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Solomon Islands Provinces

Provinces: Central - Choiseul - Guadalcanal - Isabel - Makira-Ulawa - Malaita - Rennell and Bellona - Temotu - Western - Capital: Honiara -

Note: In 1981, the four districts (Central, Western, Eastern, and Malaita) were formed into seven provinces by "The Provincial Government Act - No. 7 of 1981" on 8 Dec 1981 (received assent on 22 Jan 1982) which created the provinces of Central, Guadalcanal, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Temotu, and Western: Central (includes the Florida Islands [Nggela Sule and Nggela Pile are the largest], Savo Island, and the Russell Islands); Guadalcanal (includes Guadalcanal Island and adjacent islets); Isabel (includes Santa Isabel, San Jorge, Barora Fa, Barora Ite, the Ghizunabeana Islands); Makira (includes San Cristobal, Ulawa, Uki Ni Masi, Santa Ana, Santa Catalina); Malaita (includes Malaita, Maramasike, Manaoba, Ndai, and the islets and reefs of Stewart Islands [Sikaiana], Ontong Java [Lord Howe], Roncador); Temotu (includes the Santa Cruz Islands [Vanikoro and Ndeni are largest], Reef Islands, Duff Islands, and the remote islands of Anuta, Fatutaka, and Tikopia); and Western (includes the New Georgia Islands [New Georgia, Kolombangara, Vella Lavella, Rendova, Ranongga, Gizo], and the Shortland Islands [Alu, Treasury Islands, Fauro]). In 1983, the 22 square-kilometre Honiara was split from Guadalcanal Province and became a separately-governed capital territory. In 1991 and 1993, two additional provinces of Choiseul and Rennell and Bellona were created by "The Provincial Government (Amendment) Act - No. 3 of 1991" on 28 Jun 1991 (received assent on 11 Jul 1991) and "The Provincial Government (Special Provisions)(Rennell and Bellona Province) Act - No. 8" of 2 Dec 1992 (received assent on 16 Dec 1992): Choiseul (Choiseul, Wagina [Vaghena], Rob Roy, and Taro Islands) separated from Western Province and Rennell and Bellona (Rennell Island [Mu Nggava] and Bellona Island [Mu Ngiki]) from Central Province.

Party abbreviations: AIM = Association of Independent Members of Parliament (founded by Tommy Chan, est. c.2001); Ind = Independent; KPSI = Kadere Party of Solomon Islands (promotes  traditional governance and land reform, founded by Peter Boyers, est.c.2014); MARA = Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement; MGR = Malaita Government for Redirection; NCRA = National Coalition for Reform and Advancement (coalition incl. NCRA, SIPRA, est.2010); OURP = Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party ("Our Party", former SISCP, est.16 Jan 2010); PAP = People's Alliance Party (social-democratic, est.1979); RDPSI = Reform Democratic Party of Solomon Islands (constitutional reform, est.2010); SIDP = Solomon Islands Democratic Party (christian democratic, est.Oct 2005); SILP = Solomon Islands Liberal Party (est.1988); SIPRA = Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement (est.2006); SIUP = Solomon Islands United Party (conservative, est.1980);
- Former parties: GNUR = Group for National Unity and Reconciliation (group founded by Solomon Mamaloni, 1992-1994); MEF = Malaita Eagle Force (Malaita militia group, opposed Isatabu [Guadalcanal] Freedom Movement, 1999-2000); NCP = National Coalition Partnership (GNUR opposition, 1993-1994); NDP = National Democratic Party ('NADEPA', founded by Bart Ulufa'alu, 1976-1989); PPP = People's Progressive Party (1989-late 1990s known as National Unity Group, 1973-2006); RUPP = Rural and Urban Political Party (split from SIPRA, Jun 2010-c.2014); SIAC = Solomon Islands Alliance for Change (electoral coalition incl. SILP, SISCP, SIPRA, est.1997); SINURP = Solomon Islands National Unity, Reconciliation and Progressive Party (founded by Solomon Mamaloni, split from PAP, 1994-1997); SISCP = Solomon Islands Social Credit Party ("Socreds", advocated full monetary and financial reform, founded by Manasseh Sogavare, 2005-2010)

 
Provinces

Central

[Central Province (Solomon Islands)]

22 Jan 1982                Central province

Premiers
198. - 1989                Ataban Tonezepo                                         NDP
19.. - Mar 1995            Nelson Ratu
Mar 1995 - 1998            Peter Manetiva                                          Ind
 1998 - Apr 2006            Mark Roboliu Kemakeza                (b. 1960)          SILP
 Apr 2006 - Feb 2007        Patrick Vasuni (1st time)(acting)
 Feb 2007 - 17 Jun 2007     Charles Kunu
 14 Jun 2007 - Dec 2010     Patrick Vasuni (2nd time)
 17 Dec 2010 - 27 Mar 2013  Patteson Mae
27 Mar 2013 - 30 Dec 2014  Stanley S. Manetiva (1st time)                          SIDP
30 Dec 2014 - 24 Aug 2016  George Selwyn Mapuli
24 Aug 2016 - 27 Jun 2019  Patrick Vasuni (3rd time)
27 Jun 2019 -  8 Jun 2022  Stanley S. Manetiva (2nd time)                          SIDP
 8 Jun 2022 -  8 May 2024  Polycarp Vakino Galaigu                                 Ind
 8 May 2024 -              Michael Salini                                          SIDP


