Category 3 TC leaves trail of destruction in Western and Choiseul provinces

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

TROPICAL Cyclone Maila has wreaked havoc across Western and Choiseul provinces, leaving a trail of destruction as strong winds, heavy rain and rising sea levels battered coastal communities over the past two days.

TC Maila as of 5pm yesterday was 263km south-west of Ranongga. Maila is slowly moving southeast and intensifying, an update at 7.30pm yesterday by the Solomon Islands Met Service said.

Reports reaching Island Sun confirm that many properties have been damaged in Choiseul and West, with some communities experiencing unusually high tides that swept inland and destroyed homes and food gardens.

In an interview yesterday, Sydney Lekevolomo from Sasamuga in Choiseul Province said the village endured a terrifying night as the cyclone intensified in the early hours.

“Sasamuga was battered by strong winds, heavy rain and incoming sea from around 4:00am until morning.

“It was the worst night we ever experienced. The wind, rain and the rising sea combined contributed to the situation.

“Some houses along the coastline were flattened, and fruit trees were also brought down,” he said.

Lekevolomo said many residents fled to higher ground during the night and remain at evacuation sites as they wait for conditions to improve.

He said the weather showed signs of easing, with communities hopeful for calmer conditions.

A similar situation was reported in Iriqila village in Western Province, where a local school teacher, Clarence Kula, described the impact as severe.

“Our community went through a very frightening experience last night.

“The wind speed was different—it was fierce. The heavy rain combined with the incoming sea made the situation worse for those living along the coastline,” he said.

Kula confirmed that key community infrastructure, including the village market, several petrol depots and kitchens, were destroyed during the storm.

He said the bad weather intensified again later in the afternoon, keeping residents on edge while conditions briefly improved yesterday morning,

Kula said no casualties have been reported so far although communities are bracing for further impacts.

Island Sun understands that Cyclone Maila continues to pose a threat to many parts of Western and Choiseul provinces, with several communities already suffering significant losses over the past two days.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses have been sharing photos and videos on social media, showing the extent of the damage as the cyclone continues to move through the region.

Authorities are yet to release a full assessment of the damage as affected communities remain on alert. 

Photo credit: Supplied

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale is calling on leaders of Melanesian countries to ‘speak up against atrocities in West Papua’.

This call follows fresh reports of alleged killing of civilians by Indonesian forces in the Dogiyai Regency in West Papua on March 31.

Indonesian police allegedly fired ‘indiscriminately’ towards residences and a market in response to the killing of a police officer that morning, a statement by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) on April 2 said.

Five people including a 60-year-old woman were killed, and others wounded including an 11-year-old boy who was shot in the chest and remains in critical condition, ULMWP reported.

Opposition Leader Mr Wale said reports of the killing including a minor are deeply troubling and raise serious questions about the protection of indigenous Melanesian communities.

“The people of the Solomon Islands share strong historical, cultural, and ancestral ties with the people of West Papua, and such incidents resonate across our region,” Wale said.

The Opposition Leader said the safety, dignity and human rights of all Melanesians must be upheld at all times.

“Fellow Melanesians must stand in solidarity with the people of West Papua and I urge regional leaders especially Melanesian leaders to speak up and to ensure that justice is pursued and that lasting peace is prioritized,” Wale said.

In light of the killings in Dogiyai, President of ULMWP Benny Wenda echoed his calls for leaders of Pacific nations to condemn and pressure Indonesia to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua.

“I direct this particularly at Pacific leaders – how long will you allow Indonesia to spill Melanesian blood before taking a real stand against this genocidal occupation? How many Papuans must die?” Mr Wenda said.

“On behalf of the ULMWP and the people of West Papua, I reiterate our demand for Indonesia to allow UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua.

“Over 110 countries – a clear majority of the UN member states – have now demanded this visit, but Indonesia continues to refuse.

“Dogiyai is not an isolated incident: every day brings a new atrocity. How long will the world allow this to continue before Indonesia is made to suffer genuine diplomatic consequences for their refusal?” Wenda said.

The killings in Dogiyai are the latest in what the ULMWP has described as ‘military escalation’ by Indonesia in West Papua.

“West Papuan civilians are the victims of Prabowo’s [Indonesian president] ongoing military escalation, which has spread across Yahukimo, Intan Jaya, Paniai, Maybrat, and now Dogiyai,” ULMWP said.

“What the carnage in Dogiyai demonstrates is that Indonesia views all West Papuans as legitimate targets.

“Elders, women, and children: no one is safe from the murderous vengeance of the Indonesian security state.

“The massacre triggered a wave of internal displacement, as terrified civilians fled into the mountains and surrounding villages.”

West Papua has been under Indonesia’s control since 1963. Indonesia regards West Papua as its province.

Since then, the region has seen a persistent pro-independence movement met with heavy military presence and systematic repression.

Human rights organisations and academic reports have documented widespread extrajudicial killings, torture, and mass displacement, with some scholars and activists describing the situation as a “slow-motion genocide”.

Estimates of the total death toll since the 1960s vary significantly, with some advocacy groups and researchers suggesting figures as high as 500,000 Papuans killed.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele attended the opening of the 2026 Easter Conference hosted by Kingdom Harvest Ministries International (KHMI) in Henderson, Honiara on Friday, April 3^rd.

