Kirakira

Kirakira
Location on Makira Island
Kirakira Location in the Solomon Islands
Coordinates: 10°27′S 161°55′E / 10.450°S 161.917°E / -10.450; 161.917
Country	Solomon Islands
Province	Makira-Ulawa
Island	Makira
Elevation	152 m (499 ft)
Population (2013)
• Total	2,461

Kirakira the provincial capital of the Makira-Ulawa Province in the Solomon Islands.^[1][2] Kirakira is located on the north coast of Makira (formerly San Cristobal), the largest island of the province. It has roads running 18 kilometres (11 mi) east to the Warihito River and 100 kilometres (62 mi) west to Maro'u Bay.^[3]

The Kirakira Airport is served by Solomon Airlines, which provides flights to Honiara and other destinations.^[4] The Airport is a grass strip and receives flights 4 times per week. Solomon Airlines, the national carrier, flies in and out of Kira Kira. It is a 45 minute flight from Honiara. Planes landing at the Airport vary in size from a 6 seat "Island-Hopper" to a 36 Seat "Dash 8" twin propeller jet. If there is too much rain, the airstrip can be too muddy to allow the planes to safely land.

The capital, KiraKira, is a small township of approximately 1000 people. The premier, Mr Thomas Weipe, is the local Makira-Ulawa representative for Solomon Islands parliament. His office is in KiraKira.

KiraKira does have electricity and running water. The electricity is produced by a diesel generator. There are often periods where there is no power each day for 1–2 hours while the generator is maintained. The town is nestled on the bay opposite the airport. Most people live in traditional Solomon Island houses. There is mobile phone coverage in KiraKira that allows for talk and text communication but not mobile Internet services. The Internet can usually only be accessed at the post office. Despite an annual rainfall in excess of 3 meters, there are challenges associated with securing the water supply for the town. A centerpiece for the community is a full sized soccer oval. You will find the young men having a social game of soccer each afternoon on the oval. 90% of the population on the Island is Christian with various denominations including Roman Catholic and South Pacific Christian churches found in the community. The majority of the population lives in rugged terrain in villages on the slopes of the mountains which are covered in dense jungle and rise along the spine of Makira Island.

There are primary and secondary schools in KiraKira. The majority of the economy is non-monetary with approximately 80% of the population engaged in subsistence farming. Fishing is another industry. Fresh fish can be found each morning, along with fruit and vegetables, which are sold from the markets which are located on the bay in the center of KiraKira. The diet available in KiraKira is traditional and this may have ensured that the problem of obesity, that is very common in other Melanesian communities, is not as big a problem yet. There is concern that the diet is changing, with more cheap processed foods, such as "two-minute noodles" becoming available in the stores, and this might lead to the diabetic epidemic that is present across much of the Western Pacific, reaching and affecting the people of Kira Kira.

Logging has been a controversial industry on KiraKira, with concerns expressed in the local community, that natural resources were being harvested without any demonstrable benefit being returned to the local community. RAMSI(Regional Assistance Mission for Solomon Islands) have built a number of new homes for the resident police force near the airport. The roads are not sealed and found only along the northern coastline of Makira Island on either side of KiraKira. The aid money from RAMSI has seen the construction of several new bridges which has made transport to KiraKira more accessible. There are only government owned motor vehicles on Makira Island. There is a "bus" service which consists of a flat top truck, that travels back and forth along the road from dawn to dusk, which will stop and give passengers a lift(As long as they are willing to hang on tight for the roads are bumpy!)

There is a small 60 bed hospital in KiraKira. There is only one full-time government employed doctor based at the hospital, Dr Rodney Talo. He is supported by a team of nursing staff. With very limited resources the hospital provides very effective health care to the community. Children have access to a comprehensive immunisation schedule and there are midwives who provide antenatal care and assist with deliveries. There is the capacity to manage infectious diseases such as TB and Malaria, which are common in KiraKira, with access to the appropriate medications to treat these infectious illnesses. Falciparum Malaria remains a major problem on KiraKira. Minor procedures such as drainage of abscesses and setting of fractures is available in KiraKira. Complex cases are referred on to the National Referral Hospital in Honiara and can be transported on one of the four commercial flights that leaves the island each week.The Patients that present for care will often have been bought by their family for a medical consultation after trekking for two or three days to see the doctor. Sadly there are some conditions, readily treated in developed nations, such as renal failure and cancer, for which there is no treatment available in KiraKira.

In 2013 Australian final year medical students have been completing placements on KiraKira from Bond University. Students have been placed in groups of 4 for a period of one month in KiraKira. Students have been welcomed as a much needed boost to the local health workforce and have assisted the doctor and the nursing staff with delivering health care to the people of KiraKira and Makira province. The medical students and Bond University staff have stayed at the Freshwinds GuestHaus in KiraKira. This place provides single rooms with an ensuite and Dinner and Breakfast for about $75 AUD per night and is very comfortable. Most recently students from other faculties of Bond University have visited KiraKira and completed repairs of the Hospital's pharmacy and repainted the birthing suite, with a plan that further aide efforts and improvements will follow in 2014. A group of Bond University students have formed a charity called, "IUMETOGEDA" which is pidgeon English for let's work together. The group have already raised several thousand dollars for the community of KiraKira and plan to expand on the good work that has been done by the students to date.

The people of KiraKira appear healthy and happy. There is very little violent crime in the community and it is safe to visit. There are beautiful crystal clear warm waters, with coral reefs, that are perfect for a snorkeling adventures on Makira-Ulawa and the nearby Islands. You must check that it is not "stinger" season as the warm waters are also home to Salt Water Crocodiles and Tiger Sharks in addition to an array of fish that are both beautiful to look at and make a wonderful dinner.

Climate

References

Coordinates: 10°27′S 161°55′E / 10.450°S 161.917°E / -10.450; 161.917