Isaac Qölöni: Personal Reflections on an Important Actor in Post-Colonial Solomon Islands

Abstract

ABSTRACT Historical documentation of post-colonial development in Pacific nations tends to focus on politicians, rather than bureaucrats, entrepreneurs, or members of civil society. Isaac Qölöni’s contribution to Solomon Islands fell largely into these three categories, and has generally been overlooked. Isaac Qölöni became the first permanent secretary to the prime minister and head of the public service at independence in 1978. He also served in other public service roles both before and after independence. This paper puts particular focus on Qölöni’s role as ombudsman from 1986 to 1991, when he advocated for improved environmental practices, especially the control of escalating logging. Isaac Qölöni was also an entrepreneur, founding one of the first indigenous trading companies. As a member of civil society, he encouraged village-level development through the promotion of education, infrastructure, and services. While his efforts focused on his home island of Choiseul, they had wider demonstration effects for the country.