The Climate Challenger anchored at Kia, Ysabel Province. Photo: Bernard Manus
Our trip through the Solomon Islands so far has gone well with great coordination by The Nature Conservancy’s ground coordinating team- John Pita on Ysabel and TNC staff in Honiara. The communities of Kia and Buala hosted us with great hospitality. We did our usual culture, conservation and climate change awareness presentations which were really well received and appreciated by both the people and community leaders of Kia and Buala. In Kia the crew were able to meet the famous Rence Zama, ‘Home For Hawksbill’ movie star, and video interview some locals on climate change issues.
Climate Challenger crew pose with Rence Zama, ‘Home For Hawksbill’ film star at Kia. Photo: Manuai Matawai
The group also met Richard Hamilton and Glen Almany, marine scientists on Kia doing research on the hump head parrot fish. It has been a great experience for the crew to see new places for the first time. It has been a memorable journey so far that will never be forgotten.
The Climate Challenger departs Kia for Buala with Richard Hamilton on board. Photo by Manuai Matawai
On Buala, the crew were able to do a demo site for a dry stone wall next to Ivan Rotu’s place. We also left a copy of the dry stone wall video with Rotu for anyone interested. More than 50 people came to observe the walling demonstration. Manoi Ponowan also met with two people suffering from cancer and kidney stones. Manoi wasted no time looking around the forest searching for herbal medicine to treat the two patients.
Crew pose for picture, ready to perform at Provincial Government Office, Buala. Photo by Ivan Rotu
Climate Challenger crew build a 7 metre long dry stone wall on Buala as demonstration site for coastal protection. Photo by Manuai Matawai
Climate Challenger crew with Ivan Rotu and family after final stage of stone wall construction
We left Buala on Sunday afternoon around 5 pm crossing over the western tip of Ysabel. The weather was quite rough with thunderstorms but the moon gave us plenty of light to find our way. We arrived in Honiara around 3 pm. Willie Atu from The Nature Conservancy and the media team met us on the way and escorted us to the Honiara Yacht Club. The crew joined other TNC partners here in Honiara for the welcome reception dinner at the Sea King Restaurant. Yesterday, the team performed a cultural dance at the Honiara National Museum and will do more presentations this week including one for the Australian High Commissioner this Thursday night.
Manuai
Climate Challenger arrives at Honiara and crew pose with friend Jimmy Atu, son of Willie Atu – photo by Manuai Matawai
Joseph Ambou and Peter Ramohia thumbs up to celebrate safe journey through Honiara. Crew were hosted for dinner with TNC partners at Sea King Restaurant. Photo by Bernard Manus.
Climate Challenger dancers at Honiara Art Gallery/Museum.
Manuai introduces crew to public after cultural dance at National Museum. Photo by Bernard Manus
The Climate Challenger Voyage 