Choiseul

(Choiseul province (Solomon Islands))

25 Feb 1992                Choiseul province, split from Western province.

Premiers
1992 - 1995                Clement Kengava (1st time)         (b. 1953)            PAP
1995 - 1996                Jonathan Vazarabatu
1996 - 1997                Clement Kengava (2nd time)         (s.a.)               PAP
1997 - 28 Jun 2018         Jackson Kiloe
28 Jun 2018 -  1 Nov 2021  Watson Qoloni
 1 Nov 2021 -  9 Jan 2023  Benjiman Harrison
 9 Jan 2023 - 12 Mar 2024  Tongoua Tabe
12 Mar 2024 -              Harrison Ngosu Pitakaka


Guadalcanal
[former Guadalcanal province flag to c.2009 (Solomon Islands)] to c.2009
 [Guadalcanal province (Solomon Islands)]
Adopted c.2010

22 Jan 1982                Guadalcanal province 

Premiers
19.. - 19..                Lawson Meke
19.. - Apr 1998            Siriako Usa                        (b. 1959)
  1 Apr 1998 - Dec 2002     Ezekiel Alebua                     (b. 1947 - d. 2022)  SIUP
 Dec 2002 -  3 Dec 2004     Waeta Ben Tabusasi
 3 Dec 2004 - Jan 2007     Abel Arabola
Jan 2007 -  7 May 2008     Joash Salani
  7 May 2008 - Dec 2010     Stephen Panga (1st time)
Dec 2010 - 22 Feb 2013     Anthony Kamutulaka Veke (1st time) (b. 1976)            OURP
 22 Feb 2013 - 20 May 2014  Stephen Panga (2nd time)  
20 May 2014 - 29 Dec 2014  Anthony Kamutulaka Veke (2nd time) (s.a.)               Non-party
29 Dec 2014 - 29 Mar 2016  Bartholomew Vavanga                (b. 1955?)
29 Mar 2016 - Apr/May 2019 Anthony Kamutulaka Veke (3rd time) (s.a.)               KPSI
Apr/May 2019 - 25 Jun 2019 Peter Aoraunisaka (acting)
25 Jun 2019 - 10 May 2024  Francis Mocho Belande Sade                              Non-party?
10 May 2024 -              Willie Atu                                              Ind


Isabel

[Isabel Province (Solomon Islands)]

22 Jan 1982                Isabel province
Premiers
1981 - 1984                Culwick Vahia
1985 - 1988                Jason Leguhavi
1989 - 1990                Clement Rojumana
1990 - 1992                Philip Manehatha
1993 - 1994                Stanley Vunagi
1994 - 1996                Amos Gigini
1997 - 1998                Joseph Hiro
1998 - 2003                Jacob Pitu
2003 - Dec 2006            James Habu
Dec 2006 - Dec 2010        Ruben Dotho
17 Dec 2010 - 19 Mar 2012  Amos Gigini
 19 Mar 2012 - Jun 2019     James Habu  
Jun 2019 - 21 Mar 2022     Leslie Kikolo
22 Mar 2022 - 13 May 2024  Rhoda Sikilabu (f)
13 May 2024 -              Lawrence Hayward                                        Ind

Makira-Ulawa

[Makira-Ulawa Province (Solomon Islands)]

22 Jan 1982                Makira-Ulawa province

Premiers
1981 - 19..                Mathias Ramoni
.... - ....                Reginald Nunu
.... - 2003                Daniel Nahusu
2003 - 2007                Stephenson Piringisau
Feb 2007 - Dec 2007        John Mamafe
 Dec 2007 - 12 Jan 2016     Thomas Weape
12 Jan 2016 - 10 Jan 2020  Stanley S. Siapu (1st time)                             Ind
10 Jan 2020 -  3 May 2024  Julian Maka'a                      (b. 1957)            Ind
 3 May 2024 -              Stanley S. Siapu (2nd time)                             Ind


Malaita

[former Malaita Province flag to 2016 (Solomon Islands)]
to 2016
 [Malaita Province flag (Solomon Islands)]
Adopted 2016

22 Jan 1982                Malaita province
 1 Sep 2020                Premier Suidani announces he will call for a provincial
                             independence referendum (opposed by the central government).

