Latest News Archive April 2008

Sky is the Limit for the Happy Islanders

Living the laid back lifestyle and being content with what is offered is known for the happy-going Solomon Islanders.

Climate Change Linked to Global Food Shortage

The Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, Sir John Kaputin, has joined world leaders in pleading for an urgent action to address the growing global food shortage crisis.

Employer Refuse Workers' Redundacy Payments

Frustrated workers of the Wings Shipping Company are complaining of waiting too long for their redundancy package payment.

Workshop Discuss Women and Disability

A representative of the "Women with Disability Group" Mrs. Cyrene Aonima has just arrived from a one week workshop in Samoa on 'The Pacific Disability Forum'.

Fashion and Attitude Changes

Locals in the Solomons are blaming outside influence for rapid changes in character and respect for one another in the country, particularly among the younger generation.

RAMSI says Thank You Very Much to Marshall Islands

RAMSI Assistant Special Coordinator Masi Lomaloma today thanked the Marshall Islands for its valuable contribution to the work of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

Motion against Premier Salani Deferred

The motion of no confidence set against the current Premier of Guadalcanal, Mr Joash Salani, has been deferred for Thursday.

Andrew Mua, New Honiara City Lord Mayor

Honiara City now has a newly elected Lord Mayor, he is Andrew Mua, councilor for Ngossi ward, West Honiara constituency.

Addressing Core Problem to Social Issues

Escalating social problems in the Solomons is continuously blamed on the young generation without much care on reasons behind their actions.

Prime Minister Sikua Receives Report on April 2006 Riot

Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua has taken delivery of the report by the Commission of Inquiry into the April 2006 Riot.

Asia-Pacific Region Will Miss MDGs If 'Gaps' Are Not Filled Immediately

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Many countries in the Asia-Pacific region may not meet all of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) due to gaps in several key areas according to a joint report by the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Low Turnout at Tonga Elections

The Tongan General Elections held last week saw a low voter turnout out of the 68,000 registered voters.

Solomon Airlines Domestic Services Down with More Flight Cancellations

Cancellation of Solomon Airlines domestic services has continued at an alarming rate.

Beauty Sleeps in the Wrong Spot

Catching sleep after partying hard out is the next thing on anyone's mind, but to find one snoring away in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a busy Honiara street is a funny sight.

Banging Up on the Streets of Honiara

Blame it on potholes, the pedestrians, lack of space for vehicles to maneuver on the roads are the many excuses given by drivers who find themselves bang smack into another vehicle, something or to some extent someone.

Selling Birds for a Living

There is nothing like walking through Honiara to come across a young man standing around the busy street with an owl.

Government Puts Measures to Protect Forests

Government is putting in place a number of measures in efforts to save the country's forests from over exploitation and total destruction.

Kakabona Women Receive Training in Tourism and Hospitality

In an effort to bolster small scale tourism operators, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism provided a short training course to the women of Kakabona, in West Honiara.

Kossa FC, on the Verge of a Historical Trip to Japan

Twenty thousand fans packed into Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara today to see Solomon Islands champions Kossa FC upset Waitakere United in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League First Leg Final.

Shoppers in Solomon Islands Face High Prices

People in Honiara, Solomon Islands, are now feeling the pinch of what seems to be a general rise in the price of goods due to the dual effects of high fuel prices and a global food shortage.

Air Marshall Islands Airborne Again

After six months without domestic air service, the Marshall Islands last week saw the first commercially scheduled flights by Air Marshall Islands.

Child-Friendly Police Reach the Provinces

Twenty more police officers have completed Save the Children's innovative Child-Friendly Policing training this week.

Tuvalu Ratifies Trade Agreement

Tuvalu has ratified the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), joining other member countries in the region.

Health Equipment for People of Gizo

The Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association received some reproductive health equipment and supplies on behalf of the people of Gizo in the Western Province.

Solomons Government Increases Legal Minimum Wage Rate

The Solomon Islands government has increased the legal minimum wage rate for employees in all sectors in the country after a period of twelve years.

Prostitution Concerns School Principals

A number of Honiara School Principals have called on the Solomon Islands National Teachers Association to assist them deal with the involvement of some of their young female students in prostitution activities now on the rise in Honiara.

