Telebere News

Young people in the Solomon Islands are playing a major role in a sharp rise in social media use, according to new analysis by DataReportal and Kepios. The report shows that there were 205,000 active social media user identities in the country by late 2025, equivalent to 24.3% of the total population. Even more striking, social media use jumped by 44,000 users (+27.2%) in just one year. Young people in Honiara, Solomon Islands undergo training in ditital marketing - photo by E- commerce Implementation Unit, MCILI, Solomon Islands. For a country with a youthful population, this growth highlights how digital platforms are becoming a central part of everyday life, especially for young people connecting, learning, and building opportunities online. Youth at the centre of digital growth The data shows that 204,000 users aged 18 and above were active on social media, representing 42.4% of the adult population. This suggests that young adults are leading the digital shift, using plat...

Solomon Islands tourism sector has reinforced its international presence, with a strong showing at the South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2026, completing more than 60 scheduled business appointments with nearly 150 international travel wholesalers, retailers, and agencies. Led by Tourism Solomons, a 19-member “Tourism Team Solo” delegation represented a cross-section of the country’s tourism industry, including Solomon Airlines, hotels, resorts, and tour operators from Honiara, Western Province, and Malaita. Tourism Solomons Acting CEO, Dagnal Dereveke (pictured sixth from left) and the Solomon Islands tourism delegation attending SPTE 2026, proudly wearing their ‘Tourism Team Solo’ uniforms. The event was hosted at the Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa in Nadi and brought together global travel buyers and Pacific tourism operators in what is widely regarded as the region’s premier travel trade platform, organised by the Pacific Tourism Organisation. Acting CEO of Tourism ...

Limahl Totogi has been re-elected unopposed as Chairperson of the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands. The decision was confirmed during the organisation’s 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held Wednesday at the Honiara City Council - Youth Hub. Totogi’s reappointment signals strong confidence from YECSI members. Joining him in the leadership team is Esther Yates Pollard, who was confirmed as the new Vice Chairlady after receiving the sole nomination for the role. The organisation also welcomed three new members to its board: Creina Desonia Tapalaboe, Aldrin Piohite, and Junior John Wanofafia. The newly formed board will lead YECSI over the next two years, with a focus on strengthening the Solomon Islands’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. In his address, Mr Totogi commended the outgoing board for navigating challenging periods while delivering what he described as a “benchmark year” in 2025. He emphasised that the organisation’s continued success depends on unity and a shared...

Coastal communities across the Solomon Islands are facing growing health and environmental risks as aging World War II bombs continue to release toxic chemicals into land and sea, according to new research. A news release from the United Nations Development Programme in the Solomon Islands highlights findings from an Environmental Impact Assessment, the first of its kind in the Pacific, which examined how decaying unexploded ordnance is contaminating surrounding ecosystems. Unexploded World War II ordnance remains in areas across Solomon Islands. The study was conducted by scientists from The University of Queensland, with support from the UNDP and funding from the Government of Japan. More than 80 years after World War II, thousands of bombs, shells and other munitions remain scattered across the country. As these weapons corrode, they release toxic heavy metals and explosive chemicals into soil, waterways and coastal environments. Researchers identified elevated levels of ar...

Just three years ago, Talie Hong was searching for employment. Today, she is running her own business and helping others take their first steps into entrepreneurship—demonstrating how determination and initiative can transform challenges into opportunity. Talie is the founder of TJH Consultancy, a small business that assists individuals and organisations in navigating administrative processes. Her services include business registration, tax documentation, bank account facilitation, and other essential paperwork that often becomes a barrier for aspiring entrepreneurs. Talie Joy Hong, founder of TJH Consultancy, started as a receptionist and now runs a thriving business. Her motivation to start the business came from seeing how many people struggle with formal systems. “Some people have great ideas or want to start something on their own, but they struggle with paperwork and administration,” Talie said. Through her consultancy, she provides support with passport applications, bir...

Seventy-five high school girls from Naha and East Honiara have been encouraged to work hard and dream of a career in engineering, construction or health. At a special event celebrating International Women’s Day hosted by Australia, female students from the five schools surrounding the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre were invited to hear from the women who have helped design, engineer and construct the ground-breaking new facility. Counsellor Amy Sheridan from the Australian High Commission told students that she knew what it was like to be a woman in a male-dominated industry. “With challenge comes growth, and our aim is to inspire and support you as the next generation of women in infrastructure,” Ms Sheridan said. “We know that infrastructure is more effective when it is designed and built by diverse local teams that include women. “Opportunities like today show what is possible. When students see engineers, builders and project leaders who look like them, it expa...

