Honiara

Honiara, the Solomon Islands’ bustling capital city, is located on Guadalcanal’s northern shore. The principal city of the Solomon Islands, Honiara, is well-known for its rich past and varied culture. The population right now is 92,344. This energetic city is a hive of activity with a unique mix of historical value and modern expansion.

Strategically positioned along the Kukum Highway, Honiara is easily reachable by air and boat. Important both domestic and international transportation hubs enabling the flow of people and products include Honiara International Airport and Point Cruz Seaport. Establishing itself as a capital territory in 1983, the city boasts a 22-square-kilometer metropolitan area. Now Honiara is the capital of Guadalcanal Province and possesses the autonomy of a province.

Major historical events—especially World War II—have irreversibly shaped Honiara’s history. During the Guadalcanal Campaign, especially the Battle of Henderson Field in 1942, the eastward airfield area of the city was a vital site. US and Japanese troops engaged in this struggle, the former winning. Being a turning point that finally resulted in Allied triumph, this victory was crucial in the Pacific area of the war.

After the war, Honiara’s role changed when it became the new administrative seat of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in 1952. The construction of several government buildings underlined this shift and hastened the population growth and municipal development.

Honiara has faced many challenges despite its expansion, including political unrest and ethnic violence. Early 2000s and late 1990s were somewhat turbulent. Representing the ethnic Malaitans and the Guadalcanal residents alternately, the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) and the Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) engaged in deadly battles following a coup attempt in June 2000. Although a peace pact was reached in October 2000, violence broke out once more in March 2002, killing two New Zealand diplomats as well as many others.

The situation had worsened much more by July 2003; hence, the Solomon Islands Government asked the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to assist in restoring peace. This mission, which included a number of Pacific nations and Australia as the mission leader, was crucial in restoring regional stability.

Following Snyder Rini’s appointment as Prime Minister, Honiara saw even another period of upheaval in 2006. Riots broke out, demolishing sections of Chinatown and rendering about 1,000 Chinese residents homeless. Tourism is a major sector for the city and the islands; hence, these events had a big impact on it.

Most of the government buildings and institutions of the Solomon Islands are housed at Honiara. The National Parliament, Solomon Islands College of Higher Education, and the Solomon Islands campus of the University of the South Pacific all find residence in the city. Important cultural and commercial attractions also are the national museum and the busy Honiara Market.

East Honiara, Central Honiara, and West Honiara are three parliamentary seats Honiara has three parliamentary constituencies: Among six in the nation with electorates of more than 10,000 people, these seats reflect the political significance of the city.

Though many other religions are represented, Honiara’s religious environment is essentially Christian. Among other things, the city hosts the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Honiara, the South Seas Evangelical Church, the United Church, the Church of the Province of Melanesia (Anglican), and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This variety reflects the wider cultural fabric of the Solomon Islands, which combines modern and traditional aspects.