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Malaita health summit ends successfully

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BY RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

A one-week health summit held in Auki has successfully concluded with participants and organisers reaffirming their commitment to strengthening health services in Malaita Province.

The summit focused on applying the Primary Health Care Performance Initiative framework at the provincial level to improve understanding of health system performance and support practical planning for service improvements.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Malaita Provincial Health Minister Alizer acknowledged the efforts of health directors and officers for making the summit possible.

She said health is everybody’s business and stressed the importance of working together to improve healthcare services in the province.

“I want to acknowledge the health team for the services in Malaita, including the director and health officers, for allowing this workshop to be held and for participating and sharing during this summit,” she said.

The Minister also acknowledged officers of the Malaita Provincial Government and church representatives who attended the week-long programme.

A token of appreciation was presented to the health team in recognition of their support and contribution towards the successful completion of the summit.

The Primary Health Care Performance Initiative is an internationally recognised framework designed to assess and strengthen primary healthcare systems.

The framework also promotes improved use of data for decision-making and has been adapted by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services for use at the provincial level.

Organisers said the summit provided an important platform for health stakeholders to discuss challenges, strengthen collaboration and identify practical strategies to improve healthcare delivery across Malaita Province.

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Gizo Primary School hosts colourful cultural event

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

GIZO Primary School yesterday hosted its annual cultural event, bringing together students, parents and teachers in a vibrant celebration of culture and tradition from across Western Province.

The event saw children as young as three years old dressed in traditional attire, performing cultural dances and songs before visiting guests, parents and fellow students.

Throughout the day, eight island groups took to the centre stage to showcase their unique customs, traditional dances and cultural performances for judges and spectators.

At the end of the competition, Team Roviana was crowned winner of the 2026 Annual Cultural Event for their outstanding customs display and performances.

Speaking to the media, Deputy Head Teacher of Gizo Primary School, Ms. Mavete Matepitu, said the annual cultural day was established to help students understand and appreciate their cultures and traditions.

She explained that students were deliberately mixed into different cultural groups to encourage them to learn from one another.

“As you see today, each team is made up of children coming from different islands. There are students from Vella who are in Team Marovo and students from Roviana in Team Kolombangara.

“The idea behind this mixture is to help students learn each other’s culture, tradition and ways of living within their communities,” Matepitu added.

She said the eight cultural groups featured during the event included Shortlands, Roviana, Ranongga/Simbo, Kolombangara, Rendova, Marovo, Vella and Gilbertese.

Matepitu said society is changing rapidly and events such as the cultural day are important because they allow students to mingle, learn about diversity and develop respect for one another’s cultures and traditions.

Principal of Gizo Primary School, Dickson Nathan, thanked students, parents and teachers for their support and contributions towards the success of the event.

“Culture and tradition are important not only to students but also to those who know little about the diverse provinces.

“Engaging children at a young age to learn about culture and tradition is very important,” he added.

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Trio to enter plea over Waikiki Beach theft

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BY MELVILLE TITIULU

The Magistrate’s Court has adjourned to June 5 the case involving three men accused of stealing a water pump valued at $700 from a beach property at Waikiki.

The accused, Rockrick Saehana, along with Milton Saehana and Junior Hamusin, are jointly charged with the offence of simple larceny.

Court documents revealed that the alleged incident occurred earlier in March this year.

The matter came to police attention after Rockrick’s father reported the incident to the White River Police Station following confirmation from a buyer that Rockrick had attempted to sell the water pump.

During a police interview, Rockrick Saehana allegedly admitted stealing the water pump from his father’s beach property at Waikiki with the assistance of the two co-accused.

Police alleged that Milton Saehana and Junior Hamusin waited by the seaside acting as lookouts and helped to carry the stolen property with the intention of selling it.

The trio were formally arrested and charged and were initially released on police bail.

They were expected to appear before the court on May 10 to enter their pleas but failed to attend, prompting the court to issue warrants for their arrest.

Police Constable Ledly Tugunau informed the court yesterday that warrants were issued after all three accused failed to appear at the previous hearing.

The three accused later appeared before the court yesterday.

Principal Magistrate Ben Alasia questioned them about their absence during the last court appearance.

The accused told the court they arrived late due to traffic problems.

After considering their explanation, Magistrate Alasia withdrew the warrants of arrest but reminded the accused of the importance of attending court on scheduled dates.

He warned them that failure to attend future court appearances could result in them being remanded in custody instead of remaining on bail.

