RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE 1946 continued temporary. Therefore, they choose to re-settle on nearby Rongerik Atoll, 125 miles east, although they recognize its drawbacks: poor quality coconuts, unusable well water and many species of fish which are edible on Bikini but are poisonous at Rongerik. JULY Bikini: Bikini magistrate Juda is flown to view the results of the first atomic test. Detonated over the lagoon, the bomb had caused little visible damage to the islands. When he reports this, the Bikinians' desire to return home intensifies. DECEMBER Rongerik: The Bikinians' situ- BIKINI ATOLL ‘ation on. Rongerik worsens. Food shortages occur during late 1946 and early 1947. . 1947 MAY Rongerik: A disastrous fire damages an estimated 30% of the produc- Bobdrotul tive coconut trees on Rongerik. Orokan Poe Agekan ee ZS Ung JULY Rongerik: The situation on Rongerik dat oko;-Enemen Chain Be =O Ereu Eeudr& BIKINI ATOLL, SITE OF 23 ANNOUNCED NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS <a MARCH 7 Bikini: The Bikinians' first relocation is accomplished with little planning. The people are moved swiftly from Bikini to uninhabited Rongerik, whose 17 islands barely contain onehalf square mile of dry land surround- further deteriorates. A medical officer, after visiting Rongerik, reports the Bikinians "visibly suffering from malnutrition." AUGUST Rongerik: An investigatier board eppointed by the U.S. administration to look into the Bikinian'’s plight meets with the people on Rengerik and reports: insufficient food, a bankrupt store, low suppiies of water and only one brackish well on the island. The board's report concludes: "It would ap- _ pear that their departure from Ronge- rik has been too long delaved." compared to Bikini's 2.3 square miles of SEPTEMBER Rongerik: Harold Ickes, a ferland and 299 square mile lagoon. ing a lagoon of only 55 square miles, MAY Rongerik: Less than two months after their arrival the Bikinians express anxiety over Rongerik's meager resources, and make the first of many requests to return home. Enewetak: In preparation for the July atomic tests at Bikini, the Enewetak people are evacuated to Meck Island in Kwajalein Atoll, and the Rongelap and Wotho people are relocated to. Lae Atoll for the duration of the Bikini tests. Rongerik: The people of Rongelap Atoll, just 25 miles from Rongerik, catch fish and prepare food and transport it by outrigger canoes to Rongerik to help the Bikinians. mer cabinet member under Presicent Franklin Roosevelt, in a naticnaliy syndicated newspaper column makes cerious charges ayainst the Naw adrninis- tration for neglecting the Bikinfans on Rongerik and arouses a storm of criticism. "The Seabees built a model vil- lage on Rongerik that anyone woulc be proud to live 7a...The natives are delighted, enthusiastic about the atomic bomb, which has aiready brought them prosperity and a new promising future.” U.S.Navy press Statement, April 1, 1946. (continued on pape 9)