The Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers Trust plans to build a war museum and an information centre in the national capital, Honiara.
The Trust’s Chairman, Sir Bruce Saunders has revealed the plan to the Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare.
Sir Bruce said the Trust is searching for a site in and around Honiara to build the ‘War Museum and Information Centre’.
He said the Trust is looking at the battle-field sites at Bloody Ridge and Red Beach on the outskirts of East Honiara.
He said the War Museum and Information Centre could be part of a National Park, adding together they could boost Solomon Islands as a tourism destination.
“These are unique sites because the fiercest battles between the Japanese Soldiers and the advancing US and Allied Forces were fought there in the Battle of Guadalcanal during the Second World War.
“The War Museum and Information Centre will keep records and information on the activities of Scouts and Coastwatchers in Solomon Islands during that warring period.”
Sir Bruce said the Governments of Japan and the United States of America as well as UNSECO could be approached to lend a helping hand to build the War Museum and Information Centre and the National Park.
But he said a lot of work will need to be carried out to clear Red Beach of unexploded World War Two ordnances which infest the site.
He said the project is earmarked to be ready for the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of World War Two in Solomon Islands in 2017.
Meanwhile, Sir Bruce said the trust has requested the Solomon Islands National University to allow its Quonset Hut at the Kukum Campus in Honiara to establish the War Museum and Information Centre.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor (Corporate) Donald Malasa in response said the Campus Planning and Project Coordinating Committee has agreed in principle to support the proposal.
But he said to help the committee to influence the SINU Council to approve the proposal, it would need to know the total area of the Quonset Hut that would be needed, its Concept Plan for the centre and other envisaged activities at the site.
By George Atkin,
PM’s press secretariat & Gov’t communication
