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KEANA JOINS REWA

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Solomon Islands midfielder signs with Fiji giants as Delta Tigers strengthen squad for Fiji FACT and OFC Champions League campaign

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Fiji football giants Rewa FC have confirmed the signing of Solomon Islands midfielder Don Keana from Solomon Kings FC ahead of the second half of the domestic season and the upcoming 2026 BiC Fiji FACT tournament.

The Delta Tigers announced Keana’s arrival through the club’s official social media platform, describing the Solomon Islands player as a “midfield maestro” who will add quality and strength to the squad.

Responding to questions from Island Sun Sports, Rewa FC confirmed that the transfer process for the player is already underway.

“Yes, we can confirm on his signing as we have already applied for his ITC.

“We just waiting for his 30 days stand down period before we can register him in the squad. He will be eligible to play in Fiji FACT and the rest of the season,” the club stated.

Rewa FC said the club had been monitoring Keana’s performances during his time with Solomon Kings FC in the Solomon Islands Premier League.

“We have been following his progress with Solomon Kings and the coaching staffs were impressed with his performance during Pro League.

“He is expected to play from a midfield position but coaches will work with him and the rest of the squad to see how he fits with the team,” the club said.

The club also confirmed that the Solomon Islands international is expected to arrive in Fiji later next week.

Rewa FC said the signing forms part of the club’s bigger ambitions for the remainder of the season, with the OFC Champions League their primary target.

“Main goal of the club is OFC Champions League which would be held in Fiji in August.

“Fiji FACT becomes our perfect stage to do a rehearsal for OCL. Second part of season is super important now since all of the cups available on local stage will be competed from now onwards and OCL becomes our main target,” the club explained.

The club added that Keana is expected to play an important role in helping the team achieve those objectives.

“Don would be an integral part of team to lay all those challenges,” Rewa FC said.

Keana’s move to Fiji marks another important step for Solomon Islands footballers continuing to attract opportunities abroad, particularly within the Pacific region where Solomon Islands players have built a strong reputation for their technical ability and competitiveness.

Photo credit: Solomon Kings FC Fb page

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PHYSIO JOINS SINIS

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JICA volunteer to support athlete rehabilitation and high-performance at SINIS

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

The National Sports Council (NSC), through the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS), welcomes Japanese physiotherapy volunteer Yuki Nishikawa, who has begun a two-year attachment in the country under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Volunteer Programme.

Nishikawa arrived in the country this week and is expected to work closely with the institute’s High Performance Programme, providing physiotherapy support to national athletes and sports officials.

According to information released by NSC Media, the Japanese physiotherapist brings with him professional experience from hospital-based physiotherapy work in Japan and is eager to expand his experience in sports rehabilitation and athlete care within an international sporting environment.

“My role is to support the High Performance physiotherapy staff and athletes through assessment, rehabilitation, injury prevention programs and education,” Nishikawa said.

He said he is also looking forward to contributing towards the development of sports in Solomon Islands through knowledge sharing and athlete support programmes.

“I also hope to contribute to the development of sport in Solomon Islands by sharing knowledge about injury prevention, rehabilitation and education,” he added.

NSC said Nishikawa’s arrival is expected to further strengthen athlete welfare and performance preparation as local athletes continue preparations for regional and international competitions.

The council also acknowledged the continued support from JICA and the Government of Japan towards sports development initiatives in Solomon Islands, particularly through volunteer exchange programmes and technical assistance.

Officials believe the partnership will help build local capacity in sports medicine, rehabilitation and injury management while also exposing local athletes and staff to international standards in physiotherapy practice.

Nishikawa’s attachment with SINIS will run for two years.

The Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport was established to support the development of elite and high-performance athletes in the country through specialised training, athlete welfare programmes and technical support services.

Japan, through JICA, has remained one of Solomon Islands’ long-standing development partners in sectors including education, health, infrastructure and sports development.

Photo credit: NSC

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From hand pumps to flush toilets: A new era for Ghaobata

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

NEARLY two decades after its establishment, Ghaobata Community High School has marked a transformative milestone: the installation of a climate-smart solar-powered water system and borehole, ensuring clean water and modern sanitation for its students.

Principal Hudson Pegoa recalled the school’s early struggles since its establishment in 2007.

“One of our biggest challenges was water and sanitation.

“Students relied on hand pumps and refilled drums. It was difficult, especially for female students during their menstrual cycles,” he said.

That changed in 2024, when UNICEF revisited the school.

Through Mr. Pegoa’s request, UNICEF partnered with the Ministry of Mines, MMERE, and the Guadalcanal Provincial Government, with funding from KOICA, to expand the WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) project.

