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Sipiti visits SIHF to strengthen regional partnership

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BY TONY IROGA

Team Up Partner Coordinator for Vanuatu, PNG and Solomon Islands, Daisy Sipiti yesterday visited the Solomon Islands Hockey Federation at the National hockey Centre as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional sports partnerships.

Her visit focused on reinforcing collaboration between Team Up and SIHF, particularly in supporting hockey development programs across Solomon Islands.

Speaking to Island Sun yesterday in country Coordinator for Hockey 4 health Joachim Rande said the visit highlights an opportunity to expand participation, improve capacity building, and enhance pathways for local athletes.

Mr Rande said the engagement reflects continued commitment from regional partners to boost sports development and promote inclusive opportunities for athletes in both Vanuatu, PNG and Solomon Islands.

Speaking to local hockey athletes yesterday team up partner Coordinator Sipiti says they are committed to working closely with SIHF to ensure hockey continues to grow at all levels.

“This partnership is about creating opportunities for young people, especially boys and girls, to be involved in sport,” Sipiti said.

Coordinator for Hockey 4 health, Rande said by working together, they can strengthen systems, support coaches and players, and ensure sustainable development of hockey in Solomon Islands and across the Pacific.

He said the engagement reflects continued commitment from regional partners to boost sports development and promote inclusive opportunities for athletes in both Vanuatu, PNG and Solomon Islands.

Rande said they are grateful for the continued support from Team Up through Daisy Sipiti’s visit.

“This partnership is helping us build stronger pathways for our athletes and develop hockey across the country,” he said.

Rande said they are grateful and honoured to welcome Daisy Sipiti, Team Up Partner Coordinator for Vanuatu, PNG and Solomon Islands, who took her time to visit them yesterday at the National Hockey Centre, KG in Honiara.

“Her presence brought great encouragement and inspiration to our team and young participants,” he said.

It was a simple but powerful message that touched both the kids and adults in our program.

He said following the session, they moved onto the turf where their Under-12 players took part in a fun and exciting small competitions.

“This activity is part of our ongoing development program, designed to build skills, teamwork, and confidence among our young athletes,” he said.

He said this more than just playing hockey, it’s about shaping character, building friendships, and inspiring the next generation.

“Yesterday was a beautiful reminder that growth starts small and with the right guidance and support, those small moments can turn into something truly meaningful,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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NSC and Bulk Shop give venue for futsal pathway & development

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BY TONY IROGA

The National Sports Council of Solomon Islands (NSC) and Bulk Shop have once again demonstrated their strong commitment to youth and community development by co-sponsoring Friendship Hall as the official venue for all SALT Futsal Pathway and Development programmes in 2026.

The programmes will run from March to the end of September, providing consistent and structured futsal activities for schools and communities.

According to SALT, these programmes are a significant investment.

A statement from SALT said the cost of hiring and maintaining the facility is not cheap, especially when hosting multiple school leagues, community competitions, championships, and development programmes throughout the year.

SALT said through this partnership arrangement, Bulk Shop will contribute $120,000 towards the venue costs, while the remaining half stands as NSC’s direct contribution to futsal development.

“Their consistent support continues to motivate young players and communities to pursue excellence both on and off the court,” the statement said.

SALT also said that this collaboration is a powerful statement of shared responsibility and belief in the growth of the game.

“Their partnership strengthens the broader futsal family and community impact in the Solomon Islands,” the statement said.

SALT extends its sincere appreciation to the CEO of NSC, Alison Burchell, for her leadership and vision in supporting futsal development in the Solomon Islands.

The statement also thanks Bulk Shop for not only covering venue costs but for also providing prizes across all SALT school leagues, community leagues, and championship competitions.

SALT also expresses heartfelt gratitude to Hatanga for sponsoring prizes for the Hatanga competitions and for their ongoing support of SALT FC as they compete in the Super League this year.

SALT remains committed to using futsal as a tool for discipline, unity, leadership development, and social and spiritual transformation and this partnership ensures that the vision continues to grow stronger each year.

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A Solomon Islands envisioned in 5 to 10 years

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Dr Transform Aqorau, SINU’s Vice Chancellor gave an account of how we should see Solomon Islands in the next 5 to 10 years.

Delivering his “New Academic Year Opening Address” earlier this month, he spoke about the kind of society we should strive for in the future.

“I believe that we all share dreams for our country, dreams that transcend politics or problems, rooted in the desires of our people.

“Let me paint a picture of the Solomon Islands we strive to build in the next five to ten years,” he said.

