Howland Island

Howland Island

Howland Island Locator1

Map of Kiribati CIA WFB

Howland sign

View of Camp on Howland Island - 80-CF-79868-7 (1937-01-23)

Howland Island is an uninhabited coral island located in the central Pacific Ocean, about 1,700 nautical miles (3,100 km) southwest of Honolulu. Politically, it is an unincorporated, unorganized territory of the United States, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. Howland Island is perhaps best known for its role in the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, who vanished in 1937 while attempting to make a circumnavigational flight of the globe in her Lockheed Model 10-E Electra, with Howland Island intended as a refueling stop.

History

The island was sighted in 1842 by the American whaling ship Oeno and was named after a lookout who first spotted it. Initially, it was annexed by the United States in 1857 under the Guano Islands Act for its guano deposits, though these were never exploited. In the late 1930s, Howland Island gained international attention as a planned refueling stop for Amelia Earhart's ill-fated around-the-world flight. Despite extensive search efforts, neither Earhart nor her navigator, Fred Noonan, were ever found, and the mystery of their disappearance remains one of the 20th century's most enduring.

During World War II, the United States attempted to establish a presence on Howland Island, constructing an airstrip and other facilities. However, the island was attacked by Japanese forces, leading to its abandonment. Post-war, the island was occasionally visited for scientific and environmental monitoring but has remained uninhabited.

Geography

Howland Island is a flat, sandy island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef. It is about 1.8 square kilometers in area, with its highest point being only about 6 meters above sea level. The island's geography makes it susceptible to the effects of climate change, including sea-level rise and increased storm intensity. The island supports a variety of wildlife, including seabirds, marine turtles, and the endemic Howland Island rail, which was last seen in the 1940s and is presumed extinct.

Ecology

As part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, Howland Island is protected under U.S. law. The island and its surrounding waters are home to a diverse range of species, many of which are protected or endangered. Efforts to remove invasive species and protect the island's native flora and fauna have been ongoing. The island's isolation and lack of human presence have made it an important site for studying Pacific island ecosystems and the impacts of climate change.

Legacy

Howland Island's most enduring legacy is its connection to Amelia Earhart and the mystery surrounding her disappearance. The island is a symbol of early aviation history and the challenges faced by pioneers like Earhart. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving remote, uninhabited islands for their ecological, historical, and scientific value.