Chief Bartholomew Kokolopu of Uila tribe in the Malaita Outer Island has responded to Hugo Viauli’s recent article published in the Solomon Star newspaper this week saying that Chiefs have dismissed claim.
In a response statement, Chief Kokolopu said, in fact the claim is true, as it contains information that is misleading to the people of Luaniua, Pelau, and the country as a whole. “Hugo is fully aware that he has been centrally involved in the beche-de-mer issue, yet his article misrepresents the situation.
“Furthermore, as I understand Hugo Viauli has wrongly advised and misled members of the Peaka and Kevaisui tribes to continue acting as chiefs within the Luaniua community.
“This is despite his full knowledge of the ex parte interim court order granted on 26 March 2024, which expressly prohibits both parties from performing any roles or functions as chiefs in Luaniua until the case is concluded or further orders are issued by the court.”
Regarding the claim he mentioned that the closure of the beche-de-mer on 15 December 2025 this is true; however, it must be made clear that the agenda for this closure was initiated by members of the Peaka and Kevaisui tribes themselves.
The meeting was held on 5 October 2025 and was attended by fewer than 50 community members, both men and women. Those present included Iso Ano, John Palmer Naena, Thomas Mahiki, and Hugo Kahango.
These are the following four main agenda items were discussed at that meeting:
1. The closure of the beche-de-mer harvest effective 15 December 2025, with all stock to be cleared by 25 December 2025. Any beche-de-mer remaining after that date would be confiscated and claimed as group property.
2. The MOI Constituency Office would explore alternative ways to support and sustain community projects during the proposed three-year closure period of the beche-de-mer fishery.
3. The appointment of two employees—one from Luaniua and one from Pelau—to monitor illegal liquor sales. Only individuals holding valid licences would be permitted to sell beer. This initiative was reportedly proposed by the MPA.
4. A proposed three-year closure period on harvesting beche-de-mer.
In addition, chief Kokolopu further informed the people of Luaniua and Pelau about an alleged incident that occurred on 16 December 2025.
He claimed that members of the two groups, Iso Ano, John Palmer, Thomas Mahiki, Bollen Makaike, George Pauea, and Hugo Kahango used seaweed ray boat powered by a Yamaha 40-horsepower engine to approach individual OBM-engine canoes that were harvesting beche-de-mer.
They threatened those individuals, ordered them to stop harvesting, and collected beche-de-mer from their catches that day.
“Therefore, Hugo Viauli is urged to stop spreading misinformation and concealing the true actions of himself and his group from the people of this country and the communities of Luaniua and Pelau.
“He must also accept responsibility for misleading the Peaka and Kevaisui tribes into continuing to perform the role of chiefs, despite the existence of current court orders.
“Mr. Viauli, he clearly understood and fully aware that there is presently no active House of Chiefs in the Luaniua community, as it was formally dissolved on 16 April 2008 during a CPC meeting,” Chief Kokolopu concluded.
