The Native Iowan

Posted by: nativeiowan | March 9, 2013

I look after my skin v1.0

I look after my skin. I somewhere in my journey have figgered out that your epidermis is important and requires special attention…

At least this is what I tell myself after I have been seduced into spending way too much at one of those dead-sea oil n lotion stations that are common in malls. As I walk away, my purchase in a fancy bag, I tell myself that I am clever and right to be looking after my skin and buying these ever so essential condiments for the epidermis…

Of course it has nothing to do with the quietly exotic babe with big dark eyes and a dangerous accent.

That too I keep telling myself, as I walk away. It had nothing to do with the babe with the dark eyes and a name like Fatima, or Valencia…

And I rationalize heavily by thinking that I did need to buy some body butter. We use a lot of oils and lotions and essences at home and the body butter they sell is real good.

So why do I have an array of old-man products for my wrinkly eyes, and sagging face and … I am a bit perplexed.

I shall figger it out one day…

Speaking of good skin care products… I never miss an opportunity to make a plug for Lavender. If there is a swiss army knife for essential oils it is lavender. There is very little it does not do. I swear by Tea Tree as an antiseptic and Citronella as an insect repellant, and others… But lavender be the most versatile. Never leave home without it.

And, NEWZ PHLASH, I have found something that is quite impressive… A local product, from just a short ways down the road from us…

http://drwheatgrass.com/

I am impressed by it.

And by the number of reasons I can come up with for the small bag of expensive gear I recently got from that dead-sea oil n lotions station at the local mall.

More later

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Posted by: nativeiowan | March 4, 2013

Sore lo Solomoni

This saddens me greatly.

I knew Prince and trained with him years back when he was boxing and I was wrestling.

When ever I saw Prince I smiled. He had the large, warm, smile one can only find in super big and super gentle Polynesians.

It is a sad sign of the times when a decent human is murdered over a fucking pack of cigarettes!!!!

All I can say is “Sore lo Solomoni”…

Thugs kill former boxer

The Late Prince Taupongi was stoned by a group of drunken thugs at West Kola’a ridge.

Drunken thugs reportedly killed a former professional boxer near his West Kola’a Ridge home in Honiara on Friday night in an unprovoked incident.
Prince Taupongi, from Renbel Province, died from serious head injuries after a group of youth threw stones at him.
Police confirmed the incident yesterday, but say they are still investigating the case and were not in a position to comment.

Neighbours yesterday told the Solomon Star the killing stemmed from an earlier incident when a group of boys drinking nearby went and demanded cigarettes from a relative of Taupongi who was selling betel-nut and cigarette in front of the house.

“The relative told the boys when they were asking for cigarettes that his uncle would not allow them to take cigarettes on credit,” a neighbour said.

“That’s when one of the boys grabbed a packet of cigarette and walked away.

“The relative went inside and told Taupongi about what the boys did.

“Taupongi came out and made his way to the group of boys who were drinking under the SIWA tank next to his house.

“From what I understand, he was not going there to fight the boys but to ask them why they took away the packet of cigarette without paying for it.

“He didn’t reach the boys yet when they started throwing stones at him.

“One of the stones broke his knee cap while others landed on his face and head,” the neighbour said.

He died in the presence of his wife who was attending to his injuries.

Another neighbour said the incident shocked the neighbourhood.

“Taupongi was a law-abiding citizen and community leader. He was a member of our neighbourhood committee.

“His death came as a shock to all of us who knew him,” he said.

Another neighbour said the community is working closely with the police to identify those responsible.

“We have already identified three young men.

“They will be handed over to the police,” he said.

Before turning professional, Taupongi had represented the country in various international boxing tournaments.

When he turned professional, he fought mostly in Australia under his Australian boxing promoters.

He was also a musician who had previously performed on stage at various concerts and had released a couple of singles.

National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands vice president international, Ronald Bei Talasasa, said the country has lost a veteran boxer.

“Many young boxers look to Prince as a role model and held high regard for him,” Talasasa said.

“He will be greatly missed.”

A close friend and musician colleague of Taupongi, Selwyn Do’oro, last night paid tribute to his fallen comrade.

Writing on his facebook page, Do’oro said:

“I lost my best mate today, a true friend and brother.

“We’ve achieved a lot together as a band (UN CREW).

“We were the front-men in raising a lot of musicians in our time.

“Some of them are still ‘jammin’ with bands around.

“We released three hit albums in 1997, 1999, 2003.

“In 1997 our album ‘living Song’ hit the airwaves in Vanuatu, in November that year we were invited for “Fest Napuan” making us the first ever band from Solomon islands to do so.

“Our UB40 like performance stunned the crowd, with Prince stirring the crowd on their feet during the whole show.

“Our band snatched the reggae Samick Awards three times in a row in the 90s.

“Our final performance was during the Pacific Arts Festival in 2012 in Honiara.

“We were planning a come back but we lost him just yesterday.”

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Posted by: nativeiowan | February 27, 2013

Neo-Colonialism, alive and well…

Headlines in today’s Solomon Star are marketing what I feel is a neo-colonialistic attitude that, for some dumb reason, people far and wide think is great.

It is all about PACER Plus… Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus.

I was involved in the kickoff of PACER Plus in 2009. The Aussie Gov had come to the SI Chamber of Commerce and asked for our support. We reviewed the information and said, “hey wait a minute”…

The “Agreement” gave Aus advantaged access to Pacific wide markets while supposedly making it easy for PICs (Pacific Island Countries) to export to Aus.

Of course the long list of items that were acceptable to export from a PIC to Aus was restrictive and the reality of some of it was a joke.

I do not have the Pacer Docs any more but I recall that some export items were taro (big trade in taro from PICs to Aus) but the Taro had to be in approved packages, yep… you got it, which is available only from Aus.

Same with Kava, etc. I do recall sitting and exhaustively reviewing the list with some very smart Solomon Islanders and determining that there was nothing of advantage to SI gained through Pacer. In fact it opened SI’s markets up to more subjugation and neo-colonialistic attitudes.

The fun part of this story is that I was invited to an Economic and Trade Summit the Aussies put on. Quite a big marketing ploy on their part. Everyone that was anyone in government or commerce was there. I was asked to give a short key note speech. I sat next to (in the front row) the then Aussie and SI Minsters of Trade, The High Commissioner for Aus to Solomons, and the big-dick for RAMSI (Regional assistance missions SI)…

My key-note speech was a rather long discussion on the Solomons economy that very much questions the validity of PACER.

After my speech the Aussie big wigs I was sitting with all moved a fair measure away from me.

1st… today’s article, then 2nd… my speech from 2009…

#1….

Foreign minister highlights challenges and benefits of Pacer Plus

A one day national consultation on the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus on Monday has highlighted key challenges and potential benefits facing the Solomon Islands.The consultation brings together stakeholders from the government, private sector and representatives from the informal sector.Speaking at the workshop opening, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Clay Forau Soalaoi said out of all the regional and sub-regional trading agreements we have signed up to or currently negotiating, a PACER-Plus trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand will probably have the greatest impact because most of the imports of Forum Island Countries come from Australia and New Zealand.

Minister Forau noted that there will be a lot at stake, as negotiations for a new trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand are likely to result in a binding international agreement that will eclipse all previous regional initiatives in the Pacific, in terms of its scope and impact.

“For Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island Countries, our isolation resulting in high transportation costs mean that our potential exporters face considerable constraints – such as distance from markets, expensive or infrequent inputs, small economies of scale etc,” Minister Forau said.

This will result in Solomon Islands exporters not becoming competitive and therefore not being able to trade.

Some of the challenges that must be address include substantial loss in government revenue due to liberalization, higher taxes for the poor and opening our markets to large well established corporations in Australia and NZ who do not operate within these constraints may not necessarily make Pacific businesses more efficient – it may instead wipe them out as well as undermining indigenous rights to land.

Minister Forau specially noted that indigenous peoples across the Pacific have a distinctive physical and spiritual relationship with their land based on the concept of custodianship and free trade agreements can have implications for indigenous rights and land tenure, particularly if they contain provisions to allow foreign ownership of land.

Minister Forau, however, indicated that there are also opportunities PACER Plus has to offer with Labor mobility schemes in Australia and New Zealand providing employment opportunities for Solomon Islanders.

Temporary labor mobility schemes for low and semi skilled workers to Australia and New Zealand are very important to the Solomon Islands. They represent the largest source of untapped gains for economic development for the Solomon Islands and for the region.

Minister Forau also highlighted that other potential benefits will included Infrastructure Development – particularly on shipping and upgrading of port facilities, Fisheries development – Fishing licenses and processed fish is the other major revenue earner for Solomon Islands and Capacity Building – particularly to the private sector, which is the countries engine for economic growth, to ensure we can take advantage of the market access opportunities PACER Plus has to offer.

“I am comforted by the fact that both Australia and New Zealand have assured us that development will be at the core of PACER-Plus. It has to be sensitive to the different stages of development of the parties. And more importantly, there is no commitment to liberalize trade. We are only obliged to negotiate a reciprocal free trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Forau said.

Since the launch of the PACER-Plus negotiations in August 2009, Solomon Islands has been negotiating on a series of ‘common priority issues’ Forum Trade Ministers have identified namely labor mobility, rules of origin, development assistance, customs procedures, sanitary measures and technical barriers to trade.

Minister Forau said PACER Plus will be an instrument that will form the foundation of a long-term, evolving partnership based on economic and trade cooperation between ANZ and the Pacific Island Countries.

“It will therefore be the most important economic negotiations that Solomon Islands and other Forum Island Countries will undertake this decade. And it’s impact will be huge. So huge and far-reaching that it will simply dwarf any other regional initiatives,” Minister Forau said.

#2….

Protocol:

The Hon Simon Crean, Australian Minister for Trade

Hon Francis Billy Hilly, Solomon Islands Minister of Commerce

Mr. Frank Yourn, Executive Director, Australian Pacific Islands Business Council

Mr. Gary Clifford, Vice-President, Australia Pacific Islands Business Council

Mr. Gane Simbe, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Solomon Islands

Official invitees, dignitaries, Ladies and gentlemen

I thank all involved for the honour of being here today. The SICCI is the voice of the Private Sector in Solomon Islands. With over 100 members we like to think we have our finger on the economic pulse of the Country.

The Solomon Islands Economy

There is much discussion in the Solomons right now that revolves around what comes “next” for our economy. Of course, Logging is no longer the future of the islands. There is much talk of mining, fishing, tourism or… something else that is required to fill the void that the fall in logging based revenues is creating.

As a “least developed country” the Solomons is both ahead and behind other countries in the Pacific region. Ahead in that, as I like to think, there are opportunities galore in the Solomons. Behind in that recent trends, occurrences and mishaps have made investing in our lovely island homeland difficult, at best.

Allow me to briefly review three main impediments the Solomons as a whole and investors in general currently face.

1^st : The Cost of Doing Business in the Solomons is prohibitively high…

h Failing or nonexistent infrastructure means the cost of all commodities increase disproportionately every time they are handled or moved.

h Of course the Security Issues we live with in the Solomons costs all companies extra. All business houses must hire, train and retain large numbers of expensive security guards… in my company one half of our 100 employees are security personnel. It is my view that our “Security Problems” will not go away quietly. 50% of our population is under the age of 25. If we do not develop a mechanism to engage, educate, employ and recognise this growing population the situation will not get better.

h The failing, obsolete and poorly maintained public services cost all users too much. Currently a unit of electricity costs us USD fifty cents. This is in comparison to USD fifteen cents for an average unit here in Australia. There is a distinct need to get the SOE’s in the Solomons operating properly. This need is immediate if not over due.