The new borehole and solar-powered system were officially handed over during World Water Day celebrations in 2026.

The impact has been immediate. With reliable water supply, the school now operates flush toilets, improving hygiene and dignity for students.

“This is one of our biggest achievements since the school was established.

“It makes life easier for staff and students. Teachers can prepare early and arrive on time, and our students are healthier,” Mr. Pegoa said proudly.

The project is not the end of UNICEF’s involvement.

UNICEF has also pledged a solarization initiative to power classrooms and staff houses, further strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure.

“We are so happy to be recipients of these projects.

“They improve health, hygiene, and the overall learning environment,” Mr. Pegoa added.

For a school that once relied on trucks to fetch water from distant sources, the new system represents more than convenience, it is a symbol of progress and resilience. As Mr. Pegoa put it: “Now we have proper water supply and sanitation. It’s a new chapter for Ghaobata.”

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Auki cut off after fiber cable damage disrupts Telekom services

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BY RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Telecommunications services in Auki were disrupted for more than a day after an Our Telekom fiber-optic cable linking Malaita to the submarine cable network was damaged on Thursday, June 4.

The outage affected residents, businesses and essential services across Auki throughout Friday, leaving many unable to make calls, send messages or access internet services.

In a statement issued yesterday, Our Telekom confirmed that the disruption was caused by damage to the fiber cable near the submarine cable landing station.

“Telekom services in Malaita are currently down due to road contractor damage to the Telekom cable connecting the submarine cable landing station.

“Engineers are working on reconnecting the damaged fiber cable. We will advise when services are restored,” the company said.

Telecommunications services were restored at approximately 4:30pm on Friday, June 5.

The outage caused widespread frustration among residents and businesses, highlighting the community’s growing dependence on digital communication.

Rebecca Awa of the Malaita Council of Women said the disruption significantly affected both professional and personal activities.

“The outage disrupted our work and delayed many tasks. With the way we now rely on technology for communication and daily operations, it slowed down our progress.

“Generally, we were unable to carry out and complete many of the activities planned for the day,” Ms Awa said.

The disruption also affected communication with family members and business partners, leaving many residents isolated for several hours.

It is understood that state-owned enterprises, including Solomon Water and Solomon Power, could continue to face challenges as work on the Auki Road rehabilitation project progresses.

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Auki Community High School restores water supply after bill dispute

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BY RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Auki Community High School has resumed access to running water after successfully negotiating the reconnection of its supply with Solomon Water following a prolonged disconnection caused by outstanding water bills.

The school faced a serious water shortage last month after its water supply was cut due to unpaid bills accumulated over several years. The situation disrupted school operations and forced the suspension of classes during break times after the school’s rainwater tanks were depleted.

The disruption raised concerns among parents and guardians about the welfare of students and the school’s ability to maintain normal operations.

School principal Andrew Fuato’o said the water issue was a longstanding problem inherited from previous administrations.

He explained that the debt, which now totals approximately $33,000, dates back to the 2011 FOPA event and has remained unpaid for years.

“The water issue we are currently facing is the result of outstanding Solomon Water bills amounting to around $33,000. The debt originated during the previous administration following the FOPA event in 2011.

“The former school administration informed me that several outstanding obligations from the FOPA event, including rental payments owed to the school, were never settled. Since then, the water bills have continued to accumulate until Solomon Water eventually disconnected our supply,” Mr Fuato’o said.

Mr Fuato’o said the school’s water service was restored this week following negotiations with Solomon Water’s Auki office and the payment of reconnection and installment fees.

“Because the water issue was affecting both the school and our students, I met with Solomon Water officials last week to negotiate a solution. Following the discussions, I was granted approval to settle the outstanding bill through installments and pay the reconnection fee.

“Our water supply has now been restored, and classes are running smoothly once again,” he said.

He said the remaining balance will be settled with support from parents and guardians, following approval during a recent Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting.

Auki Community High School is one of Malaita Province’s key educational institutions, serving students from Auki town and surrounding communities. The school caters to many children of working families living in and around the provincial centre.

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New sanitation facilities transform life in North Guadalcanal

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

More than a decade after devastating floods swept through the North Guadalcanal plains in 2014, communities are seeing lasting change thanks to new sanitation facilities provided by Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). 

Thomas Douman, a local resident of Popoloi, recalls how life was before the support arrived.

“We usually used dry pits to excrete, because we worried about our health,” he explained.

Families dug pits far from the village to avoid the smell and contamination, but the practice was inconvenient and unsafe, especially for children. 

