DEAR EDITOR – Owaraha long term tourism project on Santa Anna Islands covers quite a large area of land that people depend on for roots crops and various fruit trees like coconuts, bread fruits, nuts and bananas.
As far as I’m aware, this tourism long term project covers Taraniwapu lands, Fangani Lands, Maroqorafu lands and Wairafa lake.
There is absolutely no need to have a large scale devastating tourism project for Santa- Anna Islands while infrastructure like wharves are not there.
Instead I would recommend mini- resorts and home stays only if water supplies and sanitation are considered a first priority before any development for Santa- Anna Island.
Somebody told me in the past that a fishery centre is about to be built on Santa- Anna’s Port Mary.
This is the kind of project the villagers would like to see.
Santa-Anna Island is a coral reef beach and high strong rocks on the weather coast of the Island facing open seas and high waves.
There is no fear of mosquito except sand flies. Visitors to the Island could see two very old custom houses at Natagera village and enjoy beach walks around the Island.
Of course, there were other interesting sites to visit on beach and bush walks without fear.
On Santa-Catalina Island (Owariki) you could see the real spear fighting and many traditional cultural activities that were surprising and very exciting to watch.
To our foreign visitors fly east to Santa- Anna Island and see the wonders of the coral reefs and white sandy beaches.
Mathias N. Waifo
Honiara
