East Island is a former island, formerly about 11 acres (45,000 m²) in area, one-half mile (800 m) long and 400 feet (120 m) wide.[1] It was the second-largest in the French Frigate Shoals, and one of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, approximately 550 miles (890 km) northwest of Honolulu.[2] It was largely washed away in 2018 by the storm surge from Hurricane Walaka.[2][3] The remaining portion of the island above sea level consists of a sandy strip approximately 150 feet (46 m) long.[4]

East Island

Satellite images of East Island, Hawaii, before (May 2018) and after (October 2018) Hurricane Walaka
East Island
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	23°47′14″N 166°12′35″W
Archipelago	French Frigate Shoals
Adjacent to	Pacific Ocean
Area	11 acres (4.5 ha)
Length	0.5 mi (0.8 km)
Width	400 ft (120 m)
Country	United States
State	Hawaii
Demographics
Population	0 (since 1952)

The island, a sand and gravel spit that formed part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, was a habitat for Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles, both of which are endangered species.[2] 96% of Hawaii's green sea turtles nest in the French Frigate Shoals, and over half of those were on East Island.[2] Charles Littnan, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, described the island as "the most important single islet for [green] sea turtle nesting".[2]

During WW2 a U.S. Coast Guard radio navigation station was built on East Island and operated from 1944 to 1952.[5]

In the 19th century, East Island was sometimes called turtle island.[6]

History

The island was surveyed by the Tanager Expedition of 1923 and 1924.[7] At that time it was about 11 acres of land.[7]

In 1932 the USS Quail anchored near East Island, when it used its seaplane to take aerial photographs of the shoals.[8]

In 1935 a "tent city" was placed on East island to support Naval maneuvers in the region, which included exercises with ships and seaplanes.[7]

In October 1936, the USS Wright (AV-1) came to the shoals, and established a base on East island to support a month of seaplane operations.[9]

From November 1944 to October 1952 the U.S. Coast Guard maintained a LORAN radio navigation station on the island.[5] In April 1946 it was badly damaged by a tsunami, and in August 1950 it had to be evacuated due to a typhoon warning.[5] Facilities included 13 buildings including the LORAN building, which was for a radio system to that supported ships and aircraft locating themselves at long distances.[7]

Buildings in the USCG Loran facility included:[10]

• Commanding Officer (CO) quarters & recreational hall
• Two Barracks
• Mess Hall & Galley
• Generator Hut & Storeroom
• 2nd Generator Hut & Machine Shop
• Loran Hut & Radio room
• Aerology Office
• Boatswain's Locker
• Distiller Shed
• Paint Locker
• Vehicle Shed
• Crew's Head (Bathroom hut)

Other structures on the island included water tanks, water pump, and the antennas.[10]

In the 1980s, it was noted as a pupping ground for monk seals.[11]

In the late 20th century it was known as a noted breeding ground for Green sea turtles.[12] In 1997 it was reported to have over 500 turtles nests on the island.[6]

In 2018 most of the island above sea level was washed away by Hurricane Walaka.[12] The storm was a Category 4 storm.[2]

See also

• Desert island
• List of islands

References

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[de] East Island (Hawaii)

[fr] East Island