Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening agricultural development through international partnerships following a high-level bilateral meeting with delegates from Guizhou Province, People’s Republic of China. The meeting, hosted in Honiara, brought together Hon. Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Nestor Giro, senior MALD officials, representatives from the Chinese Embassy, and delegates from the Guizhou Provincial Foreign Affairs Office and the Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science under the Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences. In his opening remarks, Hon Giro welcomed the Guizhou delegation and acknowledged the importance of the discussions in advancing the agricultural sector in Solomon Islands.  He emphasized that such engagements are vital for strengthening partnerships that will benefit the country’s agricultural development. Deputy Director-General of the Guizhou Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, Mrs. Luo Yu, provided an overview of Guizhou Province, noting its location in southwest China...

Conservation has become a growing priority for the community of Aitolo in Central Kwara’ae, Malaita with the official opening of a new administration office for its environmental project last week. The opening coincided with the community’s St Mark’s Day celebration, drawing hundreds of people from nearby villages to witness and take part in the event. For Aitolo, the new office represents a strong commitment to protecting the environment, particularly its forests, which have long sustained local livelihoods. Community leader Paul Kabolo said that for centuries, the people of Aitolo and surrounding villages have depended heavily on their natural environment for survival. Villagers enjoying a feast during the celebration.  He added that the establishment of the new administration office marks a significant step in recognising the importance of conservation. “The Aitolo community has successfully opened its administration office to support our conservation efforts,” Mr Kabolo said. He explained that the office will...

Honiara, Solomon Islands – The Government has confirmed a fuel price increase announced on Wednesday 22 April by the Price Advisory Committee (PAC), with new prices taking effect immediately. This increase was one of the options alluded to in an earlier Press Release of 26 March 2026. The adjustment reflects a sharp rise in the price paid by our two fuel importers – SPOL and Markwarth Oil since the beginning of March 2026 as a result of the increase in international fuel prices, driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Global oil prices have increased from below USD $70 per barrel before the conflict to over USD $100 per barrel during the first week of the conflict and had remained  above USD$100 per barrel ever since.  Fuel prices in Solomon Islands  are typically adjusted every two months with each new monthly price based on the price of fuel two months...

The launch marks an important development in that region By John Chrisma  Solomon Star Online Metropolis Mamara Development Limited has officially launched its ice cream factory today, Wednesday 22nd April at Mamara, North West Guadalcanal under Azure Spring Company Ltd, marking a significant milestone in the area’s ongoing development. The opening ceremony represents one of the company’s key achievements for 2026, as efforts continue to transform Mamara into a growing economic hub and planned Special Economic Zone. The event was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Commerce, Labour and Immigration, Manasseh Sogavare. It was witnessed and attended by Guadalcanal Premier Willie Atu, members of the Guadalcanal Provincial Executive, government officials, chiefs, and community leaders. The ceremony venue Also present were Mr. Hii Yii Ging, Vice Chairman of the Mamara–Tasi-Mavo Council and Director of the development company, Mr. Riley Mesepitu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Mr. Maesac Suia, Provincial Secretary of...

The construction of the landside roundabout at Heritage Park in Honiara is progressing in parallel with ongoing land side road rehabilitation works along Mendana Avenue, from the Heritage Park Roundabout to the SIPA Junction at Point Cruz. Current activities include the installation of roadside kerbing and pavement preparation ahead of the final asphalt surfacing. These works are essential to ensure the upgraded road meets required engineering standards and is able to withstand increasing traffic demands. The contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), remains committed to completing the landside carriageway works before progressing to the next section, from the SIPA Junction to the Hotbread Roundabout, Land Side. Works will continue in a staged and sequential manner through Honiara’s main commercial centre, concluding at the MID/HCC Roundabout. The existing main road through Honiara is known to deteriorate significantly during periods of wet weather, and addressing this issue is a key objective...

