A Solomon Islander's Quest to Preserve the Last Untouched Piece of Paradise
Katy Soapi's earliest memories revolve around the ocean that has always been her sanctuary. Growing up on Rendova, a lush island in western Solomon Islands, she was surrounded by the sea and its rhythms. Her connection with nature sparked an insatiable curiosity about medicinal plants and chemistry, leading her to study at some of the world's top universities.
Soapi's academic pursuits took her far from her home but never severed her ties to the ocean and its inhabitants. As a PhD holder in natural sciences, she became determined to apply her knowledge towards preserving one of the Solomon Islands' most precious places - Tetepare Island.
Tetepare is more than just an island; it's a tabu - sacred ground that holds ancestral gardens, burial sites, and memories deeply etched into its soil. When commercial logging swept across the country in the mid-1990s, Soapi watched Rendova fall to loggers, its forests silenced by chainsaws and rivers turning brown with silt.
The threat of Tetepare falling prey to the same fate was met with resistance from the local community, who saw their heritage being threatened. "To lose Tetepare would have been like losing part of ourselves," Soapi said. This wasn't just about saving a forest; it was about preserving identity and heritage.
Soapi joined forces with others to resist logging and dedicated her spare time to the movement. As a founding member of the Friends of Tetepare, a grassroots movement that later evolved into the Tetepare Descendants' Association (TDA), Soapi worked tirelessly to connect descendant groups, hold meetings across villages, and rally international allies against logging concessions.
The campaign was relentless, with Soapi bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern science. "We needed both – the knowledge of our ancestors and the tools of science to show the world why Tetepare mattered," she said. The TDA's efforts paid off when a film crew documented their story in 1990s, which later led to a global recognition of Tetepare's struggle.
Today, Tetepare remains one of the last untouched places in Solomon Islands, managed by the TDA with thousands of members. Community rangers - descendants of Tetepare - patrol the island, combining traditional knowledge and modern science. The conservation effort sustains livelihoods through the Tetepare Eco Lodge, which lets visitors experience conservation firsthand.
Protecting Tetepare has never been easy. Communities are often lured by quick cash from extractive industries, making it harder to prioritize long-term benefits of conservation. "It's always easier to sell trees for a few hundred dollars and have the money in your hand today," Soapi admitted.
Despite these challenges, Soapi remains committed to her cause. As a respected regional scientist and ocean advocate, Tetepare's story serves as an inspiration across the Pacific. "Tetepare taught us that conservation isn't just about protecting land; it's about protecting who we are," she said.
Soapi's work has had significant impact on ocean acidification research and given emerging scientists a clear career path with strong mentorship to secure ocean sustainability for the region. Her leadership model, particularly in indigenous knowledge and community-led approaches, has inspired communities across the Pacific.
The Tetepare Descendants' Association won the prestigious United Nations Equator Prize in 2012 for its innovative conservation approach, demonstrating that Pacific people don't just inherit conservation models but create them.
For Soapi, the work belongs to the Tetepare descendants, who are the true guardians of the island. As she continues to advocate for their cause, her connection with nature remains strong.
Katy Soapi's earliest memories revolve around the ocean that has always been her sanctuary. Growing up on Rendova, a lush island in western Solomon Islands, she was surrounded by the sea and its rhythms. Her connection with nature sparked an insatiable curiosity about medicinal plants and chemistry, leading her to study at some of the world's top universities.
Soapi's academic pursuits took her far from her home but never severed her ties to the ocean and its inhabitants. As a PhD holder in natural sciences, she became determined to apply her knowledge towards preserving one of the Solomon Islands' most precious places - Tetepare Island.
Tetepare is more than just an island; it's a tabu - sacred ground that holds ancestral gardens, burial sites, and memories deeply etched into its soil. When commercial logging swept across the country in the mid-1990s, Soapi watched Rendova fall to loggers, its forests silenced by chainsaws and rivers turning brown with silt.
The threat of Tetepare falling prey to the same fate was met with resistance from the local community, who saw their heritage being threatened. "To lose Tetepare would have been like losing part of ourselves," Soapi said. This wasn't just about saving a forest; it was about preserving identity and heritage.
Soapi joined forces with others to resist logging and dedicated her spare time to the movement. As a founding member of the Friends of Tetepare, a grassroots movement that later evolved into the Tetepare Descendants' Association (TDA), Soapi worked tirelessly to connect descendant groups, hold meetings across villages, and rally international allies against logging concessions.
