(Palau District)
WOLEAI
Woleai Island, the largest of the islands of Woleai atoll, was inspected
on 24 January, after arrival by PEM from Lamotreke There is no U.S. official
on Woleaie The party was ferried ashore in two-passenger outrigger canoes,
and was welcomed on the beach by the Chief and a group of elders and young
men, clad in breech cloths.
The Chief and some of the men wore leis, made
either of sea shells or flowers.
Inspection was made of the village, the
council house, the school, and the former Japanese airfield.
church, dispensary or trade store on Woleai Island.
There was no
The people of this
island had been moved to an adjacent island during the Japanese military
occupation of Woleai, and commenced the return to their home island in 1946.
The villagers, reported to number 130 at the time of the inspection, are
engaged in reconstruction of their land, as the Japanese had cut down all
their coconut, breadfruit and pandanus trees, and filled their taro patches.
The inspection party was impressed by the spirit and will of these people.
A-e
Administrative programe
(a)
Self-government.
The Chief Magistrate on Woleai Island is Sapus, who also
is third chief of Woleai atolle He is elderly, expressed
himself well, and led the inspection party in its tour of the
a
ere
village-e His council members consisted of both old and young
mene His decisions on matters discussed with the inspection
party appeared to have full approval of the villagers present.
Relations with the people of the other islands of Woleai atoll
were reported as closely cooperative, and this status was re-
flected in the help given by the other islanders to the
officials of Woleai Island in their labors to improve subsistence conditions.
eevee
Health and sanitation.
(1)
Health services are administered by a native health aide.
At the time of this inspection, medical supplies were low,
and medical records were unavailable. The average nutrition
of the people appeared satisfactory, and the men generally
were strong and of excellent stature. Tuberculosis and yaws
were reported of low incidence, but this status awaits further
investigation by U.S.S. WHIDBEY.
(2)
Sanitation was average.
The village area and the path-
ways were clean.e Some water catchments needed screening or
covering- Instruction in sanitation measures would be of
assistance.
(c) Education.
we
REPROOUCED FROM HOLDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
(b)
The public elementary school has a reported attendance
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