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SI Community News and Issues, Honiara (2026)

17/09/2026

RSIPF PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE POLICE CONSTABLE MANELE

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Acting Commissioner James Aitorea has paid tribute to the late Police Constable (PC) Bonaventure Manele, describing him as a dedicated officer whose years of service reflected commitment and professionalism.

According to the RSIPF, the Commissioner Aitorea delivered the tribute during a send-off service for the late officer held at Tanagai Parish on Wednesday September 16, 2026.

In his remarks, Commissioner Aitorea extended his condolences to the late officer’s family, acknowledging the pain of losing a husband and father.

“No words can truly ease the pain of losing a husband and father,” he said.

He told the family, relatives, friends, church community and colleagues that they were not alone in their grief, assuring them that the RSIPF stood with them during the difficult time.

“Today we mourn the loss of a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a colleague and a dedicated police officer,” Commissioner Aitorea said.

He said the late PC Manele’s years of service to the RSIPF were marked by his commitment, professionalism and willingness to serve wherever he was needed.

PC Manele began his policing career with Honiara City Police. After completing his probationary service, he was posted to White River Police Station, where he served as an Assistant Investigator.

During his time in investigations, he gained experience handling cases ranging from minor offences to more serious crimes.

His service also saw him attached to different offices within the RSIPF, where he was recognised for his performance and dedication.

In his final words, Commissioner Aitorea prayed for comfort and strength for the bereaved family.

Read more: https://theislandsun.com.sb/rsipf-pays-tribute-to-late-police-constable-manele/

17/09/2026

PM WALE: GO WITH COURAGE, PLAY WITH PRIDE

Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale has wished Solomon Islands men’s and women’s national football teams well as they departed for Fiji to compete in the MSG Prime Ministers Cup, Wednesday afternoon.

Prime Minister Wale met with members of both national teams at Honiara International Airport shortly before his own departure for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to encourage the players to remain focused, disciplined and united as they prepare to represent Solomon Islands on the regional stage.

“You are going to Fiji carrying the hopes and pride of our people. I encourage you to give your very best, play with courage and discipline and most importantly make Solomon Islands proud,” Prime Minister Wale told the teams.

He reminded the players that representing the national team is an honour and a responsibility and encouraged them to uphold the country’s name both on and off the field.

“Play for each other, respect your opponents and enjoy the experience. Carry our flag with pride,” he said.

He said football remains an important part of national identity and has the power to unite Solomon Islanders, inspire young people and bring communities together.

As he departed for New York, Prime Minister Wale said he would be following the teams’ campaign and looked forward to seeing them return home having given their very best for the nation.

– OPMC

16/09/2026

KONOFILIA SENTENCING ADJOURNED FOR FURTHER VERIFICATION

The sentencing of Moffat Konofilia has been further adjourned to Friday at 9.30am after the Honiara Magistrate’s Court sought independent verification of material he relied on in mitigation.

Konofilia, 49, appeared in court without a lawyer on Wednesday.

During Wednesday’s mention, the magistrate referred to Konofilia’s earlier sentencing submissions in which he had asked the court to consider suspending his sentence, similar to the approach taken in the case involving Atu, and to make an order resulting in no conviction.

The magistrate said she wanted independent verification before making a final decision on aspects of his mitigation.

She specifically referred to documents and photographs submitted by Konofilia concerning his community work, including reconciliations involving former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare and Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

The magistrate said media reports would generally not be sufficient for the court to rely on when verifying such matters.

Konofilia asked for a few more days to provide the requested information.

He told the court that he had been telling the truth and said he would have obtained the relevant confirmations earlier had he known they were required.

The magistrate acknowledged that Konofilia did not have a lawyer and allowed him additional time to provide the material to the prosecution.

Read more at Solomon Star News: https://www.solomonstarnews.com/konofilia-sentencing-adjourned-for-further-verification/

15/09/2026

THIRTEEN HOUSES BURNT DOWN IN EAST MAKIRA, POLICE INVESTIGATE

A total of 13 houses along with a fuel depot and kitchens were burnt down at Naharahau village, Wainoni, in East Makira over the weekend.

A statement from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) today said the incident happened on Sunday, September 13 where a group of people allegedly burnt down the dwelling houses and kitchens and destroyed food gardens.

Superintendent Gordon Horomae, the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Makira-Ulawa Province, said police in Kirakira have attended to the report and engaged with both parties involved in the burning incident.