Dawn Service Marks ANZAC Day

A dawn service was today held at the Central Police Station in Honiara marking the Gallipoli campaign by the allied forces of Australia and New Zealand.

Tragic End for Solomons Student

A swimming exercise turned tragic for a Solomon Islands student studying at the University of the South Pacific who drowned in the university pool.

Tuna Species under Threat: Green Peace

Two migratory Tuna species are seriously under threat of being extinct in the Pacific Ocean, a recent survey by World Conservation Union (WCU) revealed.

World War II Veteran Visits Solomon Islands After 60 Years

An American Veteran arrived in the Solomon Islands on Monday 21st of April to visit World War II battlefields.

Darcy Calls on DFNs to Use Sustainable Methods

The Minister of Environment, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo, calls on the Distance Fishing Nations (DFNs) to use sustainable fishing methods when fishing in the high seas.

Green Peace Proposes Logging Alternative

The Green Peace launched a report yesterday detailing the impact of logging in the country.

MV Esperanza Visits Honiara

One of Greenpeace's campaigning vessels, MV Esparanza visited Honiara yesterday, with message 'Our Ocean, Our Forest, Our Future stacked to its side.

Forum to Monitor Nauru Elections

The Pacific Islands Forum will monitor the upcoming Nauru elections after the island nation made the request.

ADB to Take New Steps in Safeguard Policy Update after Worldwide Consultations

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has decided to take some additional steps in the update of its environmental and social safeguard policies after having concluded this week a series of 13 consultation workshops across the Asia-Pacific region, North America and Europe.

UN Launches Joint Office in Solomon Islands

The United Nations in Solomon Islands today launched its Joint Presence - collaboration among the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Untied Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Totori Breaks into US Market

Benjamin Totori's break into the United States soccer market has been described as milestone by SIFF President Martin Alufurai.

RAMSI Builds Bridge from Isabel to Sydney

The Lepi Primary School in Isabel has formed a sister school relationship with a primary school in Australia, following a visit to the island by the Minister for Police, the Hon Sam Manetoali, and Professor Cindy Davids of Macquarie University in Sydney.

Honiara City Mayor Election Postponed

With many anxious to see an end to the Honiara City Councils' (HCC) political problems, Honiara residents will have to wait, the election of the new Honiara City mayor has been postponed until next week.

Tight Security in Place for O' League Final

Security during the first leg of the O' league Champion clubs final will be beefed up to ensure the match day is trouble free.

New Malaria Tablets Introduced in Solomon Islands

A new Malaria tablet, called Coartem, will be introduced in Solomon Islands this year by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Lilo Seeks Innovative Approaches to Land Reform

With more then 85 per cent of lands in the Solomon Islands under customary ownership, many landowners have had difficulties in using it as collateral when seeking capital. The problem is the fact that, despite having huge amounts of land, many lack some sort of legal recognition as they are often not registered.

Fiji's New Elections Boss Withdraws

Fiji's newly-appointed Elections Supervisor has withdrawn from the post amid controversy just days after the announcement of his appointment.

Foreign Policy Should be Driven by Rational Dialogue: Wale

The new MP for Aoke/Langa Langa Mathew Wale has warned against allowing Solomon Islands foreign relations and policy to be driven neither by paranoia nor under a siege mentality based on mere allegations and conspiracy theories.

Giving Young People Space to Talk

Over 60 Honiara youth came together recently to discuss what it is that RAMSI does in partnership with the people and government of Solomon Islands.

Alert, But Not Alarmed

Staff at Henderson International airport say they are more confident about their ability to identify a bomb hidden in a passenger's bag following a workshop held by RAMSI.

Australian Scientist Optimistic about Diamond on Malaita

An Australian scientist, Professor Ken Collerson, has said there is great prospect of the presence of mineral diamond on Malaita.

Western Provincial Club Championship Kicks Off

About 24 clubs are expected to participate in the upcoming Western Provincial Association's clubs championship which kick off today, says Western Football Association President Robert Riqeo.

Solomons Rugby Conducts Rural Training

The Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) is embarking on its outreach project funded by the Australian Government through its Pacific Sports Outreach Program.

