Peter Kenilorea

Sir Peter Kenilorea (23 May 1943 – 24 February 2016) was a Solomon Islander politician, officially styled The Rt Hon. Sir Peter Kenilorea as a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. He was the first prime minister of an independent Solomon Islands, from 1978 to 1981, and also served a second term from 1984 to 1986.

Early life and education Kenilorea was born in Takataka village on Malaita island, of ꞌAreꞌare ethnicity.

Kenilorea attended school in Malaita and Honiara. He then received a scholarship to study in New Zealand, where he attended Wesley College, Whanganui Collegiate School, and Ardmore College. He trained to be a teach while at Ardmore, and he began work as a schoolteacher after returning to Malaita. or eight children. The opposition leader Solomon Mamaloni began raising policy issues that would cause disputes between the United Party and the independents. By 1981, the six independents that had been appointed to Kenilorea's government resigned their posts. He then became chairman of the Peace Monitoring Council. From 2001 to 2010, Kenilorea was the Speaker of Parliament. He subsequently sought to return to the National Parliament and was an unsuccessful candidate in a by-election in East ꞌAreꞌare in August 2012.

Death and legacy Kenilorea died on 24 February 2016 following a period of illness. His funeral was held in Honiara on 1 March, which was made a special public holiday as a national day of mourning. His body was lain in state in the parliament.

Kenilorea is recognised as the founding father of Solomon Islands.

Kenilorea's son Peter Kenilorea Jr. was elected a member of parliament in April 2019.