BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Visitor numbers to the Bloody Ridge National Peace Park have more than doubled during the first six months of 2026, reflecting growing local and international interest in one of Solomon Islands’ most significant historical and tourism sites.

According to visitor statistics released by the park, a total of 1,639 people visited Bloody Ridge between January and June this year, compared to 846 visitors during the same period in 2025.

The figures show a strong increase across both domestic and international visitors.

Overseas visitor numbers rose by 87 per cent, while visitors from within Solomon Islands increased by 97 per cent compared to the first half of last year.

The most significant growth came from the United States, with the number of American visitors more than tripling over the same period.

The park also recorded visitors from 35 different countries during the six-month period, highlighting its growing international profile.

The top five visitor nationalities remained unchanged, with visitors from the United States, Solomon Islands, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand accounting for the largest share of arrivals.

Park management described the figures as encouraging and said they demonstrate increasing recognition of Bloody Ridge as both an important national heritage site and an emerging tourism destination.

Management said the results reinforce their belief that the park remains one of Solomon Islands’ most valuable historical landmarks while offering significant potential to contribute to the country’s tourism industry.

Despite the positive trend, park officials acknowledged that challenges remain in further developing and promoting the site. However, they said the growing number of visitors provides encouragement for continued efforts to improve the park and enhance visitor experience.

Bloody Ridge, the site of one of the most decisive battles of the Guadalcanal Campaign during the Second World War, has become a popular destination for both local visitors and overseas tourists interested in military history, heritage, and cultural tourism.

Park management expressed optimism that visitor growth will continue during the second half of 2026.

Photo credit: Bloody Ridge Facebook page

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BY TONY IROGA

More than 25 community members from four communities in Ghaobata Ward, North Guadalcanal completed a three-day artisan training programme this week.

The training was held at Ghaobata School in North Guadalcanal Constituency and catered to participants from Tumorora, Bebe, Bubulu and Popoloi communities, along with representatives from nearby villages with the aim to improve sanitation and reduce open defecation in rural Guadalcanal.

UNICEF Solomon Islands WASH Programme Officer Erick Hale said the training was designed to equip community representatives with practical skills that they can take back to their villages.

The programme, supported by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Solomon Islands in partnership with the Guadalcanal Provincial Government’s Environmental Health Division, trained participants to build affordable, durable and climate-resilient rural toilets using locally available materials.

“The purpose of this training is to transfer skills and knowledge so community members can build affordable and climate-resilient toilets using materials that are available in their own communities,” Mr Hale said.

He said many people believe building a toilet requires large amounts of money, but there are simple ways to build them hence, reducing construction costs while improving sanitation.

During the training, participants learned both theory and practical skills, including sanitation planning, climate-resilient toilet construction, mold preparation, slab casting and pit lining. They will now return to their communities to put those skills into practice.

He said improving sanitation is critical, as only about 35 per cent of Solomon Islands households currently have access to improved sanitation facilities.

“The remaining 65 per cent still do not have access to improved sanitation. Our expectation is that participants will return home and help improve sanitation standards in their communities,” he said.

He encouraged communities to support trained artisans by providing the tools, materials and leadership needed to continue the work.

“Community ownership is essential. It is no use learning these skills if people return home without the support needed to improve sanitation in their villages,” he said.

He said UNICEF remains committed to improve the wellbeing of children by supporting better health, education and sanitation through local partners.

“UNICEF focuses on the welfare of children. We want children to grow up healthy, attend school and live in communities with safe sanitation. That is why we work through partners such as Leave and Learn and closely with the Guadalcanal Provincial Government,” he said.

He said the training contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all.

He thanked the participants, community leaders, the Solomon Islands Government, UNICEF and development partners for supporting efforts to improve sanitation across the country.

He also stressed the importance of continued monitoring and follow-up after the training.

“Every activity must be followed up. We need to monitor progress, learn from challenges and continue supporting communities so these new skills make a lasting difference,” he said.

