Latest News Archive August 2014

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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 Solomon Islands.

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

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has welcomed a new law making it easier to register businesses in the Solomon Islands.

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.

Cases of measles in Solomon Islands continue to rise with over 200 reported, the majority of which are in Honiara.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

The Solomon Islands Provincial Government Amendment Bill 2014 has been passed without amendments at its third reading in parliament late yesterday afternoon.

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.

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.

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 Solomon Islands National Parliament has been adjourned for Monday the 18th of August.

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 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.

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.

Solomon Telekom Company has signed a multimillion-dollar agreement with Kacific for broadband services from the upcoming Kacific 1 High Throughput Satellite (HTS).

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.

The Australian High Commission will today host the inaugural G’Day Solomons Great Debate for senior students in Honiara.

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 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.

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 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 Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) applauds those who have taken the initiative to help themselves recover from April’s flooding disaster.

Malaita Premier, Hon. Edwin Suibaea has applauded the Government for delivering a $2.9 million cheque towards the rehabilitation of Kilu’ufi Hospital.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Naypyitaw, Burma; Sydney, Australia; Honiara, Solomon Islands; and Honolulu, Hawaii August 8-13, 2014.

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.

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.

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.