Midway Atoll
As its name implies, Midway Atoll lies about half way between North America and Asia, like a stepping stone mid-way. Midway Atoll is also known as Midway Island or Pihemanu in the Hawaiian language. Encompassing 2.4 square miles (6.2 km˛), the circular-shaped atoll consists of a ring-shaped barrier reef and a few sand islets. The three main ones are Sand Island, Eastern Island and Spit Island, located on the southern end of a lagoon and home to almost two million birds.
Midway is probably the best known of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It has a small population (40 in 2004), but the visitor program closed in January 2002, so at present there are no facilities that could accommodate visitors. The atoll is a National Wildlife Refuge administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Visitors who provide their own transportation may contact the refuge manager if they want to visit Midway Atoll. Midway Atoll is designated an insular area under the authority of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
In 1859, Captain Brooks sailed to Midway Atoll and after that, the U.S. annexed it. The atoll was the country’s first insular possession outside the continental U.S. In 1870, the U.S. recognized the strategic importance of Midway and began clearing a southern channel into the lagoon to create a port on Sand Island. Midway was later (in 1903) an important link in cable communications and a transpacific Panamerican seaplane stop (in 1935). In 1940, the work to build a military facility on the atoll began.
Midway Atoll became even more popular after the Battle of Midway, fought in World War II, from June 4 to 6 in 1942, when a small U.S. task force surprised and defeated the Japanese invasion fleet that was bound for the atoll. The Midway Atoll was designated as the National Memorial to the Battle of Midway in the year 2000.
In its past, Midway Atoll has been extensively altered by humans. The atoll has 20 miles (32 km) of roads, 4.8 miles (7.8 km) of pipelines, a port on Sand Island and a runway, about 8,000 feet (2400 m) long.
Almost two million birds of 19 species nest on Midway Atoll. Species include Laysan albatrosses (the atoll is home to the largest Laysan albatross colony in the world), black-footed albatrosses, white terns, red-tailed tropicbirds, shearwaters, black and brown noddies and Bonin petrels.
Seventy-five percent of Midway’s plant species were introductions, including exotic vegetables, weeds, ornamental shrubs, coconut palms and ironwood. The marine life is abundant. More than 250 fish species can be found here, including hapuupuu (the Hawaiian grouper), kumu (goatfish), ulua (jack) and sharks. There are also many dolphins, turtles and monk seals. Moreover, 16 stony coral species have been reported.