2^nd : Land tenure in the Solomons is a difficult and sensitive issue…

h Over 80% of our land is held under a “Customary Land System”. If you want to come and develop a new enterprise – outside the urban setting – you’ll have to deal with Customary Land owners. This can be time consuming, costly and, for the newly initiated, quite daunting.

h Add to this: The National Lands Registry is poorly managed, susceptible to corrupt influences, and, sadly, has not received the attention, money or care that is required to make this system work in a modern society. I wish to comment here that “without security of tenure of Land” there can be little or no honest investment. We must get this right before we move forward.

3^rd : The tax regimen in the Solomons does not attract investment…

h There has been a propensity for successive Governments to view the Private Sector as their very own “cash-cow”. When the Central Government needs more revenue… they target the Private Sector. They raised the Goods Tax from 8 to 10%. Then to 15%. This is a negative trend and simply is not sustainable. The tax regimen we currently live under is actually pushing business away. We live under a system of taxes on taxes. Sorta’ makes me wonder why or how we’d think investors would even consider the Solomons as a viable option.

h It is this onerous if not draconian tax regime that forces doors of graft and corruption open. A fair and professionally implemented tax system will mean a broader tax base, easier regulation, better compliance and, in the long run, more revenue.

I know, it all sounds pretty negative. I can guess that many here today are asking themselves… “if it’s all that bad why is he still there?”…

The simple answer is that… Things have not always been this way. In the 80s corruption was nonexistent. Taxes were reasonable. The lifestyle was the best our planet offered. And, ladies and gentlemen, the Solomons is Home.

OK, We’ve had the negative, where’s the positive… there has to be a positive somewhere…

What does the Solomons have that can be the tool or tools we all put our hand to? The tool we can use to start digging our way out of the problems we are in?

h Of course our idyllic island lifestyle is a marketable entity. Tourism can be “a savour” for us. But we need to solve many problems before we can “bank” on tourism.

h There is no doubt that mining is viable in the islands. There is no doubt that there “is gold in them thar hills”. But, are we ready to move in that direction? Do we need to solve some associated issues before we move full speed into mining?

h Agricultural Business offers a positive opportunity. At present there is an abundance of unexploited land in the Solomons. It may make sense for us to focus on the agriculture sector. Growth in agriculture will benefit the rural areas, where most of the population live. We already have a strong agricultural base. Agriculture will also create the required jobs that will encourage people to stay in the rural areas, rather than move into town to look for work.

h Manufacturing, in contrast to agriculture, mining and fisheries, is very attractive as it enjoys increasing returns to scale. As you manufacture in greater numbers your costs decrease. It is obviously premature to talk about Solomon Islands developing high tech industries at this point in time. However, at the very least the government must plan for greater manufacturing and industry in the economy. Looking at international experience, it is the manufacturing sector that pushes wages up. Something we need in the Solomons.

h One last thought on Manufacturing: Manufacturing has the potential to absorb educated and skilled labour. In agriculture the majority of the jobs are unskilled. If a country educates its citizens without having the jobs available the inevitable consequence is “brain drain”. A situation where the country’s most skilled people move to other countries to find gainful employemnt. This is a problem we currently face. It is not acceptable to suggest that the Solomon Islands simply does not educate its population. It is also undesirable to spend valuable and limited resources on training people when they are likely to leave.

So we do have a few, limited options or opportunities. The only problem with relying on agriculture and raw materials export is that the result will be a low wage economy, little technological progress and a pattern of exporting raw materials and importing manufactured goods.

Protection versus Free Trade

Historically countries have protected industries that they recognise as desirable. They do this by setting high import duties for those goods that they wish to produce themselves. This gives any national business an advantage in the domestic market.

In the case of the Solomon Islands the domestic markets are small. With only 15% of our population living in urban centres the demand for goods that can be produced locally is small. Unlike other developing countries, even if a company is protected from foreign competition, we may never have enough local demand to become ultimately successful.

However, there are two reasons for contemplating protectionist strategies. Firstly, having an advantage in the domestic market may make the difference between a firm being profitable or not. The fact that jobs in manufacturing generally have higher wages is a good reason to desire a manufacturing sector. The question has to be asked whether, in opposition to comparative advantage theory, it is better to protect an inefficient manufacturing sector than to have no manufacturing sector at all.

PACER

My discussion on protectionistic opportunities logically leads us to PACER… The Australian government has stressed that the PACER negotiations will be conducted with a view toward development rather than an effort to capitalise on potential markets. If this is the case then PACER could be a better development tool than 10 years worth of aid.

I believe that the Solomons must be allowed and encouraged to protect those industries that are beneficial. That is to say those industries that have: increasing returns to scale, encourage innovation, are as high tech as possible, utilize inputs that are locally sourced, offer high wage levels, and/ or produce synergies and experience high growth.

However, all of this is insufficient to develop our country’s economy to its full potential. The Solomon Islands needs to have a long-term economic development plan. We need to be building infrastructure that encourages investment of the right or desired type. I have said this many times before… The SIG should not stimulate business development and growth through handing out grants. Build the infrastructure required and let the Private Sector manage the rest.

It would though seem that the PACER negotiations could well compel the Solomon Islands Government to start thinking of a long-term economic development strategy.

The Solomon Islands government really must start thinking in the long term. The Government and Private Sector must cooperate and share a positive forward focus. We will not develop unless we have carefully thought out plans, and combine them with the will to see such plans through to completion, despite any and all difficulties.

Again, one and all I very much appreciate the time granted today to the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

Thank you and g’day…

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Posted by: nativeiowan | February 21, 2013

ahhh… I love the smell of democracy in the morning…

Some interesting stats available here…

Central Islands population as at 1999 was 22,000. Lets say 30,000 today.

Lets stretch it all and say half the population is registered to vote, knowing well the number are much lower.

Lets stretch it and say 75% of those registered vote…

So, we have about 12,000 votes to be spread over 10 candidates. Democracy in Action!

I like the fact that the outgoing guy can’t stand so his wife is running… note, it worked for Jimmy Rasta, member for Lau.

