📢 Tina River Hydro Development Project Observes Chupu Ceremony with Roha and Gaegae Tribes.

The Project Office and Tina Hydropower Limited joined the Powerhouse landowning tribes and government representatives to honour Guadalcanal customary reconciliation protocol, culminating in a Memorandum of Understanding signing.

Central Guadalcanal, 28 July 2026 — The Tina River Hydropower Development Project has taken a decisive and proactive step in honouring the customary land rights of affected tribes and rebuilding trust following the successful conduct of a Chupu Ceremony at the Powerhouse Site.

The ceremony brought together representatives of the Roha Tribe, Gaegae Tribe, Habusi/Komureo and surrounding communities, the Project Office under the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Tina Hydropower Limited, Hyundai Engineering Company, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, and the Chairman of Bahomea House of Chiefs.

The Chupu Ceremony, a significant Guadalcanal customary protocol, was held to acknowledge and respect traditional processes and to formally acknowledge and address the impact of project-related construction activities on land belonging to the Roha Tribe and Gaegae Tribe. The ceremony also sought to reaffirm the Project Office and Tina Hydropower Limited’s deep respect for the customary authority of the landowning tribes, and to support constructive dialogue around the ongoing land acquisition process for additional land at the Powerhouse area.

During the ceremony, the first Chupu was presented by Project Office representatives, Mr. Baltazare Rongo and Mr. John Korinihona to the Roha Tribe and received by Chief Daniel Una. A second Chupu was presented to representatives of Chango Land and received by Mr. Berry Kepulu on behalf of his father and the Gaegae tribal representatives.

The ceremony included formal opening remarks, prayer, introductions, statements from tribal representatives, public remarks from project and government stakeholders, and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by the respective parties and witnesses.

Project Manager Mr. Pradip Verma, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, expressed the Government’s sincere appreciation for the willingness of the tribes to receive the Chupu and thanked all stakeholders for attending and witnessing the ceremony. He acknowledged complications in the land acquisition process and said the Government, through customary protocol, is humbled by the patience and understanding from the affected tribes while asking for their forbearance as the Commissioner of Lands progresses the formal process.

Chief Daniel Una, speaking on behalf of the Roha Tribe, formally accepted the Chupu and commended the Project Office and Tina Hydropower Limited for approaching the tribes through their own customary protocol, a gesture he described as one of genuine respect for Guadalcanal cultural traditions. He also called on members of his tribe to respect and uphold the significance and intent of the customary presentation.

Mr. Berry Kepulu accepted the Chupu on behalf of the Gaegae Tribe and representatives of Chango Land, affirming their commitment to working collaboratively with responsible authorities to address outstanding land matters.

Mr. Leslie Volalia, Surveyor General, delivered remarks on behalf of the Commissioner of Lands and emphasized that the Chupu Ceremony complements, but does not replace, the formal legal acquisition process. He said the customary land identification and acquisition process would commence once the newly appointed Commissioner of Lands formally assumes office.

Chief Whitlam Kikolo, Chairman of the Bahomea House of Chiefs, described the ceremony as an important step toward rebuilding relationships and strengthening cooperation among all parties. He appealed to tribal members and stakeholders to respect the significance of the ceremony and the gesture offered by the Government, noting that Chupu remains an important customary practice of the Guadalcanal people.

The ceremony concluded with the review, endorsement and signing of the  Memorandum of Understanding by representatives of the landowning tribes, the Project Office, Tina Hydropower Limited and Hyundai Engineering Company in the presence of witnesses.

The successful presentation and acceptance of the Chupu reaffirmed the commitment of all parties to maintain open communication, mutual respect and constructive engagement while the statutory land identification and acquisition process continues.

The Chupu Ceremony marked an important milestone in strengthening goodwill, trust and mutual respect between the Tina River Hydropower Development Project and the customary landowning tribes of the Powerhouse area. It also reinforced the enduring commitment of the Project Office and Tina Hydropower Limited to embedding customary cultural protocols into the Project’s stakeholder engagement approach ensuring that respect for Guadalcanal traditions and statutory compliance advance together.

For more information, contact:
Communications Officer: Jeanine Gadepeta email: jeanine.gadepeta@tina-hydro.com  
Tina Hydropower development project  
+677 25133 
About Tina River Hydro Development Project (TRHDP)

The first large scale renewable energy project for the Solomon Islands delivering benefits such as more affordable electricity and improved accessibility to cleaner, more reliable energy sources for communities now and in the future. It is being implemented by the Solomon Island Government with financing and support from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Asian Development Bank, the Government of Australia, the Green Climate Fund, Korea EX-IM Economic Development Cooperation Fund, and the World Bank.

Find out more on www.tina-hydro.com

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