Grandson said to Repeat History

The grandson said that now they make it to alive their (Eroni, Biuku, and President Kennedy) spirit to see each other after the war. “At last the promised to meet each other again was fulfilled at Kennedy Island” Chris the grandson of Eroni and Matao the grandson of Biuku promise to repeat the history for one more time. Pose for another picture brings the chapter again, now not at war but a friendship.

Eroni Grandson Dismiss Bully

Eroni Kumana’s grandson Eroni Malakana has condemned people who bully the 2 families after Ambassador Caroline’s visit to Gizo. Bullying can be happen as a result in many means; especially the jealousy said the grandson. He said that their present at the occasion was an invitation from the US Ambassadors office Australia, Ambassador herself Ambassador Caroline Kennedy who official invited the family representatives of late Eroni Kumana and late Biuku Gasa. Purposely to remember those who lost their lives during the PT109 tragedy and the survival of the future president of America and his crew mates. Ambassador Caroline (only surviving daughter of President Kennedy) and his son Jack where here to commemoration (80th Anniversary of the PT109), on Kennedy Island and swimming the route between Olasana and Naru Islands that Lt Kennedy swam multiple times between 2 and 6 August 1943. Eroni Malakana dismissed rumors who said that the 2 families are having nothing from the Ambassador. But the grandson said that her present has given them opportunity to see her and his son, and to reunite their (Kennedy, Eroni and Gasa) spirit together after their wish to see each other after the WWII. He said that since Kennedy became president they were invited to America replacing them is another person because they did not speak English. Than President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. The grandson said that what happens on the 1st August at Kennedy Island 80 years ago was a historical event, and it was something only the heroisms play. And we all know it involves saving Solomon Island. So did my grandfather and Biuku Gasa who saved America and our nation. However, the only thing she left behind us is her words of encouragement saying; “MY FAMILY AND I OWE A PERSONAL DEPT OF GRATITUDE TO TWO SOLOMON ISLANDER SCOUTS – BIUKU GASA AND ERONI KUMANA – WHO SAVED MY FATHER” “So in what terms do this means we should appreciated each other by bound love, joy and peace in our hearts and pray for those who lost their lives during and after WWII” said the grandson of Eroni Kumana.

Grandson Demand Community to Give Tithing.

The grandson of Eroni Kumana asked everyone who frequently collected gravel and sand to sell demanding the tithe of 10% for the church project. The grandson reminded his uncles that before Kumana (Their father) died he remind us to put tithing to help church projects and for aging. The grandson Rellysdom Malakana told the family that it is now 3 years selling gravel and sand for the CAUSE project at the urban center but there is no tithing for God and the disabled or older people. “For almost 4 decades we try to build our permanent church but still ignored what God provides”. We served ourselves ignoring who is the source said the grandson. The grandson also asked for a meeting with elders to look at how we may give the tithing.

Eroni Kumana’s Plan Cemetery site Reschedule

Kumana’s youngest son continues to reschedule Kumana’s planned permanent burial site to be constructed. JFK, the youngest son said that he reschedule the planned construction for his father’s grave site due to unseen circumstances which need to bring forward for the immediate family members, and his father’s relatives or tribe. These are financial issues to accommodate cultural circumstances which accountable for exchange compensations regarding property issues. The reason may challenge family members to give more time to do fundraisings etc. Besides, his grandson asked the family to meet and organize to speed up the process.

Kumana; Any of his Grandsons to visit the JFK Memorial sites.

Eroni Kumana who lost hope to visit his friend the president asked one of his grandsons to visit his friend’s burial site. On one occasion, he revealed that he could not make it to visit the president after hearing about his assassination. Besides, he cannot travel to the USA due to his aging and the climate there. However, he hopes that any of his grandsons to visit the president’s memorial sites in America.

Besides, a shrine he provides symbolized a unique friendship between my family and the Kennedy family. During his last words, he asked that his recommendations http://aronkumana.blogspot.com/2010/05/aaron-kumanas-5-recommendations.html be fulfilled.

A Shrine Honoring President Kennedy in Repair

“STRONG AS EVER, AS HARD AS THIS ROCK” … Yes! We need to preserve the stone monument for the 35th president of America late president John F Kennedy. With our late grandfather, we considered the president an honorably chief in our community. Here the family members are repairing the damage caused by the April 2007 Earthquake and tsunami.

Gizo Dumpsite Concern

 “Keeping Gizo town clean was everyone’s responsibility”. This is a saying which is highlighted in every speech during so many events been took place.

