Sikaiana, a tiny atoll of less than two square kilometres, is home to around 300 people and lies more than 200 kilometres from the main island of the Solomon Islands. Surrounded by the sea, most homes are just steps from the shore, making the community highly vulnerable to rising tides that flood the tree line and seep into wells, leaving freshwater scarce.
Despite these challenges, life on the island continues with a sense of routine. Children walk barefoot to school, fishermen prepare their nets, and families tend their gardens, maintaining traditions that have sustained them for generations.
At the island’s only school, Principal Tuiao Kapule relies on rainwater stored in tanks, a critical resource on this remote atoll where every drop is precious. He reflects on the dramatic changes over the years, noting that tides are higher and saltwater intrusion has made traditional farming more difficult.
The impact on the community is profound. Families struggle to adapt to these environmental shifts, and some students stay home from school when there isn’t enough food, highlighting the growing threat of climate change to daily life, food security, and education in Sikaiana.
