BY RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Transport fares in Malaita Province are expected to increase in the coming days following a sharp rise in fuel prices both in the province and in Honiara on Wednesday, April 22.

Taxi and pickup truck owners in Auki have indicated that fare adjustments are imminent as they struggle to cope with the escalating fuel costs.

Pickup truck driver Japheth Sau said operators will have to introduce new fares that reflect the rising cost of fuel while remaining fair to passengers.

“We should start charging now because fuel prices are very high. We also expect prices to continue rising in the coming months,” he said.

A local taxi owner echoed similar concerns, stating that current earnings are no longer sustainable under the existing fare structure.

“Right now, it feels like we are just working for basic food items like rice, sugar and cabbage. Taxi operators in Auki will soon meet to agree on new fare rates,” he said.

Fuel prices across Auki have already increased significantly, with most depots raising prices by between $15 and $16 per gallon since Wednesday.

EK Fuel Depot is currently the only outlet still selling at the old price of SBD $59 per gallon from its remaining stock.

Salesperson John Lea said the depot will maintain current prices until the old stock is depleted.

“We only have one drum left, so we will continue selling at $59 per gallon for mixed petrol and $55 for pure petrol.

“Once the new stock arrives, prices will be adjusted to reflect the new cost, while ensuring a small profit margin,” he said.

At RNR Fuel Depot, prices have already increased sharply. Mixed petrol has risen from $59 to $75 per gallon, while pure petrol has increased from $54 to $70.

William Ferafaita of RNR Fuel Depot attributed the increase to higher supplier prices in Honiara.

“Our suppliers in Honiara increased their prices on Wednesday, and this has directly affected our pricing,” he said.

Meanwhile, fuel prices in rural parts of Malaita are expected to climb even higher, with projections ranging between $90 and $100 per gallon.

The anticipated increase in transport fares is expected to place additional pressure on commuters already facing rising living costs.

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BY RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Residents of Baunani in West Kwaio, Malaita Province, fear that rising sea levels could reach their community clinic within the next three years.

The Baunani clinic, located just over 10 metres from the shoreline, is now at risk as high tides continue to push further inland.

A nurse serving at the clinic, Jeffrey Fa’afunua, said the situation is becoming increasingly concerning for both staff and the surrounding community.

“We are worried that in three years’ time, the sea will reach this clinic,” he said.

He said the only viable long-term solution is to relocate the clinic to higher ground before the situation worsens.

“The only thing on our minds now is to find a suitable place inland and move the clinic before it is too late,” he said.

Mr Fa’afunua confirmed that discussions will soon be held with the clinic board to address the issue and plan the way forward.

“This is not a joke; it is a real issue. If we are not prepared, it will impact the clinic and the wider community,” he added.

He calls on the government, disaster authorities and health agencies to support the relocation efforts.

“On behalf of the community, I appeal to the government and relevant authorities to work with us to relocate the clinic to safer ground,” he said.

Meanwhile, nearby Maoa School was inundated by seawater on Wednesday morning after high tides swept into classrooms, disrupting lessons.

The situation highlights the growing impact of climate change on low-lying coastal communities across Solomon Islands.

Photo credit: Nickson Nedea

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• Few days following 30% increase some taxis raise rates, buses report losses
• HCC to meet with stakeholders next week

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Public transport owners and members of public in Honiara are immediately feeling the pinch of the fuel price increase.

This comes just a day after fuel prices rose by 30 percent. Fuel prices are projected to continue rising, with the next increase expected a week from now, on May 1.

Some taxi drivers charged $15 per kilometre yesterday, citing heavy costs due to the fuel price hike. Bus drivers said they were continuing with normal rates but at heavy losses.

The Honiara City Council has not received any formal complaint, but takes this issue seriously and is planning to meet with stakeholders next week, Mayor Eddie Siapu told Island Sun yesterday.

On Wednesday this week, April 22, fuel prices rose by around 30 percent, the biggest margin since the global fuel price crisis began following the conflict in the Middle East. New prices include – Petrol $12.45 per litre (L), Diesel $13.24 /L.

Earlier, on April 1, fuel prices rose by around 3 percent. Prices before April 22 – Petrol $9.01 /L and Diesel $9.81 /L.

Yesterday, posts on social media reported some taxi drivers charging $15 per kilometre. Others still charged the normal $10/km.

Speaking to Island Sun, owners of two major taxi services in Honiara said they have not officially raised their rates yet since they are yet to meet with the HCC over the matter.

However, they are aware that some of their drivers are charging customers $15 /km but insist that they cannot do much to dissuade the drivers from this.

“We feel sad for our drivers and our customers at the same time. But we cannot stop our drivers from charging the increased rate because they are feeling the heavy toll of the fuel price jump,” Mr Sasani, owner of Classic Taxi service told Island Sun yesterday.

One of the leaders of Prince Taxi service, Mr Deme also shares the same sentiment, adding that they advised their drivers who have raised their rates to first inform customers to allow customers the right to choose.

“Before any of our drivers with raised rates take a customer, they first tell the customer that they will be charging new rates. If the customer does not agree then he/she can leave the taxi.”

Sasani says they are waiting on authorities, especially HCC to act and raise the rate of taxi-fares before making an official stand on raising their rates.

For the time being, it is up to each driver whether or not to charge an increased taxi fare.

When asked why the business cannot prohibit their drivers from individually increasing taxi fares on ad hoc, the response was it could cause drivers to simply leave the service or stop working.

Sasani calls on authorities especially HCC to quickly address this matter in collaboration with stakeholders and public transport owners because the high fuel prices will only worsen but it is already costing heavily on them.

