Katy Soapi's journey is woven from her deep connection with the Pacific Ocean. Born on lush Rendova Island in western Solomon Islands, life revolved around the sea, and as a child, she'd dive under its waves and emerge laughing on the other side. Chemistry and medicinal plants became her passions, but the ocean remained an integral part of her identity.
As Soapi studied in Fiji, Australia, and the UK, her love for nature only deepened. She went on to earn a PhD in natural sciences, becoming the first woman from Solomon Islands to achieve this milestone. Yet, she found herself drawn back to her first love – the ocean. Her work defending Tetepare Island became a defining moment in her life.
In the mid-1990s, commercial logging swept through Solomon Islands, leaving behind a trail of deforestation and environmental degradation. Soapi watched as Rendova fell to the axes of loggers, its forests shrinking into silence. When whispers began that Tetepare might be next on the chopping block, the people of Western Province felt their ancestral heritage was at stake.
Tetepare is more than just a forest; it's sacred ground, home to ancient gardens, burial sites, and memories etched deep into the soil. Losing this island would be like losing part of themselves, according to Soapi. Her fight to save Tetepare brought international attention, with filmmakers capturing the story in the documentary 'Since the Company Came'. The Australian film humanized the struggle, showcasing the connection between people and their land.
The conservation effort has paid off; no logging company is allowed on Tetepare today. A community-led initiative by the Tetepare Descendants' Association (TDA) ensures that the island remains untouched. Community rangers patrolling the island combine traditional knowledge with modern science, highlighting a Pacific model of conservation that empowers local communities.
For Soapi, the fight to protect Tetepare has been about more than preserving land; it's about safeguarding their identity and heritage. In her words, "It's not just Western science at play; traditional knowledge is woven into everything we do." The TDA's Eco Lodge supports conservation efforts while sustaining livelihoods.
Soapi's story showcases the power of indigenous-led conservation models. Tetepare's preservation has inspired communities across the Pacific, earning the TDA a United Nations equator prize in 2012. Soapi believes that Pacific people don't just inherit conservation models – they create them.
As an advocate for oceanic issues and community-driven approaches, Soapi continues to work tirelessly on behalf of indigenous knowledge and the guardians of Tetepare Island – the real heroes of this story. In her words, "I feel like I'm just one of many; the real work belongs to the Tetepare descendants." Their connection with the land is palpable, and their fight for conservation serves as a testament to the enduring strength of Pacific cultures.
As Soapi studied in Fiji, Australia, and the UK, her love for nature only deepened. She went on to earn a PhD in natural sciences, becoming the first woman from Solomon Islands to achieve this milestone. Yet, she found herself drawn back to her first love – the ocean. Her work defending Tetepare Island became a defining moment in her life.
In the mid-1990s, commercial logging swept through Solomon Islands, leaving behind a trail of deforestation and environmental degradation. Soapi watched as Rendova fell to the axes of loggers, its forests shrinking into silence. When whispers began that Tetepare might be next on the chopping block, the people of Western Province felt their ancestral heritage was at stake.
Tetepare is more than just a forest; it's sacred ground, home to ancient gardens, burial sites, and memories etched deep into the soil. Losing this island would be like losing part of themselves, according to Soapi. Her fight to save Tetepare brought international attention, with filmmakers capturing the story in the documentary 'Since the Company Came'. The Australian film humanized the struggle, showcasing the connection between people and their land.
The conservation effort has paid off; no logging company is allowed on Tetepare today. A community-led initiative by the Tetepare Descendants' Association (TDA) ensures that the island remains untouched. Community rangers patrolling the island combine traditional knowledge with modern science, highlighting a Pacific model of conservation that empowers local communities.
For Soapi, the fight to protect Tetepare has been about more than preserving land; it's about safeguarding their identity and heritage. In her words, "It's not just Western science at play; traditional knowledge is woven into everything we do." The TDA's Eco Lodge supports conservation efforts while sustaining livelihoods.
Soapi's story showcases the power of indigenous-led conservation models. Tetepare's preservation has inspired communities across the Pacific, earning the TDA a United Nations equator prize in 2012. Soapi believes that Pacific people don't just inherit conservation models – they create them.
As an advocate for oceanic issues and community-driven approaches, Soapi continues to work tirelessly on behalf of indigenous knowledge and the guardians of Tetepare Island – the real heroes of this story. In her words, "I feel like I'm just one of many; the real work belongs to the Tetepare descendants." Their connection with the land is palpable, and their fight for conservation serves as a testament to the enduring strength of Pacific cultures.
OMG u gotta feel for Katy Soapi! She's literally fighting for her homeland 
& the whole island of Tetepare feels like it's hers 2 defend ! its wild how one person can make such a big impact thru their passion & determination 4 conservation . I think its awesome that she's giving a voice 2 the indigenous people & their traditional knowledge - we need more ppl doin this kinda work 
its not just about saving the environment, but also preserving their culture and identity 
i love how the community-led initiative is working with traditional knowledge and modern science together - that sounds like an amazing model for conservation 
the fact that they won a united nations equator prize in 2012 is just incredible 
. I mean, Tetepare Island wasnt always protected because some Pacific people just decided to fight for it...it was probably just gonna get logged or whatever anyway. And whats with this community-led initiative business? Sounds like a bunch of people working together to do what they've always done anyway 
. What Im trying to say is, dont get me wrong, Soapi's alright and all, but her story aint exactly groundbreaking
but honestly the tetepare story feels like a case study on what happens when western science collides with local traditions and knowledge... its all great & all but who gets to decide what's "sustainable" or "conservationist"? seems like the real power lies with the tetepare descendants themselves, not some international prize or eco-lodge 
. We should be giving more props to these Pacific heroes who aren't afraid to stand up for their land and way of life 
she's proof that community-led conservation can make a huge difference and that traditional knowledge is just as valuable as western science 
the way tetepare is now managed by the tetepare descendants' association is like, totally innovative and inspiring 
