Frank Kabui
Encyclopedia
Sir Frank Utu Ofagioro Kabui, GCMG
, CSI
, OBE
has been the Governor General
of the Solomon Islands
since 7 July 2009.
He is also a trained judge, having been his country's first law graduate in 1975, and is a former member of the Solomon Islands Bar Association (SIBA), having twice served as its President.
in 1975.
to become Governor General
after the fourth round with thirty votes. The Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Edmund Andresen, received eight votes while Kabui's predecessor, Nathaniel Waena
, received seven. Three members were not present. The list of candidates also included former Prime Minister
and current Speaker of Parliament Peter Kenilorea
and five other candidates. Following the completion of this nomination process in Parliament, the formal appointment as Governor-General was then issued by Elizabeth II
, Queen of the Solomon Islands. Kabui will serve as the de facto
head of state of the Solomon Islands for a five-year term. His election came as the country celebrated thirty-one years of independence.
Kabui attended a ceremony at the Lawson Tama Stadium
on 7 July 2009, where several thousand people saw him take his oath. He inspected a guard of honour by the Royal Solomon Islands Police and received the royal salute during a parade.
On 8 July 2009 in Honiara
, Kabui presented an award to athlete Jim Marau, who was Solomon Islands first South Pacific Games
gold medallist, achieving this feat in 1975. Marau was awarded during the Independence Celebration in Lawson Tama.
On 9 October 2009, Kabui was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, CSI
Cross of Solomon Islands
The Cross of Solomon Islands is the highest civilian award in Solomon Islands. The Cross of Solomon Islands was awarded posthumously to the former Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Greg Urwin, in 2008, by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Derek Sikua....
, OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
has been the Governor General
Governor-General of the Solomon Islands
The Governor-General of Solomon Islands is the representative of the Queen of Solomon Islands, Elizabeth II. The Queen does not reside in the islands, and so the Governor-General serves as the country's de facto head of state in her absence....
of the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
since 7 July 2009.
He is also a trained judge, having been his country's first law graduate in 1975, and is a former member of the Solomon Islands Bar Association (SIBA), having twice served as its President.
Legal career
Kabui was born in either 1945 or 1946. He is a former High Court judge and Attorney General and was the President of the Solomon Islands Bar Association at the time of his election as Governor-General. He was the first law graduate from the Solomon Islands, graduating from the University of Papua New GuineaUniversity of Papua New Guinea
The University of Papua New Guinea was established by ordinance of the Australian administration in 1965. This followed the Currie Commission which had enquired into higher education in Papua New Guinea...
in 1975.
2009 nomination
Kabui was nominated by the National ParliamentNational Parliament of the Solomon Islands
The National Parliament of Solomon Islands has 50 members, elected for a four year term in 50 single-seat constituencies.It is presided by a Speaker - currently Sir Allan Kemakeza.-Latest elections:-Members:...
to become Governor General
Governor-General of the Solomon Islands
The Governor-General of Solomon Islands is the representative of the Queen of Solomon Islands, Elizabeth II. The Queen does not reside in the islands, and so the Governor-General serves as the country's de facto head of state in her absence....
after the fourth round with thirty votes. The Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Edmund Andresen, received eight votes while Kabui's predecessor, Nathaniel Waena
Nathaniel Waena
Sir Nathaniel Rahumaea Waena GCMG, CSI, KStJ was the Governor-General of the Solomon Islands from 2004 to 2009.Waena was a Member of the National Parliament for Ulawa-Ugi constituency in the Makira-Ulawa Province from 1984 to 2004...
, received seven. Three members were not present. The list of candidates also included former Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands
The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands is Solomon Islands' head of government, consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the National Parliament. Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm. Since August 2010, the Prime Minister has been Danny Philip of the Reform...
and current Speaker of Parliament Peter Kenilorea
Peter Kenilorea
Sir Peter Kenilorea KBE is a Solomon Islands politician, officially styled The Rt. Hon. Sir Peter Kenilorea as a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom....
and five other candidates. Following the completion of this nomination process in Parliament, the formal appointment as Governor-General was then issued by Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
, Queen of the Solomon Islands. Kabui will serve as the de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
head of state of the Solomon Islands for a five-year term. His election came as the country celebrated thirty-one years of independence.
Kabui attended a ceremony at the Lawson Tama Stadium
Lawson Tama Stadium
Lawson Tama Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium is unique as the stand is built into the hillside so there is no official capacity....
on 7 July 2009, where several thousand people saw him take his oath. He inspected a guard of honour by the Royal Solomon Islands Police and received the royal salute during a parade.
On 8 July 2009 in Honiara
Honiara
Honiara, population 49,107 , 78,190 , is the capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province, although it is a separately administered town...
, Kabui presented an award to athlete Jim Marau, who was Solomon Islands first South Pacific Games
South Pacific Games
The Pacific Games is a multi-sport event, much like the Olympics , with participation exclusively from countries around the South Pacific. It is held every four years and began in 1963, hosted by Suva, Fiji.- Concept :The idea of holding the South Pacific Games originated with Dr A.H...
gold medallist, achieving this feat in 1975. Marau was awarded during the Independence Celebration in Lawson Tama.
On 9 October 2009, Kabui was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George