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Tourism Solomons supports Temotu visit to research health and clean water

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One of New Zealand’s most senior paediatricians,  Dr Caroline Hart  is visiting Temotu Province this week with Tourism Solomons support to plan research into health issues affecting children in the region. Dr Hart has been working alongside ChildFund New Zealand CEO, Josie Pagani, whose organisation is actively involved in bringing essential water to communities. The visit is being recorded by WildFilm New Zealand cinematographer and award-winning documentary maker, Mike Bhana. Tourism Solomons Team Leader Short Haul Markets, Brenden Mautoa; ChildFund New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Josie Pagani; J.P. Foliaki; Dr Caroline Hart, and Wildfilm Director, Mike Bhana. ChildFund and high-profile New Zealand actor and musician J.P. Foliaki are making a documentary that will ‘Follow The Money’ that J.P. won on the New Zealand  TV show, Celebrity Treasure Island. The money is helping to fund water projects in Temotu.    The film will also follow Dr Caroline Hart as s...

Breaking Ground: Nanny Walasi Inspires Women in Construction at Buala Market

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Nanny Walasi, a young Solomon Islands woman, is breaking barriers in construction as she gains hands-on experience on the Buala Market Project, inspiring other women to follow in her footsteps. Nanny Walasi, a graduate under the Australia-supported Green Construction Training Program, on-site at the new Buala Market construction . A graduate of the Australia-supported Green Construction Training Program, Walasi is learning practical construction skills while contributing to the development of a modern, inclusive market for the local community. Working as a Site Logistics Assistant and Tool Storekeeper, Walasi also assists with general construction, giving her experience far beyond what she learned in the classroom. “At school, I learned the basics, but on site I learned so much more - block laying, steel bending, formwork, timber work, and teamwork,” Walasi said. “It’s given me confidence, and I want to encourage other young women to join construction too.” The Buala Market Proje...

YECSI Launches 11 Awards to Recognize Young Entrepreneurs Nationwide

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The Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) has officially launched 11 award categories for this year’s 2025 YECSI Awards, marking a major milestone in recognizing the achievements of young business leaders across the country. Themed “Powering Progress: Young Entrepreneurs Shaping Tomorrow,” this year’s awards aim to celebrate the creativity, innovation, and resilience of young Solomon Islanders who are driving economic growth and community development. YECSI Coordinator and Board Members display the YECSI Events logo following the launch of the 2025 YECSI Awards, themed “Powering Progress: Young Entrepreneurs Shaping Tomorrow.” In an interview with YECSI Board Members, they highlighted that the 2025 edition of the awards has expanded from five categories in 2022 to 11 categories this year, reflecting the growing strength and diversity of the youth entrepreneurship movement in the Solomon Islands. The 11 award categories include: 1.     Prime Minister’s ...

Australia and SINU Partner to Strengthen Pacific Fisheries Leadership

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Fourteen students from across the Pacific celebrated completing their studies last month as they attended a graduation ceremony for   theAustralia Awards Certificate in Fisheries Management and Development, delivered in partnership with the Solomon Islands National University (SINU). The graduating cohort included six participants from Solomon Islands, two from Kiribati, three from Fiji, two from Samoa, and one from Marshall Islands with equal representation of men and women. The course provided advanced skills in fisheries management, policy development, and sustainable practices aimed at protecting the region’s vital marine resources. Solomon Island graduates with one Marshall Islands graduate, L to R: John Maefiti, Frank Arathegu, Warren Tinohitu, Derick Suimae, Ellah Korasi, Alison Waroke and Sophia Natu. Vice-Chancellor of SINU, Dr Transform Aqorau, emphasised the value of the course in addressing pressing fisheries challenges. “The training you have received will help sit...

New SINU Training to Strengthen Solomon Islands’ Tourism Future

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As the Solomon Islands’ tourism sector continues to expand, a new training program at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) is set to prepare young people for careers in travel management and hospitality services. The initiative, launched under the Solomon Islands–Australia partnership, is designed to address the growing demand for skilled workers in hotel and restaurant reservations, as well as airline travel systems. SINU tutors take part in in-class training to strengthen delivery of the rollout . Solomon Airlines has joined as a key industry partner, offering both technical support and practical training opportunities for students. Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthen the local tourism workforce. "Australia is Solomon Islands’ nambawan tourism partner and this new training is another step in building local expertise to create more local jobs for young Solomo...

YECSI Calls for Stakeholder Support Ahead of Corporate Fundraiser

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The Young Entrepreneurs Council of Solomon Islands (YECSI) is calling on businesses, youth organisations, and development stakeholders to support its upcoming Corporate Fundraiser, an event aimed at strengthening youth entrepreneurship and advancing the YECSI Awards 2025. Members and supporters of the Young Entrepreneurs Council of Solomon Islands (YECSI) are calling for support for the upcoming Corporate Fundraiser in aid of the YECSI Awards 2025. Scheduled as a major highlight on YECSI’s calendar, the fundraiser will directly contribute to recognising and supporting the work of young entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of the country. YECSI Coordinator Moses Jnr Aunama said the event is not only about celebration but also about investment in the next generation of leaders. “Every contribution made through this fundraiser helps build a stronger foundation for our youth. By supporting YECSI, stakeholders are investing in young people who are driving innovation, creating employ...

Solomon Islands Hosts Landmark Sustainable Tourism Workshop

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Tourism Solomons, in collaboration with the Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO), has brought together key stakeholders from across the region for a landmark workshop aimed at reshaping the future of Pacific tourism through sustainability. Delegates attending the  Sustainable Tourism Workshop in Honiara .   The multi-day Sustainable Tourism Workshop, held in Munda and Honiara, marked an important step in the collective effort to safeguard the Pacific environment, reduce ecological footprints, and ensure tourism benefits flow meaningfully to local communities. Tackling Single-Use Plastics At the heart of the discussions was the urgent need to phase out Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) in the tourism sector. Participants were introduced to the new Standards and Certification Programme and Implementation Toolkit, designed to help operators, communities, and governments work together towards this goal. Stakeholders also received updates on SPREP’s Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP...