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Paeloqe community successfully concludes new year program

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The Paeloqe community successfully hosted a Gospel Music Competition last week to celebrate the New Year at Paeloqe village, west Gizo.

The event was organized by the Moonlight Band from Valapata village, Vella La Vella Island, as part of their outreach program to empower youths in rural communities.

A total of 16 groups participated in the live music competition at Paeloqe village on Thursday, 9th December 2024. The event provided a platform for young people to showcase their musical and singing talents. At the conclusion of the activity, the judges decided to award equal tokens of appreciation to all participating groups, given that it was the first event of its kind. The judges anticipate that future events will be more competitive, with even greater participation.

The Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Panda Ta’ake, expressed gratitude to the surrounding communities for their enthusiastic participation and unwavering support during the Christmas and New Year programs.

“The energy, joy, and commitment of everyone made these celebrations truly memorable and successful, marked by vibrant festivities and shared unity,” he said.

The event committee extended special thanks to Mr. Henry Kaniki and Mrs. Clera Kaniki for their generosity in sponsoring the prizes for the Gospel Music Competition. Their support elevated the spirit of the celebrations and inspired the incredible talents within the community, said Pastor Jack Harry.

Mr. Jonathan Bukiri, Moonlight Band Coordinator, expressed his appreciation to the Paeloge community for their hospitality and for welcoming the band to facilitate the Gospel Music Competition. Similarly, Rockjay Bukiri shared his experience as a young musician, describing the event as highly educational. He looks forward to participating in future events.

One of the event judges, Mr. Iota Aram, highlighted the significance of the young musical talents showcased during the event. He emphasized the importance of nurturing these talents to bring positive change to the lives of youths and the community as a whole.

Mrs. Rose Derick also reflected on the event, emphasizing the opportunities it provided to youths and women interested in music. She shared how the activity helped her overcome her fear of public speaking and boosted her confidence. She strongly recommended that the event become an annual tradition, noting that it could lead to positive societal change.

–Paeloqe Committee

Warrant of arrest out for man accused of spreading false info

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Court has issued a warrant of arrest for a man accused of spreading false information causing fear and panic last year.

Junior Harry Gereniu was arrested and charged with spreading false information to public in October last year.

The warrant was issued after Gereniu failed to attend his court hearing yesterday.

Gereniu had pleaded guilty to one count of spreading false information likely to cause fear and panic in the community, contrary to section 63 of the Penal Code.

The matter was moved to January 17 for sentence and review of warrant if the warrant of arrest was not executed.

It was alleged on October 19, 2024 at 9.15pm, the accused appeared on a post on Facebook, alleging that a White Toyota Rav 4 without a plate number had attempted to abduct him, using a hook to steal a basket containing a passport and visa.

The RSIPF began investigating the alleged kidnapping on October 25,2024 after public panic and temporary school closures.

The accused later admitted to fabricating the story based on exaggerated remorse.

The false information allegedly caused widespread panic, resulting in schools being closed and police intervention.

Office of Police Prosecution Department act for crown and PSO for the defendants Gereniu.

Man gets 2 year suspended sentence for theft at residence

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

A man who pled guilty to stealing at a residence has been given a two year suspended sentence following an initial nine-month sentence.

The sentence was delivered yesterday by Principal Magistrate Emily Z Vagibule Pakoa.

Bravis Menapi was charged for larceny in dwelling house, contrary to section 269 (a) of the Penal Code, Cap 26.

He pleaded guilty to the charge on December 23, 2024.

In delivering the sentence court highlighted the aggravating factors which are; the seriousness of the offence, Menapi action for entering and exiting through the window of the victim’s home, his actions breach the security private homes of the victim and the mobile phone was never retrieve back to the victim.

For the mitigating factors, court also considered the guilty plea which saved court’s time and resources, he was a first-time offender, he cooperated with police and his youthfulness.

Court started with the starting points of twelve months imprisonment and added eight months for the aggravating factors, and then deduct four months for the earlier guilty plea and further deduct seven months for other mitigating factors.

The agreed facts stated Menapi is 23 years old, between July 1 and 31, 2024, he entered the dwelling house of John Kenedy.

He entered and exited the house through window in the evening.

He stole a bag and inside the bag a Samsung mobile phone.

Inside the bag, there was Samsung mobile phone. The mobile phone valued around $1,900.

