84th anniversary of Battle of Bloody Ridge commemorated

Honiara, 07/09/2026 – The national commemoration marking the 84th anniversary of the Guadalcanal Campaign during the Second World War, was held on Monday 7 September at the Bloody Ridge National Historical Park in East Guadalcanal.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale, United States Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, and other dignitaries from US, including High Commissioners and Ambassadors from Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Japan, as well as Guadalcanal Provincial Premier Hon. Willie Atu.

Also in attendance were senior government officials, staff from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Tourism Solomons, Travel Solomons, tourism students from Solomon Islands National University, Bloody Ridge Rangers, Waru Panpipers and the Hotomai Cultural Group.

Speaking at the commemoration, Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon. James Bonuga said the event was not simply to mark an anniversary or remember a battle fought more than eight decades ago.

“We are here to remember the men and women whose lives were forever changed by the Guadalcanal campaign,” he said.

Minister Bonuga said the Guadalcanal Campaign forms part of a shared history between Solomon Islands, the United States of America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and many other nations involved in the Second World War.

In honour this shared history, he said the Bloody Ridge National Historical Park was established as one of the significant national projects undertaken by the National government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

He said the project reflects the government’s commitment to protecting and preserving the historical and cultural heritage of Solomon Islands, while recognising Bloody Ridge’s special place within the country’s national heritage landscape.

Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale said the national government had placed strong emphasis on protecting and promoting the country’s cultural and historical heritage.

“Our vision is a site properly developed, protected and interpreted. A place where our children can learn, historians can study, families of veterans can remember and communities of Guadalcanal can benefit from responsible heritage tourism,” he said.

United States Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau expressed profound gratitude to the Solomon Islands Government for preserving the Bloody Ridge National Historical Park.

He said the commemoration was an opportunity to honour the allied forces and Solomon Islanders who fought to defend their homeland and aided those who came to fight beside them.

However, he said the legacy of the battle was not only one of military victory, but also marked the beginning of partnerships between nations during a time of great need.

He said those relationships continue to be valued by the countries that share this history.

Landau is visiting Solomon Islands as part of his Pacific engagement, during which he has met with various governments and institutions across the region.

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Commemoration of the 84th Battle of the Bloody Ridge.

Hotomai Cultural group from Guadalcanal.

Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Keiichi Higuchi laying a wreath at the Japanese monument at Bloody Ridge Hill No. 1

Members of US delegation attending the ceremony.

Prime Minister Wale meets with US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau.

Raising of the flag during the commemoration ceremony.

Some of the guests attending the 84th commemoration of the Battle of Bloody Ridge, held yesterday