He said it was alleged that the incident may have been carried out in retaliation for the death of a relative of the arson group.

RSIPF said police have appealed to both parties to immediately stay out from criminal activities and to cooperate with police to allow the matter to be properly investigated.

Read more: https://theislandsun.com.sb/thirteen-houses-burnt-down-in-east-makira-police-investigate/

15/09/2026

KONOFILIA SENTENCING PUTS 2021 HONIARA RIOT BACK UNDER SCRUTINY

Moffat Konofilia is scheduled to be sentenced by the Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, September 16, following his conviction over his involvement in the November 2021 riots in Honiara.

Konofilia was convicted of unlawful assembly but acquitted of the more serious charge of sedition.

His sentencing comes after a case that has dragged on for several years, including his re-arrest in 2025 after he allegedly failed to attend court proceedings. The matter eventually proceeded to trial this year.

At his most recent appearance, Konofilia sought a further delay to allow him to secure legal representation.

However, the magistrate indicated that the matter should no longer be delayed and moved towards sentencing.

Konofilia, an outspoken figure known for his involvement in football and public advocacy, could now face sentencing against the backdrop of renewed scrutiny of the political circumstances surrounding the 2021 unrest.

Five years on, Konofilia’s sentencing could become another point of focus in the continuing debate over what happened in November 2021, who was responsible, and whether the full political story behind the unrest has ever been adequately examined.

Read more: https://indepthsolomons.com.sb/konofilia-sentencing-puts-2021-honiara-riot-back-under-scrutiny/

14/09/2026

ABOUT 20 BMOBILE WORKERS LOSE JOBS AFTER ENDS OPERATION

ABOUT 20 employees of Bmobile Solomon Islands are currently without jobs after the company closed its business two weeks ago.

The closure comes after the company operated in the country for the last 16 years.

According to one of the former workers, the closure was due to a lack of finance to continue its operations.

The worker alleged there was no finance to maintain and upkeep the company’s towers in the provinces.

As a result, the company decided to close its business in the country.

“It is really challenging for me as a father after the business closed down.

“I need to find a new job to reduce the burden on my family,” one of the former workers said.

Bmobile currently operates in four provinces across the country, namely Guadalcanal, Malaita, Western and Central provinces.

However, due to a drop in revenue, the company decided to close its doors.

As a result, Solomon Telekom Company Limited (Our Telekom) is currently monopolising the telecommunications market.

Read more at Solomon Star News: https://www.solomonstarnews.com/about-20-bmobile-workers-lose-jobs-after-ends-operation/

14/09/2026

FLU-LIKE ILLNESS UNDER SURVEILLANCE

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), through its routine disease surveillance system, continues to closely monitor the situation regarding flu-like illness across the country.

Recent surveillance data for last reporting week of August 24-30 indicates an increase of cases with influenza-like illness (ILI) reported from surveillance sites in Honiara and Western province. Routine lab testing data has detected Influenza A in majority of samples tested in August. Influenza A is a highly contagious virus that causes the flu. It attacks your respiratory system, which includes your nose, throat, and lungs. Additional samples have been collected last week and are pending testing.

The Ministry is continuing to monitor the situation through its routine surveillance and laboratory systems to better understand the circulation of respiratory viruses and to guide appropriate public health measures.

Flu-like illnesses can spread easily from person to person, particularly when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Common symptoms may include fever, dry cough, body aches, runny nose, and sore throat.

MHMS advises the public to:

- Practise good hand hygiene by washing hands regularly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
- Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, preferably with a tissue or into the elbow.
- Avoid close contact with others when feeling unwell.
- Stay home and rest when experiencing flu-like symptoms, where possible.
- Drink plenty of water and eat fruits and vegetables
- If fever, take Panadol as advise by a nurse or doctor or use sponge to reduce fever
- Seek medical attention if symptoms become severe or if there are concerns about illness, particularly for young children, older people, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions.
- Maintain a clean environment by disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and improving indoor air circulation.

Read more at Solomon Star News: https://www.solomonstarnews.com/flu-like-illness-under-surveillance/

13/09/2026

SHORTLANDS HAND OVER 57 BOATS, ENGINES

The Shortland Islands Constituency has delivered a major boost to local transportation and economic empowerment, handing over 57 boats and 57 outboard motor (OBM) engines to successful applicants across the constituency.

The handover ceremony was held on 11 September 2026 at Nila Mission Station on Poporang, with recipients from villages across the Shortland Islands gathering to receive the development assistance.

