The isolated Carterets islands have been cut off from Buka after supporters of a losing candidate confiscated their only passenger boat recently. The boat was donated to them last year under a "member project scheme" to ferry passengers between the Carterets island and Buka town.

The 2550 Carterets Islanders have no food on the island due to the rising sea levels. The soil on the island has been affected by rising sea water and the villagers are no longer able to make gardens as any vegetables grown were dying.