Latest News Archive June 2019
Police Cracks Down on Illegal Parking at Bus Stops
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is putting together plans to crack down on drivers who park illegally at bus stops and at the Fishing Village Market in Honiara.
Hotels to Achieve Minimum Standards Accreditation
The Solomon Island Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) has announced the first Solomon Islands accommodation providers to achieve ‘Minimum Standards Accreditation’.
SICCI Presents Submission on Minimum Wage
Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) on Tuesday 26th June 2019 presented its submission, containing views of its members of the business community, to the Labour Advisory Board’s (LAB) review into the country’s minimum wage.
‘Me Save Solo’ 2019 – On Track for Best-Ever Attendance
With just days to go before the 2019 ‘Me Save Solo’ tourism exchange kicks off in Honiara, Tourism Solomons has confirmed international buyer attendance at the event has gone well beyond expectations.
Marijuana Haul Worth Close to SBD$1 Million
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Guadalcanal Province have arrested a man in his 20s after uprooting several thousand marijuana plants in the Mberande area of East Guadalcanal on 24 June 2019.
Search Underway for Two Missing Passengers of Sunken Ray Boat
The Solomon Islands Maritime office is calling on the public to practice caution especially when travelling in between Islands, and also to take heed of warnings issued by the MET service.
5.7 Magnitude Quake Recorded Near Kavachi
A 5.7 magnitude earthquake with a depth of 10km was recorded at 2.18pm today near the active sub-marine volcano Kavachi in the Western Province.
Bangladeshi Steals Cash from Boss
A Bangladeshi working as a shop keeper in Honiara has allegedly stolen SBD$90,000 from his employer, also a Bangladeshi national.
Man Charged with Killing Elder Brother
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Western Province have arrested a man in his 30s at Patutiva Village in Marovo following the death of his elder brother over the weekend.
Police Investigates Two Deaths Over The Weekend
Investigators of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Honiara have attended to the death of two adult men at separate locations in the capital city over the weekend.
Minister Announces Commencement Date for DBSI
The Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon. Harry Kuma has set June 21st, 2019 as the date for the commencement of the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) Act.
Kenilorea Questions Involvement of Ministers in Recent China Trip
The Deputy leader of the Opposition, Hon. Peter Kenilorea Jr, has questioned why two Ministers of the crown had to lead what “was effectively a technical delegation on a technical mission.”
20 Nurses Recruited by Vanuatu
Solomon Islands will send 20 nurses to neighboring Vanuatu next month, an arrangement first made possible through an MOU signed by the two countries in 2011.
FRC Chair Attends RSIS-WTO Meeting in Singapore
Upon an invitation by His Excellency Hon. Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament for the Republic of Singapore - the newly appointed Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee (FRC), Hon. Peter Kenilorea Jr recently attended the 10th Edition of the RSIS- WTO Parliamentarian Workshop in Singapore.
Bus Driver in Custody After Accident in Honiara
Officers of the Royal Solomon islands Police Force (RSIPF) Traffic Department in Honiara have arrested a 32-year-old male person who is believed to be the driver of a bus which allegedly hit an elderly man at the bus stop near the overhead bridge at China Town on 21 June 2019.
Taskforce Sends Delegation to Study Chinese Aid in the Region
The taskforce set up by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to review the country's relationship with Taiwan will send a delegation to study Chinese aid in neighboring countries as it considers a potential diplomatic switch to Beijing, the delegation leader said on Monday (Jun 24).
First Ever Fisheries Policy Dialogue Between the EU and Pacific
For the first time in the Pacific region, a policy dialogue between the seventeen (17) Forum Fishery Agency (FFA) Members and the European Union (EU) to discuss issues and challenges relating to the sustainable management of marine resources commenced in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia on Friday.
Police Strengthens Link With Church Through Ordination of Two Officers
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has further strengthened its link with the church through the ordination of two of its officers Inspector James Maelanga and Senior Sergeant John (Luke) Manau as priests in the Church of Melanesia in Honiara on 23 June 2019.
Thriller in Papeete -Tiki Toa Crowned Oceania Champions
Oceania giants Tahiti edged past their fiercest Pacific rivals Solomon Islands in a tense and high quality title decider at OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup 2019 in Tahiti, to secure qualification for their fifth consecutive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Solomon Islands Commended for Progress Achieved to Tackle Avoidable Forms of Blindness
The Chief Executive of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust (the Trust), Dr Astrid Bonfield CBE, today met with leading eye health experts to thank and commend them for their efforts to prevent blindness across Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands Takes on Tahiti in Potential Decider
The Solomon Islands will take on Tahiti this afternoon at the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup 2019, a potential decider in the 3rd day of competition.
