and desirable has prevented a wholehearted attempt to adjust
to the island.
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The writer, was closely involved with the former Bikini
people during his years of service as District Anthropologist
in the Marshall Island.
He lived on Kili for several pro-
Jonged periods and was able to sce what life on Kili is like.
In his opinion the complaints of tne €x-Bikint people on Kiil
are valid.
Conditions are certainly unfavorable.
There are
periods when the isiand is isolated and the people are very
short of food.
There is no doubt that Kili could support a
smaller population, if the island could be supplied adequateiy
from the outside world.
However, the only solution acceptable
to the former Bikinians, as a whole, is to return them to.
‘Bikini.
Attempts to Aid in the Adjustment Process
The Administration of the Trust Territory made various
efforts to assist the relocated Bikinians to make a successful
adjustment to Kili.
A fifty-foot schooner was purchased and
turned over to the group.
This was to be used to supply the
island in addition to the regular field trip stops.
The craft.
was soon lost in the surf due to mishandling by the inexperienced crew.
A second craft was provided several years later, -
This was a great help but was lost in a typhoon which swept
through the southern Marshalls in December of 1957.
Government
land was provided for the use of the Kili people on the neighvoring atoll of Jaluit,
Several acres on Jabwor Island were
used aS a village area. .Houses, a storehouse, and other
f,
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