According to the Shortland Islands Constituency Office, every village in the constituency has had a Sub-Committee established since 2024 to oversee project applications.

Member of Parliament for Shortland Islands, Junior Isikeli Vave, congratulated the successful recipients and reaffirmed his commitment to delivering further development projects across the constituency.

He assured people who were unsuccessful in the latest rollout that more projects were in the pipeline and would be made available in future distributions.

Meanwhile, further development projects are being prepared for rollout across the Shortland Islands.

These include water tanks, cement bags, steel rods, sanitation pipes, borehole drills, cool rooms and sewing machines, among other essential items.

The Constituency Office has thanked communities across the Shortland Islands for their continued patience and partnership as it prepares to deliver the next round of projects.

Read more: https://theislandsun.com.sb/shortlands-hand-over-57-boats-engines/

10/09/2026

BOAT SINKS, TWO SURVIVE, ONE STILL MISSING IN WESTERN PROVINCE

An Outboard Motor [OBM] from Uzamba Village in South Vella, Western Prvoince sank while on a return trip from Gizo to South Vella on Monday, leaving one person still missing.

According to relatives, three people were on board the 60-horsepowered ray-boat when it left Gizo for Vella.

The boat was reportedly carrying bags of cement and other housing materials.

On its way it encountered bad weather, strong wind and high swells between one of the island located close to Saeraghi, Gizo and Vella Island late Monday afternoon.

The boat reportedly sank after taking in water.

Two of the three passengers managed to survive by swimming towards an island near Liapari, while the third person remains missing.

A search and rescue effort was carried out, but the Gizo Police Search and Rescue Team was unable to locate the person nor the boat, which is believed to have sunk.

The search for the missing person continues.

The incident has again highlighted the risks faced by people travelling between islands, particularly when weather conditions deteriorate.

Read at Solomon Star News: https://www.solomonstarnews.com/%f0%9d%90%81%f0%9d%90%a8%f0%9d%90%9a%f0%9d%90%ad-%f0%9d%90%92%f0%9d%90%a2%f0%9d%90%a7%f0%9d%90%a4%f0%9d%90%ac-%f0%9d%90%93%f0%9d%90%b0%f0%9d%90%a8-%f0%9d%90%92%f0%9d%90%ae%f0%9d%90%ab%f0%9d%90%af/

09/09/2026

NEPHEW ACCUSED KNOCKING OUT UNCLE'S TEETH TO BE SUMMONED

A 20-year-old man accused of assaulting his uncle and aunt, allegedly knocking out three of his uncle’s teeth with a stone, will be summoned to appear in court on September 23.

Junior Tolaeni is facing charges of grievous harm, intimidation and malicious injuries arising from the alleged incident on 28 October 2025 at Roroni Village in North Guadalcanal.

The alleged victims are 43-year-old David Rex and his wife, Hellen Kakabu.

Tolaeni is Rex’s nephew.

The grievous-harm charge alleges that Tolaeni threw a large stone at his uncle’s left cheek, causing him to lose three teeth.

Tolaeni is also accused of intimidating his aunt by allegedly pointing a bush knife at her abdomen and raising it towards her head in an attempt to strike her.

The third charge alleges that he unlawfully damaged household property, including two plastic dishes, five glass plates, five clay cups and a white bucket.

The allegations relate to an incident at Roroni Village on 28 October 2025, which the prosecution says followed a dispute involving comments allegedly overheard by Tolaeni’s wife.

The Chief Magistrate questioned why the charges had not been filed before the accused’s scheduled appearance on August 31.

Prosecutor Oiofa explained that he had only received the file on September 1.

Chief Magistrate Rongomea stressed that charges should be filed before the date an accused person released on police bail is required to appear in court.

The prosecution then sought an adjournment to allow a summons to be issued and served on Tolaeni.

Chief Magistrate Rongomea granted the request and adjourned the matter to September 23, 2026 for mention.

Read more at Solomon Star News: https://www.solomonstarnews.com/%f0%9d%90%8d%f0%9d%90%9e%f0%9d%90%a9%f0%9d%90%a1%f0%9d%90%9e%f0%9d%90%b0-%f0%9d%90%80%f0%9d%90%9c%f0%9d%90%9c%f0%9d%90%ae%f0%9d%90%ac%f0%9d%90%9e%f0%9d%90%9d-%f0%9d%90%8a%f0%9d%90%a7%f0%9d%90%a8/

SI Community News and Issues

17/09/2026

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