Especially for the tourism industry, the ministry for tourism here in the province and as well the nation have come up with so many plans to beautify the center.

Fortunately, with the World Bank-funded project, so many improvements have caught the eye of travelers to the west.

Unfortunately, we cannot make it to the dumpsite. Rubbish has been filed with municipal solid, industrial, agricultural, and hazardous waste.

Responsible authorities try not to burn the rubbish, and to get rid of them in an appropriate way.

The burning of the dumpsite has caused disturbances and not a solution says a bystander. “We do not know who started the fire”

By the way, more rubbish are from process wastes, and market wastes from nearby islands.

For example; Eroni Kumana villagers have daily sold their products at Gizo Market. Out of this, it may develop 30-50kg rubbish per day. Imagining the 100 villages nearby islands, their wastes, that dump rubbish on Gizo dumpsite.

Women’s groups here in the center are coming up with reusing plastic waste but have seen it temporary (used). However, there are many ways to get rid of them permanently. Like starting a plastic brick and tile idea for a permanently building etc.

Gizo is one of the centers in the heart of the province, surrounded by many small eco-lodges where more visitors have frequently taken their accommodation. The urban center is the provincial capital of the Western province. Visitors also took a visit around Gizo.   

The Story of the Rescue of JFK

 The Rescue of JFK

Compiled by me ( Rellysdom Aaron Malakana)

Interview 2003

We approached the Japanese wreckage boat near Naru Island. We (I and Biuku) managed to go inside to collect what we want. We began to have some jokes with those guns (seek and hide) then suddenly we saw somebody approach and thought he was the Japanese. We quickly got inside our canoe and away from him.

We approached Olasana Island and were about to reach the beach, suddenly a man crawled out from his hiding place and stood up demanding us to come to him by waving his hand. In response, Biuku said, “No moa iu Japan” (No, you are Japanese) but the man replied and said, “No, I am an American, and look at my skin” (words and body language). We try to communicate to give us a clue of any signs of if they are real Americans. Luckily, they saw us raising our right hand up and they said that it is their sign when their fighter plan approaches.

We were convinced when others crept out and voiced the name of Mr. John Kari.

He led us to his mates and the first thing they asked about was the cigarettes. We stay with them and that night Kennedy swims across to Olasana bringing water for the crews. We introduced each other and said he is the one who approached them at Naru Island. After a short conversation between them, he told us to follow him to Naru Island. We got him inside the canoe and paddle him across. We hear someone near and it was another friend (Bone Rose), we cannot pull him in but have to drag him.

At Naru Island, Kennedy told us how he felt for his crewmates and want to rescue them from the enemy. He wants us to send a message to their base at Rendova. We told him to write on the coconut husk. He gave us his pocketknife and asked if it is at the hands of the enemy? We said, “scratchim out” (Scratch it off).

It was heavy rain at that time and on our way, we thought of any possible way to prevent them from starving so we reached Rarumana Island to Ben Kevu where Americans are at Olasana Island. They need food and water.

 After we began our journey. The enemy approached us and the only thing we did is to turn over our canoe and hide under our canoe.

We reached Ilangana Munda, and talk to John Kari about the events at Olosana. He sent a message to Rendova, and a landing craft came and took us to Rendova we were sent to a highly decorated person, and we handed the message. He questions us and we told them the location on the map.

At the evening we board a Patrol boat escorted by two of the PT Boats on our way we have to go far as anywhere looking for the enemy and then approached Naru for JFK and Olosana for the rest of the crew mates.

We return to Rendova and Kennedy and the boys invited us for a small party and thanked us for what we did to them.

Kennedy told us “If I am alive at the end of the war I promised to visit 2 of you. Then he gave us something like a medal, a 2-piece decoration from his uniform, one for me and one for Biuku.

 That is the last time I saw him.

 Confusions;

Aaron thought Olosana Island was renamed Kennedy Island. But now he released that Olasana Island is still the Olasana.

They paddled across Naru Island covering Kennedy with coconut fronds keeping him unnoticed by the enemy. This is confusing him said Kumana.

 

Highlights during Events

1. When the crew asked for cigarettes

They gave them some cigarettes (collected from the wreckage) they have no fire and Aaron rubbed sticks together and there was a fire. They were excited to see such a thing.

2. When Kennedy asked for something to write on

We told him that we natives use many things so I (Aaron) climbed a coconut palm and we took out the husk and show him where to write. He was surprised and held our heads by carefully twisting them.

