BY LORETTA B MANELE
After many years, a professor who once lived among the Sikaiana people to carry out his research makes a return.
According to a press statement from the Sikaiana Cultural Village at Red Beach, North-East Guadalcanal, they received Professor Bill Donner on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
In an emotional homecoming ceremony, the Sikaiana people welcomed Professor Bill Donner who is a professor of Anthropology and Sociology at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, United States.
This visit marks 32 years since he last lived among them.
As stated, Professor Donner had conducted extensive ethnographic research on Sikaiana from 1980 to 1993.
“During those years, he immersed himself in the daily life of the islanders, documenting their social structures, customs and worldview in a respectful and lasting partnership”, the statement said.
It is understood that the cultural village typically opens its doors to tourists and visitors but it was opened exclusively for Professor Donner in recognition of the deep bond he has with the Sikaiana community.
“Traditional dances, chants, familiar taste of island food and recollections of the many good old days and the departed (RIP) marked the occasion”, said the statement.
One Sikaiana elder, Robert Elito, expressed that he is not a tourist but one of them.
“He is one of us. He lived with us, listened to us and shared our story with the world,” he said.
As noted in the statement, while in Honiara, the professor will meet with Sikaiana community members to discuss how his research can be better accessed and used by the people themselves.
He is said to also meet with Rev. Dr. Ben Wate and Professor Lincy Pende of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and hopes to visit the National Archives and Museum to explore collaboration with the Government Archivist and the Curator.
Also mentioned is that if shipping schedules permit, Professor Donner plans to make a long-hoped for return trip to Sikaiana.
“He plans to make a long-hoped-for return trip to Sikaiana and walk its snow-white shores and swim in its light-blue crystal-clear waters one more time. Just one more time,” said the statement.
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