town, capital of Southeast Sulawesi (Sulawesi Tenggara) propinsi (province), southeastern Celebes, Indonesia. It is a port on an inlet of Kendari Bay of the Banda Sea, located about 230 miles (370 km) northeast of Ujungpandang (Makassar). Most of the town's inhabitants are of the Makassarese and Buginese peoples. The principal road in the region connects Kendari with Kolaka to the west. Kendari also has an airport. Its industries process foods and produce textiles and paper. Handicrafts include gold and silver ornament making, filigree work, weaving, and woodworking. The gold jewelry industry is carried on mostly by the Chinese. Exports consist mainly of timber, resin, and rattan. During World War II, Kendari was a major Japanese naval base. Pop. (2005) 236,269.