Collecting Histories: Solomon Islands Featured in British Museum
The British Museum has one of the world's largest collections of objects and photographs from Solomon Islands - around 4,000 items - which have been acquired in a variety of ways over the past 250 years.
Australia Gives Voice to Women And Youth in Cocoa Photo Competition
Winners of the photography competition: “Capturing Cocoa”, received a total of SB$7,400 worth of prizes on 14 June 2019.
Yam Houses of the Trobriand Islands: Prestige, Magic and Drought
ACROSS KIRIWINA, DENSE RAINFOREST GIVES way to wide, open clearings studded with ornate wooden houses. Arranged in concentric rings, the innermost structures tend to be taller, brighter, and palpably more important, with carefully-stacked logs bearing intricate designs painted in red, white, and black.
Bilikiki Beats Tonga 7-1
Solomon Islands has beaten new comers Tonga 7-1.
RSIPF Farewells Australian and NZ Advisors
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) today farewelled two advisors from Australia and New Zealand who have served for several years under the Australian Solomon Islands Police Development Program (SIPDP) and the New Zealand Solomon Island Support Program (SIPSP).
OFC Beach Soccer: Solomon Islands Takes on New Comers Tonga
Solomon Islands will take on new comers Tonga today as they seek to keep pace with group leaders Tahiti.
Police Trained to Conduct RBT on Land and Sea
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in the Western Province will be able to conduct random breath testing (RBT) on vehicle drivers and skippers of boats and ships in that province at the end of a three-day training underway at Gizo 18 – 20 June 2019.
Bilikiki Marches On, Beats Vanuatu 4-2
The Solomon Islands Bilikiki beach soccer team was made to work hard as they edged past Vanuatu 4-2.
Solomon Islands Vs Vanuatu: Day 2 of Beach Soccer Comp
The match is set to kick off in less than a minute, the Solomon Islands takes on Vanuatu after a successful outing yesterday where they beat New Caledonia 2-0.
New Treatment Plant to Cost SBD$120M Per Year to Operate
A new treatment plant for Kongulai is being designed, which should help curb continuous cuts to water supply due to turbidity during rainy seasons.
Engelhardt: The Man Who Founded a Coconut Cult
The Coconut Tree carries a label that is probably the envy of other trees, or palms for that matter – "The Tree of Life."
Taipei Downplays Solomon Islands Visit to China
A delegation of government officials from the Solomon Islands who visited China were there to study the timber industry, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday, adding that Taiwan’s relations with its Pacific ally are strong and stable.
RSIPF Investigates Death of a PNG National in Honiara
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Honiara are investigating the death of a Papua New Guinea national whose body was discovered at a motel in the capital on 14 June 2019.
Sogavare Establishes Task-force as Government Delegation Visits China
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced the establishment of a bi-partisan foreign policy task-force to review the country’s diplomatic relations with longtime ally Taiwan.
Solomon Islands Defeats New Caledonia in Beach Soccer Opener
Solomon Islands Bilikiki has started their OFC Beach Soccer campaign strongly defeating a determined New Caledonia team 2-0.
RSIPF Arrests Provincial Election Candidate in Lata
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Officers in Lata arrested one of the candidates in the recent provincial election in Temotu Province 14 June 2019.
19-Year-Old Rape Suspect Arrested
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have arrested and charged a 19-year-old male person for allegedly raping a 14-year-old female in the Panatina area of Honiara on 8 June 2019.
SIRUF Pay Courtesy Call to Key Government Ministries
The Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) paid courtesy calls to the Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Chris Laore and the Minister of Education Hon. John Dean Kuku on Friday.
Despite Stop Order Illegal Logging Forces Water Shutdown
Solomon Water was again forced to turn off its Kongulai Pump Station late last week. The shutdown was due to the high turbidity (silt and dirt particles in the water) experienced upstream at Kongulai water source following rain.
Bilikiki Seek to Defend OFC Beach Soccer Cup After Six Years
Solomon Islands will aim to defend their Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Beach Soccer Nations Cup title as the competition returns after a six-year absence.
It’s an Australian Submarine
Mystery solved! It’s an Australian submarine that paid a surprise visit on Friday.
PNG Police Donates Five Motorcycles to RSIPF
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) received five motorcycles from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara on 11 June 2019.
Coconut Oil Saved Me
Linda first came to Honiara in the early 1980s, 14 at the time she was just excited to visit the capital city.
Solomon Airlines Helping Tourism Accommodation Development
The biggest challenge facing the Solomon Islands, as it attempts to catch up with more successful tourist destinations in the South Pacific, is a shortage of hotel beds.
Academic Cautions Leaders Over Taiwan-China Issue
Solomon Islands government should exercise caution as it considers whether to maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan or switch to China, an academic says.
