SLIDESHOW: Ebeye and Majuro - Honolulu Civil Beat

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Micronesia

SLIDESHOW: Ebeye and Majuro

Nuclear testing took a heavy toll on the Marshall Islands in the 1940s and '50s, and health effects remain. Today, the low-lying atolls are threatened by climate change.
By Mark Edward Harris / October 21, 2015
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  • <p>School girls on Ebeye in the Marshall Islands.</p>

    School girls on Ebeye in the Marshall Islands.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Much of the population of Ebeye is under 18 years of age, and there are few employment opportunities</p>

    Much of the population of Ebeye is under 18 years of age, and there are few employment opportunities

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Homes are often little more than plywood and corrugated metal siding, making them susceptible to the region’s severe storms.</p>

    Homes are often little more than plywood and corrugated metal siding, making them susceptible to the region’s severe storms.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Deonaire Keju, a vice principal at an Ebeye elementary and middle school, with a teacher and her class. Keju says his school hopes to expand access to the Internet, but government funding is limited.</p>

    Deonaire Keju, a vice principal at an Ebeye elementary and middle school, with a teacher and her class. Keju says his school hopes to expand access to the Internet, but government funding is limited.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A school on Ebeye, one of many in Micronesia affiliated with a religious group.</p>

    A school on Ebeye, one of many in Micronesia affiliated with a religious group.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>One of the best things about Ebeye is the friendliness of the Marshallese youth.</p>

    One of the best things about Ebeye is the friendliness of the Marshallese youth.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Most schools require uniforms and these boys are no exception.</p>

    Most schools require uniforms and these boys are no exception.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>For many Marshallese, education offers a path to a better life. Many come to the U.S. to enroll in college.</p>

    For many Marshallese, education offers a path to a better life. Many come to the U.S. to enroll in college.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Poverty is widespread in Ebeye, like this ocean-side abode where litter and debris pile up.</p>

    Poverty is widespread in Ebeye, like this ocean-side abode where litter and debris pile up.

    Chad Blair/Civil Beat
  • <p>A girl on Ebeye has a happy moment playing with a broom.</p>

    A girl on Ebeye has a happy moment playing with a broom.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Health concerns are a serious problem on Ebeye where sanitation is sometimes sketchy.</p>

    Health concerns are a serious problem on Ebeye where sanitation is sometimes sketchy.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A goal of Disability Week on Ebeye, held annually in earlier December, is to reduce the stigma of the deaf and blind and others challenges.</p>

    A goal of Disability Week on Ebeye, held annually in earlier December, is to reduce the stigma of the deaf and blind and others challenges.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>The mayor of Ebeye, Johnny Lemari, is a guest of honor at the Disability Week ceremony.</p>

    The mayor of Ebeye, Johnny Lemari, is a guest of honor at the Disability Week ceremony.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>An abandoned bus on Ebeye’s causeway.</p>

    An abandoned bus on Ebeye’s causeway.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A boy on his scooter on Ebeye. Parts of the Marshall Islands receive heavy rainfall.</p>

    A boy on his scooter on Ebeye. Parts of the Marshall Islands receive heavy rainfall.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>There are active efforts to bring greater awareness of the importance of health to Marshallese. Diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis and even leprosy afflict many islanders.</p>

    There are active efforts to bring greater awareness of the importance of health to Marshallese. Diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis and even leprosy afflict many islanders.

    Chad Blair/Civil Beat
  • <p>Besides faith, family is at the core of Marshallese life.</p>

    Besides faith, family is at the core of Marshallese life.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>The lagoon in Kwajalein, the largest coral atoll in the world. The Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, seen in the distance, is a primary reason why the U.S. wants to keep defensive control over the three Compact of Free Association nations.</p>

    The lagoon in Kwajalein, the largest coral atoll in the world. The Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, seen in the distance, is a primary reason why the U.S. wants to keep defensive control over the three Compact of Free Association nations.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A soldier at the U.S. military base on Kwajalein.</p>

    A soldier at the U.S. military base on Kwajalein.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Tom Armbruster, the U.S. ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, with embassy staff on Majuro.</p>

    Tom Armbruster, the U.S. ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, with embassy staff on Majuro.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Dean Langinbelik, a member of the Rongelap Council, in Majuro in the Marshalls. He longs to return to Rongelap, but it remains too dangerous because of remaining contamination from nuclear testing.</p>

    Dean Langinbelik, a member of the Rongelap Council, in Majuro in the Marshalls. He longs to return to Rongelap, but it remains too dangerous because of remaining contamination from nuclear testing.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Students at the College of the Marshall Islands on Majuro. There are only a few institutions of higher learning in Micronesia, so many come to the U.S. for college.</p>

