Chapter Four Kaonperth ania Kowajalenn gazcioes had ietle experience in posed his meumbency. Further, Juda y that he was Hein dealing with Americans, and it is very likel , ata tine when he dated by navy officers of high rank. ‘Thus ol Bikini cand was “ was being heralded by the press as “King magnitude which no clue tempting to cope with problems of a e a poor impression ob before him had ever encountered, he mad ed to be con: Americans. He appeared indecisive and“. . scem of the displaced er fead a nds made upon him as fused by the dema group” (Mason 1954:294). a Amecnoans were surprised that Libokir had not been men tioned before the relocation. The Bikinians explained chat the had always been concerned with her auidevalent miflience, aud that an their first day ashore, parents had warned children mot ce eator drink anything ancl adults had sampled local foods. They clanned, however, thae initially chey had considered Libokra to be relatively unimportant because they had understood that thea relocation was a temporary measure and a short term tieouvers cenee could be endured. | * sunply change che The Americans did not believe they could d Fnothe following months, che situation worsened Pood toe ages Gocutred during the winter of LOtG AZ. Ta May, Eot7, all hope ofa successful settlement ended when ia dire of aadetertrn a me increasingly comeerno community's leadership, and they beca difficulties and reiterated as the Bikinians continued Co experience their plea to return home. In an attempt Co convince thea that corral destroyed tharty proioent of the trees on the sai isha cid after the first atone best Bikini was unsafe, Juda was flown there Vhe cost had bee an acrt had been conducted on July 1, 1946. t area. lhaacl sustamned al shot over the lagoon, vessels in the carpe le results on shore. Viees great damage, buc there were few visib the danper ol radiouwctive were bearing and appeared unharmed; drastically reduced food supplics. (con miles which separated chem from Rongelab. The stttation caused the governor of the Marshalls co appeon a Bow of tnvestigation composed of three navy olfteers and ous | civilian to evaluate the islanders’ plight. ‘the Board convened at Rongerik in carly June, and the people were told that its mealies had come “2. to look at the island and talk about moving” (Ke. s exhausted the Continued consumption of Rongerik’s crop me varies when supply, and in August, 1946 the Bikinians beca rred at Bikini, the palms stopped bearing. This had never occu cause ration. While the and the people reported it to the administ d, the Bikinians bad their of the phenomenon was never discerne les. Rongerih had Fr own explanation for ic and their other troub of Its assochation with bad reputation among Marshallese because myth, bt g Libokra, an evil female ckejub ‘spirit’. Accordin to erik was Rong e s wher bokra once lived in the southern Marshall ng tle nocth originally lucated. She stole the atoll and hid it amo ern islands. en Libokra attempted to settle at Bikini, buc was driv d. off by Orijabato, a benevolent spirit who resided there and guar fish beed the Bikinians. Libokra Med and wherever she visited, came poisoned,and the crops declined. Eventually, she returned on, to Rongerik where she died. Her body was cast into the lago e sinc ever have and those fish which ate it became poisoned and 286: made people ill when eaten (Erdland 1914:348; Mason 1954 Old people sot childten were ciken to stay with relatives and fellow clansmed, and the sadors usually recurned to Rongerth with food provide by the Ronpelabese (Mason 1948217). Juda did not under. contamination could not be observed, and erik unconvinced, and the stand its hazards. He returned to Rong ds was conducted on second and final test in Operation Crossroa July 25, 1946. As an crietpenoy measure, the Bikinians bepan to aake voyages by sailing canoe over the cab ® ords of Proceedings of a Board ....1947), tna session with the council, chief Juda was questioned; he reported that there was in sufficient ferod, the store was bankrupt, fresh Wobled Jow, and the atoll had oaly one brackish well that of several sites Which hal been stiggestcal council tad decided upon Kili Island. stipplies Wola dle toldi the Board for pele aObonn, tha Each adab was questioned and all affirmed the preference for Kali. Hater inthe month, Juda, alab 8 oof the second tanking typed: lineage, Lokwiar’s son (the council scribe), and the Makaoliey afab M accompanied the Board on a survey of Kili Island and Ujae ani Wotho Atolls.” They examined cach as a possible relocation site, vw ee a ee ee 2 As described in Chapter Two, Ujae Acoll was considered ay a possible te location site prior to the Ronuerik resettheneenn Woot ob nt vf