10 ready to contest Gela

Former Ngela MP Mark Kemakeza was disqualified and has fielded in his wife to contest in the by-election.

TEN candidates will contest the by-election for the Parliamentary seat of Gela in the Central Islands Province on February 27.
But the Electoral Commission said the former Member of Parliament for the constituency, Mark Kemakeza who lost the seat following a 14-month jail term, is not amongst the 10 candidates.Because he was disqualified, he fielded in his wife, who was one of the two women to contest the seat.

Kemakeza was jailed last year for stealing constituency funds.

The Electoral Commission said the candidates are qualified to contest the by-election after nominations closed January.

Meanwhile, the Commission reiterates that it has been doing its best to ensure voters will go to the polls freely.

The Gela by-election is the fifth since Solomon Islands held its national parliamentary elections in mid-2010.

Previous by-elections were held in the constituencies of Baegu-Asifola, Shortland Islands, North Malaita, and East Are’Are.

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Posted by: nativeiowan | February 19, 2013

Standard fare before any public election?

I really dig the fact that there is a big fine and a ban from politics for the crime of “Personation”.

Is this an indictment of the islands or what? “Mr Haununu said there are so many funds that had been spent on by-elections in the past regarding candidates losing their seats due to bribery and in breached of some other election offenses.”

“Certain illegal practices” is another one I really like…

Also: ““Elections have laws that guide candidates,” chief electoral officer Polycarp Haununu said.” How many out there remember Polycarp? A friend of PCVs from way back. Mark Stickle’s Honiara home-stay daddy. A good guy… And crooked as a clothes hanger.

Ngella candidates warned

CANDIDATES contesting the Ngella by-elections are warned to conduct their campaigns fairly and legitimately.
It is one of the things I really like about the islands… the childish innocence of it all…

Constituents there will go to the polls on February 27 to elect their new MP, following the jailing of former MP Mark Kemakeza.“Elections have laws that guide candidates,” chief electoral officer Polycarp Haununu said.

“Officials and voters and the general public and individuals that are in breached of these laws or electoral offenses face their penalties when found guilty in court.”

Mr Haununu said there are so many funds that had been spent on by-elections in the past regarding candidates losing their seats due to bribery and in breached of some other election offenses.

“It is therefore important that candidates and voters are retold again on these offenses and their penalties to avoid repetition of these consequences.

“There are several election petitions court cases that have been filed in the past against winning candidates and officials and have resulted in some candidates losing their parliamentary seats,” Mr Haununu said.

“This should be a lesson learnt for all contesting candidates who will be standing for Ngella Parliamentary seat this coming by-election.

“And they should be reminded of these bribery and voter influences court case scenarios and should ensure that their actions are within the bounds of law.”

Mr Haununu urged candidates to assist Electoral Commission to avoid such scenarios and consequences happening again.

He also called on the general public to be careful and cautious in their involvement in this whole election process since the Electoral law does not apply for candidates only but for all, both officials and voters as-well.

“The election law is in effect as soon as the Governor General announces the date for the election”, Mr Haununu said.

“Once the Returning Officer has accepted the nomination form and a $2,000 nomination fee from candidates during the nomination period, a candidate officially begins their campaign under the laws governing campaigning practices.

“A candidate must not spend more than $50,000 during this campaign period, and must submit an account of their expenditure to the Returning Officer after the election.”

Below is a complete table of the Electoral Offenses and their penalties:

Offence	Old penalty	New penalty
Voting when not entitled or voting more than once	$100	$3000 And/or imprisonment not exceeding 3 months.
Breaching candidate expenditure limit	$100	$3000 And/or imprisonment not exceeding 3 months.
False answer to challenge questions in a polling station	$100	$3000 And/or imprisonment not exceeding 3 months.
Offences in respect of nomination papers	$200	$5000 And/or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months.
Infringement of secrecy	$100	$3000 And/or imprisonment not exceeding 3 months.
Bribery, treating or undue influence	$200	$5000 And/or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months. Disqualification for five years from being a Member of Parliament or registered to vote.
Personation	$100	$3000 Disqualification for five years from being a Member of Parliament or registered to vote.
Certain illegal practices	$100	$3000 Disqualification for three years from voting.
Interference with lawful public meeting	$100	$3000 Disqualification for three years from voting.
Display of emblems in vicinity of polling place	$20	$1000

The Electoral Commission calls on everyone to take responsibility for enforcing these electoral laws.

“If people see people breaking these laws, they should report the matter to their local police officer,” he said.

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Posted by: nativeiowan | February 18, 2013

Nana’s piano

We have lovely small, pink bud roses in the back yard. Connie planted them. They remind me of my Grandmother, Nana. She always smelled of roses.

I was just out, caught a heady whiff, and thought of Nana… and her piano.

What a monster piece of furniture that piano was. I helped my Father move it from Dubuque to Indee. It was a bear of a job, both ways. I was youngish, maybe 13 and Dad, being Dad, did not have a lot of helpers and though I was still a kid I was big enough to work. I recall the moving of the piano as a stressful exercise.

The piano comes to mind in that we’re just deciding that buying a piano may not be wise.

The story continues…

We’ve just set up part of the front area as our music/ game room.

What do we see here?

Mendozza’s drum kit,

Angelo’s Fender 6 string electric on the shelf,

Gracie’s Taylor acoustic down front

My 1/1 fiddle against it,

Mendozza’s 1/4 fiddle with Angelo’s 1/2 fiddle in the cases on the shelf,

My 1922 Martin mandolin almost in the pict to the right… the old mandolin is a story unto it’s self…

There is also Uncle Teddy’s big, old Sigma-Martin Dreadnought that’s in the shop getting it’s neck straightened.

Oh yea, the ukulele is in the case by the drums.

So, I guess it makes sense that we discussed buying a piano…

We are getting into the music and having a lot of fun doing so.

Mendozza has been a drummer since young but he confidently picks up most instruments and makes pleasing noises.

Angelo wanted a guitar for Cmas and Santa brought him more than a guitar. Santa brought him a Fender.