    Students at the College of the Marshall Islands on Majuro. There are only a few institutions of higher learning in Micronesia, so many come to the U.S. for college.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Assumption School, a Catholic school on Majuro.</p>

    Assumption School, a Catholic school on Majuro.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Many Marshallese students are eager and ready to learn.</p>

    Many Marshallese students are eager and ready to learn.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>It’s likely that most Americans have never heard of Majuro, though it is a part of U.S. history.</p>

    It’s likely that most Americans have never heard of Majuro, though it is a part of U.S. history.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Empty homes and abandoned structures are a familiar sight in much of Micronesia.</p>

    Empty homes and abandoned structures are a familiar sight in much of Micronesia.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Jack Niedenthal, the Bikini liaison, in his Majuro office, holding a photo of one of the U.S. nuclear explosions in the atoll.</p>

    Jack Niedenthal, the Bikini liaison, in his Majuro office, holding a photo of one of the U.S. nuclear explosions in the atoll.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Colorful walls abound on the islands, and long, floral-print dresses are common attire that many Micronesians bring with them when they relocate to the U.S..</p>

    Colorful walls abound on the islands, and long, floral-print dresses are common attire that many Micronesians bring with them when they relocate to the U.S..

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>American popular culture is everywhere in Micronesia, like on this backpack.</p>

    American popular culture is everywhere in Micronesia, like on this backpack.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Families are strong and tight-knit in Micronesia and multiple members often migrate together, even if it’s just to seek health care for an elderly parent in the U.S.</p>

    Families are strong and tight-knit in Micronesia and multiple members often migrate together, even if it’s just to seek health care for an elderly parent in the U.S.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, a poet and professor at the College of the Marshall Islands on Majuro, has written about the threat of global warming to her islands and racism toward Micronesians in Hawaii.</p>

    Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, a poet and professor at the College of the Marshall Islands on Majuro, has written about the threat of global warming to her islands and racism toward Micronesians in Hawaii.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Brian Kirk, a dive captain on Majuro, believes there is potential to grow the tourism industry. Ocean sports could prove an attraction.</p>

    Brian Kirk, a dive captain on Majuro, believes there is potential to grow the tourism industry. Ocean sports could prove an attraction.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Christianity is the popular religion in Micronesia.</p>

    Christianity is the popular religion in Micronesia.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Some graveyards built along the ocean are falling in the sea due to erosion and climate change.</p>

    Some graveyards built along the ocean are falling in the sea due to erosion and climate change.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Cemeteries are a resting place for the dead but also a playground for the young.</p>

    Cemeteries are a resting place for the dead but also a playground for the young.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>You won’t find luxury items on Majuro, but you will find what you need to meet most needs.</p>

    You won’t find luxury items on Majuro, but you will find what you need to meet most needs.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Giff Johnson, editor of the Marshall Islands Journal, has written extensively of the impact of nuclear testing on the Marshalls and the economic challenges — and possibilities — facing the region.</p>

    Giff Johnson, editor of the Marshall Islands Journal, has written extensively of the impact of nuclear testing on the Marshalls and the economic challenges — and possibilities — facing the region.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Copra was once the dominant crop in the Marshalls. Today, some are hoping to revive the industry.</p>

    Copra was once the dominant crop in the Marshalls. Today, some are hoping to revive the industry.

    Chad Blair/Civil Beat
  • <p>The smiles of Marshallese kids come easily, once they become comfortable with strangers.</p>

    The smiles of Marshallese kids come easily, once they become comfortable with strangers.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Majuro Lagoon is full of commercial boats, helped by a registry system that contributes several million dollars annually to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.</p>

    Majuro Lagoon is full of commercial boats, helped by a registry system that contributes several million dollars annually to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Andy Bill, a Bikinian living on Majuro, helps distribute government payments to his fellow islanders.</p>

    Andy Bill, a Bikinian living on Majuro, helps distribute government payments to his fellow islanders.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Isao Ekniang, executive Council member of Rongelap, on Majuro, wants to return to his home island. But high radiation levels in the soil prevent him.</p>

    Isao Ekniang, executive Council member of Rongelap, on Majuro, wants to return to his home island. But high radiation levels in the soil prevent him.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Nerje Joseph was a child when a nuclear detonation on neighboring Bikini sent radioactive fallout to her home on Rongelap.</p>

    Nerje Joseph was a child when a nuclear detonation on neighboring Bikini sent radioactive fallout to her home on Rongelap.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>At low tide, Marshallese walk back and forth between Ejit island and Majuro island.</p>

    At low tide, Marshallese walk back and forth between Ejit island and Majuro island.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat

About the Author

  • Mark Edward Harris
    Mark Edward Harris
    Mark Edward Harris is a freelance photojournalist based in Los Angeles.
    Use the RSS feed to subscribe to Mark Edward Harris's posts today
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