The Honiara Table Tennis Association (HTTA) is set to stage its annual School Table Tennis Festival mid this year. The event will run from June 16 to 19 at the Multipurpose Indoor Court in Honiara. HTTA President and Smash Down Barriers disability table tennis program coordinator, Kevin Olea, confirmed to Star Sport yesterday that preparations are underway for the four-day event, which will bring together 14 schools from Honiara and Guadalcanal. Olea said the festival aims to promote both sporting excellence and inclusivity among students. “The event will bring together 14 schools from Honiara and Guadalcanal as we foster an inclusive environment that is safe and confident for our student participants through education and balancing sport,” he said. He added that the festival will also feature participation from two disability institutions, the Solomon Islands Red Cross and the Bethesda Disability Support Centre — reinforcing HTTA’s commitment to inclusive sport. HTTA has also issued a...

Global tensions and conflict are disrupting oil supplies, drive up fuel prices By: Martin B. Housanau  Ebeye, Marshall Islands  The Pacific region is once again being tested by forces beyond its control. The ongoing global tensions and conflict between the United States and Iran are disrupting oil supplies, driving up fuel prices, and fuelling inflation across the world. Oil supply disruptions—particularly through the Strait of Hormuz—are already pushing up energy costs, transport expenses, and the price of basic goods globally.  For small island economies, this is not just an economic issue—it is a crisis of survival. We, the Pacific people, cannot continue to absorb these shocks while remaining dependent on imports, external aid, and fragmented markets. We urgently call on the Pacific Islands Forum to take decisive leadership in transforming Pacific economies—now. A Call for Immediate Regional Economic Transformation. Across Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, and...

Dear Editor – For the public, it is very important to remain careful when buying leafy vegetables such as slippery cabbage.  Consumers should not judge the parcel only by its size or appearance.  Instead, buyers are encouraged to check the bottom and middle sections of the bundle where some hidden stems or poor quality leaves may be placed inside.  Its important to always check your parcel of cabbage thoroughly or best to open the parcel to see if there are real cabbage. I wish to raise this as there have been cases of dishonest packaging. This issue is not just about individual buyers it is about fairness and trust in the market system.  Misleading packaging practices reduce consumer confidence and create unfair pricing for the public.  Therefore, strong action is needed from responsible authorities. Market supervisors and other local authorities must regularly monitor vendors selling slippery cabbage at the Honira Central Market. Please responsible authorities must conduct routine checks, enforce...

Solrice Company Ltd has stepped in to provide 50 bags of rice for the year three nursing students at Solomon Islands National University (SINU) for their upcoming practicum. Each year SINU nursing students normally undertake their practicum at hospitals, clinics and rural health care centres around the country. This year the students decided to seek assistance from Solrice to supplement the cost to buy food. Justin Oloinao, a year three nursing student said they made an appeal of 50 bags to the company some time ago.  “We initially requested Solrice for their support by providing 50 bags of rice towards our provincial practicum.”  On Monday the company responded with the donation of rice, he said. “Just yesterday [Monday] they hand over the 50 bags of 10 kg rice for us.” Oloinao onbehalf of the students expressed their appreciation to Solrice. “We want to express our acknowledgement for the company,” he said. RPT

Attempts by GNUT to cling to power by allegedly offering huge sums of money to Opposition MPs to join the government has been described by the 28 member coalition as ‘desperate and shameless.’  In a statement on Monday, the coalition claimed their MPs have been receiving phone calls and text messages from lobbyists promising thousands and even millions of dollars in exchange for crossing the floor. “We have text messages and recorded voice messages from government lobbyists offering huge money. The price tag has increased from thousands to millions to any 5 MPs to move across. The latest attempt involved an offer in millions over the weekend,” the statement said. The statement added this is nothing short of an attempt to buy political allegiance and manipulate the composition of Parliament through money and influence. “Such conduct exposes a desperate government in clear decline and one that has lost the confidence of the majority and is now resorting to unethical and reckless tactics...