Latest News Archive August 2014

Utilising Senile Coconut Palm Stems in the Pacific

Utilising Senile Coconut Palm Stems in the Pacific

Almost every literature written on coconuts declares it as the “tree-of-life” and rightly so, since almost every part of this amazing palm can be used, from the nuts, fronds, stems to the roots.
According to the South Pacific Tourism Organisation, Solomon Islands tourism industry would be most affected by the dispute.

Solomon Tourism Most Affected By Air Dispute

Fiji's National airline, Fiji Airways has maintained that a negotiation for a resolution to the impasse of flights to Honiara and vice-versa is the responsibility of the Solomon Islands and Fijian governments.
The Total cost by the 2012 Festival of Arts by the Government was SBD$195m.

FOPA Cost Government $195M

Solomon Islands Minister of Culture and Tourism, Samuel Manetoali has confirmed that the country had spent about $195 million to host the 2012 11th Festival of Pacific Arts (FOPA).

Lilo Cleared Off Misconduct

Solomon Islands Leadership Code Commission (LCC) has declared a no substance against the allegation laid before Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, regarding misconduct in office in early 2013.
Last Saturday, Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Gordon Darcy stated that his government is in talks with St Barbara over possible transferal of ownership of the mine.

Government May Take Over Gold Ridge

St Barbara is in talks to hand the embattled Gold Ridge mine back to the Solomon Islands Government.

Australia Provides $2m for Floods Recovery

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Brett Mason has announced that Australia will provide an additional $2 million to assist ongoing recovery efforts following April’s devastating floods in SolomonIslands.
Malaysia's High Commissioner Kuminding said Malaysia and Solomon Islands continue to enjoy warm and close friendship based on mutual respect and cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1998.

Malaysian High Commissioner Presents Credentials

The new Malaysian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands has presented his letters of credence to the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui in Honiara yesterday.

ADB Welcomes New Business Law

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has welcomed a new law making it easier to register businesses in the Solomon Islands.
Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Tuiloma Neroni Slade receives a farewell gift from RAMSI Special Coordinator, Ms Justine Braithwaite during a RAMSI hosted function in Honiara.

RAMSI Welcomes Enhanced Consultative Mechanism Meeting

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) welcomes the 10th meeting of the Enhanced Consultative Mechanism (ECM) which concluded in Honiara today as an appropriate mechanism to monitor the performance of the Mission.
“Parents need to protect their children from measles. The best way of doing this is by taking them to a local health clinic for a measles vaccination......”, said Dr. Lester Ross, Permanent Secretary of MHMS.

Citizens Warned Against Rising Measles Cases

Cases of measles in Solomon Islands continue to rise with over 200 reported, the majority of which are in Honiara.
According to Hon. Tovosia, victims have received about eight to 13-thousand dollars worth of assistance depending on their family size.

Thousands Spent on Repatriation

The Solomon Islands Minister for Environment, Bradley Tovosia says thousands of dollars have been spent by his Ministry through the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) for repatriation purposes of the victims of the recent April flash floods.
Prior to dissolving on 8th September, the Parliament yesterday passed another Two Parliamentary Bills.

Two More Bills Passed

Parliament yesterday passed two more Bills called the ‘Business Names Bill 2014' and the ‘Solomon Islands National University Amendment Bill 2014', both of which are now Acts of Parliament.

Consultation on Limited Rearmament Welcomed

The active engagement by the communities and organisations consulted so far in the decision of the Solomon Islands Government for the limited rearmament of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has been applauded by the government, RSIPF and RAMSI.

RAMSI Reports on Progress of Drawdown Strategy

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands Participating Police Force (PPF) has reported on the progress of the implementation of its Drawdown Strategy 2013 – 2017 which was agreed on by RAMSI and the Solomon Islands Government last year.

Water and Sanitation a Critical Development Issue for the Pacific

Tuesday 19 August 2014, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) headquarters, Noumea, New Caledonia – Water and sanitation are among the key challenges facing the Pacific Island region and will be a focus for discussion at the upcoming Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Samoa, 1?4 September.