Grace has been playing Uncle Teddy’s ax but misses her smaller Tekenene Paul confiscated. I think Qalo has the nice little Hohner.

So we decided to look for a smaller guitar. Do you ever have enough guitars?

In the process of shopping for the Taylor I decided to throw a good mandolin on the shopping list in order to bring the price down. Why a mandolin, you may ask… it’s simple, the mandolin and the violin are cousins. They are tuned the same and are basically played the same.

This is the boys second year of violin lessons. We went shopping a few weeks ago for good fiddles. We rented last year and the machines we got were nasty. Though they both did real well in the lessons they did it despite the instruments. The better the machine the easier to use. So we took the boys to a crazy German luthier I found and had them “fitted” for their instruments. Mendozza being small has a 1/4 size, Angelo has a 1/2.

As we were doing this I took it into my head to buy a 3rd machine thinking a) I will do the lessons/ at home practice with the boys, and b) as they grow we will need a full size machine eventually. So I brought the price down by mixing the pot, and everyone is happy.

A side note… the boys had their lessons today and we have new music to learn tonight. I do look forward to it.

So… ahhh, ummm, yes, indeed, this is about a piano…

So Gracie declares she really wanted a piano. We know a keyboard takes up almost the same space as a modern electric piano. And an electric piano is not much smaller than a decent upright. I checked on line and found hundreds of quality uprights for sale for a fraction of what a new one would cost. Looks like pianos are like boats… the first guy to buy it gets hosed. The second guy to buy it gets a bargain.

Gracie and I finally decided we’re probably good without the piano, for the time being.

And it takes me back to smelling the pink bud roses, and thinking of Nana and wondering what ever happened to her piano.

Life is good

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Posted by: nativeiowan | February 15, 2013

yeee haww…

And I mean that in the very essence of a southern YEEE HAWWW!!!!!

Just picked up a 1922 CF Martin mandolin…

I paid way too much but am way, way happy that I found this in the Land of Oz… the land where buying a quality mandolin is almost impossible. This one was in the store where I found it because,as they say, it’s an “ugly duckling”. And compared to the polished and new chinese shoe box models that sell for half or quarter the price, it is. But boy do it sound sweet.

The boys are watching Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys. With their violins (fiddles), the collection of guitars we have around, and now the “Ug Duck”, we have a YEE HAWW band in the making…

Yeee Hawww…

We’ll be busking sooner than Mendozza thinks. Maybe we call our band the Sol-Hounds?

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Posted by: nativeiowan | February 13, 2013

I feel like a star…

Just smiling here in regards to how much fun life can be.

The short version: The boys are doing violin at school. I want them to “learn music” so we’ve gone this route. Despite that fact we have drums, guitars, and ukes around. I see the formal lessons as a way to learn the language of music.

Last year we hired nasty, cheap instruments from the school. They did well, got good grades and enjoyed it for the most part.

This year we went to a violin-guy and bought decent, very good, machines. I was a bit flabbergasted over the price, and, the fact that Mendozza needs a 1/2 size, Angelo needed a 3/4 size and we bought a 1/1 size because we’ll need it later on and, big smile, so I can learn with the boys.

So I was a bit grumpy over the price tag but the boys really enjoy the exquisite instruments they have that sound oh so nice, and, importantly, their teacher commented how good their machines were. Made both very proud.

Last night I got my first official lesson. I can now very competently play “Mary’s little Lamb” as a trio with the boys.

Mendozza figures we’re about ready to go busking at the mall.

And I feel like a star…

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Posted by: nativeiowan | February 11, 2013

and the fun starts…

… the fun that is called a feeding frenzy of graft and corruption. The same kind that happens each and every time a “disaster” hits the planets… where we see all the appeals, and fund-raising and aid and assistance and…

Reminds me of working for the SI government in the 80s… I watched the feeding frenzy as I worked on Malaita after Namu. I saw that some folks had “rebuilt” before my team showed up to assess the damage. Sad thing was that those who had rebuilt got little or no assistance. Those who either could not rebuild or chose not to rebuild got roofing iron, nails, timber. I know that this taught the populace to not rebuild after the winds die down.

Then again in the 90s… I recall one sad/ funny story where the blue and orange tarps that were sent to Ren-Bel as emergency supplies, in about 93, were claimed as essential properties lost in a cyclone in 95. The message was “send more tarps”, we like them better than normal roofing materials. SO screw the housing rehab projects worth meg-bucks… just send more tarps.

The again in 2007, when Gizo got nailed, and mega bucks in aid and assistance was sent to “help” those suffering. I believe there are still UN “emergency tents” in use up in the hills. And the roads, after millions in expense, are worse than they were in the 80s.

It’s now a new decade, and we have a new disaster. I can feel the schools of carpet-bagging sharks swimming east already.

I forgot to mention the 1985/86 cyclone that hit Tikopia… my VSO friend, Bernard James, was visiting Tikopia when they got hit hard. No aid was sent. It was, I recall, 3 months before Bernard got back to town. They had lived on the emergency food, poi poi. Bernard was thin as a rake. No aid programmes made it to Tikopia that year. BJ’s stories of survival were epic. No one died, I think one broken arm or leg was tended in the “cyclone cave”. All survived and lived to weather more storms in the future… without any aid.

Temotu premier concern over relief funds

Fr Brown Beu says all funds towards the relief and recovery effort towards the disaster should be channelled through Temotu provincial account.

Temotu Premier Fr Brown Beu says all funds towards the relief and recovery effort towards the disaster should be channelled through Temotu provincial account.

Speaking to the paper yesterday he said this is to avoid what happened to funds allocated for the Western province during the 2007 tsunami funds where some of the funds are being mismanaged.“This must not be repeated.”

The premier said they have established a disaster committee that oversees the despatch of the relief funds to the affected areas.

Provincial secretary Ambrose Palusi was the chairperson and it comprised of other authorities in Lata such as police members.

“I warned the committee must be accountable particularly proper records is important to ensure transparency is upheld.”

