Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: PM participates in renaming of Pinewood Park to Isaiah Taylor Festival Park
#Nassau, November 19, 2018 – Bahamas – ‘A lover of music, dance and culture’ were words to describe 
world-renowned musician Isaiah Taylor, during the renaming ceremony of Pinewood Park to Isaiah Taylor Festival Park on Saturday, November 17, 2018.
It was during the Annual Dennis Dean Pinewood Festival that Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis declared that the park be renamed after the member of the Grammy Award Winning group, Baha Men. “We not only honor and pay tribute to Isaiah because of his musical talents and for his many contributions to Bahamian arts and to Junkanoo; we also pay tribute to him as a Bahamian patriot, as a servant of his community, and as a mentor to young people,” the Prime Minister said.
This ceremony comes on the heels of renaming of the Big Pond Park in honor of the late Edmund Moxey, who was hailed a visionary founder of Jumbey Village who was also in the vanguard of Majority Rule and Independence.
“This has been a wonderful week during which we are celebrating Bahamian musicians and artists,” the Prime Minister said. “It is an honor to be here this afternoon for the renaming of Pinewood Park to the Isaiah Taylor Park.”
The Prime Minister observed that for a country the size of The Bahamas, it has produced a vast treasury of talent in the musical and visual arts namely: the late Tony McKay, Exuma, the Obeah Man — to the late Brent Malone, and young upcoming artists like Lavar Munroe, who has an exhibit at the National Art Gallery.
“We have to remember and celebrate the enormous talent of that flows in abundance from our Bahamian Imagination,” the Prime Minister urged.
He named Bert Williams, who was born in 1874 in Nassau, who left for the United States at a young age and became a Bahamian-American entertainer, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He was also said to be by far the best-selling black recording artist before 1920.
Bert Williams was once described as: “one of the great comedians of the world”, the Prime Minister also noted.
Regarding Isaiah Taylor, the Prime Minister also described him as another son of the soil and artist who showcased his talents and Bahamian spirit on the world stage.
“Isaiah Taylor is not only a proud son of The Bahamas. He is also a proud son of Pinewood, who originally hailed from Simms, Long Island,” the Prime Minister said.
Isaiah Taylor grew up between Kemp Road and Bernard Road. And about four decades ago he became one of the 
first residents of Pinewood, a community he has been known to love with all his heart and soul.
“He has also been a patriarch of Pinewood. It is so wonderful that the community he loves, loves him back by honouring his contributions to Pinewood. Generations to come will look at this Park, and ask, “Who was Isaiah Taylor?” the Prime Minister said.
Isaiah Taylor is revered as a Bahamian musical icon. He is best known as the lead bass player and driving force behind the Grammy Award-winning group, Baha Men.
In acknowledging that he’s known Isaiah for many years, the Prime Minister said he has the spirit of Junkanoo in his soul.
Isaiah Taylor had self-taught the guitar at age 21, and subsequently joined the group High Voltage, the band known for bringing the sound of Junkanoo festival music to the popular music stage from the late 70s into the 90s. He also collaborated with Tyrone “Dr. Off” Fitzgerald, of Funky Nassau fame; Dr. Off was one of the pioneers who helped to shape the sounds of Junkanoo outside the traditional festival environment.
In 1992, High Voltage changed its name to Baha Men. And although membership has changed over the years, Isaiah Taylor’s mentorship and leadership kept the band together, leading to success and numerous awards.
Among their many accomplishments are several awards, including a Grammy Award in 2000, two Billboard Music Awards that same year and two Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in 2000 and 2002. Several of Baha Men’s songs have been used in several major motion pictures.
The Prime Minister thanked Isaiah Taylor for his contributions to national development.
By Lindsay Thompson
Photo Captions:
Header: Pinewood Park was renamed the Isaiah Taylor Festival Park during the Annual Dennis Dean Pinewood Festival on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Isaiah Taylor is pictured centre right. Next to Mr. Taylor are Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis, and Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration the Hon. Brent Symonette. On the left, from left are Reuben Rahming, MP for Pinewood; Mrs. Natasha Rahming; and Travis Robinson, MP for Bain and Grant’s Town.
First insert: The Urban Renewal Marching Band performs for ceremonies at the Pinewood Park Renaming to Isaiah Taylor Festival Park, during the Annual Dennis Dean Pinewood Festival on Saturday, November 17, 2018.
Second insert: Pinewood Park was renamed Isaiah Taylor Festival Park during the Annual Dennis Dean Pinewood Festival on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Taylor also received a plaque in his honour. Pictured presenting the plaque is Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis (centre left). Also pictured during presentation are the Hon. Brent Symonette, Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration and MP for St Anne’s; Reuben Rahming, MP for Pinewood; and Travis Robinson, MP for Bain and Grant’s Town.
Third insert: Pinewood Park became Isaiah Taylor Festival Park during the Annual Dennis Dean Pinewood Festival on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Pictured are, from left: Isaiah Taylor, Prime Minister Minnis, and Reuben Rahming, MP, Pinewood.
(BIS Photos/Eric Rose)
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
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