In April 2025, the Solomon Islands WWII Heritage Association (SIWHA) applied for a BLP grant on behalf of a WWII heritage tourism operation, the Pagoda Tunnels in Henderson, Honiara.

The grant was to provide for the construction of stairs and railings to improve tourist access to the Pagoda Tunnels, an historic WWII underground air-raid shelter. The basic construction was carried out by volunteers from SIWHA and staff from Pagoda. Since then, the stairs have significantly improved safe access to the tunnels and underground shelters, particularly during wet conditions with positive feedback from Tour Operators with expanded visitor numbers to the tunnels.

Prior to the construction of the stairs to reach the entrance of the tunnels, visitors had to walk down a steep incline. With frequent rain on Guadalcanal, the hillside was often muddy and slippery, presenting a real safety challenge for most visitors, particularly elderly cruise passengers, a key target audience for the tourism operation.

Historical Tunnels

Originally built and occupied by the Japanese during the WWII, the tunnel was used as a signal control station. Later the underground tunnels were taken over by the famous Cactus Air Force for their headquarters after the original HQ building “the Pagoda” was targeted by Japanese bombing raids. The Cactus Air Force was an ensemble of Allied air power that operated from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal during World War II from August 1942 to February 1943. The name is based on “Cactus”, the Allied code name for the island.

The tunnels themselves are slowly being upgraded. Last year the tunnels were cleaned out, lighting installed and old air vents opened.

With the BLP targeted financial support, the Pagoda Tunnels WWII heritage operation was able to improve access, helping to protect and share the Pagoda Tunnels’ WWII heritage while supporting a safer, more sustainable visitor experience for local and international tourists.

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