Honiara

Honiara is the capital of Solomon Islands on the northern side of Guadalcanal island, sitting along a flat coastal plain. The city covers several neighborhoods, including Point Cruz to the west where the port facilities are located, and Kukum further east along the main road.

Tulagi served as the administrative center before the Second World War, but after the conflict the British colonial administration moved the seat of government here in 1952. The new capital took its name from the village of Nagho ni ara that previously stood in the plain.

The name comes from the local expression Nagho ni ara, drawn from the Ghari language group. Markets along Mendana Avenue sell fresh fish, taro, and betel nut, which contribute to the daily life of city residents.

The airport sits east of the city and a taxi or minibus connects the runway with most lodgings. Walking along the coastal road, you find shops, restaurants, and access to the sea by short side paths.

A small Chinese cemetery lies near the shore, where graves of traders who settled here in the early 20th century rest. Some headstones still carry inscriptions in Chinese characters, recalling old trading connections.