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Showing posts from November 2, 2025

Reflection on My First Day Back at Work – Lessons in Project Risk and Management

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
Today marked my return to work after the festive season and the beginning of 2026. I did not expect the day to bring such an eye-opening experience — one that made me smile, reflect, and learn. I was confronted by five frustrated workers from the appointed contractor for the JCPU Administration Building project. One of the workers had just been released from temporary detention at the police station after the contractor reported them. You can imagine the emotional state of someone who had just come out of detention — stressed, confused, and upset. I took time to talk with them and quickly noticed several failures in the current project management that contributed to this situation. I believe these setbacks are rooted in the early stages of the project, particularly in the following areas: 1. Procurement system of the project 2. Planning phase, including costing and scheduling 3. Lack of written agreements between the main contractor and subcontractors 4. Incompetence and poor leadershi...
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The Day Death Got Confused In The Neighborhood

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
The Day Death Got Confused in Our Neighbourhood 😂 Life in the islands is never short of surprises — sometimes funny, sometimes unbelievable, and sometimes both! Yesterday, our noisy neighborhood turned into a full-blown gossip zone after one small rumor went wild. It started with a whisper, spread like wildfire, and before long… even death got confused! As I approached the Market Haus , where we usually sell betel nut and smoke — common sight all around Honiara — I sensed something was off. The atmosphere was heavy, and I could see distress in the eyes of my three cousins and our neighbor friend, Ms. Salmis. My cousin brother was on the phone, but not in his usual tone. Mmm… something’s not right, I thought. Walking past him, I saw my other cousin brother, sister, and Salmis talking — no smiles, just serious faces full of concern. Then my cousin sister said in Solomon Pijin , “Yah, ota seh ota runem hem kam from KwaHill yah.” My other cousin added, “Ma naratime yah, na Koko’o Au tor...
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Bride Price in Solomon Islands: Tradition, Love and Mordern Change

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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In solomon islands we have different customs and cultures across our beautiful islands. Some are similar, some differs from island to island, languages, ethnic groups and so forth. However, it is  common in many Solomon islands culture the practice of ceremonial  Brideprice which also differs accordingly.  Bride price in Solomon Islands has always been a ways to show respect and connections between families. I will briefly discuss from the perspective of a Malaitan woman living now in this error.  Mostly, a general view and from my personal experience and not from any specific language or ethnic group in Malaita regardless of my background from various parts of Malaita. ( central, East and North). Traditional Bride Price : A True Pride in Solomon Islands.  Shell Money ( Bride Price) Typical Malaita Bride in her accustomed decors. With her two helps accompanying her during the time she is being led to the man's village, Tribe and people.  I remember...
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First Day Of Work : Visit To Dream Cast

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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Introduction We took off at about 8am in the morning with all the children getting ready for school.  A daily routine for the kids ( my nieces and nephews) with lunch boxes for each packed with fruits as they hurriedly put in their back packs.  we dropped them off at Naha primary school , Florence young and me atlast at All Saints ( my new office to be) at 8:55 am. Going in I was met by the Human Resource manager and the Technical coordinator with affirmation to formally kick off my official duties on Monday.  Thinking of what I would do next, I called my old time school mate who was an accountant by profession but follows his passion instead in photography and filming. We met at Dream Cast Hub and had a good afternoon catchup with 2 cups of coffee each and some pancakes.  It is my first time to be introduced to this place. About Dreamcast Hub It was my first time to be here and learn about this place. It was a semi-permanant building. A combination of modern and ...
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A Typical Sunday in Honiara

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
Sundays in Honiara always have a different rhythm. The air feels softer, the city slows down, and the sea calls quietly from the coast. After church, families pack their coolers, grab mats, and head to the beaches — it’s our little weekend tradition. For me, there’s no better way to end the week than dipping my toes into the warm ocean and breathing in that salty island breeze. By midday, Kakabona Beach is already alive. Kids run barefoot and naked on the sand, shouting over the sound of the waves. Mats on the sand or sitting on the wooden tables, while the smell of BBQ fish and chicken and cassava drifts through the air as we share the food and looking out on the rolling waves. The sunlight glitters on the sea, and you can almost taste the salt in every laugh and splash. I joined my cousins and Aunt for laughter and jokes as the children are shouting and swimming in the waves. The water was just right — cool enough to chase away the afternoon heat. Between swims, we shared stories a...
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