constituency as they work towards bringing tangible benefits and infrastructure to the people of Northwest Guadalcanal.

Photo: Supplied

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The grand opening of the Xiao Henderson Hotel in Central Guadalcanal on Saturday, January 3, 2026 marks another significant milestone in the country’s hospitality sector.

The magnificent hotel is owned by Mr You Qiang Xiao and his family, who are of Chinese origin, and is now officially open for service.

Xiao Henderson Hotel, a four-story building boasts of 60 rooms with 20 rooms on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor respectively.

Of the 20 rooms on each floor, there is a suite per floor.

To kick off the occasion a dragon dance was performed which was then followed by cutting of ribbon to mark the opening of the hotel.

This was then followed by speeches and a buffet.

Guests included Deputy Prime Minister, Fredrick Kologeto.

Speaking on behalf of the management of Xiao Henderson Hotel, Walter Kola said the opening represents the realization of a long-held dream — to provide exceptional hospitality services in the country.

He acknowledged the support of ANZ Bank, the construction teams, the national government, and other partners whose contributions made the successful completion of the hotel possible.

Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Philip Sukibuka, described the opening of Xiao Henderson Hotel as a remarkable achievement and a welcome addition to the national tourism landscape.

He emphasized that the impressive development demonstrates what can be achieved when private sector investment aligns with national policies.

Sukibuka stressed that Xiao Henderson Hotel not only raises the standard of accommodation and service in the country, but also strongly supports the Government for National Unity and Transformation’s (GNUT) policy priorities of economic transformation, unity, stability, infrastructure development, and human capital development.

“Through job creation, local procurement, and the delivery of high-quality visitor experiences, this hotel contributes directly to economic diversification and inclusive growth.

“Its modern facilities strengthen our tourism infrastructure, while its investment in staff training and skills development supports our commitment to building strong human capital,” he said.

The Deputy Secretary also acknowledged the hotel’s management and expressed the ministry’s interest in working closely with them to develop a clear pathway for accessing the Chinese tourism market.

“Given your cultural understanding, networks, and market insights, we see valuable opportunities to work together on targeted promotion, service readiness, and market development that will grow arrivals and further advance our national tourism goals,” he said.

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BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA

The Noro roads improvement project in Western province implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has reached 94 percent physical completion and is on track to deliver safe, more reliable and climate-resilient roads by the end of January.

Remaining work includes monitoring of punch-list defect rectification systematic tracking of documentation.

Road works carried over the previous month were completed in December, including the N15 Ferguson Road double bituminous surface treatment and associated drainage construction, a statement by SIRAP2 on Monday said.

Installation of steel beam guardrails along Noro Highway, Customs Road, Ports Exit, Mobil Road and Kitano Road is progressing.

Road signage installation is also progressing along the Noro Highway, including foundation footings, signpost erection, mounting of sign panels, alignment and levelling checks, and final bolting and finishing, the SIRAP2 statement said.

Supervising engineers ensured that works are carried out in accordance with approved designs and specifications and traffic management measures remain in place to ensure safety for workers and road users.

MID Permanent Secretary, Allan Lilia said the project is entering its final stage, demonstrating a vital milestone for Western Province.

“The Noro Roads Improvement work is entering its final stage, marking a key milestone for transport connectivity and road safety in Western Province. We are pleased with the steady progress and the strong emphasis on quality, safety, and safeguards throughout implementation. Once completed, these roads will greatly improve access for communities, businesses, and essential services in and around Noro,” he said.

This project was funded by the World Bank under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2) and is being implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

SIRAP2 continues to support infrastructure developments nationwide, including the construction of four new bridges in Malaita, upgrades to Honiara and Munda airports, improvements to Santa Cruz and Suavanao airfields.

The project also includes investments in air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu provinces, maintenance of regional airports and rehabilitation of 21 kilometres of East Road between Baratolo and Atori, sealing of 12 kilometres of North Road between Auki Gwaunaru’u Airfield Junction and Kwaisuliniu Road Junction in Malaita Province.

