BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Solomon Islands is emerging as a strong competitor in the Pacific kava industry, with increasing exports to the United States and other international markets.

Speaking at a side event during the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara last week, Technical Chair of the Pacific Working Kava Group, Mr. Feiloakitau Tevi, praised the progress of local kava producers.

Mr. Tevi is also the Chair of the Kava Committee Tonga and Advisor Palace Officer for Tonga.

Unlike other Pacific nations where kava is traditional, the crop was only introduced into Solomon Islands in the 1990s. Since then, production has steadily grown, and in recent years a boom has been observed, particularly with exports.

He said the Pacific Forum Trade Working Group, through the Pacific Kava Groups, is exploring potential markets to boost regional kava trade.

“There are about seven kava-producing countries in the region, and one of the key markets we are targeting is the US, along with the EU and other parts of the world,” Mr. Tevi said.

He revealed that Solomon Islands recently shipped two 40-foot containers of kava, about 16,000 kilograms of roots, mostly from Malaita to the United States.

“That is the most recent export. Over the year 2024, Solomon Islands exported 13 tons of kava,” he added, noting the significant growth in the sector.

Mr. Tevi also highlighted the success of the inaugural Pacific Regional Kava Festival, held in Tonga in May this year during the Pacific Week of Agriculture. The event, he said, was an outcome of the Regional Kava Strategy.

He confirmed that Solomon Islands has been selected to host the next Pacific Regional Kava Festival before the 55th Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau next year.

“I think Malaita is holding its hand up to host the Regional Kava Festival. So, we look forward to coming back to Solomon Islands to enjoy the islands — and of course, the kava,” Mr. Tevi said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Peace and security must begin with supportive communities where young people can grow and thrive, says Solomon Islands National Youth Congress General Secretary, Ms. Josie-Anne Ashley.

She made the call during a side event on regional integration and the Ocean of Peace held at the Aquatic Centre alongside the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara.

“On the topic of security, Solomon Islands, as well as other Pacific countries, we all know that young people make up a big portion of the population — 70 percent in the case of Solomon Islands. One growing concern is that we are not utilising our young people to get engaged.

“For young people, that is one major ask for this Ocean of Peace initiative. If we want to have peace, we need to work with our young people and utilise them,” Ms. Ashley said.

She said the key themes emerging from the Ocean of Peace discussion were sovereignty, regional unity, and partnerships.

“On sovereignty, it is something I hold highly, and I wish to see our leaders also stand firmly on it, making sure our needs are taken care of. On regional unity, I ask that our leaders ensure it is kept in place so we can move forward together,” she said.

Ashley added that youth expect to see concrete actions from leaders through the declaration.

“We need to see that our environment is better taken care of to help families grow food more sustainably. We also want our voices heard — to be part of discussions, to share views, and to contribute to solutions,” she said.

On partnerships, Ashley stressed that beyond regional and international ties, leaders must strengthen partnerships at the community level.

“Equally important are the partnerships our leaders have with our people. We want to see stronger connections between government, civil society, and young people, so we can all work together for this Ocean of Peace,” she said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Reverend James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, calls on Pacific Islands Leaders to take the Ocean of Peace Declaration seriously following its endorsement at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara.

Responding to how the Ocean of Peace can benefit Pacific communities, especially the most vulnerable, Rev. Bhagwan said the declaration must go beyond words.

“When we talk about the Ocean of Peace, we talk about what we have already heard. But in all of this, it only talks about the combatants. It doesn’t talk about the indigenous lives that were affected. It doesn’t talk about the communities whose livelihoods were affected,” he said.

He stressed that the declaration must be accessible and shared widely.

“Perhaps the first step is that we all need to have copies of it and share it with our communities. But the test for an inclusive Ocean of Peace is practical. It’s just a simple question.

“Will this declaration ensure that life and dignity are improved for our women, young people, persons with disabilities, and our maritime families? If not, then it’s not peace — it’s publicity,” Rev. Bhagwan said.

He urges leaders to put people before geopolitics, honour customary land and ocean rights, and ensure free, prior, and informed consent in all decisions.

