FANNING ISLAND, REPUBLIC OF KIRIBATI
(Formerly the Gilbert Islands)
| Flag: the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean |
Tabuaeran Island (known as Fanning Island) has become very popular as a New Cruise destination for cruise passengers. The island is 1,100 miles south of Hawaii. Passengers are welcomed with local dances and string band, which are staged at the wharf. Several local tours and activities such as Island tours, sightseeing and snorkelling in the lagoon are offered to passengers while staying on the island.
Fanning Island, reputed to be the most beautiful in Kiribati. A favorite port of call for yachts travelling between Hawaii and Tahiti. Some infrastructure (nice houses) accumulated over the years as the island was a former base of the Cable and Wireless Company. Now being settled in large numbers by I-Kiribati as part of a population pressure relief program. There are approximately 2,500 residents of Fanning, who accepted the Kiribati government's recommendation to move to the atoll to ease overcrowding on Tarawa.
Though this may not be in the Port of Paradise category, it still is a rustic snapshot of Micronesian lifestyles. However, everything is changing. The impact of the Cruise line on the life is readily apparent as tourism provides a significant amount of income to the small community. In addition, the Norwegian Cruise Line helped build the school, which is now called the NCL Primary School.
The Norwegian Star's stop here is based on an 1890's law -- the "Jones Act" -- where an international flagship cannot start and terminate its trip within the Hawaiian waters. The Norwegian Star is Panama registry. For maps of Kiribati's location, go to ABC Translators on the web. An excellent site for more detailed information on the islands and people of Kiribati is at Kiribati 2000.
First-hand account of a cruise passenger's visit (along with his puppet "Bill") to Fanning is at Drango: Fanning Island, Kirabati. He wrote, "Fanning Island is an island some 2,000 South of Hawaii. It is part of the Kirabati Republic. It is an atoll. An atoll is an circular ring of coral that is above the water. Coral is the shell of a living organism. In the center is a shallow lagoon or pool. The water outside the island is very deep. Where the Norwegian Wind stood the water was around 3,000 feet deep. Below is the main inlet to the lagoon called "English Harbor". Some ships can go into the harbor. Our ship was too big. In the distance you can see the back side of the island."
"We came in to the island by tender. We were welcomed by a group of natives singing. The children were delightful. The island was very beautiful as we walked around. Homes were simple open platforms with a thatched roof. Linda bought a basket from a lady making it. It turned out to be a hat!"
"Natives climbing the coconut palms pick coconuts. This is a part of the diet of the natives. They also fish and eat other fruit grown on the island."
"I visited with many of the natives. Then we visited the elementary school on the island. The school is called the NCL Primary School. It is named in honor of the cruise line NCL. They have donated many supplies to the school. It has a separate building for each grade. There is no glass in the windows."
Teacher explaining to kids | 
Meeting the Dancers |
"I was a hit with the kids. Bob told stories to the class. The official language is English. They teach English in the school but Most don't speak it well. The teacher had to translate as Bob told his stories."
"We met dancers at the school. They went to the ship to entertain the passengers before we left the island. I hated to leave. This was such a nice place. We could see our ship waiting for us. We took the tender back to the ship. Then we headed back to Hawaii."
  
  
  
COUNTRY PROFILE
The Country: Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas) consists of 33 low lying coral atolls. It is sub-divided into three main groups known as the Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix and the Line Islands.
Geographic Location: Kiribati is located in the Central Pacific between 173 and 177 East Longitude and 4 North and 3 South Latitude. From North to South is a distance of only 800 kilometres, however, the distance east to west is more than 3218 kolometres.
Oceania, group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator and the International Date Line, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia. Total area: 717 sq km -- slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC (Note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands. 20 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia and Nauru.)
World War II Gun (Fanning Island)
Time Zones: Kiribati is 12 hours ahead of GMT, that is, 2 hours ahead of Tokyo and 22 hours ahead of Honolulu, on the other side of the international date line.
Weather and Climate: Temperature varies between 25’ and 33’C and 50 to 63 per cent of annual possible sunshine of 4135 hours. The wet season extends from Decenber to May and rainfall variation is high in most of the islands. A gentle breeze from the easterly quarter is predominant.
A Brief History: Modern history of Kiribati begins with the arrival of Micronesians from the South Pacific shich took place between 200 to 500 AD. Tarawa was the scene of one of the fiercest engagements between the American and Japanese forces during the World War Two. Christmas Island was the base for early nuclear testing in the 1950s and is now a satellite tracking base as well as a thriving resort. Internal sef-government was attained in two stages until it finally became a fully independent Republic on 12 July 1979.
Dress: Dress is normally very casual. The tropical climate and simple lifestyle of the islanders encourage cool, cotton, loosely fitting shirts and shorts for men. We like to retain oru tradition and values and we would ask you to repect this. We would ask that women should not go out in shorts or short dresses especially on the outer islands. Bating costumes for men and women shoul be melest, not bikinis. Traditional clothes of the island are available in local shops. They have been designed for comfort and practicality and make a pleasant chang from suits and formal dressed. Attractive cotton material are widely available. These make good lavalava, loose wrap around garments popular among local women and men. A limited quantity of conventional clothing and footwear is available but visitors are advised to bring what they may require.