Photo: SIRAP2

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 BY LORETTA B MANELE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele appeals to everyone to work together in areas that need improvement from 2025 to do better in 2026.

He made the call after a church service to welcome the new year 2026 on Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 at St Francis Anglican church in White River.

“I appeal for us to work together as a parish to support our Rector, Assistant Rector, clergy and our project,” he said referring to St Francis Parish’s new church building project.

Manele said all of us have different roles noting that there are areas we need to improve on from 2025.

“So, in 2026 we need to improve on those areas. For example, if you are a child who didn’t attend Sunday School very often in 2025, I hope in 2026 you will attend Sunday School.

“Or if you are a member of the Choir, Youth or Men’s Fellowship. I hope in 2026 we can make that effort to improve in those areas.

“There are also other responsibilities that we have in church. I also tell this same message to my Cabinet, Ministers and of course the public service,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed the need for everyone to continue to work together, to learn from the lessons and challenges of 2025 and to build on the successes of 2025.

“So, in 2026, we are much stronger and we do things much better.

“I am sure there are areas and rooms for improvement in our lives and in how we do things,” he said.

Moreover, Manele expressed that Solomon Islands is a rich country with natural resources compared to other countries.

He also stated that there is however the tendency where we lay back and wait and look for others to come in and help.

“No, I want us to take the effort to help ourselves first, let’s become more self-reliant, more independent as a country as a people.

“So going into the future, we can do things on our own, we are resourceful people and we have natural resources,” he said.

Manele went on to state that in Solomon Islands, people will only be hungry if they are lazy to start a garden.

“In Solomon Islands people will only be hungry if they are lazy to start a garden.

“In our country, if you plant crops like cassava and banana it will grow unlike in other places where there is desert like land that crops can’t grow in.

“I would like to encourage us to be more self-reliant and for you to take the initiative to help your family, community and of course to contribute to the growth and development of our country, he said.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

On the gentle shores of Simbo Island in the Western Province of Solomon Islands—where the sea kisses black volcanic sand and coconut trees lean obediently with the wind—lives a woman whose age has become a quiet legend.

At 107 years old, Mrs Daisy Tuke still smiles easily—an unhurried, knowing smile shaped by more than a century of life.

Her back has never bent. Her steps are slow, measured by time rather than haste. Yet her eyes remain bright, alert, and warm.

Each morning, Mama Daisy, as she is affectionately known, sits outside her leaf house watching the tide roll in and out.

She greets neighbours and children as they pass. Many stop simply to hear her laugh. Others come seeking advice, because Mama Daisy has seen it all.

Born in 1919, long before modern roads, clinics, or schools reached Simbo, she grew up in a world guided by nature’s rhythm. As a young girl, she learned to fish with hand lines, tended to gardens nourished by volcanic soil, and listened carefully to the stories of her ancestors.

“We lived from the land and the sea,” she often says. “That is why we are strong.”

Mama Daisy married and raised many children—some of whom are now grandparents themselves. She has outlived her husband, several siblings, and many childhood friends. Yet she speaks of them not with sorrow, but with gratitude. Life, she believes, was a gift meant to be shared, not mourned.

Her lifetime has stretched across colonial rule, World War II, independence, and into a rapidly changing world of mobile phones and solar lights. While modern technology remains a curiosity, she watches with quiet amusement as children show her photos on their phones, her smile widening with wonder.

Asked about the secret to her long life, Mama Daisy laughs softly. “No secret,” she says. “Eat local food, work hard, pray, and don’t keep anger in your heart.”

During the 2026 New Year programme hosted by her family in Ward 3, the Member of Provincial Assembly, Gideon Tuke, asked his 107-year-old mother for advice for her siblings and the younger generation.

In a calm and gentle voice, she replied, “Be kind to everybody. Live in peace with your neighbours and don’t forget to thank God in all things you achieve. We wake up each day because God cares.”

On Simbo Island, Mama Daisy’s smile is more than an expression of happiness. It is a reminder of resilience, humility, faith, and the enduring strength of Solomon Islands women. At 107, she may be old in years – but her spirit remains timeless.

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