Photo credit: Tony Iroga

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BY JOSES SAREN

The Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS), John Tuhaika Jnr, has described unexploded ordnance (UXO) as one of the enduring legacies of the Second World War, warning that explosive remnants continue to threaten lives and hold back economic development across Solomon Islands more than 80 years after the conflict ended.

He made the remarks while officiating at the launch of the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) Core, at Mendana Hotel yesterday.

The IMSMA Core is a new national database to track UXO and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW).

He said the new system represents more than a technical upgrade, describing it as another step in the government’s commitment to public safety and national resilience.

“Today’s event marks more than the introduction of a new information system. It represents another important step in our national commitment to protecting our people, strengthening public safety, and building a more resilient and secure Solomon Islands,” he said.

Minister Tuhaika Jnr said the system’s success will depend on more than technology alone.

He also made a call for all government agencies, development partners and stakeholders to commit to maintaining accurate and reliable data.

“The effectiveness of this system will depend not only on technology but also on our collective commitment to maintaining accurate, timely and reliable data. Strong institutions are built on quality information, and quality information leads to better decisions and better outcomes for our people,” he said.

He said his ministry established the National UXO Coordination Office to lead national policy on mine action and strengthen coordination, while the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit will remain the statutory authority for all explosive ordnance disposal operations.

Minister Tuhaika Jnr also calls for continued partnership between government, stakeholders, and the community to protect future generations of Solomon Islanders.

“Let us continue to work together, guided by partnership, shared responsibility and a common commitment to ensuring that future generations of Solomon Islanders can live, work and prosper free from the threat of unexploded ordnance,” he said.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Kwene community in Ward 8, North Malaita, is set to benefit from a new tilapia farming initiative that aims to improve food security and strengthen climate resilience.

The project is funded under the Climate Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change (CARA) Project, coordinated by World Vision and implemented by the Malaita Provincial Fisheries Division.

Malaita Provincial Senior Fisheries Officer, Mathew Isihanua in his latest post on Facebook page said that the newly constructed fish ponds in the community were stocked with Mozambique tilapia fingerlings last month.

He said this marks an important milestone in the project and the fish are expected to reach harvest size by October this year.

Isihanua said the initiative is designed to provide families with a reliable source of protein while creating opportunities for income generation through the sale of surplus fish.

He also said it promotes sustainable inland aquaculture as an alternative livelihood for communities affected by the impacts of climate change on traditional food sources.

Community members have welcomed the project, saying it will help improve household nutrition and reduce dependence on wild fisheries.

The CARA Project supports vulnerable communities by promoting practical, climate-resilient livelihood activities that strengthen food production and enhance community resilience.

Through partnerships with organisations such as World Vision and the Malaita Provincial Fisheries Division, the project aims to equip rural communities with the knowledge and resources needed to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

With the ponds now fully stocked, residents are looking forward to their first harvest in October, which is expected to provide both food for local households and an opportunity to generate additional income.

Photo credit: Mathew Isihanua

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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA

Thirty education professionals from provinces around the country attended a four-day workshop on School-Based Disaster and Climate Resilience at Rock Haven from Monday to Friday this week.

The workshop was supported through a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The training was organised under the Senior Secondary Education Project, which works with ten schools across the country.

Each of the ten schools were represented by three education professionals, one principal and two education officers bringing the total number of participants to thirty.

The workshop aims to equip the ten senior secondary schools in Solomon Islands with meaningful disaster planning knowledge to help reduce the risks posed by hazards and disasters.

It also sought to strengthen support for schools and communities in preparedness planning.

Speaking to the Island Sun yesterday, the facilitator, Disaster Risk and Resilience Coordinator Lore Wale said the workshop was well-timed, coming shortly after the country experienced a tropical cyclone that affected Western and Choiseul Provinces, damaging a significant number of schools.

“This training is very important for schools to be well prepared and supportive, so that when disaster strikes, schools and communities can respond accordingly,” Wale said.

Thirty education professionals who took part in a recent training session shared reflections on their key takeaways, pledging to bring what they learned back to their respective schools.

During the reflection session, participants revealed plans to organise school alert activities that aim to engage the wider school community, including students, staff, and families.

