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Description:
Some 28 million years ago, a volcanic island emerged from the sea, the second in a series of volcanic islands that today form the Hawaiian archipelago. As wind, rain, waves, and lichen eroded the volcanic island, its weight also pushed the earth's crust downward. Reef-building corals began creating wreath around the sinking island. Midway's sandy coral islands formed as minute particles of coral, broken shells, and lime skeletons of tiny creatures accumulated within the reef. Today, Midway Atoll consists of Sand, Eastern, and Spit Islands plus their encircling protective coral reef.Located about 1,250 miles west-northwest of Honolulu, the atoll measures approximately 5 miles across. Sand Island, the largest island, is about 1,200 acres; Eastern Island is about 334 acres; and tiny Spit Island is only 6 acres.In the late 1800s, Midway's islands were low expanses of shifting white sand, dotted with bunchgrasses and low shrubs. Placed under U.S. Navy control in 1903, Midway's landscape began to change. The major developer was the Navy, which began its efforts by dredging a channel through the southern reef between Eastern and Sand Islands in 1938. Construction of a Naval Air Station on Eastern Island and submarine and seaplane bases on San Island brought major changes to the islands.With the closure of Midway's Naval Air Station, the atoll has been transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service. Now Midway's landscape is again changing. Many of the buildings constructed since the 1950s have been torn down, some of the ironwood trees and other exotic vegetation are being removed, and more open expanses of land are again available for the nesting seabirds that call Midway home.Fifteen seabird species, numbering nearly two million birds, nest on the atoll each year. The waters of Midway Atoll also abound with life, including about 250 Hawaiian spinner dolphin, green sea turtles (a threatened species), and about 60 endangered Hawaiian monk seals. More than 250 species of fish swim within the lagoon, including abundant and colorful coral fish.The refuge has established an unique partnership with the Midway Phoenix Corporation for providing visitor opportunities. At significantly reduced costs to the taxpayer, Midway Phoenix corporation maintains and operates the infrastructure needed to keep a small town functioning, as well as providing visitor, medical, and food services; and air transportation via Aloha Airlines between Midway and Oahu.Midway Phoenix Corporation offers several visitor tour packages, including options for scuba diving and snorkeling or for blue water fishing outside the reef and tackle fishing in the lagoon, emphasizing the catch-and-release conservation ethic. Combination tours also may be arranged. The Oceanic Society offers natural history, research, and service expeditions. Directions:
Because of Midway Atoll's remote location in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean, it can only be accessed by air through Phoenix Air or by sailboats under a special use permit system. For further information please contact: Midway Atoll NWR, 808-599-3914; Oceanic Society Expeditions,800-326-7491 or 415-441-1106; Midway Sport Fishing, 888-BIG-ULUA or 770-254-8326; or Midway Sport Dive, 888-BIG-ULUA or 770-254-8326.
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