He said channel funds through government institutions such as the national disaster management office – NDMO sometimes has political influence and the funds not used for its intended purpose.

“I appeal to Red Cross and national disaster management office not to bow down to political influence because I don’t want corruption to creeps in.”

In a statement from the Opposition Office last week it said the Government must ensure that funds for the Temotu tsunami relief programme are used for their purpose and are fully accounted for unlike what happened to the 2007 Western Province tsunami funds.

Dr Sikua said the Government must be reminded that the taxpayers of donor countries that assist in any relief efforts always want the money donated by their governments spent on re-building the lives of intended recipients and not to finance MPs, he said.

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Posted in DATED COMMENTARY | Tags: aid game, corruption in aid, disaster relief, sted aid funds, wasted aid funding

Posted by: nativeiowan | February 10, 2013

gotta luv them islands

Husband prime suspect in PNG sorcery killing

RNZI: Papua New Guinea police have revealed that the prime suspect in the murder of a woman accused of sorcery is her husband.

20 year old Kepari Leniata, a mother of one, was tortured, stripped and set on fire in the Western Highlands capital Mt Hagen on Wednesday.Her husband is now believed to have fled to nearby Enga province.

Police say the killing, conducted in broad daylight, was watched by hundreds of civilians, who stopped officers intervening.

Ms Leniata was accused of sorcery after a six-year-old relative of her attackers died in Mt Hagen Hospital the night before.

It is unknown if Ms Leniata was related to the boy.

The police commissioner Tom Kulunga, has called the murder ’shocking and devilish’ and says it is totally unacceptable.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights says it’s disturbed by the reports.

The OHCHR says its concerned this case adds to the growing pattern of vigilante attacks and killings of persons accused of sorcery in Papua New Guinea.

The UN body is urging the PNG government to put an end to these crimes and to bring perpetrators of attacks and killings to justice in accordance with international law.

The United States of America has also condemned the killing, saying there is no possible justification for this sort of violence.

It says this incident once again highlights the need for comprehensive action to address the pervasive global problem of gender-based violence.

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Posted by: nativeiowan | February 8, 2013

Solo tsunami newz

Death toll rises to 10

URGENT relief supplies are on the way to the earthquake and tsunami stricken island of Santa Cruz last night as the confirmed death toll stands at 10.

Patrol boat Lata and MV Anavon were loaded with food, water and tents and are due to arrive at Temotu provincial capital Lata today.

Sipuru Rove of the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) said an assessment team was also on board the patrol boat.

The team comprised of doctors and officials from the ministries of agriculture, education and representatives from other non-government organisations.

“The assessment team is expected to spend two weeks in Temotu,” Mr Rove said.

He called on the public, groups and companies to come forward with whatever help they can give to support the victims of this latest disaster.

Meanwhile, reports from Temotu say people are still scared of going back to their homes because there’s nothing left, so they are residing in temporary shelters on higher ground.

Wednesday’s tsunami, triggered by a powerful 8.0 magnitude earthquake, generated 1.5-metre waves that damaged or destroyed several coastal communities and flooded Lata airstrip.

As they scrambled to reach smashed villages, disaster relief agencies warned the death toll was likely to rise.

Aid agency World Vision, which also dispatch relief supplies to Temotu yesterday, said some houses in the town of Venga were shifted 10 metres by the surge of water and 95 per cent of homes in Nela village were washed away.

“I’m currently walking through one community and I’m knee-deep in water,” World Vision emergency coordinator Jeremiah Tabua said.

“I can see a number of houses that have been swept away by the surge,” he told AAP.

Mr Rove said the national government had asked the Royal Australian Air Force to send a plane to survey damage to the island.

“We’re hoping for it to happen some time today, if possible,” he said.

Mr Rove said an estimated 3,000 people were homeless, with many villagers fleeing the coast for higher ground and taking shelter in makeshift camps in the rugged hills.

Red Cross disaster manager Cameron Vudi said reconnaissance flights were made over the island yesterday to assess the scale of the damage but initial reports indicated at least 460 homes had been destroyed.

He said the death toll was likely to rise as reports came in from isolated communities.

“We’re expecting changes. There are signs that there might be increases in the number of casualties,” he said.

“There are still reports coming in. Most of the reports are confined to areas that are accessible by road but there are a lot more communities that have been damaged.”

The US Geological Survey said the powerful quake struck beneath the sea about 76 kilometres west of the provincial capital Lata, on the large island of Nende, at a depth of 28.7 kilometres.

It was followed by dozens of strong aftershocks of up to 7.0 magnitude and the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre put several island nations on alert for two-and-a-half hours before declaring the threat had passed.

In 2007 a tsunami following an 8.0-magnitude earthquake killed at least 52 people in in Western and Choiseul provinces and left thousands homeless.

The quake lifted the island of Ranogga and pushed out its shoreline by dozens of metres.

The Solomons are part of the “Ring of Fire”, a zone of tectonic activity around the Pacific that is subject to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

In December 2004, a 9.3-magnitude quake off Indonesia triggered a catastrophic tsunami that killed 226,000 people around the Indian Ocean.

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Posted by: nativeiowan | February 6, 2013

Lata earth quake/ tsunami newz

Six dead, others missing

Deadly tsunami caused widespread destructions on Santa Cruz islands

UP to six people were confirmed dead and others still missing after a deadly tsunami hit coastal villages on Santa Cruz island, Temotu Province yesterday.

The tsunami was triggered by a powerful 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck near 33 kilometres west-southwest of Santa Cruz Island, just after 12pm.

Authorities say two people were killed at Nela village, one in Luova village, a child in Bimbir village, one at Venga village, one dead and three still missing at Malo village.

Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Chanel Iroi confirmed the casualties, but added the death could rise.

He said lack of communication to other parts of the province have made it impossible to get actual assessments.

But he said an assessment team will be dispatch to the province soon.

Mr Iroi said the five villages were badly damaged by the tsunami with shelters no longer standing and people escaped to higher ground for safety.

