BY NED GAGAHE

The Solomon Islands’ newest national museum, the Nambawan Haus Museum in Tulagi, Central Province, will officially open on July 28, marking a major milestone in preserving the country’s colonial and cultural heritage.

Prime Minister Matthew Wale is expected to officiate at the opening ceremony, which is jointly hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) and the Central Provincial Government, a statement from the Ministry said.

Located in the former official residence of the Resident Commissioner of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, the restored Nambawan Haus is now the country’s second history museum and a branch of the Solomon Islands National Museum.

The historic building was officially handed over as a heritage site on May 2, 2025, following extensive restoration work.

According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the museum will serve as a centre to preserve and showcase the rich history and cultural heritage of the Central Islands while supporting tourism and education.

“The museum’s story does not end with its opening.

“Ongoing research and community engagement will ensure the exhibition continues to grow, revealing new stories and deepening our understanding of the history and people of the Central Islands,” the ministry said in a statement.

The opening ceremony will begin at 8am at the museum before guests tour the new exhibition. A cultural performance and kastom feast will follow at the Raiders Hotel.

Among the dignitaries expected to attend are British High Commissioner Paul Turner, Japanese Ambassador Keiichi Higuchi, United States Chargé d’Affaires Dan O’Hara, Central Province Premier Kenneth Sagupari, and senior government officials.

A highlight of the museum is the Binabina, a traditional Nggela war canoe that has been revived after generations.

The canoe was handcrafted by William Semu of Haroro, regarded as the last known master canoe builder with the traditional knowledge to construct the vessel using customary materials and techniques.

The Binabina is displayed inside a purpose-built Vale Kiala (Kastom Canoe House), with its construction fully documented to preserve the knowledge for future generations.

The ministry said the museum is expected to become a major tourism attraction for Central Province while providing educational opportunities for students and researchers.

Transportation will be provided for invited guests travelling from Honiara aboard the Auki Express, which will depart Port Cruz Wharf on the morning of the opening ceremony.

The historic building sits on a hill overlooking Tulagi Township, offering panoramic views across Iron Bottom Sound and the surrounding islands. It was once the official residence and office of British Resident Commissioner Charles Woodford, who administered the British Solomon Islands Protectorate from the property during the colonial era.

The residence was abandoned in 1942 during the Japanese invasion of the Solomon Islands in World War II and remained in ruins for decades.

Recognising its historical significance, the National Government and the Central Provincial Government later agreed to restore the building and convert it into the country’s second history museum.

Its transformation into the Nambawan Haus Museum is expected to further strengthen Tulagi’s reputation as one of the Solomon Islands’ premier heritage and World War II tourism destinations, preserving an important chapter of the nation’s colonial history for future generations.

Photo credit: Ministry of Culture and Tourism

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BY JOSES SAREN

Prime Minister Matthew Wale today officially welcomed Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape to Honiara, underscoring the close and enduring ties between the two Melanesian nations.

Marape arrived in Solomon Islands today to attend the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) “Solomon Islands for Christ” programme, a statement by the PM Press Secretariat yesterday said.

The Government has elevated the brief trip to an official visit in recognition of its significance, the statement said.

A Guard of Honour will be accorded to Marape upon his arrival at Honiara International Airport, reflecting the high regard in which the bilateral relationship is held.

The statement said the visit gives both leaders a platform for high-level dialogue. On Saturday morning, they will attend a church service where they are expected to address the congregation.

On Saturday evening, the two Prime Ministers will hold formal bilateral talks.

The discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation and advancing shared priorities between Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, reaffirming their commitment to regional stability and mutual development.

Marape is scheduled to depart for Port Moresby on Sunday.

Photo credit: PMO

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BY JOSES SAREN

Less than one in every thousand coconut crabs survive to settle on shore and enter a shell, a survival rate the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) says makes the species highly vulnerable to overharvesting during its breeding season.

According to MFMR, coconut crab, known locally as ‘kasusu’, is both a delicacy and an important source of income for many communities in Solomon Islands.

The crab reaches reproductive age at around five years and can live for more than 30 years, but its slow survival rate leaves populations exposed to unsustainable harvesting.

The statement said female coconut crabs carry their eggs for an extended period during spawning and breeding season, which coincides with peak harvesting time.

Harvesting during this window not only reduces coconut crab numbers but can lead to low catches and, ultimately, extinction, MFMR said.

As the crabs move inland, they shed their hard shells, and it takes about 30 days for a new shell to harden. During this vulnerable period, they are more easily caught by predators and people.

To protect the species, a seasonal ban is enforced every year from June 1 to October 31 under the Fisheries Management (Prohibited Activities) Regulations 2018.

During this period, no person is allowed to retain, possess, sell or buy coconut crab. Anyone found breaching the rule faces a fine of up to $40,000, four months imprisonment, or both.

Outside the ban period, coconut crab caught for sale must still meet a minimum legal size of 9cm, under MFMR’s Solwata Blo Iumi size guidelines, developed with support from the European Union, the Government of Sweden and the New Zealand Aid Programme, in partnership with the Pacific Community and Change.

