U.S. Embassy supports SI Emergency Response Team Induction 

The U.S. Embassy in Honiara supported the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office in completing its third National Emergency Response Team (NERT) induction training September 22-28, 2025, through a two-day field training exercise at Ginger Beach, in partnership with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s (USINDOPACOM)Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM). During the field training exercise,…

Call to safeguard ocean

The 2nd Pacific Islands Ocean Conference is underway in Honiara following its opening on Monday morning, with a strong call for unity, science and traditional knowledge to guide Pacific-led solutions for sustainable ocean governance. Speaking on behalf of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP), Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director-General, Noan David Pakop underscored the…

2nd Ocean Conference gets underway in Honiara

The second Pacific Islands Ocean Conference 2025 is underway in Honiara this week. It was officially opened on Monday, bringing together around 350 participants from across the region to strengthen collaboration on sustainable ocean governance. The conference which runs from Monday to Friday is convened by the Pacific Community (SPC) through its Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science (PCCOS), in partnership with…

Supply of JJ hot-stuff  eases as border security tightens

THE supply of homemade alcohol, locally known as JJ Hot-stuff from Bougainville into the Shortland Islands, Western Province has eased down, after law enforcement authorities stepped up border surveillance. Communities in the Shortlands told the Solomon Star that the once frequent flow of the potent drink—along with other spirits and liquor—has slowed significantly in recent months and years. They attributed this to an increased…

TSI on ‘right to information’ law 

Informed citizens make informed decisions. A strong Right to Information (RTI) system is crucial for uncovering and preventing abuses of power and for strengthening the fight against corruption. Access to information is a fundamental human right enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which grants individuals the right to seek, receive,…

 Infant mortality rate needs gov’t support

Dear Editor – The alarming rate of infant and maternal deaths in the Solomon Islands demands urgent government action.  One infant dies daily, and immunization coverage is shockingly low at 7.1%.  These preventable tragedies highlight the need for stronger maternal and child health services.  The government must prioritize rural healthcare access, train more midwives, and ensure vaccines…