| Solomon Mamaloni | |
| Birth Date: | 23 January 1943 |
| Birth Place: | Rumahui, Makira, British Solomon Islands |
| Death Place: | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
| Termstart1: | 28 March 1989 |
| Termend1: | 18 June 1993 |
| Office: | Prime Minister of Solomon Islands |
| Termstart: | 7 November 1994 |
| Termend: | 27 August 1997 |
| Termstart2: | 30 August 1981 |
| Termend2: | 19 November 1984 |
| Party: | People's Progressive Party (1973–1979/80) People's Alliance Party (1979/80–1992/3) Group for National Unity and Reconciliation (1993–1994) Solomon Islands National Unity, Reconciliation and Progressive Party (1994–1997) |
| Nationality: | Solomon Islander |
| Governor-General: | Sir Moses Pitakaka |
| Governor-General2: | Sir Baddeley Devesi |
| Monarch2: | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General1: | Sir George Lepping |
| Monarch1: | Elizabeth II |
| Office3: | Leader of the Opposition |
| Termstart3: | 1998 |
| Termend3: | 11 January 2000 |
| Termstart4: | 1993 |
| Termend4: | 1994 |
| Termstart5: | 1984 |
| Termend5: | 1988 |
| Termstart6: | 1980 |
| Termend6: | 1981 |
| Office7: | Chief Minister of the British Solomon Islands |
| Termstart7: | 1974 |
| Termend7: | 1976 |
| Governor7: | Sir Donald Luddington |
| Monarch7: | Elizabeth II |
| Predecessor: | Francis Billy Hilly |
| Successor: | Bartholomew Ulufa'alu |
| Predecessor2: | Peter Kenilorea |
| Successor2: | Peter Kenilorea |
| Predecessor1: | Ezekiel Alebua |
| Successor1: | Francis Billy Hilly |
| Predecessor6: | Bartholomew Ulufa'alu |
| Successor6: | Peter Kenilorea |
| Predecessor5: | Peter Kenilorea |
| Successor5: | Andrew Nori |
| Predecessor4: | Joses Tuhanuku |
| Successor4: | Baddeley Devesi |
| Successor3: | Manasseh Sogavare |
| Predecessor3: | Edward Huni'ehu |
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.[1]
Mamaloni was born in 1943 in the village of Rumahui, Arosi, in West Makira.[2] He was educated at Pawa School and King George VI Secondary School, before attending Te Aute College in New Zealand. He joined the civil service in 1966, initially working as an executive officer for the Legislative Council, before becoming a clerk.
He was elected to the Governing Council from the Makira constituency in the 1970 elections. After being re-elected in 1973, he was involved in the establishment of the People's Progressive Party the following January. Later in 1974 the new post of Chief Minister was established, with Mamaloni being elected to the post after the sixth round of voting.[3]
He served as Chief Minister of the Solomon Islands until July 1976. Although he resigned from the Legislative Assembly in December 1976,[4] he returned to politics and represented West Makira constituency in the National Parliament. He was Leader of the Opposition from 1980 to 1981,[5] from 1984 to 1988,[6] and from 1993 to 1994.[7] He was again chosen as Leader of the Opposition in late September 1998, replacing Job Dudley Tausinga.[8]
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.[9]
He remained Opposition Leader until his death from kidney disease in a Honiara hospital in January 2000.[10] His funeral was held on 13 January.[11]