THREE senior high schools located on Guadalcanal have received a motor bikes on Monday. Betikama Adventist College, St. Joseph Tenaru, and Selwyn College, under the Guadalcanal Provincial Education Department were the lucky recipients. During the handover ceremony on Monday afternoon, the Minister for Education and Human Resources, Hon. John Bosti, encouraged the recipients to take pride in the motorbikes and use them wisely for administrative and other purposes. The Minister emphasized that the motorbikes are more than just a donation; they represent the Guadalcanal Provincial Education Department’s ongoing commitment to supporting senior schools. He stated that, with these small tokens, the recipient schools would be able to maximize their use. Mr. Joseph Sua – GP Deputy Provincial Secretary (left), Mr. Beven Tutuo – Principal of Betikama Adventist College (centre) and Hon. John Botsi, Minister for Education and Human Resources. Although he was the only recipient present during the brief ceremony,...

A legal team comprising local and international lawyers is preparing to file a compensation claim against the insurer Korea Protection and Indemnity Club (KP&I) for the 2019 oil spill in Kangava Bay, Rennell.  The team includes William Kadi, former head of the Public Solicitor Office’s (PSO’s) Landowner Advocacy and Legal Support Unit, now with Primo Afeau’s law firm, along with lawyers from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The legal team represents the people of Lughu ward in Rennell, where the oil spill caused severe environmental pollution to the sea and land.  Tony Kagovai, a spokesperson for the landowners and president of the Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI), stated that groundwork has been completed, and the landowners are ready to formalize an agreement with the legal team.  Kagovai noted that the team intends to negotiate with the insurer regarding the compensation claim.  Should negotiations fail, the legal...

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP visited Solomon Islands over the weekend on Saturday, 18 January 2025. While in Honiara, Deputy Prime Minister Marles met with Hon Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, and the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Hon Trevor Mahaga. This was his twelfth visit to Solomon Islands, and third as Deputy Prime Minister. During his meeting with Prime Minister Manele, the Deputy Prime Minister discussed Australia’s enduring commitment to support Solomon Islands’ economic, development and security priorities. Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP met with the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Hon Trevor Mahaga. The leaders reflected on the landmark partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands to grow the size and capability of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), announced by Prime Minister Anthony...

THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Marovo, Chachabule Amoi has urged the Geruana landowners in Vagunu, Marovo, Western Province to determine the true ownership of the disputed land.  This call follows accusations by the Geruana landowners that MP Amoi used his political influence to push for the suspension of Sunway (SI) Ltd’ logging license on two occasions. The first suspension was issued by the Commissioner of Forests, Reeves Moveni on 24 May 2024.  However, the suspension was revoked on 26 June 2024 by the Minister of Forestry and Research, Makario Tagini after an appeal from Sunway’s lawyer. The land in question is PN 143-001-24, known as Geruana Registered Block C, situated in Vagunu, Marovo Lagoon.  Minister Tagini cited alleged breaches of the Forestry and Timber Utilisation Act (FRTU) and its 2005 regulations by Sunway (SI) Ltd.  But he added that the key issues of contention were before the High Court...

Atoifi Hospital operated by the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in East Kwaio, Malaita Province has taken delivery of a new 3-ton vehicle this week. The vehicle is last of 8 vehicles funded and procured last year by the World Bank Project Management Unit within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and have since been distributed to various Provincial Hospitals. The new vehicle is in addition to a Landcruiser vehicle and a speed boat funded and delivered under the project last year. The vehicle will be used to manage medical and clinical waste and will also be used to move much needed medication and supplies from the Provincial capital, Auki to the Hospital. Atoifi Adventist Hospital was established by the Seventh day Adventist Trans Pacific Union Mission in 1966 in East Kwaio, overlooking Uru Harbour. It is the only hospital owned by the church in the Pacific region and...

Munda police are investigating the death incident of a 62-year-old Taiwanese man who was found unconscious in a fishing carrier boat recently. The incident happened on 21 December 2024 in the Solomon Sea, and the ship went offshore at Noro port and reported the matter to authorities. Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Wilken Miriki said the deceased was found unconscious on the bathroom floor by a crew member who saw him go in and noticed how long he stayed in the bathroom. PPC Miriki said it was alleged that when the crew members found him unconscious on the bathroom floor, blood came out from the deceased’s nose. Superintendent Miriki said the crew members helped him onto his bed and later died on the ship. When they arrived at Noro port, the medical authorities pronounce his death and conducted an external medical examination on the deceased to form part of the...

Auki Police have arrested a 25-year-old male person for an unlawful wounding incident at Buma village, Malaita Province, recently. Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Malaita, Chief Superintendent Tex Tafoa, says, “The suspect, a 25-year-old man, was suspicious of his wife having an affair with another man and allegedly attacked her.” PPC Tafoa says, “The victim was with their little baby inside their bedroom when the suspect went in with a kitchen knife and attacked her by stabbing her left shoulder and left leg.” Chief Superintendent Tafoa says, “The victim’s relatives came to her and saw what had happened and rushed her to the hospital.” Mr. Tafoa says, “The suspect was arrested and placed in police custody. He was remanded at Auki correctional service to appear before the magistrate court on a later date. PPC Malaita, Mr. Tafoa, appealed to the good people of Buma and relatives of the victim not to...

Maluu, North Malaita – David Kona, the owner and operator of a local meat processing and packaging business in Malu’u, Malaita shared insights into his inspiring journey despite feeling unwell and unable to speak directly. “My motivation for starting this business stems from my desire to support the community and promote locally sourced food products,” David said.  Operating out of the Fisheries Center Building in Malu’u downtown, David’s business offers high-quality beef mince from locally raised cattle and carefully packaged pork chops – all at affordable prices that fit your pocket money. David explained that the meat is sourced directly from local farmers, ensuring freshness and quality at every step.  “We process, package, and sell our products locally to encourage the community to value homegrown goods instead of relying on imports,” he added. While his business has grown steadily, David acknowledged the challenges he faces, including the high cost of...

Minister of Education, Hon, Tozen Leokana, on Monday, January 13th, 2025 endorsed the release of the 2025 Solomon Islands Government scholarships recipients list. This was after the Scholarship Selection Committee Chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Franco Rodie had completed the selection process, which was based on the assessment of candidates’ applications received and assessed by the Scholarship Assessment Committee chaired by the Director of National Scholarship Division. In a statement, the Director of the National Scholarship Division, Dr. John Iromea stated that he was pleased that the Minister has endorsed the scholarship recipients’ list – given the time it took his committee to assess the scholarship applications, which eventuated in the selection of the successful candidates. “I am pleased to inform you that the 2025 SIG scholarships recipients have been approved by the Hon. Minister of Education for implementation and my division will begin to notify the successful candidates...

CONCERNS have been raised by Honiara residents over illegal water connections in certain squatter settlements in and around the national capital and many perceive this an act of injustice to the user-pay customers of Solomon Water (SW). It has been discovered that some individuals in squatter settlements in and around Honiara have illegally connected water to their homes by installing pipelines underground to avoid detection by SW officials. These illegal connections allow many to access water without paying, while eligible SW customers continue to pay their bills. “This is not a new thing here in the capital city. However, this practice is unfair as many of us work hard to pay for our water bills every month,” one concerned resident from Green Valley told Solomon Star in an interview yesterday “Many people dig into Solomon Water’s pipelines at the T-connection points to attach their illegal pipes underground to the pipelines...