Concept: Honours Awards

Details

British Awards


Solomon Islanders have received honours and awards from the British government and from the Royal Humane Society (q.v.). A special award was created for the Western Pacific High Commission and other British awards were also given. The list below is incomplete since it relies on newspapers and occasional mentions in the BSIP Archives, but it includes the large majority of awards in the 1960s and 1970s.


King's Silver Jubilee Medal


Timothy Kakaluae, District Headman, Malaita (1935)


Western Pacific High Commission Certificate and Badge of Honour


Leading Solomon Islanders were often awarded Certificates and Badges of Honour by the High Commissioner for meritorious service to the Protectorate. The rules, first published in 1954, provided for a Certificate and a bronze medal, with a ribbon of yellow watered silk, to be awarded to residents of BSIP and the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. New rules, published in October 1961, extended the awards to the New Hebrides (Vanuatu), and the badge was redesigned to include the words 'Western Pacific High Commissioner' which were inscribed around it. The new badge bore the Queen's effigy on the obverse, and on the reverse, a frigate bird, a turtle, and two flying fish against a background of the sun rising over a sea horizon, with a hibiscus flower growing from the border at the base of the medal. Some of the early recipients were:


Mathew Taupongi, District Headman (1957)


Milton Talasasa (q.v.) (1957)


Timmy Ramoagalo (q.v.) (1960)


Silas Sitai (q.v.) (1960)


Rev. Alan Piva, Melanesian Mission, Sikaiana (1962)


Frederick Ani'i, Agricultural Assistant (1962)


Job Tamana, Higher Clerical Officer, BSIP Treasury (1962)


Mahlon Moite'e, Dresser, Malaita Council (1963)


Livae Papaku, District Headman, Choiseul (1964)


Willie Rono, Chief Mechanic, Marine Department (1965)


Dick Padavisu, former Dresser, Central Hospital (1965)


Alphonse Waleromoa, overseer, Ports Authority (1966)


Zephanian Sala, Geological Assistant (1966)


Rose Fanai, Kirakira Hospital (1967)


Frederick Pado, District Headman (1967)


Fukha Maringe, Isabel Island (1967)


Ariel Otalifua, Headman and President, To'aba'ita Native Court, Malaita (1968)


Benjamin Anelau (q.v.), teacher, Diocese of Melanesia (1969)


Abel Pitakamoki, Boe, Choiseul (1969)


Benjamin Anelau (1969)


Felix Hagaworitara, Headman, Rawo/Haununu, Makira (1973)


James Muaki, Dresser, Medical Department (1973)


Willie Pada, Higher Executive Officer, Education Department (1973)


Zephania Sala, Assistant Geologist, Department of Geological Survey (1973)


British Empire Medal (B.E.M.)


Bunga (q.v.), Police Officer (1946)


Peter Waitasu (q.v.) (1948)


Veronica Suria, Staff Nurse, Medical Department (1962)


Esau Hiele, Higher Education Officer (1964)


Simeon Makini, Customs Department (1964)


Martin Maeheta, Chief Bosun, Marine Department (1965)


Jabin Warahimae, District Headman, Hauhui, Malaita (1967)


Willie Vaka, Public Works Department (1969)


William Piato, Assistant Forester, Gizo (1970)


Tertius Gwangi, Chief Warder, Prisons Department (1971)


Bus Alea, Deck Officer, Marine Department (1971)


Silas Olomaelana, Headman, East Mbaelelea, Malaita (1972)


Warren Rogita. Head Cook, Government House (1972)


George Tara, Senior Marine Engineer (1973)


Ishmael Tavake, driver, Ministry of Education (1976)


Dyson Jimuru, member, Western Council (1976)


Elijah Maesuga, Clerk, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (1976)


William Siemanea, Assistant Geologist (1977)


Moses Pitakaka (q.v.) (1977)


Joseph Olu, President, Santa Cruz Local Court (1977)


Charles Luiramo (q.v.) (1993)


Peter Sasabule (q.v.) (year unknown)


Ishmael Itea (q.v.) (year unknown)


Salana Ga'a (q.v.) (year unknown)


Member of the British Empire (M.B.E.)


Jacob Vouza, Sergeant-Major (1957)


Willie G. Paia (q.v.) (1961)


Solomon Dakei (q.v.), Senior X-ray Technician, Central Hospital (1962)


Michael Rapasia (q.v.), Vice-President, Guadalcanal Council (1968)


Gideon Zoloveke (q.v.), Senior Health Education Officer, Medical Department (1968)


Temeaus Teioli, Executive Officer, Malaita District administration (1968)


Rupeni Saqaleka Tawake, Public Works Department (1969) (Fijian)


Alphonse Daga (q.v.), Geographical Surveys Department (1970)


Silas Sitai (q.v.), Administrative Officer Class B (1970)


John Holden Lianga Gina (q.v.), Higher Executive Officer, Statistics Branch (1973)


Arnon 'Atoomea (q.v.), General Secretary, SSEC (1975)


Leonard Maenuna, Head Teacher, Auki (1975)


Daniel Buto, Chief Secretary's Office (1976)


Henry Raraka Koga (q.v.), Industrial Relations Manager, Guadalcanal Plains Ltd. (1976)


Rose Ormae, nurse, Ministry for Health and Welfare (1976)


John Kilatu (q.v.), medical doctor (1976)


Jack Campbell (q.v.) (1977)


Wilfred Benjamin Kiriau (q.v.), Deputy Police Commissioner (1977)


Samuel Saki, President, Tasimboko Local Court (1978)


Albert Hoahanikeni, Police Inspector, Malaita (1978)


Walter Titus Togonu, Treasurer, Eastern Outer Islands Council (1978)


Domonic Otuana, Clerk, Honiara Town Council (1978)


Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.)


