Chapter Eighe ILZ1Q0S Reevaluating Kilt The islanders’ impending return to Bikini has caused some to reappraise Kili and the Jaluic lands. They are uncertam chat they want to return to the remote atoll and indicate chat they may prefer to remain on Kili. The latter alternative would be particularly attractive if che majority of people return to Bikini and leave Kili’s copra resources for a relatively few. Younger is landers who have been born andraised on Kili are not familiar with lapoon fishing, sailing, or life on an atoll and some express reservations about abandoning the only home they have ever known. Regardless of the ambivalence of some, all of the islanders want to maintain possession of Kili and the Jaluit lands. With regard go the former, they strongly believe that they have nade too great an investment in the island to consider relinquishing it, and for all of its disadvantages, its coconut groves are admittedly of great value. While no actual use is being made of the Jaluic lands, the people’s desire to keep themis just another reflection of their generalized concern over land. Whether or not the Bikinians will recain Kili and the Jadure lands is uncertain. The 1956 agreement with the United States provided the islanders with only full-use rights co che land until they are returned co Bikini (sce Appendix). The administration has remained silent on the issue, and it appears that the future disposition of Kili and the Jaluit lands will be determined through negotiation. The return of Bikini to the people, the possibility of keep ing Kili and the Jaluic lands, and the hope chat further financtal compensation may be forthcoming has roused the interests of those islanders who have long been absent from the community. ing was not completed in time. Other factors contributing to the delay are unknown, and as this study goes to press no ficm date for the Bikinians' re turn to their atoll has been set. 6 As in earlier years, negotiations with Americans are conducted through interpreters, a procedure with great potential for misunderstanding. A few younger Bikinians have acquired a fair command of English through the school system, but very few individuals over thirty years of age are fluent in the foreign language. Return co Orkut £6 1g Showly alter the L968 Presidential announcement, same expatiiites bepan to reestablish chem tes hy recuining to relatives on Kili, and chus helped increase che number of on Kali co 34d. Despite the return of some, che number tives on other atolls had continued to increase toa total ol che this adanders at icha od 196 by new buths and additional marriages to other islanders. “thus, by 1969 the total number of individuals who could clam: some right to Bikini had risen to 540, more than twice che number in 1946 (see Tables 3.1 to 3.4, pages 39 42), The trend has continued: more expateiates, Cher descoudants, and their relatives have joined che community on Kali, and in 1973, the ishind’s population numbered aver 100, The Paramount Chief Predictably, the return of Bikini has rekindled the Par mount chtel’s interest in che atoll, He never accepted the Americans’ of fer of Tinancial compensation for dis loss of Bikini, and am cecus of Matshatlese tradition and the policies of the successive cobontad povermments dn the ishands, lie can claim thatthe atoll is ad pie Inate part of his domain, ‘Vo date, che chief has remained i the backpround and has made no demands for restoration of lia. tor: mer riphts. He is, however, attempang to pather support rom among the expatriates, particularly those who setded on Aihop lablab Atoll, While che extent of his success is uncertain, its known that some of the expatriates who have jotned che coun nity on Kili include members of the Ailinghiblab group. ‘They are currently atrem pring to perstade others tu HCCCDE paratroune chief's hegemony over them. GHEE api the Having ended their subordinate status to the chief, aoa. ces tam that the majority of Bikinians will reject his efforts to cepuuin his former position, Vhe chief has litde to offer them, and chepeople view him as a potential drain on their resources. They have cast thgir lot with the United States. Recent ‘political developments, however may threaten Wiki nians’ depentlence upon the United Seates. In response to pres sures from che United Nations and growing Micronesian criticisms of che American administration of the Trust Territory, tn 1909