Solomon Mamaloni

Solomon Sunaone Mamaloni (23 January 1943 – 11 January 2000) was a Solomon Islands politician. He was the first chief minister of the islands, and later served as the prime minister for three spells in the 1980s and 1990s.

Biography Mamaloni was born in 1943 in Rumahui, Arosi, in West Makira. He was educated at Pawa School and King George VI Secondary School before attending Te Aute College in New Zealand.

He served as Chief Minister of the Solomon Islands until July 1976. Although he resigned from the Legislative Assembly in December 1976, he returned to politics and represented the West Makira constituency in the National Parliament. He was Leader of the Opposition from 1980 to 1981, 1984 to 1988, and 1993 to 1994. He was again chosen as Leader of the Opposition in late September 1998, replacing Job Dudley Tausinga.

His role as architect of the Solomon Islands' independence from British rule in 1978 buoyed Mamaloni's support, and he served as opposition leader until his death.

He remained Opposition Leader until his death from kidney disease in a Honiara hospital in January 2000. His funeral was held on 13 January.