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Kokumbona
ℹ️Practical info — Kokumbona
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Kokumbona is a short drive west from Honiara; you can easily catch a local minibus heading that way.
- Hire a local village guide to safely show you the WWII relics, as many are located on private or hidden land.
- Out of respect for the significant historical loss of life here, maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor at relic sites.
- Bring drinking water and insect repellent, as exploring the old Japanese headquarters involves walking through tropical bush.
🍽 Food
Grab freshly grilled fish from small stalls along the main road leading to the village.
Locals often sell sweet, freshly cut pineapple right by the village roadside.
Simple, sweet fried dough rings sold at village stalls, well-suited for a quick snack.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Small stalls sometimes offer locally made crafts or farm produce; buying here directly supports the community.
Buy fresh vegetables and fruits along the road; prices are often better than at the Honiara central market.
A peaceful stretch of dark sand with calming views across the Ironbottom Sound towards Savo Island.
The hills directly above the village offer reflective, quiet spots overlooking the historical battlegrounds.
Water temperature…
Kokumbona was a vital Japanese military base and the headquarters of the 17th Army during the Guadalcanal campaign in 1942. Located approximately 10 kilometers west of Lunga Point, it served as the primary landing site for Japanese reinforcements and supplies delivered by the 'Tokyo Express'. The village's location at the base of steep ridges provided natural protection against Allied assaults for several months. The eventual capture of Kokumbona on January 23, 1943, by US forces signaled the total collapse of organized Japanese resistance on the island. Large quantities of military hardware, radio equipment, and medical supplies were seized by the Americans during the occupation. Today, Kokumbona is a thriving coastal community where remnants of Japanese landing craft and tanks can still be found along the shoreline. It remains a key destination for military historians exploring the logistical history of the Pacific War.
- Location: Solomon Islands
- Top sights: Lumatapopo Cultural Village · White River SDA
- Nearby: Honiara (6 km)
- Population: ~26.009 (2025)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
| Rain mm | 263 | 305 | 277 | 220 | 214 | 143 | 135 | 114 | 107 | 160 | 167 | 221 |
Geography
Facts
- Kokumbona served as the command post for General Harukichi Hyakutake until January 1943.
- US forces of the 25th Infantry Division captured the village on January 23, 1943.
- The site hosted the largest Japanese field hospital on the island of Guadalcanal.
- Several Japanese 'Daihatsu' landing barges remain submerged in the shallow waters.
- Its capture forced the Japanese into their final retreat towards Cape Esperance.
- The village was a primary target for Allied naval and aerial bombardments in 1942.
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Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Kokumbona (2)
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