Solomon Islands Ready to Host 80th Commemoration of the Guadalcanal Campaign
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
‘PEACE, unity and friendship’ is the main objective to celebrate during the upcoming 80th Commemoration of the World War II Guadalcanal Campaign, starting on August 7.
Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) Bunyan (Barney) Sivoro made this reminder during a successful Press Conference leading up for the 80th Commemoration of the Guadalcanal Campaign next week held at Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.
Present at the Press Conference were a high level tourism sector panel consisting of the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) Bunyan (Barney) Sivoro, the Head of Sales and Marketing of Tourism Solomons Ms Fiona Teama, Travel Solomons owner Ms Karen Faimua, Australian High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan, Head of US Mission to Solomon Islands Russell Comeau, Japan Ambassador to SI Yoshiaki Miwa, New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Schwass and Bruce Saunders of SI Scouts and Coast Watchers.
It is understood that the upcoming ‘G80 event’ between August 7 and 10 will be the first biggest event since the reopening of Solomon Islands international borders in early July 2022 as the country and visitors are looking forward for the upcoming events collaborating with it.
PS Barney Sivoro during the opening of the Press Conference reminded that the upcoming commemoration event is very important in the history of Solomon Islands during World War II.
With the occurrence of Coronavirus (Covid-19) causing hiccup for a couple of years towards this annual celebration, Mr Sivoro said it is good to have the event back in program.
“It is really good to have the event back again so that we can continue with the celebration, collaboration and to maintain the tradition that we have in remembering those sacrificing their lives during World War II,” said Sivoro.
Head of US Mission to Solomon Islands Russell Comeau confirmed at the conference that they are bringing in a large delegation from the United States to commemorate the day, including Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman who is their number two Diplomat of the United States. Along with the Ambassador of the United States to Australia Caroline Kennedy (daughter of former Late US President John F. Kennedy), and a host of their senior officials, Deputy Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command Lieutenant General Stephen D. Sklenka and the Commander of the US Marine Force Pacific, Lieutenant General Steven R. Rudder.
“You are going to see a lot of us over the weekend, and we look forward to getting to know you, I know the delegation is quite excited to get here to interact and engage with people of Solomon Islands.
“But of course we remember our fallen, to honour their spirit and their courage, and to commemorate all those who sacrificed including Solomon Islands, friends and allies,” said Comeau.
The Head of US Mission said apart from their main focus on the event of memorial at ‘Skyline Ridge’, they will also have a ceremony regarding the commemoration of one of their man of honour, ‘US Coast Guard’. Those are the two big events for them.
“We also will be doing some bilateral discussions with the government here. I am grateful for our colleagues in the tourism ministry who have been so helpful in organising these events. I am grateful to be included at the ‘Bloody Ridge’ event.
“And in many ways while we are here to honour and commemorate many who fell during World War II, it is a fantastic opportunity to show the world that Solomon Islands is open for business, and as the world opens up, hopefully we can see more friendly faces come and share experiences of this country and help lift up the economic situation,” said Comeau.
Japan Ambassador to SI, His Excellency (HE) Yoshiaki Miwa looking forward to the events said from Japan’s viewpoint, this will be the first time to commemorate with five countries altogether, not only the countries who fought each other, but including Solomon Islands.
His Excellency said the anniversary is an interesting opportunity to recall what has taken place in the past years, and to look forward to what will be that 80 years as supporters from now on.
“Japan is sure and we would like to deepen and expand the level and the scope of that cooperation together with Solomon Islands and other allied countries, US, Australia and New Zealand, we have developed very good relationship,” said Miwa.
From Australia’s point of view, Australian High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan pointed out that on August 7 they will be commemorating the very important event of the Second World War including the sinking of the heavy Australian cruiser ‘Canberra’ on August 9.
“The battle for Guadalcanal was particularly important, faced the same time as the campaign in Papua New Guinea [PNG] that was all about the safety of the Australian nation, so those two campaigns were comparable. I think the really important thing for us to acknowledge is that 80 years later all of foes are now very close friends, and what we have brought together by today is in fact our common commitment to peace and stability.
“Another important part of the commemoration coming up next week is on the 9th of August, the heavy cruiser ‘Canberra’ sank, that was a shaking moment for the Australian nation, we only had two heavy cruisers, 84 Australian Naval personals lost their lives, their bodies were never retrieved, their bodies are still lying out there in the ‘Iron Bottom Sound’.
“Australia will be represented next week by senior political and military figures, and our program while our military and political figures are here on the ground will also include some bilateral balance.
“We want to very much demonstrate that our relationship with Solomon Islands is big, deep, wide ranging and very important,” said Strahan.
New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Schwass in updating explained that Solomon Islands was the closest field of battle to New Zealand, so their participation was about protecting their country in supporting the wider allied effort.
“It is very important that we take part in these commemorations to honour those who served and died from New Zealand but also, those of all the other nations involved, the US, Japan, Australia and of course Solomon Islands itself. And as others have remarked, we are all very close friends now.
“This year New Zealand is going to be presented by a large delegation, we are hoping it will be led by at the ministerial level, top military Officers and representatives of armed forces.
“There will be more than 30 in all arriving on Saturday, those involved will be taking part in all the commemorative events and we will also be visiting some of the development activities that we are involved in, and, we will be seeking some high level meetings as well,” said Schwass.
Meanwhile, it is said that the upcoming commemoration events for this year will have the biggest numbers of dignitaries to witness the Solomon Scouts and honour their services during the battle of Guadalcanal.
Bruce Saunders of Solomon Islands (SI) Scouts and Coast Watchers updated that there is going to be six to eight Solomon Islanders to be presented with medals and two of these are descendants of the two scouts who saved the late US President John F. Kennedy.
Ambassador Caroline Kennedy who will be taking part in the program according to Saunders is looking forward to making contact with the families and two of the recipients representing the scouts who rescued her late Father, the former US President, at western Solomon.
‘Tourism Solomons’ Head of Sales and Marketing Ms Fiona Teama in a brief overview on where their focus lies with the upcoming event said their perspective is basically to support MCT, as well as collaborating with ground and inbound tour operators.
“With the Guadalcanal 80th Anniversary, it will be a proud moment for each and every Solomon Islander, as we celebrate the shared relationship that we have shared over the sacrifices built together throughout the years up to this year.
“Linking the event with tourism, battlefield is one our niche markets, and it holds a very significant strength for the destination. We have been using the battlefield niche market as one of our key drivers to entice visitors to come and experience the beautiful country and the rich history that it holds both on land and underwater.
“We link our banners with emotions and events such as the ‘G80 event’ and that is how we market the destination. We are very happy that the countries are involved, US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand approximately 200 people are coming in in August, now the numbers are increasing, we have to confirm that with each of the countries as well.
“But exactly a month ago today we opened our borders, and we will be welcoming visitors to our shores again, that is the catalyst for tourism moving forward as we use these events to drive the future for tourism and as a strategy in moving forward,” said Teama.
For the main events, on Sunday August 7 will be the US commemoration at ‘Skyline’, Monday August 8 will be the commemoration at ‘Bloody Ridge National Peace Park’, Tuesday August 9 will be Private tours organised by Tours Operators and on Wednesday August 10 will be a World War II day trip to Tulaghi (Central Islands Province). The commemoration events are organised and coordinated by MCT and Tourism Solomons. The Tulaghi trip is organised by Travel Solomons.