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), Bunyan Sivoro, has acknowledged the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) for its strong and growing support towards the tourism sector. PS Sivoro’s remarks follow the successful opening and launching of several government-supported tourism projects in recent weeks. Pictured at the official opening of Rua Koukomo Resort on Double Island   (from L-R): Central Islands Province Premier, Hon. Kenneth Sagupari; Rua Koukomu Resort Owner, Michael Leong; Minister for Culture & Tourism, Hon. Choylin Yim Douglas, and Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Hon. Roland Seleso. These include the Zaru Hotel in Gizo, and two hotels in Central Province, Rua Koukomo Resort on Double Island and the newly renovated Raiders Hotel in Tulagi. Citing the Government’s commitment to the sector, particularly through increased budgetary support which commenced in 2025, the PS sai...

Marking the 115th anniversary of International Women’s Day and proudly embracing the 2026 ‘Give To Gain’ theme, the women of Tourism Solomons last week spent the day at Honiara’s National Referral Hospital presenting a special gift to children receiving care – hand-knitted teddies.  The teddies have been generously donated by Melbourne-based Mrs Barb Skewes, the mother of Tourism Solomons Australia/New Zealand Trade Manager, Richard Skewes, who has made hundreds of the bears over the years.  Tourism Solomons Senior Human Resource Officer, Lillian Muliloa presenting the bears at the National Referral Hospital. Tourism Solomons Head of Sales & Marketing Fiona Teama said she was very grateful to the Skewes family for enabling the women on her team to make such a wonderful gesture.  “The teddy bears presented us with a perfect opportunity to do something special for the children and their mothers and was a perfect fit for the ‘Give To Gain’ theme,” she said.  “Nursin...

Civil society organisations (CSOs), Government of Solomon Islands officials, and development partners gathered this week to reflect on the experiences and lessons from the Vote for Policy (V4P) Civic Education Campaign, aimed at strengthening informed and inclusive democratic participation in Solomon Islands. The two-day workshop staged at the Office of the Registrar for Political Parties (ORPP) , organised under the UN Development Programme’s Solomon Islands Democratic Governance and Electoral Assistance Project, funded by the Australia through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Government of the United Kingdom (UK), brought together six CSOs that carried out voter awareness activities in Western and Isabel Provinces. During the discussions, participants shared experiences from their outreach work with communities through workshops, dialogues and awareness activities. These efforts helped citizens better understand political parties’ role, policies and th...

Across Solomon Islands, more women are stepping into technical and vocational careers and helping reshape industries traditionally dominated by men. As the country celebrates International Women’s Day, their growing leadership highlights the important role skills training plays in creating new opportunities and strengthening communities. At the construction site of the new Malu’u Market, Edna Iro is one of the women helping lead this change. Edna works as the Health and Safety Officer for local contractor Exodus Trade and Development, where she is responsible for ensuring safety on site while also mentoring workers recruited from nearby communities. Originally from Malu’u, Edna says she is proud to contribute to a project that will benefit families and local businesses. “Once complete, this market will provide families with a safe and reliable place to sell their goods and earn income,” Edna said. The new market is supported by the Australian High Commission in Solomon Isla...

Three rising women in infrastructure have joined a cohort of Solomon Islanders undertaking postgraduate studies in Australia to contribute to national development back home. Soleana Gagahe, Lisa Esibaea and Talei Wore commenced their university studies this month, having worked on Australia’s Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program, which delivers major projects around the country. Ms Gagahe, who is enrolled in a Master of Engineering at the University of NSW, says her studies will strengthen her technical ability and confidence to deliver infrastructure when she returns home. “Civil engineering focuses on delivering practical, safe and sustainable infrastructure solutions to help improve our communities,” Ms Gagahe said. “This scholarship is equipping me with improved technical and management skills to better support our infrastructure development.” Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Jeff Roach, said the Australia Awards program is a long-standing investment i...

Dr Franco Rodie, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD), says Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is not a second-choice education pathway for young people in the Solomon Islands. PS Rodie made the statement during the Vois Blo U radio programme on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC), saying the newly launched Solomon Islands TVET Policy is now trying to address long-standing societal perceptions that view TVET as a “second option” for students, especially among Solomon Islands youth. In the Solomon Islands, TVET has long been perceived as a pathway for students who do not pursue the traditional academic route. This perception is largely rooted in societal and parental expectations that prioritize long-term academic education leading to white-collar jobs, often seen as more prestigious or financially secure. Historically, students who struggled with exams or did not continue to higher forms in school...