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Dean and I talking to some kids on the backside of Weno.
Atop a bullet-riddled Japanese lighthouse.
The view from above.
Here are some pics from a trip to Ken's island, Tonowas, just about half a mile from the southern tip of Weno.
One of Ken's students looking out through the opening of a Japanese pillbox.
Me, Ken's principle, and Ken heading out.
An old church.
One of the students who wwas acting as our guide climbed the tree to get coconuts for us all.
During El Nino of 1998 there was a severe drought across the islands. Inside the lagoon rainfall ceased and the only source
of water was from fresh water wells. As the fire department was all but useless during normal times, it was nonexistant to
put out fires during the drought. Most of the fires consisted of vegetation burning on the mountains. You could look up at
the mountains on my island, as well as across the water to nearby island and see numerous plumes of smoke rising up, nonstop
for weeks.
During the drought, Chuuk State sent out a team from various state departments to take in the conditions on the outer islands.
Pete was sent out with the Department of Agriculture, and I was sent out by Land Grant. It was a 10-day trip to Chuuk's western-most
islands, almost to Yap State.
After our ship anchored, we took a smaller boat onto the islands.
Nathan and bird.
Pete in a crumbling building.
A freshwater well. During the drought, fresh water levels fell and salt water crept into the water supply.
A typical outer-island house.
Local church.
When we landed on this particular island, the women were performing a traditional dance for Mother's Day.
The missionaries got here first.
Solitude
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