Kwaio District

The Kwaio District, located in the rugged central highlands of Malaita Island, is distinguished by its steadfast adherence to traditional 'Kastom' (customary law). The Kwaio people have successfully resisted significant external cultural influences for decades, maintaining their ancestral religion and social systems governed by complex taboos. A pivotal and tragic moment in their history is the 1927 'Bell Massacre', where British District Officer William Bell and his party were killed by Kwaio warriors following a dispute over the collection of head taxes. The subsequent brutal punitive expedition by the colonial administration resulted in numerous casualties and the destruction of sacred ancestral sites, leaving a lasting legacy of distrust toward state authority. The Kwaio reside in scattered mountain settlements, practicing shifting cultivation and raising pigs, which hold immense ritualistic and economic value. In recent years, there have been meaningful steps toward reconciliation and the inclusion of Kwaio traditional knowledge in conservation initiatives. The district stands as a powerful example of cultural resilience and the pursuit of indigenous sovereignty in a globalized world. Access to the area remains challenging due to the steep terrain and high cultural sensitivities.

Nearby cities

Point Cruz Business District

This district in Honiara is the commercial heart of the country.

Honiara

The capital of the Solomon Islands is located on the north coast of Guadalcanal.

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Kokumbona

A former village west of Honiara that served as the headquarters for the Japanese 17th Army during the Guadalcanal campaign.

Lungga

Lungga is an industrial and residential settlement on the eastern edge of Honiara, located by the river of the same name.

Auki Market Center

Auki is the economic center of Malaita Province.

Auki

Auki is the capital of Malaita Province and one of the largest towns in the country.

Buala

Buala is the capital of Isabel Province, located on the Maringe Lagoon.

Kirakira

Kirakira is the capital of the Makira-Ulawa Province.

Kirakira Trade Center

Kirakira is the administrative capital of Makira-Ulawa Province.

Tulagi

Tulagi was the former capital of the British Protectorate and is now the capital of the Central Province.

Tulagi Island

The former capital of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

A-Tulagi

The surrounding area of Tulagi includes several small island settlements in the Central Province.

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Afutara

Afutara is a mission station and settlement on the west coast of Malaita, known for its agricultural center.

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Atori

Atori is an important trade center on the east coast of Malaita and the terminus of the road from Auki.

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Fauabu

Fauabu is a mission station on the west coast of Malaita, known for its significant hospital.

History & landmarks

Honiara City Council

The city council's administrative building is the hub of Honiara's local government.

Langa Langa Artificial Islands

These islands were built by hand from coral stones in the Malaita lagoon.

Langa Langa Lagoon

A lagoon on Malaita famous for its centuries-old artificial islands and the traditional manufacturing of shell money.

Auki Central Market

Auki Central Market is a vibrant hub where agricultural products from the Malaita highlands are traded and sold.

Fanalei Traditional Village

Fanalei is famous for traditional dolphin hunting and the use of dolphin teeth as currency.

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Sinking Island of Walande

Walande is an artificial island that has almost entirely disappeared due to climate change.

Nature

More places

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Mount Nasuha

Mount Nasuha is one of the significant peaks in southern Malaita.

Central Range Malaita

The Central Range runs the length of Malaita Island from northwest to southeast.

St. Peter's Cathedral, Auki

The primary Catholic church in Auki, Malaita, is a monumental religious building in the region.

Auki Mangroves

The mangrove forests near Auki on Malaita are a vital ecosystem for marine species and coastal protection.

Binu Palm Oil Plantation

Binu is a central component of the oil palm industry on Guadalcanal.

Florida Ridge

The Florida Ridge is the central mountain spine of the Nggela Islands (Florida Islands).