Magistrate Alasia also advised the accused to leave for court as early as 6:30am on their next court date to avoid traffic delays.

The matter was adjourned to June 5 at 9am for plea, while the accused persons’ bail was extended.

Police Constable Ledly Tugunau is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The court was also informed that the three accused will be represented by lawyers from the Public Solicitor’s Office.

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Repeat traffic offender jailed four months

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BY MELVILLE TITIULU

The Central Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a repeat road traffic offender to four months imprisonment for what the court described as a “blatant disregard for road traffic laws.”

Alick Sulu Misitana, 51, of Malaita Province, pleaded guilty to three traffic-related offences including using an unlicensed motor vehicle, using an uninsured motor vehicle and driving without a valid driver’s licence.

Presiding Magistrate Joyceth Paile reminded the offender that he was not appearing before the court for the first time, having previously been fined by the same court in mid-March this year.

Ms Paile told the defendant that reoffending without paying the earlier court-imposed fine of $1,700 was something the court will not treat lightly.

The Magistrate said the offender’s actions demonstrated a clear disregard for both road traffic laws and court directives.

The court heard that Misitana depended on the expired vehicle to transport his fish and chips container to the Honiara Central Market, which he claimed was his main source of income.

Traffic officers intercepted him near ITA Hardware while he was travelling to the market and confirmed that the vehicle licence, insurance and driver’s licence had all expired.

Magistrate Paile reminded the offender that there were other available transport options for taking his goods to the market.

“There are other cheap means of transport available, like taking a taxi or a bus,” Ms Paile told the court.

“This case warrants a custodial sentence as opposed to a fine,” she added.

The court also considered the fact that Misitana was a repeat offender who had previously appeared before the same magistrate earlier this year.

After considering both the seriousness of the offences and the offender’s personal circumstances, the court imposed a one-month imprisonment sentence for the traffic offences.

In addition, the court ordered a further three months imprisonment for defaulting on the earlier court-imposed fine and failing to comply with court orders.

Misitana will now serve a total of four months at the Rove Correctional Centre.

Meanwhile, Superintendent William Foufaka, Director of the National Traffic Department, told Island Sun yesterday that traffic officers will intensify road inspections in Honiara beginning next week.

“As of next week, our traffic officers will target not just the main roads but also feeder roads to enhance road safety and compliance within Honiara,” Superintendent Foufaka said.

The matter was prosecuted by Moffat Tei on behalf of the Office of the Police Prosecutions Department, while Misitana represented himself in court.

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SHIPBUILDING REVIVAL PUSH

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  • Langa Langa Lagoon tradition targeted for preservation under SIMA mission

BY NED GAGAHE

THE Solomon Islands is moving to revive its once-thriving traditional shipbuilding industry, with the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) launching a technical mission that aims to preserve and modernise the centuries-old craft.

The initiative, described as a major step to safeguard maritime heritage, will run from May 24 to June 3, 2026, in Langa Langa Lagoon, Malaita.

The programme forms the first phase of SIMA’s project titled “Reviving Traditional Shipbuilding in Solomon Islands,” which aims to protect traditional knowledge while ensuring locally built vessels meet modern safety and certification standards.

For generations, master shipbuilders in Langa Langa Lagoon have constructed large wooden vessels used for transporting passengers and cargo across the country.

Unlike traditional Pacific canoes, Langa Langa builders are known for producing larger timber boats capable of carrying copra, timber, cocoa, goods and people across open seas.

However, SIMA says this knowledge is now under threat as elder shipbuilders age and younger generations move away from the trade.

A key challenge has been that many traditional vessels were built without formal drawings or stability calculations, making certification under modern maritime standards difficult.

To address this, SIMA has engaged a naval architect and vessel inspectors to conduct detailed assessments, including measurements, stability checks and preparation of technical drawings for certification and registration.

The project is expected to support preservation of maritime heritage, improve vessel safety, create technical training opportunities for young Solomon Islanders, and ensure long-term sustainability of traditional shipbuilding.

SIMA said the initiative demonstrates how traditional knowledge can be integrated with modern maritime safety systems to support a safer and culturally grounded transport sector.

The Langa Langa shipbuilding tradition, once a key post-independence industry, has gradually declined due to limited government support and changing economic conditions.

The industry had strong potential for growth if properly funded and linked to technical training and international markets.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has supported local boat construction through the National Transport Fund, though results have been mixed.

Prime Minister Matthew Wale while the Opposition Leader in 2021, previously warned that the industry risks disappearing without stronger government support.

