The story of the Solomon Islands begins in the sea. The culture of the islands literally rose from the surrounding, nurturing ocean. The museum envisioned will connect the visitor to the dynamic underwater world that surrounds the islands. Since most visitors to the islands come to view the myriad of beautiful sea creatures, we wish to deliver an educational and environmental message that shows connections. The connections between the jungles and rain forests, the streams and mangroves, the reefs and offshore, and the people and their culture. Issues, problems and solutions for the aquatic realm will be addressed, including pollution, over fishing and diver impact to name just a few. The importance of the educational experience is paramount and cannot be overstated…for we can only preserve what we understand.

The introduction of the Solomon Islands to the concerns of the outside world came violently in 1942 with the arrival of military forces engaged in World War II. The construction of a strategically important airfield on Guadalcanal set in motion a chain of events that would forever alter the state of world affairs. The ensuing struggle involved combatants from many nations descending on an island that became known for one of the most famous battles in wartime history. The museum would use this pivotal event in world history as a means of organizing the museum’s presentations, i.e., the people of the Solomon Islands before the war, during the war, and after the war.

This gallery of the Museum will compliment the Cultural Centre currently in Honiara. No discussion of the islands and the globally historic events would be possible without enlightening the visitor to the rich cultural heritage of the Solomon Islands. The Museum program can start with the furthest known prehistory of the area and take the visitor on a journey through time. The Museum will be a place where all ages and nationalities can learn about and from an ancient culture and its modern society while provide fitting tribute to this diverse and resilient culture.

Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands contain some of the most diverse and untouched rain forest environments remaining on our planet. Both the flora and fauna of the forests and jungles of the island deserve our respect and protection. The goal of the Museum is to educate the visiting resident and tourists about the incredible diversity of plant and animal life that call the Solomon Islands their home. Again, we wish to reinforce the strong connections between the land, the sea and the culture of the islands. The amazing geologic history and cataclysmic formation of the islands will also be discussed, showing the vast journey through time that these tiny islands have taken. It is hoped that this “island” concept will be carried away from the Museum to help form the foundation of a larger “Island Earth” philosophy that will benefit us all.

Purpose

What is it?

Guadalcanal is one of the largest island in the Solomon Island group, located in the South Pacific. The islands are a double row of high continental peaks of the submerged mountain range that extends from New Guinea to New Zealand. The largest islands of the group are Choisuel, Guadalcanal, Malaita, new Georgia, San Cristobal and Santa Isabel. The population centers are Maliata and Guadalcanal. The Solomon Islands celebrated their independence as a nation within the British Commonwealth July 7, 1978.

Artifacts

Business Visions