Renovation has officially begun on the King Solomon Hotel Kakai Haus in Honiara, marking the start of a major redevelopment project expected to cost around $45 million.
Workers were on site this week to remove the existing thatched roof and walls in preparation for building a modern new facility.
The redevelopment plan was confirmed by the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) in a statement last July and follows an agreement between the SINPF Board and O’Neill Remington Group (ORG) to redevelop the hotel.
King Hotel and Resorts Limited (KHRL), a joint venture between SINPF (55% shareholding) and ORG (45% shareholding), will provide the funds and expertise for the project, signalling confidence in the tourism and hospitality potential of the Solomon Islands.
KHRL purchased the King Solomon Hotel property in February 2025 for $50 million, representing SINPF’s 55% shareholding. ORG will finance $45 million for its 45% share in the redevelopment.
The redevelopment will feature three modern leaf houses on Hibiscus Avenue, each rising 18 metres high, honouring traditional Solomon Islands architecture while embracing contemporary hospitality concepts and building materials.
The designs include:
- A new lobby with hotel reception, café, public amenities, and administration offices.
- The middle leaf house, featuring an open-style commercial kitchen, cold and dry storage, an in-house bakery, a butchery, and an 80-seat restaurant.
- The third leaf house, housing Honiara’s first microbrewery with an entertainment area, bar, and front-row seating to watch the brewing process.
The three air-conditioned leaf houses will be built to high standards using steel, extensive glass, and composite leaf-style roofing, connected by an innovative glass walkway parallel to Hibiscus Avenue, reflecting Honiara’s welcoming and safe environment.
Sir Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Chairman of SINPF, said:
“I am delighted that we are kicking off stage one of a multi-stage redevelopment of the hotel. The first stage, which includes construction and fit-out, is expected to cost an estimated $50 million and take around 12 months to complete. Local contractors and approximately 80 local construction workers will be employed during this stage.”
Building permits have already been secured from the Honiara City Council, and all current hotel staff will remain employed during construction.
Hon. Peter O’Neill, Chairman of ORG, reaffirmed his commitment to investing in the Solomon Islands:
“After seeing the strong performance of the King Solomon Hotel and the absolute support from locals and visitors since our involvement in February (2025), and with continued Government support, I am confident this investment will yield strong financial results, set excellent hospitality standards in the capital, and provide long-term employment for Solomon Islanders.
“It will be an iconic building, not just for Honiara but for the entire Pacific, offering a hospitality experience that will set a new standard of excellence and enjoyment for locals and visitors alike.”
