Ebeye

Introducing Ebeye

Over 1300 Marshallese labourers work on Kwajalein Island and live on 31-hectare Ebeye Island, 5km to the north, where population density is higher than in Hong Kong. The workers support an additional 12, 000 or so relatives and friends in mostly very simple accommodation; many are one-room shacks and lean-tos of plywood, tin and plastic sheeting, jammed together in tenement conditions with little water. Residents haul drums of drinking water in from Kwaj on the ferry; piped water is only available at certain times, so fill up containers when it comes. The electricity supply is getting better but blackouts are still common.

Needless to say, Ebeye is not a big tourist spot, but the people are very friendly, especially the children. It's different.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009