Before seeing the PT109 crews, I and Biuku were told to keep watch for any survivors from the USA. That night we heard many sounds of fighting. I and Biuku kept our heads halfway in the water to keep watch for any sign. We were told to carry maps of that area to Kolobangara.

Other Information’s

Regarding some information during their time in the war, he said he will not tell the story again but he only wants to tell about the rescue.

After carefully looking through some of the stories of the rescue, I managed to satisfy with his oral communication with me. 

The SOS message (Demonstrates how it was into JFK message)

 

JFK wishes speech ahead first

John F Kennedy (Eroni Kumana’s youngest son) wishes his message for Ambassador Caroline Kennedy may be handed to her before arriving in Honiara.

His message was compiled together by his nephews to take with him to Honiara. Unfortunately, he cannot make it but asked that his message may send over.

Fortunately, the Kumana family is lucky to have the 4th son of Kumana John Koloni who resided at Honiara representing the family during Ambassador Caroline Kennedy's visit to Honiara.

 

His Message reads;

 

Dear Honorable Ambassador Caroline Kennedy.

On behalf of the entire Eron Kumana family, I would like to take this opportunity with joy and highly appreciate it by welcoming you to the Solomon.

Your job as US ambassador to Australia has brought you close to where your father fought to save the Solomon Island and brought your father's spirit to associate their wish to meet after WWII.

My father, Eroni Kumana has seen Maxwell Kennedy at Gizo, Western Province. This has satisfied him to see one of the Kennedy family, and today I and my brother Koloni represent the family of Kumana; we would like to say, we have seen the face of the Late President Kennedy whom our father saved during WWII.

Our father the late Eroni Kumana had displayed qualities in life during his lifetime, with our family and as well as his own village. He is known to be a good adviser, courageous person, very brave, Christian, and hardworking father, he was humble and always wanted to live in peace with everyone.

My father has an opportunity to have visitors from all over the world during his time.

Most of them affirmed him for his famous story of the PT109 tragedy and classified him as a hero, but here in Solomon, he is just a subsistence farmer and a fisherman.

However, seeing him as a rescuer of the US president, his community thought of him as a resource person who would develop their community. From that fact, he made promises.

Our late father wished that his dreams be fulfilled in the future, even though he had died. His death has left us, especially our immediate family with challenges; therefore, we try hard to highlight some of his recommendations

However, he has given us comforting words to take courage and continue to achieve things yet to be done and to live in peace with others.

Our immediate family of late Eroni Kumana wishes to extend our words of appreciation and acknowledgment for recognizing and honoring our father for the hard work and bravery he rendered in assisting your father during WWII’s fierce and bloody battle in the western part of the Solomon.

The strong partnership they had become a historical event and remains in the hearts of our immediate families. This relationship had made us know each other until these days.  

Once again, and on behalf, I would like to extend my thanks to you for your visit, marking the 80th anniversary of the battle of Guadalcanal. It was really an honor to have you with us, and your presence made the celebration all the most memorable.

For our family, your decorous attendance at the celebration reaffirms the true strength of Solomon Island American relations. To have such a strong, productive relationship is a great source of reassurance.

Again, with visiting delegations, we believe the US is stepping up efforts to push back against Chinese diplomatic inroads. 

To conclude, we would like to show our heartfelt gratitude and congratulate you on the remarkable progress you have made with Japan, and we believe reopening the US office here in Honiara is a very positive sign to strengthen the bilateral relations between Solomon Island and America.

Once again, and on behalf of the family, I John F Kennedy (Namesake) represents the family of Eroni Kumana, and with my brother Koloni have this opportunity to encounter you face to face and wish your visit to Solomon Island a successful outcome.

 

May God richly Blessed your Days

(John F Kennedy)

Kumana's grandson join national Under-19

 Eroni Kamana’s grandson Aoga joined the under 19 national team in the final phase of his preparation for the OFC U-19 Championship next month in Tahiti.

A squad of 24 players in their 3 days week training under the guidance of coach Jerry Allen and technical support of Head of National teams and High-Performance Felipe Vega-Arango and Eddie Rukumana.

The final squad will be named in the coming weeks ahead of a proposed two-week training camp in Australia end of this month. #U20

Afia Aoga kumana was named a hero after squaring three goals in the final during U16 in Honiara winning for the Western Province.

A very talented boy in Kongu village who loves soccer.

He is always involved in training bringing up his village boys to the higher level when visiting his home Ranogga Island.