29,000 Hectares of Coconut Plantations Under Threat
29,000 Hectares! That is the estimated total land size of coconut plantations throughout the Solomon Islands that is currently under threat by a new invasive strain of the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB).
Armed Robbers Arrested
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have arrested four adult men allegedly involved in an armed robbery at Panatina in East Honiara on 11 June 2019.
Police Kill Crocodiles As Attacks on Villagers Increase
A three-day operation by officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Police Response Team (PRT) has killed four crocodiles in and around the Koqu Deo Settlement including Kaza Village on Kolombangara Island in the Western Province from 5 – 7 June 2019.
Ethel Sigimanu Recognized for Her Work
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs Mrs Ethel Sigimanu was awarded the 2019 Women of Courage by the United States non-resident Ambassador Catherine Ebert Gray at a ceremony held at the Heritage Park Hotel.
KMU and SINU Sign Extended MOU
The Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) of Taiwan visited the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) yesterday to sign the extended existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between both universities.
Scientists Asses Impact of Oil Spill Disaster
A New Zealand ecologist says a team of scientists is testing marine life and paint left from the MV Solomon Trader at the site of one of Solomon Islands' worst environmental disasters.
Police Investigate Suspicious Death
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Honiara is investigating the suspicious death of a 26-year-old male person who died after he sustained body injuries.
Decline in Tourist Numbers for 2019
Solomon Islands has seen a decrease in arrivals into the country during the first quarter of this year 2019, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).
Kiwi Company Wins Bid to Power Rural Areas
New Zealand sustainable energy company Infratec has won a joint bid to deliver renewable electricity generation for the first time to four outer islands in the Solomons.
Solomon Islands Loose Narrowly to Singapore
Singapore scored a 4-3 victory against the Solomon Islands in an international friendly on Saturday.
New Zealand and Solomon Islands Sign Partnership Agreement
Foreign Affairs Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters has signed a Statement of Partnership with Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele in Honiara.
Rev. David Vunagi Only Nomination for Governor General
At the close of nominations 4pm yesterday the only candidate nominated for the post of Governor General of the Solomon Islands is Rev. David Vunagi.
22 Year Old Arrested for Rape of 69 Year Old Woman
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) arrested a 22-year-old male person for the alleged rape of a 69-year-old woman at Nusa Baruku Village on Gizo Island in the Western Province on 4 June 2019.
NZ Deputy Prime Minister Impressed with FFA
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) welcomed a high level delegation led by the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Honourable Winston Peters, on Wednesday 5 June as part of their visit to Solomon Islands.
Decision to Switch or Remain with Taiwan in 100 Days
Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele says that the decision as to whether the country will switch its recognition from Taiwan to China will be made within the next 100 Days.
Crocodile Kills Adult Male
Villagers at Kaza village on Kolombangara Island in the Western Province say a killer crocodile has killed an adult male, who was initially reported missing by his family on Sunday.
Honiara City Has a New Mayor
Honiara City Council (HCC) Clerk Charles Kelly has officially declared Wilson Mamae as the Mayor elect for Honiara City.
NZ Deputy PM Meets With Sogavare
New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and his delegation has met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in Honiara, renewing ongoing co-operation and support for development in the Solomon Islands.
Police Looking Into Cause of Fire Resulting in the Death of a Child
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Malaita Province is investigating the death of a 4-year-old female child at Fo’ondo Village in North Malaita on 31 May 2019.
39-Year-Old Father Accused of Raping Daughters Faces Court Today
“This is a very sad case given the victims are young and very vulnerable and the suspect is a person of trust, their own father,” said the acting Director of the RSIPF National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), Inspector Michael Bole.
Police Investigates Scholarship Scam at SINU
Police has confirmed that they are currently investigating an alleged scholarship scam which has affected more than 20 students at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) in Honiara.
Sogavare Praises Police During Visit of Australian PM
Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare has praised the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) during the visit of the Prime Minister of Australia, Hon. Scott Morrison to the Rove Police Headquarters yesterday.
Solomon Water Advice Customers to Boil Water
Solomon Water has advised its customers to boil their water before food preparation or consumption.
RSIPF Welcomes Prime Minister of Australia
Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) mounted a full guard of honour to welcome the Prime Minister of Australia, Hon. Scott Morrison and his delegation when he touched down at the Honiara International Airport at Henderson yesterday afternoon for the beginning of a two-day visit to the capital.
Australian PM Announces AUD$250 Million Worth of Funding
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced AUD$250 million worth of funding for urgently needed projects across the Solomon Islands.
New Zealand Plans Pacific Mission to Solomon Islands and Vanuatu
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will lead a New Zealand delegation to Solomon Islands and Vanuatu next week, between 4 and 8 June, for the 2019 Pacific Mission.