That changed when NGOs including, Live and Learn, ADRA, through UNICEF WASH program and government partners stepped in. Their efforts brought boreholes and proper toilets to the community, marking a turning point in daily life.   

“Since we have these new toilets, that is one of the things we see as a big change in our community.

“In the past, we had to go far away. Now, the facilities are near our doorsteps, making life more convenient.” Douman said.

Parents have noticed the difference most clearly in their children.

“For now, they feared the bush when nature called. Now, they run to the toilet rooms,” Douman added. 

Mr Douman said the new infrastructure has improved hygiene, reduced health risks, and fostered a sense of dignity.

Douman expressed heartfelt gratitude.

“I want to thank the NGOs and the government who came down to see our needs and help us. What they did has started to change our lives,” he said.

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Strong wind warning issued for SI waters

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) has issued Strong wind warning number one at 4:00 pm yesterday, cautioning communities and sea travellers across several provinces to prepare for hazardous conditions over the next 24 to 48 hours.

According to the advisory, strong south to southeast winds are expected to reach speeds of 20 to 25 knots over the waters of Rennell/Bellona, southern Makira, Western Province, Guadalcanal, Temotu, and the Russell Islands.

The SIMS said seas are forecasted to be moderate to rough, with southeasterly swells reaching 2.5 to 3.0 meters. 

It further adds that a trough currently lies over the Solomon Islands, with persistent wind flows south of the system contributing to the warning.

Poor visibility is anticipated in areas affected by showers and thunderstorms. 

SIMS urges residents in the affected provinces to take precautionary measures, as strong winds may pose risks to lives and property.

Sea travelers, particularly those in small boats, are advised to exercise caution, as dangerous wave conditions could develop. 

The Meteorological Service emphasised the importance of sharing this information with people with disabilities to ensure community-wide preparedness.

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Trial dates for trio in stolen cash, beche-de-mer case set by court

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BY MELVILLE TITIULU

The Honiara Central Magistrate’s court has set August 31 to September 11 of this year for the trial of three people accused of theft of around $2 million worth of beche-de-mer and cash.

Frank Firimolea of Ngaliwao village, Malaita Province, was charged alongside Mrs Donsia Deresi and Rickson Suiti Abana. Mrs Deresi and Mr Abana are mother and son.

All three accused were charged with housebreaking and committing a felony contrary to section 300 (a) of the penal code as read with section 21 (a) of the penal code.

The trio previously pleaded ‘not guilty’ when arraigned before Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison, on May 28 of this year.

Prosecution alleged that Mr Firimolea, together with Deresi and Abana, at Honiara, Guadalcanal Province, on August 29, 2025, broke into a warehouse storage and container storage at Kukum, a property belonging to one Mr Zhong Ruwei of Chinese nationality.

It was alleged that items valued at $2 million were stolen, which included 22 bags of beche-de-mer and $100,000 in cash.

It further alleged that the trio, with the help of others, gained entry into the storage facility. They used three vehicles to transport the stolen items from the warehouse at Kukum to Tenaru, East Honiara, with a view to conceal and retrieve later.

Police managed to arrest Deresi on September 29, 2025, with some of the stolen items also recovered. Her son, Abana, was arrested on December 22, 2025, after evading police arrest for months following the warehouse incident.

Prosecution informed the court yesterday that it will be relying on 10 prosecution witnesses for trial.

In the meantime, bail for Mrs Deresi and remand for Mr Firimolea and Mr Abana have been extended.

Steward Beto represented the Crown, while Mr Jason Anisi, and Mr Harry Luahiti from the Public Solicitors’ Office, represented the three defendants.

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17-year-old on remand for setting his grandmother’s house on fire released

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BY MELVILLE TITIULU

A young man who was remanded earlier this year for setting his grandmother’s unoccupied house on fire after being angry that he wasn’t left his share of slaughtered pig was released yesterday.

The juvenile who cannot be identified due to legal reasons faced the Magistrate court with one count of attempts to commit arson charge, an offence which carries a maximum custodial sentence of 14 years.

He previously pleaded guilty to that charge when charged before Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison on April 24 of this year.

On Wednesday, 28, January of this year, the court heard that the complainant who is the defendant’s grandmother, instructed relatives to slaughter a pig for a communal meal.

The court also heard that everyone assisted in the preparations and that the defendant had also “contributed significantly’’ by collecting firewood.

However, during the distribution of the meat in the evening, the defendant was away in another part of the village. Due to his absence, the complainant unintentionally failed to set aside a portion for him.

The defendant returned at 8pm and discovered that there was no food left for him.

