a 4 08 chapter Five Few difficulties and no subsistence problems were experienc2a during tne first montns on Kili. Crops were collected and discriputed under the council's direction. Local resources. food provided by the administration. and copra receipts were divided among the households in shares proportionate co their relative sizes. In order to provide easier access to the island. a navy demslition team dynamited a shallow channel through Kili’s tringing ‘reet a short distance west of the village. Small] craft could nego- ciate the channel when seas were calin, but it proved of little use during rough surt conditions. Nonetheless, all seemed to go well, and officials believed that the resettlement was off to a good start and the problem of providing a secure future for the Bikini- ans was being resolved. Plare 10. Channel in the reef which surrounds Kili Island. taken during caim sea and low tide. 1963. /Photo by author. ; Plate 11. Bikini men attempting to negotiate the channei during the rough seas of winter months. 1964. Photo oy autior.. saeee el As at Rongernk, such early optimism was premature: a num- Der of setbacks were soon encountered. A shortage ofvessels in the entire Trust Territory caused field trip ships to lag far behind schedule, and the islanders were unable to trade their copra for food and other supplies.? When vessels did attempt to call, stor3 During the time imore than a quarter century) that the United States has administered the Trust Territory, inadequate funding and poor planning have accounced for the unreliable field trip service in the Marshails. . Some I0012b2