MFMR said it remains committed to protect kasusu populations and encourages voluntary compliance from all Solomon Islanders during the closed season. The public can report breaches or seek more information from the Ministry’s office in Honiara or the nearest Fisheries Centre, by phone on 39143 or 39151, by email at [email protected], or by tuning into SIBC Radio every Wednesday night at 8.30pm.

Photo credit: MFMR

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Solomon Islands has reached a major milestone in its climate commitments by hosting its first United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Technical Expert Review (TER) of the country’s Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1) in Honiara this week.

The review, taking place from July 13 to 17, is being coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) and marks the country’s first assessment under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework, a statement from the Ministry said.

The framework requires countries to regularly report on greenhouse gas emissions, progress towards Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), climate change adaptation efforts, and the support they have received and require to address climate change.

Welcoming the UNFCCC Technical Expert Review Team to Honiara, MECDM Permanent Secretary David Hiriasia said the review represented an important step to strengthen Solomon Islands’ national climate reporting system.

He said the process should not be viewed as an audit but as an opportunity to improve the country’s reporting systems, data quality and institutional capacity through technical dialogue with international experts.

“Today marks an important milestone for Solomon Islands as we participate in our first Biennial Transparency Report review under the Paris Agreement.

“We see this review not merely as an assessment exercise, but as a valuable opportunity to learn, improve, and strengthen our national transparency system,” Mr Hiriasia said.

He also acknowledged the contributions of government ministries, agencies, technical experts, development partners and stakeholders involved in preparing Solomon Islands’ first Biennial Transparency Report.

Mr Hiriasia reaffirmed the country’s commitment to meet its obligations under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, saying transparent and credible reporting is essential to inform climate policy, track progress towards national climate targets and improve access to international climate finance.

During the week-long review, the UNFCCC Technical Expert Review Team will meet with officials from MECDM and other government agencies to examine the information contained in the report, seek technical clarifications and provide recommendations to strengthen future reporting.

The review is also expected to improve Solomon Islands’ national systems for greenhouse gas inventory preparation, monitoring progress towards climate targets and implementing long-term climate commitments.

MECDM thanked the UNFCCC Secretariat, the Technical Expert Review Team and all national institutions and development partners whose support has enabled Solomon Islands to undertake its first transparency review under the Paris Agreement.

Photo: Supplied

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Two Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers are helping make Tuvalu safer through their contribution to Operation RENDER SAFE.

Operation RENDER SAFE is a multinational mission to address threats posed by Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) left behind from the Second World War.

The Australian High Commission (AHC), in a statement yesterday, said Sergeant Patterson Filiga and Constable Barnabas Talo recently travelled to Nanumea Lagoon, where they joined Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and the Tuvalu Police Service in reconnaissance activities to locate, document and assess UXO remaining in the area.

Numerous explosive remnants of war remain in the lagoon and surrounding areas as a legacy of World War II, continuing to pose a threat to local communities, fishers and visitors, according to the AHC.

The statement said the two RSIPF officers contributed specialist technical advice to identify and record the location of UXO, helping inform future disposal operations and improve community safety.

The officers also engaged with members of the Nanumea community, raising awareness about the dangers of unexploded ordnance and providing practical guidance on how to recognise suspicious items and report them safely to authorities.

Australian Defence Adviser to Solomon Islands, Captain Emma Griffiths, praised the contribution of the RSIPF officers.

“The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force brings extensive experience and expertise in dealing with UXO from World War Two, making them an invaluable partner in Operation RENDER SAFE,” Captain Griffiths said.

She said Sergeant Filiga and Constable Talo demonstrated Solomon Islands’ status as a regional leader in explosive ordnance disposal while also showing exceptional skill in educating communities about UXO risks and promoting safe behaviour.

Operation RENDER SAFE is an Australian Defence Force-led multinational initiative that supports Pacific countries to reduce the dangers posed by World War II-era explosive remnants of war.

Photo: Supplied

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Ministry of Fisheries voices concern over reports of vandalism of FADs in Isabel province

BY CHARLES STENNETT

A number of Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD), installed by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) in Isabel Province have been intentionally vandalised raising concerns from the Ministry and communities benefiting from them.

This was revealed by a FAD team currently in Isabel Province monitoring the performance and impact of the FAD programme in the communities of Kolomosu, Kmaga and Sepi.

A statement from MFMR said the Ministry is concerned that some FADs have been deliberately vandalised, undermining the benefits of the program for entire communities.

“The Ministry is appealing to community members to take ownership of these valuable fisheries assets and work together to protect them.

“FADs are installed to improve livelihoods and strengthen food security, and their success depends on the collective support and stewardship of the communities they serve” the statement said.

The monitoring exercise carried out by the team aims to assess how the deployed FADs are supporting coastal communities by providing easier access to pelagic fish species, particularly during periods of rough seas and unfavourable weather conditions when fishing on reefs becomes difficult.

The FAD programme has proven to be an important alternative fishing option, helping families improve food security and generate income from the sale of fish.

Many communities have benefited from the initiative, with fishers able to catch tuna, mackerel and other pelagic species closer to their villages.

Photo credit: MFMR

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