BY LORETTA B MANELE

Casper Diau, Operator and Director of Vilu World War Two Outdoor Museum in Northwest Guadalcanal says he appreciates the government, Minister of Tourism and officers of the ministry for seeing the importance of tourism in the country.

In an interview with the paper late last week, he said they recently received a visit from 14 TV stations from Europe.

Diau said they came to film the museum and get specific documents detailing how the battle of Guadalcanal unravelled in Solomon Islands.

Speaking of battle, he said a lot of people in the world might of have heard about World War 2 and where it happened but they don’t really know how it happened.

“It’s our pride to have this unique history which a lot of the world do not know. While they know about WW2, they don’t know how it actually happened or turned out in Solomon Islands,” he said.

Diau added that people will only understand more about the war when they come to the museum in Solomon Islands and see the relics and the significance of its history.

“When they come and see the relics or reach where the battle was fought, only then can they actually feel a sense of history of the WW2 when it happened here in Solomon Islands,” he said.

Diau said the Visitors Bureau recently travelled abroad to expand marketing in terms of tourism.

“This shows gov’t heart and emphasis in putting more emphasis on tourism, and it shows that visitors are very serious to come into the country,” he said.

Diau said the Visitors Bureau trip will help to inform more people, especially those who want to find Solomon Islands but don’t where it is located.

“Through this, they help people who struggle to find the location of Solomon Islands so it makes it easier for people to know more about Solomon Islands and where the country is located,” he said.

Diau mentioned that their visitors also appreciate Visitors Bureau for their work in Australia as it will help to link Solomon Islands and the rest of the world especially European countries.

He said their visitors who came from Ukraine, Russia, Israel and Palestine appreciate the Ministry of Tourism for preserving relics of the World War 2 battle.

Diau also thanks schools that visited Vilu World War 2 Museum namely; Woodford International School, Visale Community High School and Marist College from Melbourne, Australia.

He said in schools, school principals should ensure that students learn more about the Solomon Islands history during World War 2 instead of what happened in European countries.

Vilu World War 2 Museum is home to a number of relics depicting the events that unfolded during the Second World War as well as documents.

Visitors Bureau is a government entity and a statutory authority that was rebranded as “Tourism Solomons” in 2018 which today is responsible for marketing and promotions for the tourism industry.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A three-day capacity-building workshop aimed at enhancing financial literacy and leadership skills among leaders of the United Church in Solomon Islands (UCSI) Bilua Circuit concluded successfully at South Vella Lavella last week.

The training brought together representatives from 13 congregations spanning Lajaka to Buleana. Participants included pastors, church elders, congregation treasurers, and treasurers from affiliated organisations such as the Men’s Fellowship, United Church Women’s Fellowship (UCWF), Youth Fellowship, and Sunday School ministries.

Facilitators from Tabaka Technical Institute – Mr. George Ngimaika and Mr. Joash Lawrence – delivered the sessions under the institute’s community outreach programme.

Their presentations covered financial management, transparent record-keeping, stewardship based on biblical principles, effective leadership, team building, and conflict resolution in church contexts.

Bilua Circuit Superintendent Minister, Hasol Makape, applauded the initiative in his closing remarks, saying the workshop delivered timely and essential knowledge to strengthen church ministries and governance.

“This training has come at the right time. It will strengthen our leaders so they can better transform the lives of people in their communities.

“The content also perfectly aligns with our United Church theme for this season: ‘Come Holy Spirit, Transform and Unite Your Church in God’s Mission,” he said.

Participants described the workshop as both eye-opening and practical, noting that they now feel more confident in managing church finances responsibly and providing strong leadership within their congregations.

The Bilua Circuit leadership expressed gratitude to Tabaka Technical Institute for its continued support and said they look forward to further collaboration to strengthen church governance and leadership across Vella Lavella.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Ghaobata Primary School in North Guadalcanal has received grant assistance that will go towards the construction of a classroom building.

Member of Parliament for North Guadalcanal, Dr Paul Popora Bosawai, has described the grant assistance from the Japanese Embassy as a magnificent milestone.

He made the statement in his remarks at a signing of an 80,679 U.S.D grant contract for a Ghaobata Primary School’s classroom building.

Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands H.E. Keiichi Higuchi and the Ghaobata Head Mistress Ms Emillian Papasa signed the grant at the Japanese Embassy office in Honiara on Friday last week.