Educated and empowered citizens

Aqorau firstly touched on education in which he said we want a country where every child, boy or girl in town or in the remotest village has access to quality education and the opportunity to realise their full potential.

He said in 5 to 10 years, we envision significantly higher literacy rates and more of our youth gaining advanced skills and qualifications.

Aqorau highlighted that an educated society is a confident and innovative society.

“We want our classrooms to produce not just job seekers but job creators and problem solvers.

“We want our people to be informed citizens, able to engage in national discourse and exercise their rights and responsibilities wisely,” he said.

Resilient and sustainable economy and environment

Aqorau said we want a Solomon Islands that is more self-reliant economically, tapping into the creativity of entrepreneurs and the richness of our natural resources in a sustainable way.

He said in a decade, let us see a more diversified economy where sectors like agriculture, fisheries, tourism and creative industries thrive alongside responsible mining and forestry.

Aqorau also said that we aim for communities that have embraced sustainable practices, ensuring that development does not come at the cost of our environment.

To add on, he said we envision investing in renewable energy, solar, hydro, perhaps even geothermal, to reduce our dependence on imported fuels and to reach rural areas with electricity.

Aqorau said in this future, Solomon Islands should also have stronger infrastructure, reliable transport linking our islands and reliable internet linking us to the world.

He also shed light on climate resilience.

“Crucially, we see a country leading in climate resilience with sea walls protecting vulnerable villages, climate-smart agriculture ensuring food security and emergency response systems that safeguard our people from disaster.

“We want our children to inherit an environment that is not depleted but nurtured. Oh, how we long for these things as our people out in the western journey are struggling at the moment with their values of safety and wellness,” he voiced.

A unified and inclusive Solomon Islands

Aqorau said we are proud of our cultural and linguistic diversity stretching from the clans of Makira, from our Polynesian outliers to our Polynesian and non-Polynesian heritage.

“And in a decade, we hope to see even greater cohesion and mutual understanding among our people,” he said.

Equal opportunity

Aqorau said we also seek a society that offers equal opportunity; one in which women participate fully in, where all citizens have fair access to jobs and services, and where corruption has no place.

“This means strengthening our institutions, demanding accountability from our leaders and ourselves, and living to the ideal of the leaders we serve.

“And if we are to achieve this, the Solomon Islands of 2030 will shine as a model of ethical leadership and social harmony,” he said.

In further remarks, Aqorau said most importantly, the Solomon Islands we want is one that remains grounded in our timeless language.

“We are a deeply spiritual nation.

“Our faith in God has carried us through hardships and it will continue to guide us,” he said.

Addressing the university’s students and staff, stakeholders, government representatives, Aqorau said we must remain a caring society where we look after our wanderers, respect our elders and nurture our youth.

“We must hold on to humility and hard work, traits our village life has taught us,” he said.

Photo credit: Loretta B Manele

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Delay in project process concerning recipients

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

There is miscommunication along the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation (SIART) project process that is affecting project recipients. 

The delay of essential materials and tools for the project recipients in Malaita Province has raised frustration among them as the project deadline approaches.

Reports reaching this paper say that some of the project recipients are pausing their project implementation while waiting for the materials and tools. 

In an interview yesterday, Ruth Mae, a young professional said the failure in the process was not from the person in charge in Auki, but from those in Honiara.

She said their attempts to reach the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock procurement officers, who are responsible, have been unsuccessful.

“We are facing a difficult time reaching the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock who are responsible for informing us about the delay, after we received information from the project recipients,” she said. 

She said that due to miscommunication between them, they (Young Professionals) don’t know what to do, but they encourage the project recipients to fund their travel to Honiara to find out what caused the delay. 

“Due to the miscommunication between the procurement staff of the Ministry and us, we encourage the project recipients to fund us.

“This is the only option for us. The project recipients need to fund a trip from Auki to Honiara and back, so that we can reach out to the procurement staff and understand the reasons for the delay of their materials,” she said.

The initial aim of the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation (SIART) Project is to increase agricultural production, improve market access, and enhance livelihoods for smallholder farmers, particularly through strengthening Agribusiness Producer Organizations (ABPOs).

The SIART project is funded by the World Bank, with the aim of empowering youth through a Young Professionals program and supporting commercialization in the agricultural sector.

Currently, the SIART project is being implemented in three provinces – Guadalcanal, Malaita and Makira/Ulawa.

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Kilu’ufi improvement facility to be handed over April 30

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Kilu’ufi improvement facility is expected to be handed over at the end of this month. 

