Solomon Airlines recently launched its inaugural flight between Auckland and the town of Munda in the Western Province. It’s only the Solomons’ second international airport with high hopes it will boost tourism and local businesses.
The reigning Miss Solomon Islands – Elsie Polosovai – was on the inaugural flight.
“It’s very special and humbling to be a part of the first few people to take on this inaugural flight, feeling quite proud,” Polosovai says.
“This is a big moment for us and it really opens up our country to the rest of the Pacific and the world.”
Solomon Airlines will fly to Munda via Brisbane from Auckland once a week, the location promising visitors a unique experience.
“Those who want to go point to point into Brisbane from Auckland. But also it makes it easier for those who are wanting to go into the Solomon Islands, especially through Munda,” says the airline’s Commercial Manager John Wopereis.
“We are excited to offer another destination for the Kiwis. Especially out of Auckland.”
Munda is the largest settlement on the island of New Georgia in the Western Province.
It is nestled next to the crystal clear waters of the Roviana Lagoon and surrounded by many small islands.
The new international airport opened over a year ago creating another international gateway into the country.
Businesses here rely on tourism, especially local Solomon Island families.
Three generations of the Kera family own and help run the main hotel in Munda, named after their late Grandmother Agnes.
“It has been running for over 40 years,” says General Manager Mere Oni.
“Plus, to keep it afloat, I think the mindset has to change. You cannot live with the past, but you need to move forward with the present and the future,”
Agnes’ grandchildren, who were born on the island, are carrying on her hard work and legacy.
“For us as a family, we benefit from it; I think that’s the vision and the mission for grandmother Agnes,” says grandson Nathan Kera.
To visit the outer islands and other tourist spots, the only way to travel is by boat. On the water, life is busy. Locals are either fishing, transporting, or just enjoying the lagoon.
A half hour boat ride from Munda in the Vona Vona Lagoon, is the Zipolo Habu Resort, on Lola Island.
Built in 1989, the owners Joe and Lisa Entrikin have built up the lodge from one bungalow to a luxury resort of 8 bungalows.
“They both decided, alright, let’s open a restaurant and then a bar and so, slowly, built up from there,” says Joe and Lisa’s daughter Zano.
“And now we’ve got eight bungalows, never thought we’d ever have air conditioned bungalows back (then) and, you know, now we do. It’s changed a lot.”
The family do their part to help their local community and neighbouring islands.
“We really value art and craft, especially local, our local art and craft and we really look to support that,” Zano says.
“It’s supporting kids going to school, supporting medical, all that sort of thing, by buying their crafts.”
Vona Vona Lagoon is also home to “Skull Island” where the remains of over 50 skulls rest. It is a sacred site that you can only visit with a local guide. Paying respect is important and a reminder of the headhunting practices that were once common in these Melanesian islands.
The new international flight has opened up connections between Aotearoa and the Solomon Islands, it gives small villages more opportunities to showcase their culture as we found in Ughele, in the Rendova harbour.
Titiru Eco-Lodge is run by 22-year old Darcy Paza and his family. He prides himself in showcasing the village lifestyle of cooking, fishing and entertainment. It was his late fathers’ vision.
“He would be very, very happy because that was his dream… his dream was to build these things, to help the community and everything,” Paza says.
Earning a living is hard here, people do what they can to get by. During World War II, the Solomon Islands was a crucial battleground in the Pacific theatre. World War II relics and remains have become a tourism sub-industry.
Barney Poulson who runs the “Peter Joseph WW2 Museum” makes a living from showcasing old war relics that are over 80 years old
“I started the museum in 2002,” Barney says.
“(I) even go out to the battle sites and look for things you know, finding things, digging mainly in bunkers, foxholes and the trenches. You know, both Japanese and Americans.”
Many tourists also visit the old American Patrol Boat Base PT109 located 40 minutes off shore in the Rendova Harbour, where a memorial stands in tribute to the late President John F Kennedy who was rescued by two Solomon Islanders.
The capital of the Solomon Islands is Honiara which is 340 kilometers south east of Munda. Now with two international airports, the country has a lot more to offer tourists.
“We’re actually classed as more of an adventure destination. Not much luxury overseas (visitors),” says Dagnal Dereveke, acting CEO of Tourism Solomons.
“You come here (to) enjoy our fishing, surfing, history and our culture; that’s what we pride ourselves in.”
“I think Solomon Islands is a tourism giant waiting to happen,” says Solomon Airlines CEO Sean Te’o.
“There are over 800 islands, some pristine waters, some of the best you could ever see in the Pacific.
“It’s a safe country. You know, we need to change the perception of how other people view us.
“Come to the Solomons, come to the Solomons.”
