[Published on Monday, March 23, 2026]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Wantok Musik concluded the final day of its Na Ainamae na Totoraha recording project in the Solomon Islands, marking a significant moment in the preservation of kastom culture.

The highlight came recently in West Are’are when Wantok Musik artist Charles Maimarosia led a special recording session in Pipisu, his father’s home village.

The event featured a re-enactment of the U’nu U’nu Teo and Kiro kastom dance, showcasing traditional storytelling through movement and song.

Set against the striking natural beauty of Pipisu, the performance brought together women performers whose dance and singing reflected deep ancestral roots.

The community members gathered to witness the recording, which forms part of ongoing efforts to document and celebrate cultural heritage across the Solomon Islands.

A standout aspect of the event was the strong participation of younger generations.

Teenagers confidently performed the songs and dances passed down from their grandparents, demonstrating a rare and encouraging continuity of tradition.

The community organisers noted that such intergenerational knowledge transfer is not always guaranteed, making Pipisu’s example particularly meaningful.

The recording project aims to ensure these traditions are preserved for future generations while sharing them with wider audiences.

The Na Ainamae na Totoraha project now wraps with renewed hope for cultural resilience.

Photo: Supplied

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[Published on Monday, March 23, 2026]

BY JUNELYN KELLY

The Solomon Islands Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local agribusiness through the signing of two funding agreements on Friday last week.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD), Nestor Giro, officiated the signing under the Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP).

A statement from the ministry said a total of SBD 780,000 was awarded to two local enterprises. Varivao Holdings Limited received SBD 700,000, while Malo Kitchen was granted SBD 80,000.

The ministry said that the funding is provided through the Commercial Agriculture Development Project Support Fund, that aims to support small and medium agribusinesses to acquire essential equipment and improve value-adding operations.

Varivao Holdings Limited will invest its funding in cold storage facilities, roofing materials, and cassava processing and packaging equipment.

Malo Kitchen will use its support to upgrade equipment and improve processing facilities to meet food safety and production standards.

During the ceremony, Minister Giro congratulated both recipients and emphasized the importance of using the funds effectively to achieve their intended outcomes.

Malo Kitchen Managing Director, Susan Timi, expressed gratitude, describing the funding as a significant milestone for her business.

“This support is a dream come true and will greatly improve our operations. We are committed to ensuring the funds are used as agreed and deliver results,” she said.

Varivao Holdings Limited Human Resource Manager, Redly Theomae, also acknowledged the support, noting it as an important step forward for the company and the communities it serves.

The signing marks Minister Giro’s first official engagement since being recently sworn as the minister for MALD.

The ministry reaffirms its commitment under the GNUT agriculture policy to continue supporting agribusiness development and creating opportunities for local businesses and the economy.

Photo credit: MALD

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[Published on Monday, March 23, 2026]

BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

North West Choiseul Constituency (NWCC), with support of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) Constituency Development Program (CDP), has rolled out targeted assistance to people living with disabilities and the elderly across its six wards.

Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) in a recent statement said this assistance includes 46 sanitation facilities, 70 solar home lights, 26 water tanks, and other housing materials, valued at $441,403 under the 2025 budget allocation.

Constituency Project Officer Mala Poloso said the initiative reflects NWCC’s commitment under Mr. Kuma’s leadership to inclusivity and practical support for vulnerable groups.

“This is more than talk—it’s tangible assistance to ensure dignity and equality,” he said.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, John Misite’e, urged other constituencies to adopt similar approaches, stressing that vulnerable populations are often overlooked in community projects, MRD said.

Poloso also thanked the national government and constituents for their continued support, adding that another shipment of community projects is scheduled for next week.

The CDF program, administered by the Ministry of Rural Development, operates across all 50 constituencies to improve livelihoods and promote sustainable development in the Solomon Islands.

Photo credit: MRD Media

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[Published on Monday, March 23, 2026]

BY TONY IROGA

The SALT Masters Futsal League successfully commenced a couple of days ago, bringing together working men from different companies for fellowship, to improve their health and to be active.

The initiative was organized by SALT and is fully supported by Bulk Shop as part of the company’s Community Engagement Program, which focuses on supporting positive activities that benefit the people of the Solomon Islands.

According to a statement from Salt and Leadership Training, the Masters League is designed especially for older men who still want to stay active.

The statement added the competition is open for players 35 years and above, while players below 35 are only eligible if they are not younger than 30 years old and must weigh above 100kg.

“This program comes at a very important time because there are very few healthy social programs for men in Honiara,” it said.

It added that many men spend most of their time working, sitting, or dealing with daily pressures without enough physical activity.

“Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease have become one of the biggest killers in Honiara due to lacks of sport,” it said.

It said many people are dying at an early age due to health issues that can be reduced through regular exercise and healthy living.

“The Masters League is not only about competition, but also about encouraging men to move, sweat, laugh, and build friendships again through sport.

“Funds collected from team fees will help support the SALT Futsal Development Program, which is working with children, youths, and communities across Honiara,” the statement said.

The statement said through this program, SALT continues to use sport as a tool for discipline, discipleship, health, and positive lifestyle change.

“SALT Ministry also thanks Bulk Shop for their continues support through partnerships like this that make it possible to run programs that not only develop sport but also save lives by encouraging healthy living,” the statement said.

The Masters League will continue in the coming 14 weeks, and organizers hope that more men will be inspired to take part, stay active, and choose a healthier life.

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[Published on Monday, March 23, 2026]

BY JUNELYN KELLY

The Nutrano Company, a prominent Australian horticulture firm, has successfully concluded its initial recruitment drive from the Solomon Islands Work-Ready Pool, marking a significant step in its ongoing engagement with the country.

In a statement last Friday, the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) said the company operates over 2,000 hectares of farms and facilities across Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory.

Nutrano employs more than 300 workers and specializes in the production and supply of citrus, mangoes, blueberries, and bananas.

LMU said Nutrano is not new to the Solomon Islands, having previously recruited workers directly from East Guadalcanal over several years.

Over the past three days, the company screened and interviewed more than 100 candidates from the Work-Ready Pool, with plans to recruit 43 workers.

According to the statement, successful candidates have been identified and are expected to be mobilized between late March and May.

The company has also shortlisted several candidates for its next recruitment phase, scheduled for October.

The Labour Mobility Unit acknowledges Nutrano’s continued commitment to recruiting Solomon Islands workers, who have consistently demonstrated dedication both at home and while working in Australia.

Photo credit: LMU

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[Published on Monday, March 23, 2026]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Television (TV) training under the BBC Media Action programme for journalists in Honiara will end this Friday.

The two-week programme began on Monday March 16 last week and is led by Apenisia Waqairadovu from the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation.

Trainer Apenisia Waqairadovu, in an interview said that the training aims to equip young journalists with essential reporting and storytelling skills.

 The initiative, hosted in collaboration with the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Cooperation (SIBC), aims to strengthen journalism capacity.

“The first week of the program focused on foundational skills. Participants explored the regional media landscape, learned news reporting basics, and developed broadcasting skills for radio and television. Emphasis was placed on practical exercises, including interview, designed to improve questioning techniques and understanding of diverse interviewees, from ordinary citizens to politicians.

“The training also introduced multimedia journalism, reflecting a global shift toward digital platforms. Social media, particularly Facebook and Instagram, was highlighted as a growing channel for breaking news in the Pacific. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises to enhance accuracy, ethics, and accountability while adapting to new media trends,” Waqairadovu said.

He said this week, the training aims to build on these foundations with more advanced topics.

“Investigative journalism is scheduled to begin on Monday, aiming to equip reporters with skills to track political developments and institutional accountability. Coverage of politics, governance, and geopolitics will follow, addressing regional influences and their impact on local communities,” he added.

He said that community and human-interest stories will also be explored, alongside newsroom management and collaboration, helping journalists understand operational dynamics and teamwork within media organisations.

“The program will conclude with a practical workshop, allowing participants to produce short reports and broadcasts. Feedback sessions will provide guidance for future training initiatives, ensuring that Solomon Islands journalists are better prepared to deliver accurate, ethical, and engaging reporting,” Waqairadovu said.

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[Published on Monday, March 23, 2026]

BY RODRICK DESURI

The second group of Malaita youth participants in the 100-member field experience program was briefed on Sunday at the Malaita Youth Hub ahead of their upcoming placement at Goshen Enterprise packhouse in Adaliua, Malaita Province.

The second group, comprising 25 youth members, will gain practical experience in agriculture next week, following the same route as the first group, which recently completed their fieldwork in agriculture before moving on to fisheries.

“This program empowers our youth by giving them hands-on experience and broadening their knowledge for future opportunities,” said Malaita Provincial Youth Coordinator, Frank Samo Sari.

He explained that next week, while the first group moves to fisheries, the second group will step into agricultural training.

“It is just the same route that the first group has done. They visited agriculture first and then fisheries,” he said.

The initiative is organized by the National Youth Congress (NYC) following the successful launch of its pioneering apprenticeship project in Auki earlier this week.

The six-week program is made possible through collaboration between NYC and its partners, and aims to build skills and create future opportunities for youths in Malaita.

Photo credit: Frank Samo Sari

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