Bulk Assistance towards Solomons Health Sector

Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding paves the way for better health in Solomon Islands.

Calls on Government to Build Care Centres

Home Affairs Minister, James Tora, is seeking the government's approval to build at least five Care Centres in Solomon Islands.

Need for Discipline on Young Students

Students are seen roaming everywhere in the heart of the capital city on Fridays, still in their school uniform.

Solomon Islands Economy Expects to Grow: CBSI Governor Hou

Solomon Islands economy expects to grow this year and the years ahead.

SINTA to Launch Counselling Programme in Schools

The Solomon Islands National Teacher Association (SINTA) is planning to launch a counselling programme in schools, as part of its fight to curb the alleged involvement of youths in prostitution, which is reported to be on the increase.

Ne'e Blames Serious Social Problems for Rise in Prostitution

The MP for Central Honiara, Nelson Ne'e, has blamed the high level of unemployment and rising cost of living and poor wages as the main underlying causes of the current rise in prostitution in Honiara.

No Probe in Solomons Prostitution

There are still no signs of authorities in Honiara investigating the alleged Asian organized prostitution ring while at the same time the number of Asian girls brought into the country as part of the prostitution racket has gone up.

Launch of the Health Sector Support Program

The Solomon Islands Government has begun implementing a sector wide approach for the health sector to markedly improve health service delivery and achieve the Millenium Development Goals for health.

Transforming City and Nation to Positive Changes

A five-days Reconciliation and Unity city wide crusade started last night at the Art Gallery in Honiara.

Gifted Woman to Heal the Sick

Healing the sick is a miracle that Christians believe comes from having faith in God, as is the case with a gifted healer in the western part of Guadalcanal.

Taiwan Embassy in Honiara Supports Kossa FC

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Academy received financial support for the Kossa Football Club who will play in the finals of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) championship league.

Lyrics Barking Out Wrong Signals

Being lyrical is one but another is to be ridiculed for some musical artists in the Solomons.

Beautification for Positive Community Change

An open market was officially opened at the Kakabona Police Post area, West of Guadalcanal.

Solomons to Attend Disability Forum

Solomon Islands will be represented at the Pacific Disability Forum in Samoa next week.

Nomination for New City Mayor

Nominations for Mayor of Honiara City Council is likely to be opened Monday next week.

Rural Development in the Solomon Islands - On Hold

The current Solomon Islands Government profess to be concerned about the development of the rural areas of the Solomon Islands.

Fiji Appoints New Zealander as Elections Supervisor

Fiji has finally appointed a new Elections Supervisor to help take the country towards democracy.

Calling for Rain

To call for rain is next to impossible.

Council Meeting Votes Mayor Out

The Honiara City Council Mayor, Alfred Maetia has been ousted in a no confidence motion.

Protecting Solomons' Sovereignty and its People: Prime Minister Sikua

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua said that the Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement Government will never sacrifice Solomon Islands' sovereignty and its people.

Credit Union Workshop for Business Holders

A two day Credit Union Legal and Compliance Workshop was held at the Quality Inn Conference Room in Honiara.

The Future of Children is Today - a Fresh Style of Justice for Young People

Diversion is a way of dealing with young people who get into trouble with the law - it is a means of restoring them back to normal life without suffering undue punishment and having to go to jail.

Australia and ADB Pilot a Financing Innovation to Support Good Governance

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (16 April 2008) - The Government of Australia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are piloting an innovative mechanism to support power sector reforms in Samoa.

Local Artist to Release New Album and Tour Australia

With his fifth volume to be launched next month, a popular Solomon Islands artist is going on tour to Australia next month.

Bridging Partnership, Japan and Solomons

People in the northern part of Guadalcanal welcomes the completion of three new bridges nearby Tenaru 1 and 2.

PM Spells out Government's Vision

The Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, says creating a peaceful and prosperous society in Solomon Islands is his government's vision and mission. Dr Sikua was making the remarks during the closing of the National Parliament.

Colourful and Melodious Cultural Wedding of Lord Howe

Marriage ceremony for the people of Lord Howe is colourful as the bride steps out covered in "keauna", better known as turmeric.