“The Lata airport has also been swept over by waves and reports have indicated that there’s lots of debris including logs on the runway,” Mr Iroi said.

Reports said about 30 minutes after a Solomon Airlines aircraft left the airfield, the tsunami struck.

Mr Iroi said police officers at Lata and others have been called upon to clear the debris from the airport so the assessment team can land safely on ground by plane.

He said they were unable to get confirm reports from Temotu’s outer islands in the Reefs, Vanikoro, Utupua, and Tikopia.

Mr Iroi added Makira and Malaita provinces have reportedly experienced unusual rise of sea level but there were no reports of damages or casualties.

Police Commissioner John Lansley yesterday said his officers in Lata are helping our in assessing damages and evacuation in the nearby villages.

Mr Lansley said he will accompany the assessment team to Lata this morning.

Mr Iroi said that the assessment team is expected to be made up of a number of people from various specialist areas, including two doctors.

“Until the assessment team completes their findings on ground, there is no other information as yet but will give an update report as soon as they arrive there,” Mr Iroi said.

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Posted by: nativeiowan | January 26, 2013

more of the same?

Have not checked the news for a couple days…. It ain’t good…

300 more dolphins slaughtered

Dolphin capture is a common practice in the Northern region of Malaita. (File photo)

AS this week’s slaughter of over 700 dolphins by Fanalei villagers attracted worldwide condemnation, the villagers refuse to back down.A reported 300 more dolphins were slaughtered yesterday morning.

Fanalei chief Willson Filei said the villagers are on a “killing spree”.

“I actually spoke out against the hunt which started early this week with over 700 dolphins, but villagers were encouraged by the Fanalei Honiara-based Committee Members, who have been working against the Fanalei-Earth Island Institute (EII) project, since day one of establishing the agreement,” Chief Filei said.

He said he is the anointed chief recognised by the southern region of Malaita to have represent Fanalei.

“But villagers seemed not to take heed of my advice because they were badly influenced by members of the Fanalei Honiara-based committee members.”

He said he is not part of the mass slaughter of dolphins which started this week.

“But to confirm, more than 300 were slaughtered this morning (yesterday). Also on Monday’s slaughter of over 700 dolphins, 240 of them were calves (baby dolphins).

“That was a total waste because these calves do not worth anything. Calves do not have teeth, so it was a waste of the young dolphins’ lives. Even if they were released, they won’t survive because their mothers were already killed.”

He continued to point a finger at the Honiara based committee which he said was influenced by those who should be helping the community.

“We are from one tribe but these people seem not to care about the welfare of those people at home. Some of these people include the likes of Polycarp Kaelafa, Ethel Sigimanu and Atkin Fakaia.”

Chief Filei said he cared more about the deal with EII because he was the person who struck the deal at the first place.

“The Honiara based committee was only formed when they learn that money was actually coming in. They refused and discourage us at the first place.

“But when money came in they tried to push their way in. They then messed up the whole project and encourage villagers to return to hunt.

“I wash my hands from this recent string of slaughter.”

The mass slaughter on Monday this week has attracted widespread condemnation from people, environmentalists and conservationists overseas.

The Solomon Star understands the community is in their hunting period which often takes three months.

The traditional hunting practice is carried out once a year for three month, from January to March.

The current hunting period is expected to continue until March.

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Posted by: nativeiowan | January 22, 2013

gotta luv dem islands…

Villagers slaughter 700 dolphins in retaliation

VILLAGERS of Fanalei in South Malaita have caught and slaughtered about 700 dolphins yesterday amidst condemnation by dolphin activists and Earth Island Institute (EII).

The mass capture and slaughter was made after villagers refused to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sealed with EII.The two-year MOU expired in April last year.

Chairman of Fanalei Honiara based association Atkin Fakaia said his people resorted to their normal way of hunting dolphins after EII failed to honour the agreement.

“In the MOU, EII promised to give us $2.4 million, but they only gave us $700, 000,” Mr Fakaia said.

He said people cannot wait because they need money to survive in the local economy.

“They go back to hunting dolphin in order to sell the dolphin teeth and meat to earn money,” he said.

EII director Lawrence Makili blamed the Fanelei-Honiara based association for allegedly misusing the more than $400,000 he gave towards the end of 2011 following a consensus given by people in the village.

He alleged that it was the committee that misused the funds because EII is still waiting for them to surrender their retirements.

Mr Makili said this is the reason why EII agreed to give projects to individual families who applied rather than dishing out hard cash.

However, Makili said because the people have disobeyed and continued to hunt dolphins, EII has no option but to cut the funding.

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Posted in DATED COMMENTARY | Tags: dolphin hunting, Malaita, slaughter dolphins

Posted by: nativeiowan | January 22, 2013

the land of Oz

Back in QLD. 2 days of long-haul trucking to get home.

Did right on 5000k.

What a great and wonderous land this place is…

IMG_0439

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Posted by: nativeiowan | January 14, 2013

family are fun…

Had the fun and enriching experience of meeting family from my Mother’s, Father’s people.

97 yr old Thomas was a gas. When Gracie asked him how old he was he smiled huge and said “21”.

Thomas’ father was my grandfather, Andrew Angelos’, brother.

So Thomas and my mother, Helen, are cousins:

I found out a lot about the Angelos family I had never known. It was a great time.

So long lost family all found and life is good…

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Posted by: nativeiowan | January 5, 2013

tru tumas…

Sad day for media freedom

Men demand compensation from Star

A GROUP of men yesterday marched to the Solomon Star office at China Town and demanded compensation over a front page news article that appeared in the Solomon star.They claimed to be relatives of a womean referred to in the news article, who allegedly had an affair with Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.

The article focused specifically on Mr Lilo’s lawyer, Nuatali Tongarutu, putting the local media on notice not to publish anything about the allegation.

Four men arrived in a tinted car and argued the article was disrespectful.

They made threats and intimidated the editor and the reporter who penned the article.

