Caring for destination

This accommodation provider has taken action to address one or more issues (whether environmental, social or cultural) which will contribute positively to the long term viability of the destination and hence their site displays a Caring for the destination rating.

Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:  

Environment and Society.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative: 

Rain Tree Cafe Bed & Breakfast aims to support the development and skills of local people and to promote sustainable farming and food systems.

The site of the Rain Tree Cafe B&B is a reclaimed area once a dumping ground / abandoned building site. The vision was to renovate the block and turn it into something beautiful using local skills with environmental, social and economic sustainability in mind.

The owners started work with some locals to clean up and develop the site. Rain Tree incorporated the following processes and ideas into the cafe and B&B's development.

Recycling - Abandoned resources were gathered to be recycled during the development process.  Recycled local timber was used to build new sections of the modified internal walls. Timber was salvaged from long defunct logging operations near Bonege and was also used for bench tops.

Renewable resources - The renewable resource - bamboo - was used wherever possible, this was sourced from the nearby Kakabona village.

Regeneration - Since 2003, friends and visitors of Rain Tree Cafe Bed & Breakfast have been planting of trees and removing the enormous amount of steel, plastic and other waste on the site and foreshore.

Organic - finishes were used on the timber wherever possible, linseed oil and local bees wax were used. (In heavy traffic areas polyurethane had to be used).

Environmentally friendly technologies - A compost toilet was installed to minimise the use of water resources and the chance of effluent getting into the ocean. This is also a demonstration tool to other operators wanting to use environmentally friendly technology.

Sawment - is a building material made from sawdust, cement and sand. It has good thermal and mud brick or rammed earth properties. It's a good solution for construction in the Solomons because it is labour intensive (creates extra income source for locals), makes use of readily available waste material (sawdust and sand) and is lower cost when compared to fibro and masonite materials that all have to be imported.

Traditional designs - A traditional sago palm leaf roof with round mamafua poles, bamboo rafters and cane bindings was used for the roof. Traditional sago palm methods were used including wild betel nut trunks for folding on the thatch and palm mid rib for 'stitching'.

Local staff and products - Local technicians and locally sourced materials were used throughout the building process. Products sold at the Cafe support local farmers, fishermen, crafts people and food processors who use local produce in a sustainable way.

Cynthia (the local Rain Tree counterpart) recruited and trained relatives from her home village in Malaita and local ladies from nearby Kakabona to work in and operate the cafe. These ladies have gained their hospitality skills through Rain Tree training and support. Many had little formal education or experience prior to coming to Rain Tree.

When the cafe finally opened everyone involved was excited to share their journey and finished product with diners and travellers. They hope you continue to enjoy the food, the hospitality, the sustainable vision, and of course their namesake, the massive rain tree, the physical feature of this Cafe and Bed & Breakfast.