Unearthing stories that matters |
by Ofani Eremae At its launch in July 2020, many viewed the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) as the “silver bullet” that could finally pin down corruption in the country. SIICAC, it seemed, represented hope for a nation long plagued by widespread allegations of misuse of public funds,…
From Oceania, to Amazonia, A Global South Awakening at COP30 by Charley Piringi When Lawrence Makili, 61, closes his eyes, he is six years old again, running barefoot along the white sands of Ontong Java Atoll in Solomon Islands, the wind carrying the laughter of children, the rustle of coconut…
by Ronald Toito’ona A century-long journey of struggle for land rights and equitable participation in resource development reached a triumphant climax this week when Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele officially handed over the Kolombangara Forestry Plantation Limited (KFPL) 20 percent share certificate to the five tribes of Kolobangara Island. On Tuesday…
by Charley Piringi COP30 CCMP Reporting Fellow As the COP30 Climate Summit opens this week in Belém, Brazil, the Pacific Islands have once again seized the global stage, not as bystanders, but as moral leaders demanding that the world act urgently on climate change. For the nations scattered across the…
A new report from the Pacific Peoples’ Mission to Kanaky New Caledonia paints a stark picture of systemic inequality, political manipulation, and the unrelenting spirit of the Kanak people in their struggle for self-determination. Published by the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), the report details the findings of a regional…
by Georgina Maka’a Nukufero began as a small land grant in the 1950s, given to a few Tikopia settlers who were to live and work on Russell Islands. The plot named Nukufero was created for a simple purpose: to settle and tend to the Russell Islands Coconut Plantation, then owned by…
Opening the inaugural Panatina Research Seminar this week, Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice-Chancellor PROFESSOR TRANSFORM AQORAU shared a personal reflection that sets out the tone for the day’s event: I would like to share a personal reflection that, to me, underlines why our theme and this seminar are so important. Two…
Climate Change and Mining Threaten Livelihoods of Wagina villagers by Charley Piringi For the people of Wagina, a small Micronesian community at the eastern end of Choiseul Province, Solomon Islands, the ocean is not just a part of life; it’s a living. Villagers, of Kiribati descent, have parlayed their traditional…
Decking: When COVID-19 struck Solomon Islands in 2020, it sent shockwaves through an already fragile economy, cutting off trade, tourism, and jobs. In response, the Sogavare-led DCGA government turned to what it believed could drive a quick economic recovery: mining. Key Points– Siruka nickel mine approved under “fast-tracking policy,” sparking…
International team explores WWII history in never-before-seen detail in Solomon Islands, including discovering three brand-new shipwrecks. An expedition led by Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) aboard Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus has just completed comprehensive archaeological surveys of more than a dozen vessels lost during the World War II Solomon Islands campaign. While livestreaming…
