Port Vila-based Malaita community celebrates provincial day

BY ROMULUS HUTA

In Port Vila, Vanuatu

Malaitan Community members singing a song.

THE Malaitan community based in Port Vila, Vanuatu have come together to celebrate their provincial second appointed day last Saturday.

The celebration was held at the Church of the South Seas compound in the Vanuatu capital.

More than 30 members which includes law students studying at the University of the South Pacific’s Emalus Campus and other Malaitans working and residing in Port Vila attended the get-together.

Delivering her welcome remarks, influential community member Miltus Formani who is a Solomon Islander currently working with the Vanuatu Police Department, said the small gathering was aimed at celebrating Malaita Second Appointed Day as Malaitans although it’s unplanned and decided upon in the last minute.

“Though we are not in the Solomon Islands, but as Malaitans, at least we come up with something to celebrate our provincial day.

“I would like to say thanks to community members for making this happen despite short notice.

“It’s such an informal gathering but I hope it means something to us.”

Another Malaita community leader in Port Vila, Philip Fiuka highlights the importance of coming together as one community.

The Cutting of the Malaita Second Appointed Day Cake during the celebration in Port Vila.

He added that the Malaita community in Port Vila is proud to stand together as one family under one banner, one province and one country Solomon Islands.

The Malaita second appointed day celebration also coincided with the seventh birthday celebration of young Josiah Kofana, son of a Solomon Islands pastor who resides in Port Vila.

Young Josiah, whose father is currently in Honiara on missionary purposes hails from Kwai and Kwaio in East Malaita.

Kofana was pleased that his birthday coincides with his province’s big day.

Few leading members of the Solomon Islands Hockey team who participated in last week’s World Hockey Series qualifiers in Port Vila were also invited to the event.

They include President of Solomon Islands Hockey Federation (SIHF) Nihal Seneviratne and his executive member Patteson Akipu.

The duo expressed great excitement upon meeting the Malaitan community.

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