A tribal representative of the Taghasagina sub-clan of the Kakau tribe in Central Islands Province is calling on the government to work together with John Meint Smith to develop Anuha Island.
Frank Hans Bollen Mahika made the call following the decision by their late tribal leader, Father Robert Pule, an Anglican priest, to grant an Irrevocable Power of Attorney (IPA) to Smith on 5 January 1988.
The document was formally prepared by the late solicitor Francis Waleilia, signed and witnessed by a Commissioner of Oaths, and stamped after payment of stamp duty, making it legally valid.
An IPA is a legal document granting an agent authority to act on behalf of a principal and cannot be revoked without the agent’s consent. It is primarily used in business or real estate transactions when “coupled with an interest,” often to secure a loan or protect an investment, and may remain valid even if the principal attempts to cancel it.
Mahika said that the children of the Pugavibo family—comprising the late Fr Robert Pule, Polycap Galaigu, Frank Bollen Vikino, and their sister Mary Boni—are now seeking to drive the redevelopment of the island.
However, he said other families within the tribe continue to respect the IPA granted by their late tribal leader Fr Pule to Smith to look after the island.
Mahika stressed that any redevelopment must include Smith in negotiations, as he holds the IPA.
“I attended a meeting at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on 19 October 2024, where new trustees were appointed, excluding me,” he said.
“After that, they went to Tulagi in 2025 and signed a Memorandum of Understanding.”
Christian Siale, Deputy Secretary for the Productive Sector in the Prime Minister’s Office, facilitated discussions with the trustees that led to the signing of an agreement.
The agreement was later handed to Central Province Premier Kenneth Sagupari on 10 July 2025.
Records from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey show that the registered trustees as of 25 November 2025 are Brendan Soesole Pule, Francis Gela, Victor Dikea, and Victor Pule as joint owners and Frank Kuria.
Mahika argued that new trustees cannot be appointed without Smith’s consent because of the IPA.
“Smith needs to be part of the discussion for the redevelopment of Anuha,” he said.
However, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism stated that Smith’s claim had already been dealt with in High Court Civil Case No. 161 of 1999.
“There is no record of him challenging the High Court decision. The issue of his so-called Power of Attorney has been adequately addressed by the court,” the ministry said.
However, Smith told Solomon Star from Brisbane that he could not come to Honiara to defend his case because of the warrant of arrest that time.
He said the warrant of arrest was lifted in 2008 after his former lawyer, the late Andrew Nori, helped him in court to have it removed.
The 1999 High Court ruling, delivered by former Judge David Chetwynd, dismissed Smith’s application for a Grant of Letters of Administration for the estate of the late Fr Robert T. Pule and instead granted administration to the Public Trustee. The court also ordered Smith to pay costs.
Judge Chetwynd explained that Smith based his application solely on the Power of Attorney given by Fr Pule while he was alive.
“I need make no comments on whether the grant was valid or formalities were complied with. The Power of Attorney dies with the principal,” he said.
The court further found that under Sections 126–128 of the Law of Property Act 1925, a Power of Attorney is revoked upon the death of the principal unless specific conditions are met—none of which applied in Smith’s case.
But Smith said the decision failed to consider his Absolute, Unlimited and Irrevocable Power of Attorney duly prepared and executed by reputable and senior members of the Bar of the High Court of the Solomon Islands under the provision of Property Act 1925 Section 126 of the Solomon Island Law.
Sections 126 the Law of Property Act 1925 (LPA 1925) fall under Part VIII of the Act, states if a power of attorney given for valuable consideration is expressed to be irrevocable in the instrument, it cannot be revoked by the donor (through actions, death, disability, or bankruptcy) without the donee’s concurrence. Any act done by the donee in this scenario is valid, and neither the donee nor a purchaser is prejudicially affected by notice of any such revocation attempts.
Similar to s.126, if a power of attorney (whether given for value or not) is expressed to be irrevocable for a fixed time (not exceeding one year), it cannot be revoked during that period.
Smith said there does exist a legal document executed by the deceased (Fr Pule) and the immediate members of the deceased’s family voluntarily, irrevocably and exclusively placing executive rights and authority over all their rights and interest on him.
Furthermore, Smith said Siale should be charged for changing the trustees without his consent.
“Iam the owner of Anuha because of the Irrevocable Power of Attorney, so he should consult me first before changing the trustees.
“Why is Siale doing this without my consent? He should be charge for fraud.” he said.
Moreover, Mahika maintained that Smith holds an Irrevocable Power of Attorney, not an ordinary Power of Attorney.
Meanwhile, Central Province Premier Kenneth Sagupari said the Ministry of Civil Aviation had already budgeted SBD$600,000 in 2025 for airfield upgrades at Anuha. However, no upgrade work has been carried out to date.
Anuha Island Resort, once known as the “Pearl of the Pacific” for its peace and sanctuary, has remained closed since it was destroyed by arson 38 years ago.
Smith has accused the former owners of Anuha Island Resort for the burning down of the property in order to claim insurance.
The resort was once a popular destination for Australian tourists, located about two and a half hours from Brisbane and just a 15-minute flight from Honiara.
Smith said he is now prepared to return to Solomon Islands and grant a 75-year lease to the government if he is compensated SBD$170 million (approximately AU$30 million) for what he describes as a 20-year arrest warrant and reputational damage.
A 2017 promotional video described Anuha as a 160-acre rainforest island within a coral atoll, featuring fresh water, white sandy beaches, and vibrant marine life.
The resort once offered Melanesian-style villas built from local materials, with modern amenities including electricity, hot and cold water, and dining facilities overlooking a central pool. Guests also enjoyed indoor and outdoor dining, boutique shopping, and high-quality cuisine.