He sold the phone for $100.

Around the time of the offending, Menapi was working as a carpenter for the complainant, building his house.

The complainant failed to pay Menapi for his service after he completed his work.

Menapi’s action arose when the complainant failed to pay him in almost two months and he desperately needed money.

Case of father accused of abusing daughter heads to High Court

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The matter of a man accused of persistent abuse of his daughter has been committed to the High Court.

The ruling was delivered yesterday, where court finds that there was sufficient evidence from the witness statements, medical report, record of interview and birth certificate of the complainant.

Court made directions for the matter to be called at High Court on January 31 for first mention.

After committing the accused, court delivered the ruling of bail application filed by accused and his lawyer.

In delivering bail application ruling, court granted the bail application however, made directions for the accused to pay a cash bail of $500 before release from the prison.

The accused was charged with persistent abuse of child and he pleaded not guilty.

It was alleged on October 15, 2021 the complainant was sleeping when the accused came and laid beside her, touching her body.

The victim woke up and shouted, and the accused apologised and told her not to tell anyone, promising the complainant that he would not do it again.

The next day on October 16, 2021 the accused reportedly assaulted the victim which he removed her shirt leaving her topless.

The defendant, with a knife in his hand threatened the complainant not to tell anyone about what had happened the previous day and after told the complainant to put on a shirt.

The facts further stated, later that day when the victim was sleeping, the accused went over and cradled her in his arms and committed the act of searching for a lice on her head.

The victim woke and froze, reportedly too scared to do anything, then the defendant allegedly began touching her body.

The defendant told the victim to allow him to touch her body, promising her that he would buy her a smartphone.

The victim did not accept what the defendant was doing to her that she allegedly stood up crying and went outside of the house.

The victim did not report anything to anybody.

In July this year, the accused allegedly assaulted the victim again.

Following this, the complainant decided to report her father (accused) so she went and reported to her aunt. Her aunt then went and reported the matter to police.

Herrick Lautalo appears for Public Prosecution Office appear for the crown and PSO for the accused.

Choibuk Security’s first training session kicks off

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By Loretta B Manele

A first of two-training sessions conducted by Choibuk Security Services has kicked off yesterday.

Noel Hakopes, senior instructor of the security company in an interview explained that this training is a 5-day session aimed at teaching security guards how to conduct themselves professionally when working on site under the company.

Hakopes stated that this is the first training and they have 68 participants and look forward to another 68 participants in the second training set for next week.

He added that of the total participants, 100 participants who pass the selection process will work for the company under a new contract.

Hakopes said in terms of selection, this covers attendance, a theory exam and a practical exam.

He expressed that the new contract comes from Australian Solomon Islands Program Support Facility (ASIPS), particularly Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP).

“This one, Australia’s Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) is our big contract and it’s a one-year contract”

Hakopes mentioned that they are contracted with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) so they will be looking after DFAT residences, offices and properties.

He said the company is very small and just entered the scene in 2022 and currently have 11 sites they look after of which the 11th site is the new contract.

Hakopes mentioned that their profession at this stage is static guard security and they have other services but are yet to try them out.

“At the moment we’re concentrating on static security guarding”

In yesterday’s session, participants learned about how to professionally carry themselves whilst working on site and also took part in a group activity outlining the roles and responsibilities of a security guard before delivering their ideas as presentations.

Leather showed up after 7-years

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A tagged Leatherback Turtle has been spotted at Arohane Beach in Makira Province after a seven-year absence.

Romano Haga, a resident of Arohane village, informed Island Sun that the last sighting of a leatherback at the 10-kilometer sandy beach occurred in 1999.

55 years Haga said that Arohane village is situated 7 kilometres east of Kirakira and was historically a breeding site for leatherback turtles.

“It takes a considerable amount of time for leatherbacks to return. They used to come here approximately every two months, but the last sighting was in 1999,” Haga said.

On the night of Saturday, January 11, around 11 PM, a female leatherback turtle came ashore at Arohane Beach and laid over 200 eggs in the sand.

 Haga, a retired teacher, said that the children had only heard stories about the leatherback species until now.

“We have two registered conservation groups in the community, but their focus has primarily been on land and forest conservation,” he explained.

Haga also pointed out that some of the leatherbacks previously observed in the area were significantly larger than the one seen this month.

