While there is not officially a whole heap to do in Honiara, there are a bunch of hidden gems if you scratch beneath the surface, particularly related to its World War 2 past.
One such place is Betikama College War Museum, or Betikama Museum depending on who you talk to. More a small private affair rather than a big brash one, it houses some cool WW2 wrecks, photos, and even old Coke bottles, all sitting rather oddly within a Seventh Day Adventist church and school compound.
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What the Betikama College War Museum
The Betikama College War Museum is a small privately maintained collection located inside the Betikama Adventist College grounds. The college itself is run by the Seventh Day Adventist Church and has long been a major educational institution on Guadalcanal. During World War 2 this area sat close to key US and Japanese positions during the Guadalcanal Campaign.
Over the years war relics were recovered locally and gradually gathered here, not as part of a national project but through local effort. This is not a polished state museum, but rather a practical collection preserved by the school and church community.
And the Betikama College War Museum itself
What you get here is very much a hands on, informal look at Guadalcanal’s war history. Expect rusting aircraft parts, artillery fragments, shell casings, personal items, photographs and bits of everyday life recovered from the surrounding area. Some of the most interesting items are the mundane ones, including old glass bottles and personal effects that remind you soldiers actually lived and died here. There are no fancy displays or multimedia nonsense, just relics laid out plainly. It is quick to visit, but genuinely interesting if you care about Pacific War history.
Location location location
Betikama College is located in the eastern outskirts of Honiara, in the Lungga area. From central Honiara it is around a 20 to 30 minute drive depending on traffic, heading east along the main coastal road before turning inland towards the college grounds.
And once you do get here you’ll see it is worth it merely for the road names. There’s Pioneer Road, where we obviously had a pic, but also Temperance Road, Self Control Road, Love Road, Faith Road and Hope Road, all very much in keeping with the church setting and gently reminding you how to behave.
Address and contact details
Betikama Adventist College
Betikama, East Honiara
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
There is no official website or active social media presence for the museum itself, and no publicly listed direct phone number. Therefore you’ll need to use a travel agency, like us!
Click to check our next Solomon Islands Tour.
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