Nukuoro
Nukuoro is an atoll in the Eastern Caroline Islands.
Alternative spellings and historic names include: Dunkin, Monteverde, Monteverdeson, Mougoure, Nuguor, Nukuor, Nukuwar
Nukuoro is among the Outer Islands of Pohnpei in Pohnpei State, one of four states in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Subunits
Islands within the atoll include: Nukuoro (Nuguolo, Hale), Gausema, Senugudai
"Nukuoro" is also an island. As with many placenames in Micronesia, Nukuoro is a geographic 'pars pro toto', in which the name of a constitutive village, island or atoll is often used describe the larger island, atoll or island grouping in which it is the predominate member.
Population, Language and Religion
The 2010 FSM Census reported a population of 210. Nukuoro is the spoken language and religious affiliation is roughly evenly split between Roman Catholics and Protestants.
Polynesian Outlier
Nukuoro is a Polynesian outlier. Kapingamarangi and Nukuoro, are inhabited, not by Micronesians but by Polynesians, These atolls, together with certain islands in Melanesia, e,g,. Ontong Java, Rennell and Tikopia, represent a later backwash or return migration from Polynesia. The people of all these "Western Polynesian Outliers" in Micronesia and Melanesia are very closely related, culturally and linguistically, to the people of Western Polynesia, especially those of Samoa and the Ellice Islands. The inhabitants of Kapingamarangi and Nukuoro speak a Western Polynesian dialect very similar to Samoan.
On the Polynesian islands of Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi the native political structure was markedly different from that of the rest of the Central or Eastern Carolines. Each of these atolls was headed by a king whose position was more honorary than authoritative. Side by side with the secular ruler was a high priest, who was often very influential in civil affairs. Most of the important decisions, however, were made by the elderly men of the tribe. Since the land was owned by individual families, rather than by the king, there was no feudal system and no tribute. The position of the secular chief was hereditary from father to oldest child without reference to sex, but the king could choose one of his younger children as his successor if he so desired.
Governance
Spain laid claim to the Carolines from the time of initial discovery in the early 1500's but made no attempt to occupy or administer them. In 1885 a Governor for the Carolines was appointed by the Governor General of the Philippines and presence established in Pohnpei and Yap. In this Spanish Period (1521-1899), Nukuoro fell within the Western District of the Spanish East Indies.
After the Spanish-American War, Spain sold the Palau, Caroline, and Marianas Islands to Germany in 1899. In this German Period (1899-1914), the Caroline, Palau and Mariana Islands (excluding Guam), along with the Marshalls, annexed in 1885, were titled Imperial German Pacific Protectorates. The Carolines become an administrative district of German New Guinea under direction of a vice-governor and Nukuorofell within the Eastern Caroline District.
The Carolines were seized from the Germans by the Japanese early in World War I. Despite protests from the United States, including the Yap Crisis, the Islands were in 1920 mandated to Japan by the League of Nations. In this Japanese Period (1914-1941), Nukuoro fell within the Ponape District of the “Nan'yō Cho” or South Seas Government.
Following liberation of the islands in the War in the Pacific, the islands were administered by the US Navy. The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) was formalized by United Nations Security Council Resolution 21 in 1947. The Navy passed governing duties to the Department of the Interior in 1951. During the USN Period (1945-1947) and the TTPI Period (1947-1979) Nukuoro fell within the East Carolines Administrative Unit and then the Pohnpei District.
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) was established with the end of the Trust Territory. The FSM is one of three “Freely Associated States,” or “FAS” nations that entered into a Compact of Free Association or “COFA” with the US. The treaty and agreements provide economic assistance to the countries, secured US defense rights and set defense responsibilities, and allow FAS citizens to migrate to the United States.
Traditional Culture
Pre-Contact
Nukuoro is a Polynesian outlier.
Present Day
In Pohnpei, the state constitution does not make specific mention of a formal role for the traditional leaders but chiefs can play an informal role in public sector governance, including swaying election results in favor of a particular candidate.
Electoral Divisions
The legislative branch of the Federated States of Micronesia is unicameral. Two types of Senators are elected: at-large senators, one for each of the four states, who serve four-year terms, and population-based senators, representing specific constituencies, who serve two-year terms. The President of Micronesia is elected by the Congress from amongst the four at-large senators, after which a special election is held to (re)fill that seat.Nukuoro is represented in the FSM Congress by the Pohnpei, At-Large Seat Senator, and the Pohnpei, District 1 Senator.
Education
The Local Education Agency, or “school district” for Nukuoro is the Ponhpei State Deparment of Education and Nukuoro falls within the Educational Division 1.