Government: Kiribati is a sovereign, democratic state and has a 42-member Maneaba ni Maungatabu (House of Parliament), elected every four years. The Beretitenti (President) is elected from among three or four candidates nominated bu the Maneaba from its ranks. The Beretitenti chooses a 12 – member cabinet from the Maneaba. The country is a member off the Commonwealth and adopts the Westminster model of government.
Economy: the country’s economy is predominantly subsistence, with copra, seaweed & fisheries the main source of foreign exhange earnings. Revenue from the licensing of foreign vessels in the Kiribati Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) contributes some $2-3 million per annum. Tourism plays a fairly modest role in the Gilbert but in the Northern Line Islands especially Christmas Island, tourism has a high priority.
Agriculture accounts for 23% of GDP (including fishing); copra and fish contribute about 65% to exports; subsistence farming predominates; food crops - taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; not self-sufficient in food
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Highways: total: 640 km
Ports: Banaba, Betio, English Harbor, Kanton
Airports: 21 (with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4) (with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1) (with paved runways under 914 m: 5) (with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 11)
Flora and Fauna: the coconut palm is the most common form of vegetation. Other vegetation includes pandanus, pawpaw and breadfruit. Fish are found in profusion in all the islands, especially in Christmas Island’s lagoon and ocean waters and include bonefish, trevally, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, grouper and sharks.
Milkfish are raised locally in natural ponds. Extensive populations of birdlife are found on Christmas Island and include shearwater, petrel, tropic birds, frigate birds, terns, noddys and the Christmas Island warbler which is found only on Christmas Island.
Watching videos at Meeting Hall (Fanning Island)
Population: the 1995 census figures showed that the population of Kiribati was 86,350.
Languages: the main language is I-Kiribati. On the capital Tarawa, English is widely understood but less so on the outer islands.
Kiribati - Consular Information Sheet -- September 8, 2000
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Republic of Kiribati (pronounced kir-ree-bas) is an island group in the Western Pacific Ocean, consisting of an archipelago of some 30 low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs with a total land area of 800 square kilometers. Kiribati gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979. Kiribati has an elected President and a legislative assembly. The capital of Kiribati is Tarawa. Kiribati includes three administrative units, sixteen atolls of the former Gilbert Islands, eight atolls of the former Line Islands (including Christmas Island and Fanning Island), and eight atolls of the former Phoenix Islands. Kiribati has few natural resources, and its economy is very small. The islands are not self-sufficient in food. Tourist facilities are not widely available.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport and visa are required. Visa requirements include one application form, two photos and a fee. There is no Embassy of Kiribati in the United States. For information on entry requirements, please contact the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Kiribati, Suite 503, 850 Richards Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, telephone (808) 529-7703; fax (808)521-8304. For visa or other information, travelers may consult the Consular Section of the nearest British embassy or consulate. The British Embassy in the United States is located at 3100 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20008. The telephone number is (202) 588-7800.
CRIME INFORMATION: The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to the local police and to the U.S. Embassy in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, which is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 or via the Internet at http://www.access.gop.gov/su_docs.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Health facilities in the Republic of Kiribati are not comparable to U.S. health standards.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.
Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation, and for adequacy of coverage. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: All water should be regarded as a potential health risk. Visitors should therefore refrain from drinking any water that is not bottled, boiled or otherwise sterilized. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit should be peeled before eating.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the Kiribati is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor
Traffic moves on the left side of the road. Roads in urban Tarawa and Christmas Island, while satisfactory in some areas, are generally in need of repair. After heavy rains, some road sections experience temporary flooding. Vehicle traffic proceeds at a relatively slow rate. Drinking and driving is a common practice, especially on the weekends. Since visibility is poor with no streetlights, drivers should be careful when driving at night.
For specific information concerning Kiribati driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Kiribati, 850 Richards Street, Suite 503, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel. (808) 529-7703, fax (808) 521-8304.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service by local carriers at present, nor economic authority to operate such service between the U.S. and Kiribati, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Kiribati's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards.
For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at tel. 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the DOD at tel. (618) 229-4801.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: The Republic of Kiribati's customs authorities strictly prohibit the importation of firearms, ammunition, explosives and indecent publications. Strict quarantine laws govern the import of any part of plants, fruits, vegetables, soil, as well as animals and animal products. Visitors are not allowed to export human remains, artifacts that are 30 or more years old, traditional fighting swords, traditional tools, dancing ornaments or suits of armor. For more information, please contact the British Embassy.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under the U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Kiribati's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Kiribati are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: In Kiribati, the Australian dollar is the legal currency. Travelers' checks and all major currencies are accepted by banks and may also be exchanged for local currency at some local hotels. Visa and MasterCard are accepted at most hotels.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living in or visiting Kiribati are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Majuro, whose consular district includes the Republic of Kiribati. U.S. citizens may also obtain updated information on travel and security within Kiribati from the Embassy. Officers of the U.S. Embassy in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, are concurrently accredited to Kiribati and make periodic visits. The U.S. Embassy does not have a street address in Majuro. The Embassy is located on the ocean-side of the island's road, near the Church of the Latter-Day Saints and Gibson's Express, "Long Island." The U.S. Embassy's mailing address is P.O. Box 1379, Majuro, MH 96960-1379. The telephone number is (692) 247-4011. The fax number is (692) 247-4012.
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