The campaign was relentless, with Soapi bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern science. "We needed both – the knowledge of our ancestors and the tools of science to show the world why Tetepare mattered," she said. The TDA's efforts paid off when a film crew documented their story in 1990s, which later led to a global recognition of Tetepare's struggle.
Today, Tetepare remains one of the last untouched places in Solomon Islands, managed by the TDA with thousands of members. Community rangers - descendants of Tetepare - patrol the island, combining traditional knowledge and modern science. The conservation effort sustains livelihoods through the Tetepare Eco Lodge, which lets visitors experience conservation firsthand.
Protecting Tetepare has never been easy. Communities are often lured by quick cash from extractive industries, making it harder to prioritize long-term benefits of conservation. "It's always easier to sell trees for a few hundred dollars and have the money in your hand today," Soapi admitted.
Despite these challenges, Soapi remains committed to her cause. As a respected regional scientist and ocean advocate, Tetepare's story serves as an inspiration across the Pacific. "Tetepare taught us that conservation isn't just about protecting land; it's about protecting who we are," she said.
Soapi's work has had significant impact on ocean acidification research and given emerging scientists a clear career path with strong mentorship to secure ocean sustainability for the region. Her leadership model, particularly in indigenous knowledge and community-led approaches, has inspired communities across the Pacific.
The Tetepare Descendants' Association won the prestigious United Nations Equator Prize in 2012 for its innovative conservation approach, demonstrating that Pacific people don't just inherit conservation models but create them.
For Soapi, the work belongs to the Tetepare descendants, who are the true guardians of the island. As she continues to advocate for their cause, her connection with nature remains strong.
i'm trying to understand how does conservation work in solomon islands, can someone explain it to me in simple terms? 
i also saw the film on tetepare's story and it's so inspiring to see people working together for a cause 
what's this thing called equator prize anyway? is it like an award or something? 
I think this story is a reminder that our actions can have ripple effects on future generations 
. Katy Soapi's determination to preserve Tetepare Island not only saved its ecosystem but also helped shape a sense of identity and community among the local people 
. It's a great lesson in how preserving natural wonders isn't just about saving trees or forests, but also about protecting our cultural heritage 
. The fact that Soapi was able to bridge traditional knowledge with modern science is a testament to the power of collaboration and creative problem-solving 
. And let's not forget that the true success of Tetepare's conservation lies in its community-led approach – it's a beautiful reminder that indigenous voices matter and should be amplified 
.
. It’s really inspiring to see someone using their skills and knowledge to make a difference in such a meaningful way 
.
tetepare island might be untouched but its struggle is real and i'm so here for the grassroots movement that Soapi was a part of 
. Soapi's story is amazing, don't get me wrong, but I worry that Tetepare Island might not be as "untouched" as people make it out to be 
. We're always talking about preserving culture and heritage, but what about the economic benefits of logging? It's easy for us to rally behind a cause when it aligns with our values, but what happens when we leave the real decision-making to those who'll actually benefit from it? 
... especially for indigenous communities who have lived in harmony with nature for centuries 
.
she's literally saving her culture and heritage one tree at a time 
her work is inspiring communities across the pacific and making a real difference 
. Community-led approaches are the way forward for conservation, and it's great to see a leader like Soapi paving the way 
. Soapi's work showcases the value of bridging traditional wisdom with modern science, a crucial approach to addressing pressing environmental challenges 
.
. So serious though, Katy Soapi's dedication to preserving Tetepare is a total win 
. They're not just fighting for their island, they're fighting for their identity.
. That's like the ultimate survival strategy – if you can't protect your home, how can you protect yourself? 
.
. As someone who's passionate about wellness, I know how important it is to take care of our planet so we can thrive as individuals and communities 
. She's showing us that we have the power to make a difference and to create positive change in the world 
Katy Soapi is literally my hero!!! i mean can u believe she grew up on Rendova and became a PhD holder in natural sciences all because of her LOVE for the ocean 
. The way she bridged traditional knowledge with modern science is pure magic 
. Tetepare's story is like a Pacific Islander version of the movie "Avatar" - fighting against colonialism and protecting their ancestral lands 
it's mind-blowing how one person can make such a huge impact with community-led conservation efforts 
what's crazy is that communities are still faced with the challenge of being lured by quick cash from extractive industries 
! She's like, totally showing us that even one person can make a huge difference when it comes to preserving our planet's most precious places. Tetepare Island is literally the last untouched piece of paradise on earth and I think we should all be learning from her example.
It's so cool that Soapi was able to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern science to show the world why Tetepare mattered. And can we talk about how awesome it is that she got recognized by the UN with an Equator Prize in 2012? 