“Our younger generation is now motivated to protect the species after witnessing it firsthand. That is our current objective,” he said.

Haga added that the turtle arrived on the beach between 11 PM and 1 AM.

“We will make every effort to educate other communities along this 10-kilometre stretch of beach to refrain from harming these species if they are spotted. It is also important to inform the authorities about how they can collaborate with us,” he concluded.

FEMALES DOMINATE EXAM RESULTS

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

FEMALES have once again emerged as the top scorers in the National Examination Results for years 9,11 and 12, official data released from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has shown.

Following the official signing-off of results yesterday by the Minister, Tozen Leokana, the data revealed that females continue to outperform their male counterparts, achieving the highest scores at each secondary level.

“At year 9, the highest achiever is a female with an achieved total aggregate score of 354 out of 400.  At Year 11, the highest achiever is also a female with a total aggregate score of 560 out of 600.  At year 12, the highest achiever is also a female student with a total aggregate score of 439 out of 500.” the data showed.

This result marks another year of female dominance in the top rankings, following similar trends seen in the 2023 national examination results.

For comparison, the results from 2023 are as follows:

In Year 12, a female achieved the highest score with an aggregate of 356 out of 500.  In Year 11, another female recorded the highest score, totaling 549 out of 600.  In Year 9, the highest achiever was a male, with an aggregate score of 345 out of 400.

Tickets for MPIP go on sale this week

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

TICKETS for the much-anticipated Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) are set to go on sale this week, according to event organizers.

At a press conference held at Heritage Park Hotel on Friday, MPIP Operations Manager Jessie Konofilia announced that tickets for the crowning night on February 8th would be available for public purchase, with varying price options.

General admission tickets will be priced at $200 per person, while tickets for children will cost $100. Tables can be purchased at $10,000, with individual dinner tickets priced at $1,000 each.

Konofilia also highlighted that only a limited number of tickets will be printed and sold. “Once all tickets are sold out, that’s it… we will not be doing any reprints,” she said.

She further emphasized that the organizers are focused on ensuring that ticketholders have ample space and a comfortable experience throughout the event.

The crowning night will be held at the Friendship Hall, East Honiara.

‘COME OUT AND THINK CLEARLY’

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Tax killing hard-earned long service benefits of Solomon Islanders: Sogavare

BY NED GAGAHE

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare, has expressed concern over the taxation of long service benefits in the Solomon Islands, stating that it is severely impacting the hard-earned income of workers.

In an interview with the Island Sun last week, Sogavare highlighted that taxes are consuming almost 50% of these workers’ income, significantly reducing their earnings.

“You know, I gave them 100% exemption, but applications keep coming. They have asked me to consider this because it is their hard-earned income,” Sogavare said.

He added, “That’s how much I care about the people of this country. People say that I turn a blind eye to the welfare of Solomon Islanders, but that is simply not true.”

Sogavare also took the opportunity to address critics who accuse him and the government of neglecting the welfare of Solomon Islanders. He dismissed these claims as “completely wrong” and described them as politically motivated, accusing certain individuals of pushing agendas aimed at creating instability in the country.

“This is completely wrong, and it’s just devious. These kinds of people have political agendas. I call on such people to come out and think clearly,” he said.

“And not to sell ourselves to political agendas that only cause political instability in this country,” Sogavare concluded.

Pageant promotes Solomon Islands

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

PAGEANT Director Joyce Konofilia has highlighted that the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) presents a valuable opportunity to promote the Solomon Islands as a prime tourism destination.

“The Miss Pacific Islands is a tourism destination marketing event, and we are hoping the tourism people can maximize the opportunity to really promote our destination, people and culture,” Konofilia said.

She emphasized that while contestants will be highlighting their culture and talents on stage, the tourism industry also plays a crucial role in showcasing the Solomon Islands’ renowned hospitality.

Over 200 international visitors are expected to attend the event—ranging from the contestants’ family and friends to organizers, supporters, and international media.

Konofilia expressed excitement about the attention the pageant will bring.

She also confirmed that Nauru, a small island nation, is fully supporting their contestant and will charter a flight exclusively for their queens and supporters.

Additionally, she stressed that the pageant will provide a unique opportunity for the local communities and visitors to connect, exchange stories, share cultural accessories, and celebrate their rich heritage together.

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