He said political influence and limited access to funding have also contributed to the decline of the sector.

Many said that unless urgent action is taken, traditional shipbuilding could join the list of disappearing industries in Solomon Islands.

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CHASING HISTORY

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Vulita closes in on national record at Oceania Championships

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Solomon Islands athlete Yankee Vulita has moved to within one second of the national 400 metres hurdles record after an impressive performance at the ongoing 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin, Australia.

Vulita produced a personal best time of 57.64 seconds in the heats to qualify for the men’s 400m hurdles final, emerging as one of Team Solomon Islands’ standout performers on day four of the regional championships at Arafura Stadium on Thursday.

According to a press release shared by the National Sports Council (NSC) Solomon Islands, Vulita is now just one second behind the national record set by the late George Tarai.

“A standout performance came from Yankee Vulita, who qualified for the 400m hurdles final after running a personal best of 57.64 seconds in the heats.

“He is now just one second shy of the national record set by the late George Tarai,” NSC said.

The 400m hurdles final featuring Vulita is scheduled for today at 5:50pm Solomon Islands time.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands athletes continued to deliver encouraging results across several track and field events during Thursday’s competition schedule.

In the men’s 400m events, Leeroy Alulu clocked a season-best time of 50.73 seconds to finish 10th, while Francis Dau also registered a season-best performance of 51.27 seconds for 11th place.

Vulita followed closely with another personal best effort of 52.02 seconds, placing 13th overall.

Junior David also recorded strong performances in both field and sprint events. He produced a season-best leap of 6.37 metres in the long jump to finish ninth and later clocked a personal best time of 11.24 seconds in the men’s 100m event.

In the women’s competition, Julian Sosimo delivered a season-best throw of 31.78 metres in the javelin event to place 12th overall.

The NSC said Solomon Islands athletes continued to show positive progress and valuable international exposure during the regional championships.

“Solomon Islands Athletics Team continues its campaign at the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin, Australia, with athletes producing a series of encouraging performances across track and field events at Arafura Stadium,” NSC said.

Thursday’s schedule also featured Solomon Islands athletes competing in the men’s triple jump, 200m heats, women’s 100m hurdles heats and final, and the men’s 800m final.

The Oceania Athletics Championships runs from May 18 to 24 at Arafura Stadium in Darwin and has attracted more than 800 athletes from 23 countries across the Oceania region. The competition is being streamed live through World Athletics platforms.

Photo credit: St. Dominic Athletics Club Solomon Islands/Facebook

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Solo athlete meets World Athletics President in Darwin

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BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Solomon Islands athlete Stephen Rahuasi has shared a memorable moment with one of the biggest names in world athletics during the ongoing Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin, Australia.

Rahuasi had the opportunity to meet World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe while attending the regional championships, according to a statement released by the National Sports Council (NSC) Solomon Islands this week.

The NSC said Rahuasi, who is being assisted by former AVI volunteer Josiah McCarthy, was able to interact with the World Athletics boss during the championships.

“Stephen, who is being assisted by former AVI volunteer Josiah McCarthy, had the opportunity to meet and interact with one of the most respected figures in global athletics during the championships,” the NSC statement said.

The NSC described the meeting as a proud and inspiring moment for Team Solomon Islands, saying it highlighted the growing exposure and valuable international experience local athletes continue to gain through regional competitions.

Lord Sebastian Coe is regarded as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in athletics history. The British athletics legend won two Olympic gold medals in the 1500 metres event and broke several world records during his competitive career.

He later served as Chair of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee before becoming President of World Athletics, the international governing body for athletics worldwide.

The Oceania Athletics Championships continue in Darwin, bringing together athletes from across the Pacific region and Oceania to compete in various track and field events.

Photo: Supplied

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Football fans set for World Cup atmosphere at Coral Sea

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BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Football fans in Honiara are expected to enjoy a lively FIFA World Cup atmosphere next month after Coral Sea Resort & Casino announced it will host live match screenings and World Cup betting activities during the global football tournament.

In a recent social media post, the resort and casino confirmed that FIFA World Cup betting has officially arrived at its casino venue ahead of the opening match on June 11.

The promotion promises football supporters live match broadcasts on big screens, ice cold beers, game night specials and multiple betting options throughout the tournament.

The resort said matches will be shown live during business hours while betting services will be available at the casino cage daily from 10am.

