Auki, human settlement
Auki is a settlement on the northwest coast of Malaita Island located at the northern end of Langa Langa Lagoon. The town has simple government buildings, small shops, and a local market where people buy and sell goods daily, with practical infrastructure that has grown over many years.
Auki was founded in 1909 when the British took control of the area and established an administrative post. During World War II, the town served as a refuge for government workers evacuated from Tulagi, though the settlement itself remained largely untouched by active warfare.
The name Auki comes from a bird living in the area. People here maintain traditional dances, music, and ceremonies passed down through generations, and daily life follows a rhythm where work, community time, and local customs are closely woven together.
Gwaunaru'u Airport serves the town with small propeller planes from Honiara a couple of times each week, from where visitors reach the town by truck, bus, or taxi. Kilufi Hospital provides basic health services, and shops and markets operate year-round.
In 1959 an open-air cinema opened in town, showing films four days a week and becoming a gathering place for the community. A boatbuilding school founded in 1960 also played an important role, teaching local men the craft of constructing fishing boats and securing their livelihoods.
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