But first I must congratulate Mr Hiari for his research. It is vital that the views of his people, the Orokaiva, and their role in the war in New Guinea, be documented.

This article was first published in 2004 when the PNG Kokoda Track Authority was in its infancy and was meeting some resistance from vested interests.

I established The Kokoda Track Foundation. The Kokoda Memorial Foundation is a different organisation.

It is true that I trekked Kokoda to engage clan leaders to assist in the selection of a young boy and a young girl from each of the villages – (Koiari and Orokaiva) along the track for our scholarship program. Six Orokaiva students were selected and sponsorships arranged for them to study at Popondetta High School.

When I visited Popondetta High School the following year to meet the students I learned they had all been substituted. The students we selected – and thought we were sponsoring – were back in the villages and had been replaced by the children of people with ‘more influence’ in Popondetta.

We also experienced difficulty in getting feedback on the students – both Orokaiva and Koiari – from the schools. This made it difficult to keep the donors informed of their progress.

We have had the same experience with health supplies. Doctors who have trekked with us have donated equipment to medical centres along the track. When I returned to check it I was advised that the person in charge of the medical centre had taking it down to Port Moresby and sold it.

We have therefore established a Kokoda Scholarship Program at the Port Moresby Grammar School because they have proper governance and account for all monies transferred to them. They also provide detailed reports on the progress of our students. The results thus far have been excellent.

We have initiated a ‘Yumi Helpim Pikinnini’ program for villages along the track. Under this program each of our trek groups deliver educational supplies directly to village students. So far this year we have supported the following Orokaiva schools: Kokoda, Kovello, Hoi, Abuari and Alola.

In 2004, when Mr Hiari wrote this article, there were about half-a-dozen trekking companies. Today there are more than 30.

The Kokoda Track Authority has been reconstituted and we hope that the problems they experienced with a lack of governanance will be overcome with the new organisation.

I encourage Mr Hiari to continue his reseach on the war in New Guinea and will publish any articles he wishes to submit on our website.

I congratulate him for his invaluable contribution thus far.