A statement from the Press Secretariat of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) yesterday, said the event marks a significant Good Friday gathering of church leaders and international delegates under the International Strategic Alliance of Apostolic Churches (ISAAC) network.

PM Manele described the Easter season as a sacred time for reflection, renewal, and unity among Solomon Islanders, when he delivered the keynote address to delegates from across the Pacific region including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Vanuatu.

He highlighted the importance of the conference theme, “The Power of One for Revival,” as a timely call for national unity.

“This theme is a clarion call for unity, an invitation for us to align our hearts and efforts in purposeful harmony to secure a peaceful and prosperous future for our nation,” PM Manele said.

He said that unity is the foundation for transformation, noting that true revival begins when people come together with a shared purpose, reflecting from Acts Chapter 2.

“Revival does not begin with authority it begins with unity. When we align our purpose, the strength to transform our nation follows,” he said.

PM said that this principle extends beyond the Church to all sectors of society, including government, education, business, and communities, urging collaboration across all domains to achieve national development.

He also reaffirmed the Government’s recognition of the Church as a key partner in nation-building, highlighting the ongoing role of the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs as a core pillar of government policy.

“Nation-building in Solomon Islands cannot be separated from the Church. The Government values this partnership and acknowledges the Church’s vital role in shaping values, strengthening families, and guiding our nation,” he said.

Prime Minister Manele also called on the Church to remain united and continue to provide moral guidance, noting that strong leadership requires spiritual grounding.

“The Government needs the Church, its guidance, its prayers, and its courage to speak truth with wisdom and fairness,” he added.

The statement noted that the Prime Minister urged all participants to ensure the conference becomes more than an event, but a movement for unity and transformation across the nation.

“This must be our moment to come together as one, so that revival can begin and spread throughout Solomon Islands,” he said.

Photo credit: Press Secretariat, OPMC

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said he is pleased to see progress in developments in Malaita Province.

The Prime Minister and his government delegation recently visited Malaita province for a series of handovers and groundbreaking ceremonies.

Addressing the media during his press conference in Malaita on Wednesday 1st, PM Manele said his delegation has seen real and practical progress across Malaita.

“Being in the provinces allows us to see progress firsthand and stay connected to the realities our people face every day.

“Yesterday, we opened the Kolofe 1 and Kolofe 2 bridges in North Malaita. Today, I will travel south to hand over the Su’u and Bira bridges. These are not just projects, they are lifelines that connect communities, support farmers, and help children get to school safely. Bridges and roads are arteries of trade and commerce that drive our rural and national economy,” he said.

He said he is pleased to see the progress of the tar-sealing project, with drainage works currently underway in Auki.

He said that this forms part of a longer-term effort to improve the town and support economic activity changes people will see and use every day.

“We are also establishing a new Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock office in Auki. This morning, we broke ground for the new facility, which will support local farmers and the 45 agribusiness groups already benefiting from government programs.

“This morning, we also broke ground for the Customary Land Recording Office, the first of its kind outside Honiara. This will help landowners properly record their land, reduce disputes, and create greater certainty for development,” he said.

PM Manele said work is continuing to improve Kilufi Hospital, with support from the Government of Japan to help ensure families in Malaita have access to better health services.

“At Bina Harbour, work is progressing on key studies and preparations. This remains one of the major long-term economic projects for Malaita and the country.  All of this progress is possible because of the cooperation of landowners and communities with the government and its partners. Partnership and commitment are what makes development work,” he said.

Photo credit: Press Secretariat, OPMC

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BY JUNELYN KELLY

The Guadalcanal Provincial Government under the leadership of premier Willie Atu has allocated a total of $400,000 under its 2026/2027 appropriation budget to support conservation and environmental programs in Guadalcanal.

A statement from Guadalcanal Provincial Government, said $150,000 is specifically designated for community-based forest rangers, while $250,000 will fund broader environmental and conservation initiatives.

John Stewart, Guadalcanal Province Minister for Finance and Treasury announced that this is the first time for the provincial government to provide direct financial support to community-based forest rangers.

“It is high time for the provincial government to support the noble work of these community-based forest rangers for their tremendous contributions in protecting the last remaining forests of Guadalcanal.

“The allocation is minimal, but the Atu Government is stepping in the right direction to assist our rural communities to ensure they take full responsibilities in the environmental conservation sector”, he said.

He said currently, there are 15 active community-based forest rangers’ group in Guadalcanal affiliated with the Solomon Islands Rangers Association (SIRA).

The funding will be made available to registered groups under the Charitable Trust Act or SI Rangers, with proposals required to align with the government’s environmental policies to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

SI rangers program Manager Mr Edward Huitarau welcomed the initiative and said that Guadalcanal province is the first in the country to formally recognise and financially support community-based rangers.

He added that the move sets a precedent for other provincial governments to follow and to strengthen ongoing collaboration between SI rangers and the Guadalcanal Provincial Government.

In addition, the government emphasised that the funding aims to strengthen environmental conservation efforts and to promote sustainable development while preserving Guadalcanal Provincial’s natural heritage for future generations.

Photo credit: GPG

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