Russell Islands

The Russell Islands are two small islands (Pavuvu and Mbanika), as well as several islets, of volcanic origin, in the Central Province of Solomon Islands.[1] They are located approximately 48 kilometres (30 miles) northwest of Guadalcanal.[1] The islands are partially covered in coconut plantations, and have a copra and oil factory at Yandina (on Mbanika).[2] Yandina also has basic services, including a store, post office, and airport.

See also Russell Island (disambiguation).
Russell Islands

People

The Lavukal people live on these islands. Their language is Lavukaleve.[3] There is also a settlement of Polynesians, resettled from Tikopia, that lives in Nukufero on the west side of the larger island, Pavuvu.[1] In 1956 the Levers Pacific Plantations company donated 80 acres for use for this resettlement, and later added another 125 acres in the 1960s. This land was subdivided into 4 acre lots for each family. Five hundred people from Tikopia had migrated there by 1965.[4] Te Ariki Taumako who was the third Chief of Tikopia, made an official visit to Nukufero in 1965.[4]

In Yandina, people from all over the Solomon Islands have come to work for the plantation. In addition to their native languages, they speak Solomon Island Pijin, the lingua franca of the Solomon Islands.

History

In March 1943, as part of American military operations during the Solomons campaign of World War II, the islands were occupied by U.S. troops.[1] Remnants of the U.S. presence, such as concrete slabs and large metal storage sheds, still exist. Unexploded ordnance was left behind, including land mines, and bounding anti-personnel mines.[5] Two barges are sunk off the wharf.[6]

The Yandina police station was the scene of one of the opening events of ethnic tensions, where a group of men raided the armoury and stole some high-powered weapons and ammunition. The group involved became known as the Guadalcanal Revolutionary Army, and later as the Isatabu Freedom Movement.[7]

Yandina was the site of a RAMSI post.[8]

Facilities

Havuna Primary School and Yandina Community High School are in the Russell Islands. In 2013 members of the Australian Navy HMAS Tarakan (L 129) rebuilt class rooms in the high school. At that time the principal was Augustine Olibuma.[5] HMAS Diamantina (M 86) and HMAS Huon (M 82) sailors visited the high school in 2016.[9]

At one time the Yandina Plantation Resort provided tourist accommodation for scuba divers.[10][11] It opened in October 2000 with 12 guest rooms.[12]

Geography
Russell Islands map

North of the western island Pavuvu are the islets Mane Island, Leru Island, Marulaon Island, and Hanawisi. South of Pavuvu is Boloka, and Alokan Island. Eastwards from Mbanika is Loun Island, Telin Island, and Moie, and Laumuan Island. Northeast of Mbanika is Koemurun Island and Kaukau Island. Other localities on the large island are Lokioleme and Pipisala. On Pavuvu in addition to Yandina, there is also Suun.

References
  1. Moore, Clive. "Russell Islands - Place". Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  2. Moore, Clive (2013). "Levers Pacific Plantations Pty. Ltd. - Corporate entry". Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  3. "The Russel Islands". Yandina Resort. Archived from the original on 6 February 2007.
  4. Moore, Clive. "Tikopia and Santa Ana Resettlement Scheme - Concept - Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978". www.solomonencyclopaedia.net. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  5. Tony White (20 November 2013). "Operation RENDER SAFE rebuilds Yandina school". Navy Daily. Royal Australian Navy. Archived from the original on 2014-12-16. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  6. "Diving". Yardina Resort. Archived from the original on 6 February 2007.
  7. Violence and the Guadalcanal Uprising in Solomon Islands - a militants view
  8. Edwards, Bruce (1 November 2004). "Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands FACT SHEET". DFAT. Archived from the original on 15 November 2004. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  9. Mitchell Hosking (15 October 2016). "Lesson in soccer for Huon". Navy Daily. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  10. DiveWorld, uemis. "Gizo / Tauchspots / DiveWorld - uemis DiveWorld". www.uemis.org. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  11. Yandina Resort Archived 2006-01-02 at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Resort Facilities". Archived from the original on 6 February 2007.

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