He also calls for the prioritisation of locally led solutions.

Rev. Bhagwan said peace in the Pacific must be understood beyond the narrow security concept, drawing instead from indigenous traditions and ways of living.

“Inclusion must be part of the design and implementation of the Ocean of Peace. We need to collect gender and disability-segregated data, apply universal design, and embed safeguarding practices, so that women, children, survivors of violence, and persons with disabilities are protected,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The ratification of the Ocean of Peace Declaration during the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara is timely, says Gustav Aitaro, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Palau.

He made the remarks during the PIF side event, “Building an ‘Ocean of Peace’ through strengthened regional integration”.

“We are blessed that we have peace. Signing this declaration now is very important and timely. It raises the profile of our concerns about our ocean and helps us achieve lasting peace,” Minister Aitaro said.

He noted that regional geopolitics will continue to pose threats, making the declaration a symbol of unity.

“PIF Leaders have discussed this convention from day one. It is our responsibility to provide peace and security for our communities, who will inherit the sovereignty of the Pacific,” he said.

Minister Aitaro stressed that the declaration also ensures that the Pacific can manage its ocean space, rather than leaving it to outside powers.

He also highlighted that this cannot be done alon.

“We cannot do this alone. We must work through partnerships within the region and with external partners. Cooperation and collaboration are key. Sometimes a presence is needed to deter a threat, but prevention is always better than reaction,” he said.

He concluded by emphasizing the need for Pacific countries to stick together to maintain peace across the region’s oceans.

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-Pacific Youth Pledge Support for Ocean of Peace Declaration

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Pacific youth have stepped forward alongside Forum Leaders, reaffirming their commitment to the Ocean of Peace Declaration endorsed at last week’s 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Honiara.

Speaking on behalf of regional youth, Ms. Josie Anne Ashley, General Secretary of the Solomon Islands National Youth Congress, said young people are ready to carry forward the outcomes of the Forum and safeguard the Pacific’s future.

“Whatever is decided, youth will carry it forward. We will own it and we will reap its benefits. But to paddle sturdier, we must be healthy and strong,” she said.

Ashley highlighted key challenges facing Pacific youth such as limited access to education, mental health pressures, substance abuse, and unemployment.

She stressed the importance of youth having a seat at the table, saying it is the only way to ensure decisions reflect their needs and aspirations.

She also recalled the emotional plea of a Tuvaluan child during the recent PNA Leaders Summit, who called on leaders to save the ocean and tuna for the Pacific.

“Pacific youth are united in amplifying that message and are committed to working alongside Forum Leaders to protect people, cultures, and the ocean for future generations,” Ashley added.

The youth’s pledge marks a significant step in strengthening regional unity and ensuring that the Pacific’s voice is heard in shaping its own future.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

Packs of medical drugs, three bags of home-brewed kwaso and three boxes of marijuana were seized at the Auki Jetty last Thursday.

These items were ready to be sent to Lord Howe by ship when police arrived and raided everything at the wharf. 

Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea, said police believed the medicines are part of the missing supplies from the Kiluufi hospital.

Media reports last month had said a total of six cartons of Coartem medicine, Paracetamol, and other medical treatments went missing from the Kilu’ufi Pharmacy. 

“I believe that these packets of medicines must be from the cartons of medicines that have been stolen from Kilu’ufi Hospital.

“It is good that we raided everything,” Ramosaea said. 

He mentioned that an investigation will be conducted in Mage, Central Kwara’ae.

Island Sun Auki understands that a police officer has been arrested in relation to the missing medical treatments at Kilu’ufi Hospital but was released due to insufficient evidence against him.

Investigation into the missing medical treatments is still ongoing.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Pacific Island Forum Troika will begin implementation of recommendations from the report produced of the 54th Pacific Island Forum leaders Meeting that concluded on Friday, September 12, 2025 in Honiara.

The report will be implemented in line with the forum leaders’ discussions in Noro, where Troika will assume direct leadership to carry out the task.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, also Chair of 54th Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting at a press conference on Friday, highlighted the successful weeklong PIF meeting.

