DOB ARCHIVES

atoll on March 6,
square miles,
has a

1946.

Rorngerikx has a dry land area of 0.65

scattcred over approximately 17 islands.

lagoon area of 55.33

square miles.

This

is mucrn

It
smaller

than the 2.32-square-mile lana arca and 229.40-square-mile.
lagoon area of Bikini, with its 36 islands
The attempt to settle at Ronverik was a ftailure,
due to the

A Board of

insufficient natural resources.

Investigation convened by the Navy on June 2,
that

allegedly

1947,

recommended

the displaced Bikinians be moved again.

The Bikinians through their leader "King" Juda, as he was
erroneously cnristened by romantically minded newsmen, accom-

panied by three leaders (alab) of Bikini, inspected Rongerik,
Kili,

Ujilang, Wotto and Ujae to try to find a suitable place

in which to relocate their people.

The Bikini people were

interested in getting back to tneir ancestral home as rapidly
as

possible and

resettlenents as

had allegedly
oniy

regarded

the

past and future

temporary.

The period from Junc 2, i947, to Septcmber 1, 1947, was
Spent

in inspecting tnese possible resettlement areas.

August 26,
sent

On

1947 the council of tre ex-Bikini people on Rongerik

the followin, letter to the American authoritics:

(translation):

"Yo the Office at Kwajalein:

We the council have held a meeting
Gentlemen:
We have been
to find the hest place to go to.
to some other places to inspect and have conIn moving we find 1% quite a
Sidercd them,
Tne place we all
problem.
46 Rongerik Atoii.

agreed

to stay on

s/fWe, The Council

.

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