Makira-Ulawa Province Day – Aug. 3, 2026

Makira-Ulawa Province Day
Submit your updates or photos
Categories:
Tags:
AppreciationCivicHistorical
Where:
Solomon Islands
Date change rule:
Every August 3, or the following Monday if August 3 is a Sunday
Holiday emoji:
🇸🇧

Makira-Ulawa Province Day honors the establishment of local governance and the rich culture of this Solomon Islands province every August 3. This public holiday is a time for official speeches, cultural events, and community gatherings. Join in the festivities by learning about the province’s history, celebrating its unique traditions, and supporting local initiatives.

Want to sponsor Makira-Ulawa Province Day? Learn how

Expected Makira-Ulawa Province Day Deals

Makira-Ulawa Province Day, as a significant civic holiday, primarily focuses on community events, official observances, and cultural festivities rather than widespread commercial deals. However, local businesses throughout the Solomon Islands, particularly within Makira-Ulawa, often participate by hosting special promotions or cultural showcases. Residents can anticipate local markets and craft vendors seeing increased activity, offering traditional carvings, woven goods, and other handmade items. Eateries might feature unique Makira-Ulawa cuisine, providing a taste of the local heritage. Government services and local tourism operators, such as Solomon Airlines and Tourism Solomons, might highlight travel opportunities to the province, encouraging visitors to experience the celebrations firsthand. While major national promotions are unlikely, the day fosters a strong sense of local commerce and community engagement. We will update this page with any confirmed live deals or special events as August 3 approaches, though the emphasis remains firmly on cultural appreciation and civic pride.

Platform Guide for Makira-Ulawa Province Day

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #MakiraUlawaDay. Share photos and videos of local celebrations, traditional dances, or community events.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #MakiraUlawaProvinceDay. Share news, historical facts, or local insights about the province and its annual commemorations.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #MakiraUlawa. Post vibrant pictures of the islands, cultural attire, or festive gatherings to celebrate the day visually.

Social Media Tips for Makira-Ulawa Province Day

Individuals

Participate in local parades, attend cultural performances, or simply spend the day with family reflecting on the province's heritage and future.

Creators

Produce short documentaries or vlogs showcasing the unique traditions, natural beauty, and community spirit of Makira-Ulawa Province during the celebrations.

Brands

Local businesses can sponsor cultural events, offer special discounts on traditional goods, or partner with community organizations to highlight the province's rich heritage.

Partners & Brands for Makira-Ulawa Province Day

  1. Solomon Airlines

    The national airline of the Solomon Islands, established in 1962. It connects the capital Honiara with various domestic destinations, including Makira-Ulawa Province, facilitating travel and trade within the archipelago.

  2. Tourism Solomons

    The official national tourism office responsible for promoting the Solomon Islands as a travel destination. They highlight the diverse cultural experiences and natural beauty, including attractions in Makira-Ulawa Province.

  3. Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC)

    The national public broadcaster of the Solomon Islands, established in 1976. SIBC plays a crucial role in disseminating information, news, and cultural programming across all provinces, including Makira-Ulawa.

  4. World Vision Solomon Islands

    An international Christian humanitarian organization active in the Solomon Islands, focusing on community development, health, and education. They support sustainable initiatives in various provinces, including Makira-Ulawa.

  5. Kokorana Cultural Group

    A representative cultural group from Makira-Ulawa Province dedicated to preserving and performing traditional dances, music, and storytelling. They often feature prominently in provincial celebrations and festivals.

  6. Solomon Islands Government

    The central governing body of the Solomon Islands, responsible for national policy and administration. Provincial days like Makira-Ulawa Province Day are officially recognized and often involve speeches from government representatives.

  7. Local Craft Markets

    Across Makira-Ulawa Province, local craft markets are vital hubs for artisans to sell traditional carvings, woven goods, and other handmade items. These markets often see increased activity during provincial celebrations.

Makira-Ulawa Province Day Hero

Sir David Kausimae

Sir David Kausimae was a prominent political figure in the Solomon Islands, renowned for his dedication to public service and his home region. He served as the first Premier of Makira-Ulawa Province, a pivotal role during the critical period of self-governance and the establishment of provincial administrations. His visionary leadership was instrumental in shaping the political landscape of the province and advocating tirelessly for its development and the welfare of its people, leaving a lasting legacy of progress and local empowerment.

History of Makira-Ulawa Province Day

The Solomon Islands have been inhabited since around 2,000 B.C. but exploration by people from other lands in June 1598, when Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña y Neira sailed there on his boat. He became the first European to visit this bunch of islands, and he was also responsible for its first name — the Islas Salomón.

After Mendaña y Neira, these islands were not visited again for almost 200 years, until the British colonized parts of these islands. Eventually, the group of islands was in part governed by England and Germany, at least until 1886, when both countries agreed to an equal share in the islands’ governance. Germany eventually handed over all islands to Britain after an agreement in 1899, and the place became a British protectorate. Not all (nine) major island groups were part of British territory.

The occupation was disrupted during the Second World War when the Japanese invaded these islands. Fierce battles, among them the famous and bloody Battle of Guadalcanal, marked this period. The British only regained control of the island at the end of the war, in 1945.

