Nathaniel Waena obit

SINU mourns passing of founding leader Sir Nathaniel Waena 

He was not on the list.

The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) has expressed profound sadness over the passing of Sir Nathaniel Rahumaea Waena, a former Governor-General, Member of Parliament, senior statesman and one of the founding leaders of the national university.

In a tribute issued by SINU Vice-Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau, the university extended condolences to Lady Waena, Sir Nathaniel’s children and family, the people of Ulawa and Ugi, and all Solomon Islanders who were touched by his leadership and service.

Professor Aqorau said Sir Nathaniel dedicated much of his life to serving Solomon Islands and held several important national leadership positions with dignity and distinction.

For SINU, however, his passing carries particular significance because of his role in the establishment and early development of the national university.

Professor Aqorau said Sir Nathaniel was among the courageous leaders who helped make the establishment of a national university possible at a time when there were many uncertainties and no well-established path to follow.

He said establishing a national university was a bold undertaking that required leaders with the vision to look beyond immediate challenges and create greater opportunities for young Solomon Islanders to learn, conduct research and contribute to national development.

As the first Chair and Pro-Chancellor of SINU, Sir Nathaniel helped provide leadership during the university’s formative years.

Professor Aqorau said the decisions made during those early years required patience, wisdom, resolve and faith in the future.

He noted that the university’s students, graduates, lecturers and researchers today form part of the living legacy of the vision held by Sir Nathaniel and other pioneers of the institution.

“Building may bear the name of an institution, but a university is ultimately built upon the courage, conviction and sacrifices of people,” Professor Aqorau said.

He described Sir Nathaniel as one of those people whose contribution has been permanently woven into the history and identity of SINU.

His passing, Professor Aqorau said, leaves an immense void, with the country losing a respected statesman, founding leader and wise elder.

SINU said the most fitting tribute to Sir Nathaniel would be to continue the work he helped begin by building a national university that serves all Solomon Islanders, expanding opportunities for young people and ensuring education remains a force for national unity, development and hope.

Professor Aqorau said Sir Nathaniel had helped plant a seed whose roots now extend throughout Solomon Islands, with generations of students and graduates continuing to benefit from the institution he helped establish.

“Solomon Islands National University will forever remember and honour Sir Nathaniel Rahumaea Waena as one of its founding fathers,” the tribute stated.

The university extended its condolences to Sir Nathaniel’s family and prayed that they would find comfort in knowing that his service transformed many lives and that his legacy would endure for generations.

“Rest in eternal peace, Sir Nathaniel.”

Sir Nathaniel Rahumaea Waena GCMG, CSI, KStJ (1 November 1945 – 19 September 2026) was a diplomat who served as Governor-General of Solomon Islands from 2004 to 2009.

Waena was a Member of the National Parliament for Ulawa-Ugi constituency in the Makira-Ulawa Province from 1984 to 2004. He served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament before becoming Assistant Prime Minister and Minister of Provincial Government in 2000, and afterwards he became Minister for National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation.

He was elected as Governor-General by the National Parliament on June 15, 2004. He received 27 of 41 votes, compared to 6 for incumbent Sir John Lapli and 8 for former Prime Minister Sir Peter Kenilorea