Q:
Did you ask for compensation before 1964?
®
When you received compensation ($10,400) did you know what it was for?
PF
"Only for people affected."
2
Did you ask for compensation before you talked to the lawyer?
F
"Told
oO
Reply?
Pr
"To my understanding, Administration did not want to get involved.”
O
When in Kwajalein did the government provide food?
7
"In 1957 when
and
went to Chicago for special treatment
they contacted a lawyer in Hawaii (notes not clear), asked for
compensation for everything, land, trees, people."
"Government allowed $1,100 a month for food and there were about 180
people living on Aijit. Other aid included $240 every three months
to ask T.T."
as compensation for copra we could have made.
The government
estimated 2 1/2 tons every three months. We had no say in the
matter. The government determined it.
During those days the
island produced more than that."
How long was copra payment made?
"During stay on Aijit.
Amount was so small that I (.
held until two payments, then gave everyone $2.00 per person.
we left for Rongelap copra payments ended."
When
>
Were you happy on Aijit?
7
"They built houses on Aijit and Rongelap."
©
Was there other aid?
"No.
Small island, few coconuts, not enough.
We had to stretch
food money. Usually run out at the end and have to borrow from
next month's money. We asked for more, but there was no reply from
the administration."
When you returned to Rongelap, could you live like before?
"Yes, but could not eat coconut crabs. They gave us the same number
of chickens and pigs to replace those killed. We didn't produce
copra until 5 to 6 months after returning."
(It was noted later that
many
chickens and pigs died later, presumably because they were
imported and were not used to scavenging for food in an island location.)
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