The initiative is designed to build awareness and preparedness around safety evacuation procedures, ensuring that all members of the school community are equipped with the knowledge needed to respond effectively in the event of an emergency.

Wale said he believes that they all the knowledge to organise the initiative to strengthen disaster preparedness at the school level and as trained professionals to serve as champions for safety awareness within their schools, communities and for the country as a whole.

Photo: Supplied

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Minister for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Father Manasseh Maelanga, reaffirms that the government will work closely with Honiara City Council (HCC) to build a modern, safer, cleaner, and well-managed capital city.

HCC in a statement yesterday said he expressed this during the Lord Mayor’s Traditional Feast 2026 at the National Stadium Dining Hall on Thursday.

The statement said the Lord Mayor’s Traditional Feast is an event held annually as part of the Solomon Islands Independence Anniversary celebrations to bring national leaders, provincial representatives, community leaders, and invited guests together to celebrate the nation’s unity, culture, and progress.

The minister said Honiara’s rapid urban growth requires stronger collaboration between the government, HCC and communities to effectively address challenges associated with urbanisation.

He also emphasised that effective law enforcement, stronger community participation, and practical crime prevention measures are vital to maintain peace, order, and public safety throughout the capital.

In this regard, he encourages residents to respect the law, care for their communities, and be active in supporting initiatives that promote a safe and orderly city.

The minister also highlighted the Ministry of Home Affairs’ role as HCC’s mother ministry, thus, stressed on the ministry’s commitment to support the council’s efforts in urban management, good governance, and community development.

He said maintaining law and order is a shared responsibility that cannot be achieved by government agencies alone.

He also calls on churches, youth groups, women, landowners, community leaders, and all residents to work together with the government and HCC to create safer, cleaner, and more resilient neighbourhoods.

The Member of Parliament for East Malaita reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthen its partnership with HCC to deliver sustainable urban development, enhance public safety, and improve the quality of life for all citizens living in the nation’s capital.

Photo credit: HCC

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Westbound travellers in the capital will use now be using a new temporary bus stop behind the Honiara City Council (HCC) headquarters.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) last night, the temporary bus stop shared with the Mbokonavera/Skyline, Papaho, and Vavaya Ridge bus stops, has been divided and clearly marked with route destinations for the convenience of passengers.

MID said this is to provide a safe, organized space while construction begins on the main road carriageway from the Hot Bread Kitchen roundabout to the HCC roundabout landside section.

“The work is expected to take about three weeks, weather permitting, and includes asphalt removal, kerb installation, bus bay and parking construction, pavement improvements, and sealing,” said MID.

The ministry said contractors’ traffic controllers and the Road Transport Board task force will assist during the first few days to help bus drivers and traveling public to adapt to the new temporary route.

MID also outlined a traffic management plan which include the following directions;

– Buses heading to White River will use the HCC/Holy Cross junction to enter and exit.

– Buses can then cross via a temporary ramp in front of HCC to the seaside inner lane or use the Lekaboli bypass (Chiefs Haus to ITA backroad).

– Special access points will be available for shopping centers, offices, and customers along the landside strip (Magistrate Court to New Generation shop).

– The seaside section from Hot Bread Roundabout to Central Market will be reopened to traffic.

– All westbound vehicles will travel along the inner lane of the seaside section from the HCC Roundabout and merge into the landside lane after the Hot Bread Roundabout.

– Vehicles coming down from Mbokonavera, Skyline, Papaho, and Vavaya Ridge heading to Point Cruz, Lengakiki, or further west are encouraged to use the Lekaboli bypass to reduce congestion.

MID also said work zones will be barricaded with proper signage, warnings, and safety measures and pedestrian walkways and crossings will be provided where possible.

Meanwhile, the eastbound bus stop as noted, will remain operational at the MID Works compound and the bus stop in front of Central Market will remain closed and fenced until roadwork along Mendana Avenue reaches completion.

MID said these upgrades are the final phase of the road component of the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP), funded by the Solomon Islands Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with completion expected in early August.

“Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to improve Honiara’s road infrastructure for better traffic flow, safety, and climate resilience,” said MID.

Photo credit: MID

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