They returned later at mid-day and insisted the matter be settled according to custom – which was the payment of compensation.

The Solomon Star contacted its lawyer, who advised against paying compensation to the men.

Our lawyer Andrew Nori wrote:

“As a lawyer from Malaita and someone with some knowledge of Malaita custom, the claim for compensation as evidenced was completely uncalled for.

“In custom, compensation is only justified when a ‘wrong has been committed’.

“My client have not committed any wrong neither in custom nor in law.”

Solomon Star chief of staff Ednal Palmer said the action of this group was a “sad day for freedom of information in Solomon Islands”.

“The news article was straight forward,” Mr Palmer said.

“The Solomon Star was merely reporting what has already been published in the social media and read by thousands of people out there.

“The focus of the article was the contents of a letter sent to Forum Solomon Islands International and all media outlets by Mr Lilo’s lawyer.”

Mr Palmer said this culture of compensation must be condemned at the highest level.

He said what happened was a clear threat to the freedom of expression and the right of the people of Solomon Islands to know.

“This allegation involves the father of the country and is of great public interest, but we take all legally precautionary measures to ensure the report only carry the drama between FSII, the PM’s lawyer and the media. The Solomon Star did not even made any claims that the PM involved in the saga.

“Therefore we are prepared to defend the freedom of information and the right of people to know, in court.

“The Solomon Star has learned from reliable sources that one or two political cronies of the prime minister were behind the group to intimidate the media, particularly this newspaper,” he said.

Mr Palmer said the freedom and the right of the people of the Solomon Islands to express and know, must never be thwarted by those with political interests and agendas.

“Yes, freedom of information comes with responsibility and that article did. Anyone in their right mind would not disagree.”

Daughter of the founder of the Solomon Star Elizabeth Siota who is related to those people said a sum of $2000 she privately gave to the men yesterday was from her own pocket and for their blood relation.

“It was on behalf of our family, for our blood relation, but not on behalf of the company, and I made that quite clear to them as well.”

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Posted by: nativeiowan | January 5, 2013

gotta luv dem islands, mon…

Yep, in classic island fashion…

Local media warned

PM Lilo’s lawyer has warned the media not to publish the PM’s personal life.

PM’s lawyer tells news outlets not to publish allegations

A LAWYER acting for Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo yesterday warned all media outlets not to publish allegations of Mr Lilo’s extra-marital affairs.Nuatali Tongarutu issued the warning after a member of the Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) posted the allegations on the group’s facebook page, which had attracted numerous comments from members.

In the post, it was alleged Mr Lilo paid $5,000 compensation to relatives of a woman he reportedly had an affair with.

This was after relatives of the Malaitan woman wrote a letter to the prime minister last November demanding $150,000 compensation.

Mr Lilo allegedly paid only $5,000 of the amount demanded.

Mrs Tongarutu wrote to FSII’s chief executive officer Ben Afuga hours after the post appeared on the facebook page and demanded its removal.

She said the content of the post was baseless and the allegation bears no element of truth.

“Whoever is responsible in pulling this stunt has a political agenda to publically ridicule the prime minister,” Mrs Tongarutu said.

“There is no evidence to substantiate the article which you have allowed to be posted in your facebook and has already received several comments in response.

“By allowing the article to be posted in your facebook, you are allowing the public to entertain personal grudges against individuals which may have adverse consequences.

“By entertaining the article, you are likely to personally face criminal prosecution on charges of libel as well as being sued for defamation of character.

“I therefore seek your cooperation by immediately pulling out the article from your facebook.”

Mrs Tongarutu copied the letter to all media outlets, warning them “not to publish a baseless and false article in their newspapers otherwise I hold instructions to commence legal proceedings for defamation”.

By last night, FSII has not removed the post from its facebook page.

Instead, Mr Afuga said the FSII management has resolved to refer the matter to the Leadership Code Commission for investigation.

He added his group will be making a position statement on the matter, soon.

The controversy emerged as Prime Minister Lilo left for his home village in Western Province yesterday for a brief holiday.

He stopped over in Munda and boarded a high-speed outboard motor canoe to Rendova island where he’s visiting relatives.

This afternoon, he’ll travel to his home village on Kolombangara island.

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Posted by: nativeiowan | January 4, 2013

I really like this…

… and in the world of climate change and global warming and chicken little crying the “sky is falling”… it is easy to see how one could be confused per “whether the money was for climate change or to buy bech-de-mer”.

Sore lo solomoni

$2m pay-out queried

FRIDAY, 04 JANUARY 2013 04:49

A CONTROVERSIAL $2 million was paid out by the government to the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) people without Cabinet approval, sources say.

According to government sources, the money was paid out by the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change to the Luaniua and Pelau community to facilitate climate change programmes.However, the source said after some disagreements within Cabinet, a cabinet paper was withdrawn following confusions because the amount was not enough and whether the money was for climate change or to buy bech-de-mer.

But without cabinet’s approval, sources said on 28 December 2012, the Ministry of Environment paid the $2 million through to a private business account under the Indigenous Pelau Business Association (IPBA).

It is understood IPBA is managed by Hugo K’clay.

In a letter the Solomon Star obtained, on 30th December last year, Mr K’clay wrote to the Environment minister and listed the breakdowns of bech-de-mer consignments they would be using the $2 million to pay for.

The source said the letter indicated that the money paid to IPBA was not for climate change purposes but to buy bech-de-mer in Ontong Java, Malaita Outer Islands.

“We are questioning who authorised the release of the money into the private business account without the approval of Cabinet,” the source said.

“And if the money was for bech-de-mer then why was it paid out because as far as we are concerned bech-de-mer harvesting and selling is prohibited.”

When this paper contacted Environment Minister Bradley Tovosia yesterday, he said he was not in a position to comment, advising us to talk to his permanent secretary.

However, several attempts to speak to the permanent secretary were unsuccessful.

But the Solomon Star understands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has already been briefed on the issue and Mr Lilo was quiet unhappy with the unauthorised payment without Cabinet’s approval.