Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
In March 1938, four Hawaiian-Americans were landed on Enderbury to support the U.S.
claim over this island (Schuyler 1939; see also Anon. 1938c; Daniel 1943; Follett 1943).
Williams (1938) noted that no U.S. born Japanese Americans were selected as colonists, even
though they predominate the population of Hawaii. Williams (1937) noted that over 100
applications were received for the colonist posts on Abariringa (Canton) and Enderbury.
These colonists were called “Panala’au” the Hawaiian word for colonists (Oates 2003).
A detailed account on how food and water were of off-loaded during the colonization trip
was provided by Waesche (1938). Substantial stone and frame buildings and a lighthouse
were constructed (Bryan 1941, 1942, and 1974). Luke (1945b) reported that there were 4
men that were manning the U.S. Meteorological Station on Enderbury.
As part of the 1938 Line Islands Expedition, Donaggho (1953) visited Enderbury and
reported finding a rusted canon.
In 1939, Abariringa (Canton) and Enderbury were placed under joint administration of the
United States and Great Britain for 50 years (Bordon 1961; Bryan 1942 and 1974; Clune
1951; Grattan 1963a; 1938 according to Skaggs 1994). For the text of agreement see
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1939). For a summary of text see Reeves (1939).
This was done to facilitate the establishment of an airport by an American company (Colonial
Office 1951). Tokyo was concerned over this example of Anglo-American cooperation (Leff
1940). Luke (1962) noted that this was the world’s smallest condominium. Reeves (1939)
provided legal and legislative insights into the process of creating the condominium. With
the agreement, the question of sovereignty over Abariringa (Canton) and Enderbury were
differed (Maude 1968).
Black (1939) reported several wrecks on the eastern beach. One was a steel ship about 6.1 m
(20 ft) long. The other was of wood and metal fitting that were strewn along the beach north
of the steel wreck.
In May 1939, it was reported that only routine work such as weather data collection was ongoing
on Abariringa (Canton) and Enderbury (Anon. 1939h).
The 1939 surveying expedition by the U.S.S. Bushnell visited Enderbury, Orona (Hull),
Abariringa (Canton) (Schultz 1939).
MANRA (SYDNEY)
In 1886, Arundel was granted a license for coconut planting (Garnett 1983a). Bush was cut
and burned and the entire island was planted in coconuts.
In 1889, Manra (Sydney) was proclaimed a British protectorate (Bryan 1941 and 1942;
Hydrographic Office 1916). This was done by the commander of H.M.S. Egeria (Douglas
and Douglas 1994; Commander Oldham according to Garnett 1983a). The symbolic acts of
declaring protectorates were performed on each island (except Nikumaroro (Gardner) by the
H.M.S. Egeria (Orent and Reinsch 1941). This included a formal declaration and the
hoisting of the British flag. The reason for these annexations was the proposed trans-Pacific
cable (Ward 1948) that provided a new use for these small isolated islands.
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