This follows an inspection of the building by a team from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) on April 16. 

According to engineer MacLean Iro the facility will be handed over to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services before the official handover, which is scheduled for mid-June this year or later. 

He said the installation of medical equipment and training for the nurses are also in progress. 

“Installation of medical equipment is in progress, along with training for the nurses on how to use the equipment. The soft component training for selected medical staff will be in May 2026,” he said. 

Iro said that bad weather and delays in material procurement have become issues.

“One of the major challenges faced is the weather conditions, along with delays in receiving construction materials from overseas.

“Materials first arrive in Honiara before being shipped to Auki, contributing to the setbacks,” he said.

The improvement of Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita aims to transform the facility into a modern, resilient, and comprehensive regional hospital by 2026.

The facility will be provided with upgraded with a new delivery unit, advanced operating theatres, improved sanitation, stable power and water supply, and reduced patient referrals to Honiara.

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ABPO recipients concerned by delays 

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The rural ABPO project recipients in Malaita Province, especially those involved in livestock, have expressed their frustrations to the responsible procurement staff of the SIART programme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock regarding the delay of their materials and tools. 

Their concerns surfaced as they fear their projects may be terminated or turned down if they fail to complete them and meet the project timeframe. 

The chairman of one of the ABPO recipient groups along the south road, who requested anonymity, said that some of their materials and tools have not been delivered since their first tranche. 

He said they have received incomplete materials and tools, as well as a wrong list of materials that were not included in their procurement materials list.

“We have received incomplete materials and tools needed for the project. Also, some materials that we didn’t list on our procurement lists were delivered.

“We have noticed this since receiving our first tranche, and the same thing happened in this second round,” he said. 

In an interview with Ruth Mae, one of the young professionals assigned to monitor and assess the SIART projects, she said they have received the concerns and are trying to inform the procurement staff responsible for the issue. 

She said the procurement staff in Honiara need to know because they are the responsible staff for it. 

“We have received the concerns and frustrations, and we have sent messages trying to reach the responsible procurement staff, but our attempts haven’t succeeded.

“The MAL procurement staff are the responsible officers for the delay because they are the officers who do the procurement,” she said. 

According to the SIART project, the recipients and stakeholders are urged to adhere strictly to the stipulated timeframe for the completion of the projects, as this initiative aims to build sustainable agriculture by the end of 2026.

SIART currently has 16 ABPOs in Malaita Province involved in piggery farming, representing a $6.99 million investment.

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We are guided by our motto: Aqorau

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice Chancellor, Dr Transform Aqorau said we are guided by our motto “to lead is to serve”; a founding principle Solomon Islands conceived at independence.

He made the statement earlier this month whilst delivering his “New Academic Year Opening Adress” at SINU’s Panatina Campus.

Aqorau said the motto reminds us that leadership is not about power or prestige, but responsibility and sacredness.

“A leader’s greatness lies in their willingness to serve others.

“As a country, if we hold on to servant leadership in government, in communities and yes, in the university, we will foster trust and unity,” he said.

Aqorau said the motto “to lead is to serve” is to challenge those who are in positions of authority.

He then posed the question.

“Are we here to lift our people up or to lift up ourselves?”, noting that he poses the question to every leader in Solomon Islands today, whether political, civic or educational.

The Vice Chancellor then asked of how true we are to the idea that leading means serving our people’s highest good.

“Let us be committed to that ideal, especially in this era when cynical power struggles in the wider world, threatening to erode the standards of public life,” he said.

Photo credit: Loretta B Manele

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Solar street lights installed in Vura ward communities

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

Honiara City Councillor for Vura Ward, Rolland Konai, has successfully delivered solar-powered street lights to four communities, Green Valley, Vura Two Heights, Vura 1 Heights, and Zion Mud Land.

A total of 33 solar street light posts, costing just over $30,000, have been installed to improve safety and security in areas that were previously dark and vulnerable, a statement from the Honiara City Council (HCC) on Friday last week said.

The initiative aims to deter unwanted activities and provide a safer environment for families, children, and residents moving around at night.

Councillor Konai said proper lighting is essential for community wellbeing, noting that the project not only improves visibility but also fosters safety, unity, and confidence among residents.

Community members have welcomed the project, expressing gratitude for its positive impact.

The solar-powered system also supports renewable energy use, making it environmentally friendly, the statement said.

This milestone marks another step in building safer, brighter, and more resilient communities within Vura Ward.

