Aaron (Eroni) Kumana
"....comforting each other, our greatest resources we have..." AK.
Eroni Kumana
Featured Post
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 las...
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Grandson said to Repeat History
Eroni Grandson Dismiss Bully
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Grandson Demand Community to Give Tithing.
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Eroni Kumana’s Plan Cemetery site Reschedule
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Kumana; Any of his Grandsons to visit the JFK Memorial sites.
Sunday, October 9, 2022
A Shrine Honoring President Kennedy in Repair
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
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.
Sunday, September 18, 2022
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 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.
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.
Monday, September 12, 2022
Thursday, August 11, 2022
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)
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
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.
-
Had it not been for two men in a small canoe over seventy years ago, the world may not have ever known the name John F. Kennedy said US...
-
As usual, during family gatherings. He always sang songs to his grand children. His favourite number, " Oh Lay your pistol down"