Tandai Chiefs Pushing for Dialogue

Tandai Indigenous landowners and people, especially chiefs are ready to commence dialogue with the national government over the long over due issue of Honiara Town boundary expansion.

Cruise Market Potential Recognized for National Forum

Recognizing the potential the international cruise market holds for the Solomon Islands, the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) will address government, local tourism officials and operators attending the 2014 National Tourism Forum.

ADB to Rebuild Transport Infrastructure

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $15.58 million project to help the Solomon Islands rebuild transport infrastructure damaged by recent flash floods.

Provincial Government Amendment Bill Passed

The Solomon Islands Provincial Government Amendment Bill 2014 has been passed without amendments at its third reading in parliament late yesterday afternoon.
The training was for community monitors to carry out simple Biological Monitoring Surveys at the community level in accordance with Solomon Islands Locally Managed Marine Areas Network protocols.

Communities Create Marine Conservation Areas

Katupika communities have created what is thought to be the biggest network of marine reserves in Choiseul Province, Solomon Islands following the addition of four new sites to existing Managed Marine Areas governed by the Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Communities.
Foreign Minister Clay Forau, Sir Frank, Ambassador Leonidas Tezapsidis and Foreign Affairs PS Beraki Jino at Government House yesterday.

EU Ambassador Presents Credentials

The European Union’s (EU) first-ever resident Ambassador to Solomon Islands H.E. Leonidas Tezapsidis has presented his letter of credence to the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui at Government House today.

US Assures Support for Elections

The United States of America has assured Solomon Island of its preparedness to support the country conduct a smooth and fair national general election later this year.
The adjournment will allow the Bills and Legislation Committee to conduct its inquiry into the Provincial Government (Amendment) Bill and the Solomon Islands National University (Amendment) Bill.

Parliament Adjourns for 18th

The Solomon Islands National Parliament has been adjourned for Monday the 18th of August.
The standoff has escalated to the point where all flights between the two countries have been suspended.

Fears for Tourism as Airline Dispute Continues

Tourism operators say a dispute between the national airlines of Fiji and Solomon Islands is pushing up the cost of travel in the Pacific.

Axiom to Scout Drill in West Guadalcanal

Axiom Mining is poised to begin a highly anticipated 2,500 metre scout drilling program targeting the Taho and Polo prospect areas of its West Guadalcanal Project in the Solomon Islands.
JFK and the PT-109. Lt. (jg) John F. Kennedy, USNR (standing at right) with crew of PT-109, Solomon Islands, 1943.

Kerry Remembers Kennedy in Visit

US Secretary of State John Kerry landed Wednesday in the Solomon Islands where he noted the two nations' close historical ties, including the World War II rescue of future president John F. Kennedy.
Loyley Ngira, CEO Solomon Telekom (left), with Jacques-Samuel Prolon, General Manager, Kacific (right).

Telekom Signs Multimillion Dollar Contract

Solomon Telekom Company has signed a multimillion-dollar agreement with Kacific for broadband services from the upcoming Kacific 1 High Throughput Satellite (HTS).
Secretary of State, John Kerry he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives during the tropical cyclone three months ago.

Climate Change Raised During Kerry's Visit

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry flagged cooperation on tackling climate change during a brief stop in the Solomon Islands yesterday, where he emphasized ties dating back to World War Two.

Schools to Debate on Country's Future

The Australian High Commission will today host the inaugural G’Day Solomons Great Debate for senior students in Honiara.
Market vendors, who are predominantly women, rarely get an opportunity to participate in decisions affecting their workplace, but by working together as a unified group, they hope to expand opportunities for members.

Central Market Registers Association

More than 200 Honiara market vendors have formed an association to promote the rights and interests of stallholders and to help improve conditions at the Solomon Islands biggest market.
The forum is expected to act as a catalyst for the future implementation of changes seen as necessary to transform and lift tourism in fulfillment of the government’s expectation and the benefit of all Solomon Islanders.