“Distraught and angry with his grandmother, he entered her unoccupied house and intentionally set fire to a bedspread on one of the mattresses,” court documents show.

Court documents revealed the fire had destroyed several valued items at an estimated value of $1,470.00 amongst others, two 3-inch mattresses.

The defendant and his family since the incident have reconciled with the complainant through a customary settlement.

The court previously heard that a total compensation package valued at $11,000 was paid to the complainant consisting of $3000.00 in cash, a Pig valued at $5,000.00 and a customary reconciliation (Chupu) valued at $3,000, held before the complainant.

The matter came for sentencing yesterday.

Prio to sentencing the juvenile, the court had to consider the fact that the offender is 17-year-old with real prospect of him being rehabilitated and integrated back into society.

The court took into consideration of the fact that the damaged caused by the defendant’s action was valued at $1,470.00.

It further noted that the defendant and his family had paid the victim a compensation valued at $11,000.00

Principal Magistrate Ben Alasia sentenced the defendant to 5 months imprisonment.

However, he noted that the defendant had already spent a bulk of 4 months and 21 days at the Rove Correctional Centre since his remand and that the remainder have been satisfactorily served.

“I ordered that the defendant be released at the rising of the court,” Principal Magistrate Alasia ordered.

Thus, the defendant was released yesterday.

Mr Herrick Lautalo prosecuted the case, and he represented the Crown, while James Tetea from the Public Solicitors Office, represented the defendant.

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GETTING THE BEST

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Despite logistical and fuel challenges, Choiseul organisers prepare to identify top athletes for Team Lauru ahead of Solomon Games 2026

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

The upcoming Lauru Games 2026 will play a major role in identifying Choiseul Province’s top athletes for the Solomon Games 2026 despite logistical and transport challenges faced by organisers.

The Games, organised by the Office of the NSC–PSRDO, Lauru Sports Division and the Local Organising Committee (LOC), will be held from June 8 to 10 at two venues — Taro and Wagina.

Netball and athletics competitions will be staged in Taro while Wagina will host both beach volleyball and indoor volleyball events.

Lauru Games Sports and Recreation Development Officer (SRDO), Brian Koveke, told Island Sun that the Games will serve as the official selection pathway for Team Lauru ahead of the Solomon Games scheduled for July 6–10 in Honiara.

“The purpose of the Games is to identify and select elite athletes who will represent Team Lauru at the Solomon Games 2026,” Koveke said.

He said around 30 affiliated netball clubs are expected to participate, alongside athletics competitors and school-based athletes.

“The number of players expected to participate in netball is about 30 clubs affiliated with the Lauru Netball Association,” he said.

Koveke added that organisers are taking a stricter approach this year by ensuring only active and properly affiliated clubs participate in the Games.

“We are making sure clubs are active and aligned with programmes under the federation,” he explained.

According to Koveke, athlete selection will not only depend on sporting performance but also discipline and behaviour during the Games.

“We look at performance, skills and talented athletes, but we also look at discipline.

“If a player is skilful but not disciplined, that player cannot be selected,” he said.

He added that safeguarding rules and official Games regulations will also guide the selection process.

Koveke said the broader goal of the Games is to empower youths through sports while promoting unity across Choiseul Province.

“The main goal is to bring in youths; empowering youths through sports and bring unity together,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Local Organising Committee Chairman Christopher Makoni said both Taro and Wagina are prepared to host the competitions despite facing major logistical challenges.

“Wagina for both indoor and beach volleyball is prepared and Taro is also prepared for Monday games,” Makoni said.

However, he admitted that transport and fuel costs remain among the biggest concerns for organisers.

“One of our biggest logistical challenges is transport and the high cost of fuel,” he said.

Makoni explained that sea transport remains the main means of travel in Choiseul Province, making transportation of teams expensive and difficult.

Accommodation has also become another challenge, particularly in Taro, which contributed to the decision to split the Games into two venues.

“That’s one reason why we have two venues,” he explained.

Despite the challenges, Makoni said organisers are determined to successfully host the Games and identify quality athletes to represent the province.

“With the limited resources and challenges, we still look forward to hosting this event and selecting good players for the Solomon Games,” he said.

The Choiseul Sports & Recreation Development Program earlier announced that only sports associations and clubs affiliated and registered with the National Sports Council Solomon Islands (NSCSI) will be eligible to compete.

Prizes will also be awarded to teams and athletes finishing first, second and third in their respective events.

The Lauru Games has continued to serve as an important provincial sporting platform to identify and develop talented athletes from across Choiseul ahead of national competitions such as the Solomon Games.

Photo credit: Supplied

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