The project is funded by the Government of Japan through the grassroots grant initiative and facilitated by the Japanese Embassy in Solomon Islands.

“As the Member of Parliament for the people of North West Guadalcanal constituency, I truly thank you for this magnificent milestone for our community. The Ghaobata Primary School project is worth 80,679 USD, which is equivalent to around 664,000 SBD,” Bosawai told Japanese Ambassador H.E. Keiichi.

“Our heartfelt thanks to the people of Japan and your great government for this life-changing investment in our children as well as in our future,” he said.

He said that Ghaobata Primary School stood as a pillar of learning for generations of students in the North Guadalcanal constituency, educating minds, nurturing values, resilience and a sense of belonging among the indigenous people and their neighbours.

Bosawai said the project is a direct investment in the human capital for the community and a critical boost to upgrading classroom resources and facilities for a conducive learning environment for children, teachers and families.

“This project will strengthen school infrastructure, act as a communal hub, supporting parents’ ability to work, pursue livelihoods and participate in the life of the community, while ensuring every child has a fair chance at a brighter future.

“This project embodies that vision. It reinforces our commitment to ensuring every child has access to quality education, while building the foundation for sustainable livelihood in our region or constituency.

“Your support is more than financial assistance. This project is a testament to the enduring friendship between our peoples and our nation, and it reflects a sheer commitment to education development and a brighter tomorrow,” said Bosawai.

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 BY LORETTA B MANELE

We want to see more hydro power in the villages says Casper Fa’asala, CEO of Disabled Peoples Association of Solomon Islands (DPASI).

He raised this whilst speaking as one of the panel members at UNDP and Ministry of Mines Panel Discussion on “Pathways towards better electric power availability, affordability, and sustainability” at the Heritage Park Hotel this month.

Fa’asala said having hydro power in the informal sector can help people with disabilities to be able to create innovations.

“Woodwork, furniture, those are things that disabilities can, again, utilise those powers for. But there is increasing technology devices. The blind can also use their job programmes, which is now available. Having power will be an accessibility for them,” he explained.

Fa’asala also said women with disabilities in the village with access to hydro power can also use electrical sewing machines to help them upgrade their sewing skills as means of raising their income at the community level.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency, Keiichi Higuchi said education plays a key role in the development of society and the country.

He made the statement during a signing ceremony of a grant worth 80,679 USD from the government and people of Japan to Ghaobata Primary School in North West Guadalcanal.

Ambassador Higuchi and Ghaobata Primary School Headmistress Ms Emillian Papasa signed the contract at the Japanese Embassy in Honiara on Friday last week.

The Japanese Ambassador said on behalf of the government and people of Japan, he is honoured to sign the contract between the Embassy of Japan and Ghaobata Primary School.

“We will support the construction of a classroom building for Ghaobata Primary School. This assistance will provide access to a proper educational environment for people in Ghaobata Primary School,” he said.

He said that supporting basic education is one of the priority areas of Japan’s assistance under the Grassroots and Human Security Scheme.

He also stressed that education plays a key role in the development of society and the country.

“We believe that this project will have positive impacts on the socio-economic development of Solomon Islands.  Hopefully, it will strengthen the cordial relationship between Solomon Islands and Japan.

“With a strong sense of ownership and collective will to improve the lives of children in this community of Ghaobata, I am confident that the project will be successfully and smoothly carried out and reach the goal,” he said.

He said that this project will be remembered as a symbol of the friendship between the people of Japan and the Solomon Islands in the years to come.

The Ambassador said it is a great honour to contribute to the development of the people of Solomon Islands.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I would like to reaffirm our continuous commitment to the people and the prosperity of our two countries,” he said.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Australian Government has provided AUD $227 million to support the Solomon Islands Government’s priorities from July 2024 to June 2025.

The funding is being channelled through Solomon Islands government systems to ensure alignment with the country’s development objectives. The funds are distributed as follows:

• AUD $22 million for general budget support
• AUD $19 million to the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development (MEHRD) to support provincial classroom upgrades
• AUD $17 million to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS)
• AUD $152 million for infrastructure development

The announcement was made by Australia’s Acting High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Andrew Schloeffel, who addressed the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last week.

Schloeffel reiterated Australia’s strong commitment to supporting the development of the Solomon Islands.

In his remarks, Schloeffel explained that Australia’s assistance program is a mix of on-system and off-system support, designed in close consultation with the Solomon Islands government.

He said on-system support flows directly through the government’s financial systems, ensuring transparency and alignment with national priorities.