Several bus drivers told Island Sun that they are still running the normal bus fares – adult $3, children/student $2 – but that they are earning less than what they were making before April 22.

Mayor Siapu meanwhile calls on bus and taxi owners and services to form associations or committees to meet with the Council over the matter.

He said the Council will meet next week with stakeholders and deliberate on whether or not to increase bus and taxi fares to counter the fuel price rise.

“We have not looked into the issue yet because we have not received any formal complaint. But it is an important issue which we have taken note of recently.

“But taxis and buses need to form associations to speak on their behalf with us. We will also have to meet with Price Control over the issue too.

“We cannot increase taxi fares unnecessarily, and if we are to increase it, we must agree on a certain percentage of increment which will be fair to service owners and public,” Siapu said.

Photo: Supplied

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

The Taba’a Sanctuary Seaweed Farming Association is growing and expanding its farming at Taba’a Reef, which attracts and engages more communities in West Kwaio, Malaita Province. 

The association was established in August 2025, and with only six months of operation, it has engaged six communities from Ano’ano and Takwaisae (inland) to Lato, with their farm plots reaching 25,000 plants. 

Patrick Unuka, chairman of the Taba’a Sanctuary Seaweed Farming Association said their goal is to engage more communities in seaweed farming, helping them benefit from it. 

He expressed hope to reach 100 to 200 bags of dried seaweed and to make their first sale in October. The association’s focus is on transplanting to expand its farms.

“Currently, we have six zones comprising communities from Anoano, Takwaisae to Lato in Ward 27. Our association is just six months old, and according to our recorded data, we have almost 25,000 plants on our farm, except for some that I did not record last week.

“Our aim is to reach 100 to 200 bags of dried seaweed before we make our first sale. So now, we are just harvesting our seaweed and preserving it for that time,” he said. 

Meanwhile, he said that seaweed farming has attracted many communities, which he added requires materials; scarcity is the challenge they have faced. 

He added that a fisheries team will be visiting to provide and equip them with valuable information and insights on how to plant, transplant, care for, and dry the seaweed. 

“Many communities want to venture into seaweed farming, but the challenges we have faced are due to the limited availability of materials.

“So, sometime this month, a fisheries team will be visiting us to provide training on how to plant, transplant, care for, and look after seaweed, as well as to provide other essential information,” he said.

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BY TONY IROGA

The Shortlands Alu/Mono/Fauro Disaster Committee has received bags of donated items and $1,000 in cash from the Naha Women’s Football Club during a presentation held Tuesday evening at Woodford School.

The donations were received on behalf of the Committee by Fundraising Committee member, Frances Do’oro.

Do’oro expressed sincere gratitude for the timely support, noting that both the items and cash will directly assist families affected by the recent disaster.

The Shortlands community has warmly acknowledged the generosity of the Naha Women’s Football Club and extends its heartfelt appreciation for their support during this challenging time.

The Shortlands Alu/Mono/Fauro Disaster Committee continues to appeal for further donations from the public.

A second fundraising event will be held this Saturday at the National Auditorium (Outdoor Venue).

Card games start at 11am, Food sale starts at 12noon. Fundraising will conclude at 5.30pm.

Shortland islands were hard hit by Cyclone Maila with reports of unprecedented damages to homes, properties and the environment.

The Disaster Committee is made up of selfless members of the Honiara-based Shortlands community.

Their first fundraising event was successfully held last Saturday.

Photo: Supplied

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The youth of Solomon Islands is our greatest treasure says SINU Vice Chancellor, Dr Transform Aqorau.

Delivering the “New Academic Year Opening Address” earlier this month at Panatina campus, he shed light on the importance of youth participation across all sectors.

Aqorau said with the majority of Solomon Islanders under the age of 30, we are a young nation.

He said this also means that the decisions we make today, the investments we choose to prioritise and the values that we impart will echo for decades through the lives of this youthful nation.

“Our young people brim with potential.

“I see it every day in the geekiness of students on our campuses, in the ambition of young professionals starting their careers, in the creativity of our youth groups and communities,” said Aqorau.

He emphasised that he also sees the challenges young people face which vary from shortage of jobs, the lures of harmful behaviours, to sometimes the disillusionment with the face of change.

In this regard, Aqorau said we owe our youth not only hope, but concrete pathways to help them achieve their dreams.

And while one pathway is education, mentorship and leadership are other pathways.

Aqorau said this is why SINU and other institutions must engage the youth as partners and not just as recipients.

He said that at SINU, they have made it a point to include student representation in decision-making.

“Student representatives now sit on faculty boards and pending enactment soon in the University Senate.

“Their voices matter in shaping academic life,” he said.

On a national level, Aqorau said he would like to encourage government and the private sector to also include young people in advisory roles in dialogue, noting that whether it is about climate policy or digital strategy, fresh ideas often come from the young.

He also said there is need to cultivate leadership potential in young people.

Aqorau said leadership is not reserved for those with titles as it can be practised by anyone with vision and intent.

“We must provide platforms for youth leadership. We need to include youth parliaments, student associations or community projects where they take charge. And we must model the leadership we wish them to emulate,” he said.

Aqorau also put out a message for leaders.

He said our young people learn more from what leaders do than what leaders say.

“If we see leaders behaving selfishly or without principle, they will believe that it is acceptable.

“But if we see leaders living out service leadership, acting with integrity and working hard for the people, they will be inspired to do the same,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor said as one writer noted, leading by example is perhaps the greatest lesson we can leave for future leaders.

“Let us embody this national mantra into our actions so that, convincingly, the next generation cannot help but follow suit,” he said.

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