THE Western Province has reached another major milestone in its efforts to improve sanitation and public health, with seven communities in Rannoggah and Kolombangara officially recognized for achieving ‘No Open Defecation’ (NOD) status. The achievement was celebrated during a special ‘NOD’ celebration conducted in some of the communities from October 27th to 30th, 2025. The celebration featured leaders…
The Honiara City Council (HCC) Environmental Health Unit has officially cleared SASA Water and ENARGY Water to resume operations after a recent temporary closure to address health and safety concerns. According to Mr. Derick Willie, the Director of Environmental Health, both companies were thoroughly assessed to ensure they comply with good manufacturing practices and public…
The Friends of No. 9, a community group initiated by Robert Goh, Eddy Leung, Andy Leung, and their families has supported National Referral Hospital (NRH) through the donation of equipment to support the various wards and administration work of the nurses. The donation was delivered on Friday 10th October 2025 where three office tables, two coffee tables, six office chairs, one electric kettle, one coffee…
A local surgeon Dr Augustine Melly successfully performed the first holmium laser lithotripsy for bladder stones in the country with the support of Dr. Chen Xulong of the 4th China Medical Team. This marks the Solomon Islands’ formal entry into a new era of minimally invasive urological surgery. This was performed at the China-aided National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Center (CMC).…
The Government of Solomon Islands reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the serious and ongoing threat posed by Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). This was during the National UXO Coordination Meeting held at the Mendana Hotel on Wednesday. Hon. Jimson Tanangada, Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, delivered the opening remarks underscoring the critical need for coordinated action…
THE Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has safely disposed off 6,121 unexploded ordnances (UXOs) across the country in 2024. Of this total, 3,200 UXOs were cleared in Western Province under Operation Render Safe. Officer-in-Charge of the EOD Unit, Ansa Puaraua, revealed the figures during his presentation at…
The Solomon Islands National Statistics Office, SINSO, has concluded a Geographic Information System, GIS, training on Friday 3rd October 2025 conducted by the Pacific Community, SPC in Honiara. The five-day training aimed to provide the statisticians with the necessary skills to confidently and more efficiently work on their statistical geographic framework updates, map preparation, planning,…
An unexploded ordinance (UXO) went off this evening, Thursday, at Town Ground, West Honiara causing a huge bang and fear within the vicinity. Reports reaching Solomon Star said, the explosion occurred closed to the Scripture Union building along the Lengakiki road right opposite the Town-ground rugby field. A person was reportedly injured as a result…
FOUR former Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) officers have been acquitted of defrauding the government of $1,594,935.12 in payments to a shipping company that did not provide services. The ruling was delivered by Principal Magistrate Ishmael Kekou on 23 October 2025. The accused, former Finance Controller Stephen Dalipanda, former Senior Accountant Randy Hatigeva, former Health Procurement Officer Robert Manu and former…
SOLOMON Islands continues to face major challenges in developing a strong and sustainable industrial sector, despite its abundant natural resources and hardworking population, and this warrants redirection of the economy towards industrialization, local economist Martin Hou highlighted. Hou said over the past decade, the nation’s economy has remained heavily reliant on raw exports, subsistence agriculture,…