Did you know that the Mataniko River splits Honiara? It separates the central business area from Chinatown and the National Referral Hospital. The Mataniko River is more than just a geographical feature. It’s a landmark steeped in history especially tied to World War II.
The Mataniko River played a significant role during the Battle of Guadalcanal. In 1942, the river formed the western edge of the U.S. perimeter. The Japanese Army occupied the west side. They launched several offensives against the American lines.
Imagine the scene. It’s October 23, 1942. The Japanese Army begins its offensive. Artillery fire rains down. An infantry regiment supported by tanks assaults the U.S. perimeter along the Mataniko River. The U.S. Marine Corps defends the eastern side. The next morning, the Japanese assault had failed. Tanks tried to cross the sandbar at the river’s mouth. Gunfire disabled and abandoned them.
The Mataniko Sandbar saw intense action. On October 24, 1942, seven Japanese tanks advanced eastward. Marines disabled them. To prevent their reuse, the Marines demolished six tank hulls. One Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank remains partially submerged near the river’s mouth. The others disappeared into the sand.
Later in the war, E Company, 5th Marines crossed the Mataniko River. They established outposts on the west bank. The 1st Engineer Battalion built three footbridges across the river. By early 1943, a one-lane bridge for vehicles was built inland from the river’s mouth.
The Mataniko Falls or Matanikau Falls are also nearby. It is a double-sided waterfall. The water falls into a cave full of stalagmites. Swallows and bats swoop through the air. During the Guadalcanal campaign, Japanese soldiers hid in this cave. They sought to avoid capture.
The falls are a two-hour hike from Chinatown. The path leads from the 1.5-mile road to Tuvaruhu. Cross the river at Tuvaruhu. Hire a guide to walk along the ridge top. The trail leads to the waterfall.
The Mataniko River silently witnessed intense conflict. Today, it flows as a reminder. It connects Honiara’s past and present. The Mataniko continues to shape the city.