Process of Grooming a 'Ramo'

Being a chosen leader comes with responsibility and rituals from a young age in communities in the Solomons.

Communicating With the Spirits

Virivirikana was said to be a medium of communication with "pota", the spirits, especially utilized in the making of peace or war.

No Bride Price for Shortland Islands

Marriage is a sacred ceremony across all cultures, performed in many different ways.

Sepik Spots up for Selection

Triathletes will be competing for a place on the Papua New Guinea Sepik Iron Man Invitational Team this weekend at Race Two of the Our Telekom sponsored Triathlon Sprint Series.

Betel Nut Chewing Endangers Reefs

Betel nut chewing contributes to the degradation of coral reefs, was a message among others that stood out at the launch of the Pacific year of reefs 2008.

U.S. EPA honors Pacific Southwest environmental hero from American Samoa

During the agency's 10th annual Environmental Awards Ceremony in San Francisco, U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri presented plaques to over two dozen organizations and individuals throughout the Pacific Southwest including one from American Samoa in recognition of their efforts to protect and preserve the environment in 2007.

Sogavare Blames the Bureaucratic Process

The leader of opposition, Manasseh Sogavare warns the government of the problem of bureaucratic processes as they endeavour to implement the projects outlined in the 2008 budget.

Government Committed to Improve Public Service

Public Service Minister Milner Tozaka in thanking the previous government for re-establishing the Institute of Public Administration and Management, IPAM says the Sikua government is committed to improving public servant skills.

First Solomons Female Pilot Resigns

The country's only female pilot, Elizabeth Ramoni, has resigned from the national air carrier, the Solomon Islands Airlines.

Turkey Forms Relations with the Region

Earlier this month, Turkey hosted leaders from the region in an effort to develop closer relations.

Pacific Islanders could be New Class of Refugees

With Tuvalu showing signs of the effect of climate change, the rest of the Pacific is under the same threat which could lead to Pacific Islanders creating a new class of refugees.

SICCI Concerned with Lack of Consultation in Mines and Minerals Act Amendment

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) is extremely concerned by the enacting in Parliament of the Mines and Minerals Act Amendment on Wednesday 9th April. The Amendment was drafted with absolutely no consultation with private sector organizations or mining sector firms.

Goverment to Set Up Land Reform Centres in the Provinces

Land, Housing and Survey Minister Martin Maga has re-iterated government's policy to set up land reform centres in the nine provinces.

Quiet Meet in Fiji for Three

Two Prime Ministers from the region met quietly in Fiji this week behind closed doors.

Ranger Secures Sixth Position in HFA

Ranger football club moves up to sixth place in the Honiara Football Association (HFA) premier division table after beating Laugu by 2-0 in a midweek game played at Lawson Tama.

Setting the 'Determined Price' for Logs is Not a Job for MPs: TSI

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) is concerned at the involvement of politicians in assessing the export value of logs.

Varikanas in the Western Solomons

Traditional wartime tales is common in the Solomons, and a 'varikana' in the Western Province was an ancient fighter in the tribal fighting era.

Clinics Receive 'Facelift' to Appeal to Youth

Young people in Honiara can now access improved STI and HIV services at the Rove and Kukum clinics run by Honiara City Council.

Tourist Fined Thousands for Moai Damage

The tourist who was caught damaging one of the great statues of Rapa Nui has been fined thousands of dollars.

Taiwan Donates Clothes to Tsunami Victims

A group of women from Honiara are currently in Gizo to deliver clothing bales to tsunami victims in the Western Solomons.

International Relations "Very Important": Prime Minister Sikua

The country's relations with the international community including the neighbouring Pacific Islands are very important in its development efforts.

Solomons Rugby Selection for 2008

Tranings underway for the National Rugby 15s Training Squad for 2008 and the National Rugby Sevens Team.

Police Help with Reconciliation

Police mediated a reconciliation discussion between two families in relation to an incident where a 20 year old man died from injuries sustained at White River last Saturday night.

Joint Effort to Address Rise in Prostitution

Joint effort is being taken to address the issue of young girls visiting foreign fishing boats in Honiara.