Current outright winner odds released by the casino place Spain among the favourites at 5.00, followed by France at 5.50, England at 7.00, while Brazil and defending champions Argentina are both listed at 8.00.

Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands are also among teams attracting betting interest heading into the world’s biggest football event.

The promotion also highlights some of football’s biggest stars including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior.

Football remains one of the most followed sports in Solomon Islands, with major international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup often drawing strong public interest across Honiara and other parts of the country.

With the countdown now underway, local football fans are expected to gather in numbers to follow the month-long tournament and support their favourite teams and players.

Photo: Supplied

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RSIPF Maritime takes firm action following unauthorised boarding of Fast Craft

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

The Maritime of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) wishes to address and clarify a recent incident that circulated widely on social media involving that of an RSIPF fast craft donated by the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

RSIPF in a statement yesterday said the vessel was temporarily secured ashore at Leroy Wharf during Cyclone Maila as part of standard safety precautions to protect critical maritime assets from severe weather conditions.

And while the vessel was under this protective arrangement, a group of youths unlawfully boarded the craft and captured photographs, which were later disseminated online accompanied by inappropriate gestures.

RSIPF Maritime considered this behaviour as “regrettable” given that it involved unauthorised access to a government asset that plays a vital role in maritime policing, safety operations, and emergency response capability.

When the matter was identified, RSIPF Maritime immediately engaged relevant stakeholders through established administrative and operational procedures.

RSIPF said the management of SolFish Company was also engaged and have taken appropriate internal action in relation to the incident.

The statement said the youths involved came forward to formally apologise for their actions.

“They were received at the RSIPF Maritime Aola Base by Maritime Operations Officer Inspector William Kelomae and other maritime officers on Tuesday, 19 May 2026,” said RSIPF.

Inspector Kelomae acknowledged their apology and commended them for being accountable and mature in the sense of voluntarily addressing the matter.

RSIPF said he also took the opportunity to provide guidance; reinforcing the importance of respecting government property, understanding operational security, and recognising that even actions taken without malicious intent can have broader implications for public institutions.

RSIPF Maritime emphasised that its assets are essential to safeguard lives at sea, support law enforcement operations, and respond to emergencies across the Solomon Islands maritime domain.

Hence, any unauthorised interaction with such assets not only compromises operational readiness but also undermines public trust and safety protocols.

“The RSIPF Executive and China Police Liaison Team (CPLT) have been fully briefed and strongly support the professional, balanced, and community-focused approach taken by RSIPF Maritime in resolving the matter through engagement, education, and restorative dialogue.

“RSIPF Maritime remains committed to strengthening community awareness, promoting respect for state assets, and encouraging responsible behavior among young people, particularly in relation to critical national infrastructure and maritime safety resources,” RSIPF said.

Photo credit: RSIPF

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RSIPF warns communities of UXO operations on North West Guadalcanal

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department (EODD) will conduct a Render Safe Procedure (RSP) on a live unexploded bomb recently identified at Vatukulau in the Aruligo area, North West Guadalcanal today.

According to a RSIPF statement released yesterday, Director of the RSIPF EODD, Inspector Clifford Tunuki, said the operation will be carried out between 10:00am and 4:00pm today.

“The operation will take place within the Vatukulau area inland of Aruligo.

“During this period, communities and members of the public living in and around Vatukulau and Aruligo are strongly advised to stay clear of the designated operational area while EOD procedures are underway,” he said.

Inspector Tunuki said temporary evacuations, movement restrictions, and roadblocks will be enforced within affected areas to ensure safety of communities and to allow EOD personnel to safely carry out the operation.

He said this operation is necessary to safely neutralise the sensitive explosive components and protect nearby communities.

“We therefore seek the full cooperation and understanding of residents, landowners, and the general public while the operation is in progress,” Tunuki said.

He emphasised that the operation will only be conducted today, during the specified operational hours and normal access will resume once the area has been declared safe by the EOD team on the ground.

RSIPF said the RSIPF EOD Department continues to urge members of the public to immediately report any sightings or discoveries of suspected unexploded ordnance (UXO), including bombs, grenades, artillery shells, mortars, or ammunition remnants from World War II.

Tunuki said unexploded ordnance remains extremely dangerous and should never be touched, moved, or disturbed under any circumstances.

“Members of the public are strongly encouraged to report any suspicious items immediately,” he said.

RSIPF said reports can be made through the RSIPF toll-free emergency line at 999, the RSIPF EOD mobile number 7495215, or to any nearest police stations.

Photo credit: RSIPF

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