Ailuk Atoll
AILUK: Bring (or tie) together
Tempo Alfred talks with Cary Evarts on Ailuk in 2013. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Cruiser Robert Yapp donates a sail to Ailuk. Grateful Mayor Rufina Jack gave him handicrafts in return. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Copra boat in Ailuk Atoll. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
A sumptuous ‘enra’ (food basket) at an Enejelar graduation. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Women salt fish for sale in Majuro. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Playing in the shallows off Ailuk’s main village. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Eighth graders graduate from Ailuk Elementary School. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Ailuk medical assistant Alton Anitok (center) with donated glasses. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Girls play a make-believe game with found objects. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
A mother fills her containers from the RO unit system. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Two little girls with Ailuk smiles. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Cary Evarts presents a clock to Emily and Anious Kaious for their church. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Children on the Ailuk beach. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Majuro’s KIO Club donated books for the school. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
The main village’s beach is dotted with canoes. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Ailuk chart. 
Young boys on summer vacation return home to their village. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Ministry of Health worker Freddy Langrine helps do a medical survey. Photo: Karen Earnshaw
FACT FILE
Number of islets: 57 Population RMI Census 2021: 235 (117 males, 118 females) Land area: 2.07 sq. miles Yacht permit fee: $50 Mayor: Dancy Alfred Nitijela Member: David Anitok
Ailuk — a.k.a. the Island of Sails — has become one of the more popular atolls for cruisers, mainly because of the continuing tradition of using canoes as the main transportation. English is widely spoken, but if you need a translator, we have found that councilwoman Ready Alfred, head teacher Whitney Anitok, and Emily Kaious are very helpful. The school is relatively new and is in great condition. It also houses the National Telecommunication Authority’s office, which has a telephone for 50 cents a minute to Majuro and a fax machine. At one time, NTA did have an Internet connection at 10 cents a minute, but as of January, 2015, it wasn’t working. The island has two churches, Protestant and Assembly of God.
Below is a video of the canoes of Ailuk by Rob and Jo Birch on the yacht Double Trouble, who kindly gave me permission to publish the footage (to see more of their videos of the Marshall Islands, go to their YouTube channel Sailing Double Trouble):
Below is Bikon Alfred’s great video of the main village at Ailuk which he published in April, 2018:
Below is footage by Captain Luc Callebaut and Captain Jackie Lee of the Yacht Sloepmouche:
Cruiser Robert Yapp donates a sail to Ailuk. Grateful then Mayor Rufina Jack gave him handicrafts in return. Photo: Karen Earnshaw
INSIGHT: Former Mayor Rufina Jack was very active in promoting ideas for Ailuk and successfully sought grants for the upkeep of the island’s canoes. Members of the Mieco Beach Yacht Club have a great relationship with Mayor Rufina and often lend a hand by shipping supplies and donations to the atoll, for which the residents are always extremely grateful.