He said the report was prepared over the course of a weeklong PIF leaders’ deliberation, where they reflected deeply on shared priorities and reaffirmed regional unity.

Manele stated that leaders also agreed on clear actions to help guide and improve the Pacific continent through an increasingly complex and challenging strategic environment.

“In addition to our meeting, among others this week, we had the opportunity to meet with a number of our key stakeholders, including representatives from the private sector, civil society organisations, health work agencies, and one of our associate members.

“The focus of the retreat at Noro was the report on the High-Level Political Panel that was facilitated between May and July 2025.

“Leaders have a robust exchange with the high-level business group that developed the report based on the political consultations with 16 of our 18 forum members,” he said.

The Chair said in general, the report was of a high quality, balanced, and practical in its recommendations. However, it remains a highly politically sensitive document.

He added central to the report is the call for deepened and revitalised Pacific regionalism, a more efficient regional system, and integrated delivery for the Pacific people.

“Over the coming months, the Troika will assume direct leadership on our side of the implementation of the recommendations from the report, in line with the Forum leaders’ discussions in Noro,” Manele said.

He also spoke on the signing of the establishment agreement of Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) – a financing facility for the Pacific by the Pacific.

“This agreement will be a crucial advocacy tool for the capitalisation of the PRF and for those who have made pledges to this facility,” Manele said.

The 54th Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting successfully concluded on Friday, and most of the leaders will leave to Papua New Guinea – upon invitation by Prime Minister, Hon James Marape, to join the people and government of PNG for the celebration of their 50th independence anniversary.

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BY CHRIS ALEX

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, Hon Dr Aisake Valu, raised a call for action during the recent signing of the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) Treaty at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara.

With 15 Forum members signing the treaty and two officially depositing instruments of ratification bringing into force, Prime Minister Valu emerged as a central voice championing the urgency and unity behind the region’s climate resilience efforts.

“We have come in force today. This reflects the strength of our unity and collective action through ‘You, Me, Together, Act Now’ our shared commitment to our people and our future,” said Valu.

It was a call from the heart of the Pacific, rooted in lived realities of climate vulnerability and driven by the vision of regional self-determination in financing resilience.

He emphasized on the innovative nature of the PRF as a Pacific-born solution to one of the region’s most pressing challenges which is climate financing.

“We are manifesting our shared vision to establish the PRF as a new, innovative way of doing business in climate financing. Climate equity and justice are not just ideals they are rights. The time for that narrative is gone. The time for action is now,” he said.

Drawing from the lived experiences of Pacific peoples, Valu reminded leaders of the harsh climate realities the region faces from cyclones and floods to rising seas and disappearing coastlines. His message “time is not on the Pacific’s side” was clear.

“The Pacific does not have the luxury of time. We can’t control the weather but we do know who controls the decisions that shape our future. And that is us,” he stressed.

He calls on international partners to move beyond paper commitments and provide concrete fiscal support to help the PRF reach its initial capitalization goal of US$500 million by the end of 2026, and ultimately US$1.5 billion to meet the ambition of a “1.5-degree world.”

Valu announced that Tonga is ready to present its instrument of ratification, officially joining the core group of countries advancing the PRF toward legal activation.

“I hereby offer assurance of our highest considerations in announcing today that Tonga is ready to present our instrument of ratification to mark our Blue Pacific voyage towards the PRF Treaty ratification,” he said.

This move highlights Tonga’s unwavering commitment to the facility and sets a clear example for others still on the sidelines.

“Only together in unity can this tree flourish. May our PRF grow to be strong and unshakeable in the spirit of our people, like a tree beside the river barefoot all year round and a stream of blessing for generations to come,” Valu said.

As momentum builds toward the 55th Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau in 2026 where pilot project proposals will be launched Prime Minister Valu expressed confidence in the collective will of Pacific leaders to see the PRF realized.

“This is just the beginning. With our Pacific hearts and political will, we can achieve this together for our people, and to ensure no one is left behind,” he said.

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