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Russell Islands

Coordinates:9°04′S159°09′E/ 9.07°S 159.15°E/-9.07; 159.15
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
See alsoRussell Island (disambiguation).
Russell Islands
Image of the Sunlight Channel with Mbanika on the left and Pavuvu on right (click on the image for more details)
Map of the Russell Islands, Pavuvu Island is to the left and Mbanika Island is on the right
Administration
ProvinceCentral Province
Largest settlementYandina

TheRussell Islandsare two small islands (PavuvuandMbanika), as well as severalislets,of volcanic origin, in theCentral ProvinceofSolomon Islands.[1]They are located approximately 48 kilometres (30 miles) northwest ofGuadalcanal.[1]The islands are partially covered incoconutplantations, and have acopraand oil factory atYandina(onMbanika).[2]Yandina also has basic services, including a store, post office, and airport.

People

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The Lavukal people live on these islands. Their language isLavukaleve.[3]There is also a settlement of Polynesians, resettled fromTikopia,that lives in Nukufero on the west side of the larger island,Pavuvu.[1]In 1956 theLevers Pacific Plantationscompany 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 speakSolomon Island Pijin,thelingua francaof the Solomon Islands.

History

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In March 1943, as part ofAmericanmilitary operations during theSolomons campaignofWorld War II,the islands were occupied by U.S. troops. The US Navy builtNaval Base Banika Islanda large naval base in 1943.[5][6][1]Remnants of the U.S. presence, such as concrete slabs and large metal storage sheds, still exist.Unexploded ordnancewas left behind, includingland mines,andboundinganti-personnel mines.[7]Two barges are sunk off the wharf.[8]

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.[9]

Yandina was the site of aRAMSIpost.[10]

Facilities

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Havuna Primary School and Yandina Community High School are in the Russell Islands. In 2013 members of theAustralian NavyHMAS Tarakan (L 129)rebuilt classrooms in the high school. At that time the principal was Augustine Olibuma.[7]HMAS Diamantina (M 86)andHMAS Huon (M 82)sailors visited the high school in 2016.[11]

At one time the Yandina Plantation Resort provided tourist accommodation for scuba divers.[12][13]It opened in October 2000 with 12 guest rooms.[14]

Geography

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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

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  1. ^abcdMoore, Clive."Russell Islands - Place".Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978.Retrieved15 January2017.
  2. ^Moore, Clive (2013)."Levers Pacific Plantations Pty. Ltd. - Corporate entry".Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978.Retrieved15 January2017.
  3. ^"The Russel Islands".Yandina Resort. Archived fromthe originalon 6 February 2007.
  4. ^abMoore, Clive."Tikopia and Santa Ana Resettlement Scheme - Concept - Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978".solomonencyclopaedia.net.Retrieved15 January2017.
  5. ^"The History Behind The Russell Islands During WWII".April 11, 2022.
  6. ^"HyperWar: Building the Navy's Bases in World War II [Chapter 25]".ibiblio.org.
  7. ^abTony White (20 November 2013)."Operation RENDER SAFE rebuilds Yandina school".Navy Daily.Royal Australian Navy. Archived fromthe originalon 2014-12-16.Retrieved15 January2017.
  8. ^"Diving".Yardina Resort.Archived fromthe originalon 6 February 2007.
  9. ^Violence and the Guadalcanal Uprising in Solomon Islands - a militants view
  10. ^Edwards, Bruce (1 November 2004)."Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands FACT SHEET".DFAT. Archived fromthe originalon 14 November 2004.Retrieved15 January2017.
  11. ^Mitchell Hosking (15 October 2016)."Lesson in soccer for Huon".Navy Daily.Royal Australian Navy.Retrieved15 January2017.
  12. ^DiveWorld, uemis."Gizo / Tauchspots / DiveWorld - uemis DiveWorld".uemis.org.Retrieved15 January2017.
  13. ^Yandina ResortArchived2006-01-02 at theWayback Machine
  14. ^"Resort Facilities".Archived fromthe originalon 6 February 2007.
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9°04′S159°09′E/ 9.07°S 159.15°E/-9.07; 159.15

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