However, Schloeffel added some projects are managed off-system due to their complexity or because the Solomon Islands government has requested Australia to directly oversee the project’s delivery.

A key example of off-system support, Schloeffel noted, is the AUD $250 million Naha Urban and Birthing Health Centre, which is being constructed by Australia.

He said given the scale and complexity of the project, it was agreed with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) that Australia would take the lead in managing the project for greater efficiency.

“These examples illustrate how we balance locally-led development with on-system support,” Schloeffel said.

Schloeffel further highlighted the off-system programs that provide broader benefits. One notable initiative is the National Transport Fund, which supports infrastructure development over the past years.

In addition, he also said Australia has funded technical advisors who work directly with various ministries to strengthen Solomon Islands’ institutional capacity.

In particular, Schloeffel pointed to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, where Australian advisors are working on revenue collection, public financial management, budget development, and other key tasks.

“A good example of this is our work in the Ministry of Finance, where we have experts supporting vital functions that strengthen the country’s financial systems,” Schloeffel explained.

In the meantime, the Acting High Commissioner also stressed Australia’s close partnership with the Ministry of National Planning and Aid Coordination, emphasized that all support—whether on-system or off-system would be captured in the Solomon Islands government’s budget documents, ensuring full transparency and accountability.

Photo: Supplied

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A leading marine scientist has raised the alarm over the future of one of Solomon Islands’ richest marine biodiversity hotspots, warning that unchecked mining activities could permanently damage Thousand Ships Bay in Isabel Province.

Dr. Lindon Havimana sounded the warning after sharing his scientific findings on the popular Isabel Province Youth Forum Facebook page.

He described Thousand Ships Bay — the strait separating the mainland and San Jorge Island as an ecological treasure that supports some of the country’s most productive marine ecosystems.

According to Havimana, the bay’s unique geography, ideal water quality, and high levels of nutrients delivered by several rivers make it an exceptionally fertile environment for marine life.

He explained that the mixing of nutrient-rich freshwater and the bay’s oceanic waters creates a highly productive environment that sustains a variety of marine species, for instance the planktons.

Havimana said both phytoplankton and zooplankton form the foundation of the marine food web, supporting fish, invertebrates and countless other sea creatures that depend on these organisms for survival.

He said the bay also hosts interconnected ecosystems — mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs — which serve as crucial nursery grounds.

Havimana said mangroves and seagrass offer breeding habitats and shelter for juvenile fish, crabs and other marine species, while coral reefs provide key structures for spawning and feeding.

He highlighted several unique underwater locations within the bay where strong currents and steep coral reef cliffs create ideal spawning sites, particularly for pelagic species and damselfish.

“These conditions create a perfect natural setting for male and female fish to meet up for reproductive purposes.

“During high tide, the fish gather in these areas as the strong currents and steep drop-off provide a safe and dynamic space for the spawning process,” Havimana said.

He added that fertilised eggs are swept into deeper waters by strong currents, reducing the risk of predation and increasing the likelihood of survival.

Havimana said the combination of powerful currents and steep coral cliffs ensures wide dispersal of eggs into safer parts of the ocean.

He also pointed to research showing that schools of bonito (Katsuwonus pelamis) entering Thousand Ships Bay follow a unique migratory route, navigating through deep channels before edging close to the San Jorge side, where food availability and favourable environmental conditions draw them into unusually shallow waters.

“There are areas within the bay where bonito can be found at depths of just 3 to 6 metres and as close as 50 to 100 metres from the shoreline — a rare occurrence for a species typically found far offshore.

“This makes Thousand Ships Bay an exceptional location for bonito fishing,” Havimana said.

Local communities have long relied on this migration pattern, using traditional Gria fishing techniques — a system, Havimana says perfectly demonstrates that human practices and natural ecosystems can co-exist in harmony.

He warned that this delicate balance is now under threat.

Havimana said the introduction of excessive sediment from mining, he said, could smother coral reefs, destroy spawning grounds, and severely degrade water quality — impacts that would ripple through the entire food chain and disrupt the livelihoods of nearby communities.

“The situation requires immediate attention to ensure that the ecological treasures of the bay are protected for future generations,” he stressed.

“We must ensure that any future developments, particularly mining, are conducted transparently and with full consideration of their environmental impacts on these vital ecosystems. Be mindful with developments that are extractive, given our heavy reliance on ecosystem services that exist in the bay.”

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