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Woman fined $600 for illegal sale of betelnut and cigarettes

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BY MELVILLE TITIULU

The Magistrate Court on Friday, April 17, imposed a fine of $600 on a woman found guilty of illegally selling betelnut and cigarettes in restricted public areas.

Rose Sauna of Fiu Village, Central Kwara’ae, Malaita Province was charged with two counts of charges.

The first count is in relation to hawking in a public place without a hawker’s licence contrary to section 3(1) of the principal hawker’s ordinance and section 3(2) of the Honiara City Council (hawkers) amendment ordinance 2023.

The second count is in relation to the selling of betelnut in a betelnut free zone contrary to section 7(b) of the Honiara City Council (betel nut) ordinance 2023.

It was alleged that on March 16, 2026 at about 10.50am, in a public place in front of the Casino Pokies Club area at Point Cruz in Honiara, Mrs Sauna unlawfully carried about in a manner as for sale to the general public, 20 rolls of Pall Mall cigarettes at $2 per roll without a Hawker’s licence.

It was later discovered that on the same date, time and location that the defendant was also selling 25 fruit betelnuts at $2 per fruit betelnut and 23 fruit leaves at $1 per fruit leaf, in a betelnut free zone which is prohibited.

The accused was arrested on March 16, 2026, and was supposed to appear in court. However, she failed to appear in court.

The HCC law enforcement officers later executed a warrant of arrest on Friday, April 17, which led to her rearrest.

The defendant was brought to attend court on the afternoon of that day.

The maximum penalty for the offence of Hawkering in a public place without a hawker’s license is $1,000. The corresponding sentence is 40-day imprisonment.

Whereas, the objective of the Betelnut Free Zone Ordinance 2023 is to regulate the sale and consumption of betelnut and betelnut products within the Honiara City.

The ordinance itself makes it an offence to sale, consume, spit, chew betelnut and litter anywhere in a betelnut-free zone (HCC designated areas).

Principal Magistrate Mrs Joyceth Paile presided over the matter when it came for plea and sentencing last Friday.

The accused pleaded guilty to those charges. Accordingly, the court imposed a fine of $600 to be paid by April 30.

In default of payment, she will serve 30-day imprisonment.

Harry Bisafo is prosecuting the matter and he represented the HCC while the offender was self-represented in court.

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Man fined $500 for selling knife-file and blankets

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BY MELVILLLE TITIULU

Magistrate Court on Thursday, April 16, imposed a $500 fine on a man found guilty of illegal selling of a knife file and wool blankets.

Jack Niu of Patonu village, Bellona Island, Renell and Bellona Province was charged with one count of hawking in a public place without hawker’s licence contrary to section 3(1) of the principal hawker’s ordinance and section 3 (2) of the Honiara City Council (Hawkers) amendment ordinance 2023.

On March 23, 2026, at about 11.45am, the HCC law enforcers spotted the accused standing in front of the Talon shop and was seen selling a knife file and a shopping bag containing wool blankets to the public.

It was later discovered that the defendant was selling a knife file at $10 and a shopping bag containing three single wool covers cost at $100 for a set of three single wool covers.

The officers then approached the defendant and invited him to follow them to the law enforcement office for further dealings. The defendant was formally arrested and charged and later released on principal bail to appear before the court on Thursday last week.

Principal Magistrate Mrs Joyceth Paile presided over the matter when it came for plea and sentencing.

The accused later pleaded guilty to the charge and was accordingly imposed a fine of $500 to be paid by Tuesday, April 28. In default of payment, the defendant is to serve a further 20-day imprisonment.

That $500 fine was imposed by the court after it took into account the defendant’s personal circumstances in reaching that fine.

According to the HCC Prosecutions Case Management officer, Mr Francis Wales, he said, “the offender is not a first-time offender”.

According to previous record, the defendant last year on a separate incident was similarly arrested and charged for selling three single bed cover blankets at $100 per sheet. He was subsequently convicted and fined $200 by a different magistrate on January 5, 2026.

Robert Madeo, HCC’s Head of the law enforcement unit, told Island Sun last week that his officers will continue to enforce this regulation by undertaking mobile patrol and observation along the township area.

Mr Madeo warns street sellers not to get involved in illegal hawking or else they will be arrested and charged.

The maximum penalty for the offence of Hawkering in a public place without a hawker’s license is $1,000. The corresponding sentence is 40-day imprisonment.

Mr Harry Bisafo is prosecuting the matter and he represented the HCC. The offender was self-represented in court.

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