Tourism Forum A Catalyst for Implementation

The Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo, MP, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands will officially open the Our Telekom National Tourism Forum taking place at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on 29 August.
Organised by the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) women’s development office, the festival was run under the ‘Live Your Goal’ programme promoting FIFA’s message for driving the development of women’s football throughout the world.

Women's Football Festival A Success

More than 200 girls participated in a two-day FIFA Women’s Football Festival programme held in Honiara over the weekend hinting at a promising future for the women’s football in Solomon Islands.

Solomon Airlines Goes Online

Solomon Airlines has become one of the first international carriers to employ the latest in online customer-service, web-based technology with the launch of its newly-revamped website.
The NDMO applauds those many flood-affected people who are choosing to use the help they are given and going forth to rebuild their lives.

NDMO Appreciates Resilient Families

The Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) applauds those who have taken the initiative to help themselves recover from April’s flooding disaster.
The Deputy Prime Minister (M) together with Malaita's Premier (L) and the Director for Health Services (R)in Malaita over the weekend.

Government Supports Kilu'ufi Hospital

Malaita Premier, Hon. Edwin Suibaea has applauded the Government for delivering a $2.9 million cheque towards the rehabilitation of Kilu’ufi Hospital.
Makira-Ulawa Province Premier, Thomas Weape and Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Maelanga in Kirakira last week at the Province’s 31st Second Appointed day.

Makira Marks Achievements at Appointed Day

Solomon Islands Makira-Ulawa Province is making positive progress in achieving some of its visions and development programs in the 2013-2014 periods.

Maelanga Denies Prendergast Allegations

Acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga has rejected recent false allegations by the Malaita Ma’asina Forum (MMF) against newly appointed Royal Solomon Islands Police Commissioner, Frank Prendergast.
The project is expected to produce between 15 and 20 Megawatts of power and more than 80 million kilowatt hours (units) of energy every year, which is enough to meet Honiara’s current demand.

Hydro Bid Goes International

Eight potential investors that have expressed interest in building and operating the Tina River Hydro Project took part in a major project briefing in Honiara, Solomon Islands last week.
Kennedy’s heroics may have been for naught without Eroni Kumana (above) and Biuku Gasa, two Solomon Islanders who found Kennedy and his crew six days after the wreck, subsisting on coconuts on a small island.

Man Who Saved JFK Dies

On a moonless night in August 1943, on a pitch-black strait in the Solomon Islands, two vessels collided.

American Samoa and Samoa Punch Above Their Weight on Fuel Prices

Financial gains from increased renewable energy and energy efficiency installations can be easily and quickly lost if the prices of petroleum products are not closely scrutinised and negotiated,’ says Solomone Fifita, Head of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s (SPC) Energy Programme.
The US Secretary of State will be visiting the Solomon Islands on August 13th.

Kerry to Visit Solomons

US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Naypyitaw, Burma; Sydney, Australia; Honiara, Solomon Islands; and Honolulu, Hawaii August 8-13, 2014.
From left-right – EA to Group ANZ Jo Mickleus, CEO ANZ Solomon Islands , Geoffrey Buchanan, ANZ Group CEO, Michael Smith, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Andrew Byrne and ANZ Pacific & Fiji CEO, Vishnu Mohan.

Mobile Banking and Financial Literacy to Increase

ANZ has announced an agreement with the Australian Government to support the increased roll out of mobile banking and financial literacy programs to a further 65,000 Solomon Islanders previously excluded from traditional banking services.
"There will be a focus on us [women] to see whether we will deliver."

Meg Taylor Appointed As Forum Head

The Pacific Islands Forum's first female leader, Dame Meg Taylor, says she's confident she can gain the respect of the Pacific's male-dominated political leaders.

Health Authorities Emphasizes Vaccination

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and World Health Organization (WHO) has reminded the public that vaccinating your child against measles could save their life.

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