Katy Soapi's love affair with the ocean began on Rendova Island in the Solomon Islands as a child. Growing up surrounded by lush forests and crystal-clear waters sparked her fascination with nature's potential for healing modern diseases. Her academic pursuits took her to Fiji, Australia, and the UK, culminating in becoming the first woman from the Solomon Islands to earn a PhD in natural sciences.
Yet Soapi found herself inexorably drawn back to Tetepare Island, one of the Solomon Islands' most precious places. The island's sacred status, home to ancestral gardens, burial sites, and memories etched deep into the soil, resonated deeply with her. In the mid-1990s, as commercial logging swept across the country, Soapi joined a grassroots movement – the Friends of Tetepare – to resist the destruction of this irreplaceable island.
The fight for Tetepare was not just about trees; it was about identity and heritage. For Soapi, losing the island would have been like losing part of herself. The community's determination paid off when no company was allowed to log Tetepare at the time. Today, the island remains one of the last untouched places in Solomon Islands, managed by the Tetepare Descendants' Association (TDA), which has thousands of members.
Soapi's role as a bridge between tradition and emerging conservation science proved pivotal. Her work attracted global attention, including a documentary film that took Tetepare's struggle to the world. The story is one of Pacific-led conservation – an approach that Soapi champions today as a respected regional scientist and ocean advocate.
Through her work with the TDA, Soapi continues to push for indigenous knowledge and community-led approaches to conservation. She acknowledges that while she has access to platforms and institutions, the real work belongs to the Tetepare descendants – the true guardians of the island.
Yet Soapi found herself inexorably drawn back to Tetepare Island, one of the Solomon Islands' most precious places. The island's sacred status, home to ancestral gardens, burial sites, and memories etched deep into the soil, resonated deeply with her. In the mid-1990s, as commercial logging swept across the country, Soapi joined a grassroots movement – the Friends of Tetepare – to resist the destruction of this irreplaceable island.
The fight for Tetepare was not just about trees; it was about identity and heritage. For Soapi, losing the island would have been like losing part of herself. The community's determination paid off when no company was allowed to log Tetepare at the time. Today, the island remains one of the last untouched places in Solomon Islands, managed by the Tetepare Descendants' Association (TDA), which has thousands of members.
Soapi's role as a bridge between tradition and emerging conservation science proved pivotal. Her work attracted global attention, including a documentary film that took Tetepare's struggle to the world. The story is one of Pacific-led conservation – an approach that Soapi champions today as a respected regional scientist and ocean advocate.
Through her work with the TDA, Soapi continues to push for indigenous knowledge and community-led approaches to conservation. She acknowledges that while she has access to platforms and institutions, the real work belongs to the Tetepare descendants – the true guardians of the island.
I'm literally inspired by Katy Soapi's story!!! 
The way she was drawn back to her roots on Tetepare Island and fought to preserve it is so admirable 
. I mean, it's not just about saving the trees, but about preserving their culture and identity too 
. And what really gets me is how she's pushing for indigenous knowledge and community-led approaches to conservation - that's the future of environmentalism in my eyes 
! We need more people like her who are passionate about protecting our planet and its precious resources 
.
I think it's pretty cool how Katy Soapi is like a bridge between her traditional Pacific roots and modern science 
. It's not easy being a woman in STEM, especially when you're from a place that hasn't always been represented in those fields 
.
. It's not just about saving trees, it's about preserving their way of life and connection to the land 
.
. Like, just because you've got a degree and some fancy credentials doesn't mean you're the only one who knows what's best for the planet 
. We need more people like Katy Soapi who are listening to and amplifying indigenous voices 
.
It's amazing how her love for nature led her to become a scientist and advocate, not just for the environment, but also for preserving indigenous cultures and identities. 
We need more voices like hers, especially from Pacific Island communities, who are fighting to protect their lands and ways of life. 
she's literally a hero for saving Tetepare Island from logging and now it's like this amazing protected area 
I'm all about this story of Katy Soapi! It's so inspiring to see someone use their brains (and PhD) for good. I mean, who wouldn't want to save an island that's basically a piece of their own heritage? 
. And let's be real, her PhD in natural sciences is just the icing on the cake... I mean, talk about using your brainpower for good! 
. Keep shining, Katy Soapi! 
I mean think about it, growing up on this island and then becoming a scientist and advocate for conservation... she's literally like a superhero for the ocean and the environment 
! And the fact that her community was so behind her and together they could make such a difference is really inspiring 
. Was it purely coincidental that Tetepare Island was spared from logging? Were there any negative consequences for the local economy or way of life?
. And what's wild is how she went from being part of this grassroots movement to becoming a respected regional scientist and ocean advocate 
!
I gotta say, Katy Soapi's story is super inspiring! 
. The way she connected her love for nature with the community-led conservation approach in Tetepare Island is mind-blowing 
. That's what Soapi did, and look at her now! 
