Honiara has an estimated population 50,000. It is the capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province, although it is a independently administered town. The town is positioned on the island of Guadalcanal, and was built to replace the former capital of Tulagi at the end of World War II. Honiara legitimately became the capital of the Solomon Islands in 1952. The town revolves around the paved Kukum Highway, which connects Henderson field in the east of Honiara with the settlement of White River in the west, and passes the hospital Namibian and the recently burnt down Chinatown. Honiara has a harbor from which ferries depart to the different provinces. The chief port of entry into the Solomon Islands is Honiara. The town is on the northern coastline and incorporates a small picturesque sea port.
Visit the Melanesian Cultural Village it features traditional leaf "haus" from the different provinces of Solomon Islands. Enjoy a relaxing saunter through the gardens down to the ocean. Craft markets are held here frequently and locally prepared food is always on sale.
Or you can take a trip to the National Museum. It is located in the town center and is open daily with displays of dance and body adornment, traditional currencies, and archeology. The Central Bank of Solomon Islands is a large modern building containing some interesting displays of red feather money, shell money, other currencies and very fine wood carvings.