Rt. Rev. Leonard Alufurai (q.v.), Diocese of Melanesia (1964)


William Arthur Bennett (q.v.), Assistant Broadcasting Officer (1967)


James Michael Wall (q.v.), Society of Marists (1967)


Gideon Zoloveke (q.v.), Senior Health Education Officer (1968)


Michael Rapasia (q.v.), Vice-President, Guadalcanal Council (1968)


Timeaus Teioli, Executive Officer, Malaita District (1968)


Willie Betu (q.v.), Finance Minister (1976)


Isaac Qoloni (q.v.), Permanent Secretary, Home Affairs (1976)


David Kausimae (q.v.), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (1976)


Leonard Maenu'u (q.v.), Permanent Secretary, Foreign Trade, Industry and Labour (1977)


John Sisolo (q.v.), Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health and Welfare (1977)


Frank Ofagioro Kabui (q.v.) (year unknown)


Mariano Kelesi (q.v.) (year unknown)


Knighthood


The only knighthood given before independence was to Frederick Osifelo (q.v.) (1977)


Since 1978 many knighthoods have been awarded. The list below is incomplete.


Jacob Vouza (q.v.) (1979)


Baddeley Devesi (q.v.) (1980)


Peter Kenilorea (q.v.) (1982)


Dudley Tuti (q.v.) (1988)


Lloyd Maepeza Gina (q.v.) (1990)


Ellison Leslie Pogo (q.v.) (1990)


Mariano Kelesi (q.v.) (1992)


Nathaniel Rahumaea Waena (q.v.) (2005)


Frank Kabui (q.v.) (2010)


Francis Billy Hilly (q.v.) (2012)


Bruce Saunders (1912)


Trevor Garland (year unknown, 2010?)


David Kausuimae (q.v.) (year unknown)


Allan Kemakeza (q.v.) (year unknown)


John Lapli (year unknown, 2000?)


George Lepping (year unknown, 1995?)


(The independent Solomon Islands continues to use the British Honours system as well as its own national system.)


Solomon Islands Honours and Awards System


The first national medal was called the Solomon Islands Independence Medal. After independence a committee was established to design and regulate awards to supplement the British awards. The awards were designed to be all of the 'neck hanging' variety to ensure that all Solomon Islanders could wear them equally, without requiring European clothing, although there was also provision for the awards to be worn with the riband under the collar. Ribands can also be worn above the pickets of dinner jackets or lounge suits. On 17 March 1981, Governor-General Sir Baddeley Devesi (q.v.) was empowered by Royal warrant to institute the regulation of an Order of Solomon Islands. This was amended on 5 October 1982 (although it came into force from 22 September 1982 and became known as The Order of Solomon Islands [Amendment] Regulations, 1982). An Honours and Awards Committee was created to make recommendations to the Prime Minister on appointments, terminations or restorations to the Order.


Star of Solomon Islands


The Star of Solomon Islands was intended to be an elite first class award, and Queen Elizabeth II was the first recipient in 1982. The Court of St. James has placed this award immediately above the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. It has primarily been awarded to Heads of State and significant international leaders. No Solomon Islander holds this award.


Cross of Solomon Islands


The Cross of Solomon Islands was intended to be the second class of award for any Solomon Islander or expatriate for conspicuous and outstanding service. No more than ten can be awarded at one issue, and the intention was that there be no more than fifty members of the award at any one time. The Court of St. James has placed this award immediately above the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.


Solomon Islands Medal


The Solomon Islands Medal was intended to be the third class of award for any Solomon Islander or expatriate for distinguished service. There were categories for civilians and members of the disciplined forces, and the intention was that there not be more than forty awarded in any one year, or more than two hundred members at one time. The Court of St. James has placed this award immediately above the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.


Solomon Islands Meritorious Service Medal


The Meritorious Service Medal was constituted to be more widely awarded and was intended to replace the British Colonial Police Medals.


Solomon Islands Independence Medal


The Independence Medal was awarded to commemorate independence on 7 July 1978 (and only on that occasion) to Solomon Islanders and expatriates. (O'Callaghan and O'Callaghan 1986)

Related Concepts

Published resources

Books

  • O'Callaghan, Ruth, and O'Callaghan, Patrick, Solomon Islands Honours and Awards, Government Printer, Honiara, 1986, 38 pp. Details