The name of this place, which was called the British Solomon Islands Protectorate until 1975, was changed to the Solomon Islands. They claimed self-governance the following year and achieved complete independence two years on. They changed their name again, dropping the article and becoming the Solomon Islands.

As for the Makira-Ulawa province, its isolation for very long periods during high tide caused a variety of flora and fauna to flourish here, which created a unique biodiverse habitat in the region. The place is also said to have caves so remote that it is only inhabited by the Kakamora or ‘leprechauns of the Pacific,’ a race of Makira-Ulawa people who stand only up to a meter tall. The region and its unique customs — like crocodile wrestling and crab harvesting — have been attracting a lot of interest.

Makira-Ulawa Province Day timeline

1978
The Solomon Islands Declare Independence

The islands are now a constitutional monarchy — a.k.a. a place where the monarchy rules in tandem with the constitution — where before, they were ruled by the British.

2017
All About Tourism

All the places making up the Solomon Islands collectively see only 26,000 tourists the entire year, making this place one of the least frequently visited tourist spots in the world.

2021
Makira-Ulawa Gets its Land Back

As a part of a commitment to help provincial governments decide their own development paths, the islands’ national government transfers land back to the Makira-Ulawa Province in a historic ceremony in August.

2022
Bananas for Bananas

A favorite food of the Makira-Ulawa people, bananas, is showcased in a traditional festival called De Makira Banana Festival, which is being reintroduced this year.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Makira-Ulawa Province Day

Local businesses in Makira-Ulawa Province can authentically celebrate by decorating their premises with provincial colors and symbols, hosting special community gatherings, or offering discounts on locally sourced products. Restaurants might feature traditional Makira-Ulawa cuisine, while craft shops can highlight artisan works from the region. Engaging with cultural groups for performances or educational talks can also foster a deeper sense of community pride.

Makira-Ulawa Province Day FAQs

When is Makira-Ulawa Province Day?

In 2026, Makira-Ulawa Province Day falls on Monday, August 3, marking a significant civic observance for the Solomon Islands province. It’s a day for reflection and celebration of local governance.

How many people live in Makira-Ulawa Province?

As of recent estimates, Makira-Ulawa Province has a population of approximately 50,000 to 60,000 people. This makes it one of the less densely populated but culturally rich provinces in the Solomon Islands.

What is Makira-Ulawa Province known for?

Makira-Ulawa Province is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, including lush rainforests, diverse marine life, and stunning coastlines. It’s also known for its rich cultural heritage, traditional dances, and unique languages.

Is Makira-Ulawa Province Day a public holiday?

Yes, Makira-Ulawa Province Day is a public holiday observed throughout the province. This allows residents to participate fully in the official ceremonies and community festivities.

Makira-Ulawa Province Day Activities

  1. Check out various cultural events

    In a world so interconnected digitally, we bet you can find a few cultural and traditional events and activities of the Makira-Ulawa people if you look hard enough. Why not check out documentaries, books, or movies that feature the Solomon Islands too, as a way to familiarize yourself with the culture?

  2. Learn all you can about Makira-Ulawa

    This province holds a lot of hidden wonders that are as yet undiscovered by human tourist activities. Learn more about this region and the lands surrounding it. Don't forget to share your knowledge with people around you.

  3. Plan a trip

    Why not take in the untouched lands and wilderness in 3.D.? Make a plan to visit this incredible corner of the world that is still (mostly) untouched by tourism.

5 Facts About The Makira-Ulawa Province

  1. Storing food in the Solomon Islands

    Once upon a time, food was not stored in the Solomon Islands, except in the Eastern regions, where they used food storage pits to keep food in case there was a food shortage

  2. They have a 'six-month pudding'

    Originally from the Makira Ulawa province, this pudding — preserved in coconut oil — can last for up to six months and is still prepared as a delicacy by the Makira people.

  3. Less foot traffic

    And out of all the islands, the Makira Province is one of the most isolated.

  4. Makira has a lot of biodiversities

    A 182,550 ha tract of forested land in the Eastern part of the Makira Island has even been designated as an Important Bird Area (I.B.A.) by BirdLife International, a group of N.G.O.s striving to protect birds and their habitats globally.

  5. A point of pride

    Queen Elizabeth II first stepped foot in the Solomon Islands in East Makira, a fact that makes the Makira-Ulawa people proud to this day.

Why We Love Makira-Ulawa Province Day

  1. The place is rich in biodiversity

    Twelve out of 70 bird species are found only in the region, they have more saltwater crocodiles than the other Solomon Islands, and the Makira-Ulawa province is also the only coast where the rare Pacific Ridley turtle is known to visit and rest. Add to this their diverse ecosystems co-existing in this lush forested region, and you have a green paradise.

  2. It is also an untouched gem

    Roughly 90% of the land is, as yet, untouched by any tourism. Parts of the community continue to sustain themselves by living off the land. The place has also been described as a pristine adventure paradise that is perfect for birdwatching, nature treks, and more.

  3. We're exploring the world too

    This event is steeped in ancient cultures and history that help us understand this land better and develop a kinship with the native people of this region. In seeing how they have lived and thrived, we, too, are exploring a new culture and world.

Makira-Ulawa Province Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 August 3 Monday
2027 August 3 Tuesday
2028 August 3 Thursday
2029 August 3 Friday
2030 August 3 Saturday