Russell Islands

See also Russell Island (disambiguation).

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. They are located approximately 48 kilometres (30 miles) northwest from Guadalcanal. The islands are partially covered in coconut plantations, and have a copra and oil factory at Yandina. Yandina also has basic services, including a store, post office, and airport. The Lavukal people live on these islands. Their language is Lavukaleve. There is also a settlement of Polynesians, resettled from Tikopia, that lives in Nukufero on the west side of the larger island, Pavuvu. 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.

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. Remnants of the U.S. presence, such as concrete slabs and large metal storage sheds, still exist.

The Yandina police station was the scene of one of the opening events of recent 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.

Yandina was the site of a RAMSI post.

Havuna Primary School and Yandina Community High School are in the Russell Islands.

External links

Warning: most of these links seem to be dead

• Yandina Resort
• Solomon Is Broadcasting stories
• Violence and the Guadalcanal Uprising in Solomon Islands - a militants view
• RAMSI
• Solomon Star story