ISLANDS
ROI-NAMUR	EAST REEF	WEST REEF	NORTHWEST END	LAE	LIKIEP	TAONGI

Likiep Atoll

Likiep Atoll Likiep is an atoll of 65 islets, home to about 500 Marshallese, just 112 miles to the northeast of Kwajalein. World travelers Harry and Cheryl Hale made the trip from Kwajalein.

Likiep is unique in the Republic of the Marshall Islands in that it is the only series of islands and communities that were owned by Europeans. With the intent of developing a Copra (coconut) plantation, A. Capelle, a German, and J. deBrum, a Portuguese, acquired rights to the Atoll in 1876. From then through several generations, the Capelles and deBrums dominated the culture and community of the island of Likiep and its affiliated atoll islands, running them as a company community. The islands seem to have prospered during the peak years of copra production.
A lagoon view from the hotel.	Husking coconuts.
Gathering and processing of the coconuts took off starting in 1891 with 40,000 kilos and peaking in 1910 at 283,000 kilos. Subsequently, the demand for copra has been on a steady decline. Unfortunately for most of the Marshallese and the residents of Likiep, today copra is in such poor demand the industry is only in existence because of heavy governmental subsidies artificially inflating the value of the product.
The Catholic chapel on Likiep.	Deplaning at the edge of the runway.
Likiep was a relatively popular stop for passing sea captains as early as the 1500s with Spanish explorers. As well, the Russian explorer Otto von Kotzebue made several stops during his journeys in the 1800s. Capelle and deBrum took extra efforts to make travelers, merchants, and explores feel at home on Likiep and thereby helped give a comparatively cosmopolitan feel to the remote area. The deBrum house still holds fine wood furniture imported from exotic Southeast Asia as well as books covering broad topics of science and literate. The names deBrum and Capelle are still dominant in the small Likiep communities as well as spread throughout the country of the Marshall Islands. This distinctive community and area is well worth the visit not only for the unique culture but the natural beautify of the island and lagoon.
Debrum House	Furniture from Asia in the Debrum House.

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Enroute from Kwajalein to Likiep on Air Marshall Islands. The Likiep air terminal. The trail from the runway to the hotel. A Marshall Islands trade ship moving accross the harbor. These infrequent and often unreliable ships are the major supply line for the outer atolls of the country. Glass Japanese fishing floats and a giant clam shell at the hotel. A lagoon view from the hotel. The dining room at the hotel . Meals were simple but tasty. It is a good idea to bring items such as red meat and snacks with you. Fresh fish is readily available. Likiep Cemetery The protestant chapel. "Machine" the dog, Lord of the hotel grounds. No friendlier dog or beast in need of a bath may be found on the island. Like many of the Likiep residents, Machine is terrified of the water. Sharks are common here but we had no unpleasant encounters during our time in the water. Likiep sunset over the western reef. A local model ship carver displaying a 40" model sailing canoe in production, made of iron-wood. He is possibly the most talented craftsman in this specialty in the Marshall Islands. Likiep houses. Likiep houses. Looking over a small boat toward the east reef. A local specialist in the crafting of fans. Furniture imported to Likiep from other Asia-Pacific countries. Unfortunately, the humid climate of the central pacific is taking its toll on even this handcrafted hardwood furniture. Furniture Furniture Furniture Stained glass windows from inside the chapel. Likiep airstrip. Harry at the Likiep terminal. The road from the airstrip to the island hotel. Cheryl and Susanne preparing for a fishing trip with expert local fishermen. Likiep garden. Likiep Cemetery. Banana trees. Likiep family home landscaped with coral gravel. This is quite impressive, considering this immense amount of gravel had to be manhandled in 40 pound bags from the beach. School building. View of the east reef. Pig pen with three little pigs. Marshall Islands trade ship delivering fuel and building supplies for the new computer sciences program. Jeraku bottle on a coconut palm. After trimming off the fruiting stock, the bottle catches the ultra-sweet juice the palm releases through the wounded branch. It is said by some that the juice helps diabetes. A successful Cheryl and Susanne return from their fishing expedition with yellow-fin tuna, skip jack and rainbow runner. More from the fishing expedition. Joe Debrum and the boat captain clean the catch and distribute half of the fish to neighboring families. The gracious host and hostess of the Likiep hotel. Preparing to leave for the trip back to Kwajalein. Notice the handmade leis given to us by our new friends. Preparing to leave Likiep.

ISLANDS
ROI-NAMUR	EAST REEF	WEST REEF	NORTHWEST END	LAE	LIKIEP	TAONGI