Premiers
1981 - 19..                David Nanato
.... - ....                Harold Maomatekwa
c.1995 - Jan 2003          David Oeta                         (d. ....)
 Jan 2003 - Jan 2007        Ruben Tori Moli
Jan 2007 - 11 Jan 2011     Richard Na'amo Irosaea
 11 Jan 2011 - Jan 2015     Edwin Miniti Suibaea 
Jan 2015 -  5 Jul 2019     Peter Channel Ramohia
 5 Jul 2019 -  7 Feb 2023  Daniel Suidani                                          MARA
 7 Feb 2023 - 10 Feb 2023  Glen Waneta (acting)
10 Feb 2023 - 15 May 2024  Martin Fini
15 May 2024 -              Elijah Asilaua                                          MGR


Rennell and Bellona

[Rennell and Bellona province old flag (Solomon Islands)]
Former Provincial Flag to c.2023
 [Rennell and Bellona Province flag (Solomon Islands)]
Current Provincial Flag c.2023

21 Jan 1993                Rennell and Bellona province, split from Central.

Premiers 
1993 - 1999                Ajilon Jasper Nasiu
1999 - Jan 2003            Francis Taupongi
Jan 2003 - Jan 2007        Matthew Taupongi Giusaga
 Jan 2007 - Mar 2008        Solly Amonga Tengemoana
 Mar 2008 - Dec 2010        Johnstone Timothy Peseika
                             (1st time)
 Dec 2010 - 18 Mar 2013     George Tuhaika
 18 Mar 2013 -  4 Sep 2014  Lence Tango
                             (in dissidence from 14 Aug 2014)
14 Aug 2014 -  4 Sep 2014  Johnstone Timothy Peseika
                             (2nd time)
 4 Sep 2014 - 30 Dec 2014  Agiki Peseika Baiabe (administrator)
30 Dec 2014 -  5 Aug 2019  Collin Singamoana Tesu'atai
 5 Aug 2019 - 20 Dec 2021  Willie Tuhagenga
20 Dec 2021 - 16 May 2024  Japhet Tuhaika Tuhanuku
16 May 2024 -              Derek Tenoaika Pongi                                    Ind

Temotu

[Temotu province flag (Solomon Islands)]

22 Jan 1982                Temotu province

Premiers
1981 - 1984                ....
1984 - 1988                Jonas Malatua
1988 - 1999                John Ini Lapli                     (b. 1955)
1999 - Jan 2003            Gabriel Teao
Jan 2003 - 23 Jan 2009     Johnson Levela
 26 Jan 2009 - 10 Jan 2011  David Daiwo
10 Jan 2011 - 14 Jan 2015  Charles Brown Beu
14 Jan 2015 -  2 Oct 2015  Buddley Soakifono
 2 Oct 2015 - 31 Mar 2017  Nelson Omar Menale
31 Mar 2017 - Jul 2019     David Maina
Jul 2019 - 10 May 2024     Clay Forau Soalaoi                 (b. 1976)
10 May 2024 -              Stanley Tehahua (Tehi)                                   Ind


Western

[Western Province (Solomon Islands)]

22 Jan 1982                Western province

Premiers
19.. - 1999                Clement Base (1st time)            (b. 1960?)
1999 - 2002                Ruben Lilo
2002 - 25 Jul 2005         Clement Base (2nd time)            (s.a.)
25 Jul 2005 - 20 Jul 2009  Alex Lokopio
20 Jul 2009 - 21 Oct 2013  George Solingi Lilo
21 Oct 2013 - 10 Aug 2016  Robert Pae Kuve
10 Aug 2016 -  3 Jul 2018  Wayne Maepio
 3 Jul 2018 -  2 Dec 2021  David Gina                         (b. 1961?)
 2 Dec 2021 -  9 Jan 2023  Christian Mesepitu
 9 Jan 2023 -              Billy Veo

 
Capital

Honiara 

[Honiara city (Solomon Islands)]

May 1945                   Camp Guadal renamed Honiara.
Jul 1983 - 23 Feb 1995     Honiara is split from Guadalcanal Province and became a separately
                             governed Capital Territory. 
25 Feb 1995                Honiara City merged back into Guadalcanal province, but
                             maintains a separate administration (which is subordinated to
                             the Ministry of Home Affairs). 
1999                       The Honiara City Act 1999 created a city council of 20 members.
Presidents
 1981 - 1985                Paul Keyaumi
 1986 – 1988                Robert Wale (1st time)
 1989                       Ronald Dausabea
 1989 - 1990                John Ratu
 1990 – 1992                David Kausimae (chairman)
 1993 – 1995                David Maesua
 1996 – 1998                Robert Wale (2nd time)
 1998 - 1999                John Maetia
 Lord Mayors
 2000 – 2002                Ronald Fugui
 2002 - 2003                David Dausabea                     (b. 1953?)  
 2004 - 2005                Hazel Lule (f)(chairman)
 2006 – 29 Apr 2008         Alfred Maetia                                           SISCP
 29 Apr 2008 – Dec 2010     Andrew Luke Mua (1st time)
 Dec 2010 - Oct 2012        Israel Maeoli
Oct 2012 - 30 Dec 2014     Andrew Luke Mua (2nd time)
30 Dec 2014 - 22 Aug 2016  Alfrence Inoga Fatai
22 Aug 2016 - Jun 2019     Andrew Luke Mua (3rd time)
 5 Jun 2019 - May 2021     Wilson Mamae
May 2021 -                 Eddie Kasuteé Siapu





© Ben Cahoon