Hatohobei

Hatohobei
Tobi
State
Flag of Hatohobei
Flag
Country Palau
Capital Hatohobei
Area
 • Total 0.9 km2 (0.3 sq mi)
 • Land 0.9 km2 (0.3 sq mi)
 • Water 0 km2 (0 sq mi)
Population (2014)
 • Total 10
 • Density 11/km2 (29/sq mi)

Tobi Island, or Hatohobei (Tobian language), is the southernmost of Palau's sixteen states, consisting of Tobi Island and Helen Reef. The total land area is about 0.88 km². The population was 80 in 1962, 51 in 1995, and 23 in 2000, with an estimate of 10 people in 2014, showing a steady decline over time. Tobian, English and Sonsorolese are the official languages of Hatohobei State.

The individual islands of Hatohobei, together with the islands of the state of Sonsorol, form the Southwest Islands of Palau.

No. Island Satellite
picture 		Area
(km²) 		Population
est. 2012		 Coordinates
1 Tobi (Hatohobei) 0.85 7 03°00′22″N 131°07′26″E / 3.00611°N 131.12389°E / 3.00611; 131.12389 (Tobi)
2 Helen Reef (Hotsarihie) 0.03 3 02°57′N 131°47′E / 2.950°N 131.783°E / 2.950; 131.783 (Helen Reef)
3 Transit Reef (Pieraurou) - - - 02°47′N 132°32′E / 2.783°N 132.533°E / 2.783; 132.533 (Transit Reef)
State of Hatohobei Hatohobei 0.88 10  

Tobi Island

A bai on Tobi Island, 1971

Tobi (Hatohobei or Kodgubi) Island is the main island of the state (together with the permanently manned Marine Ranger Station on the second island, Helen Island). The land area is 0.60 km². Its highest point is 6 m, while most of the island is less than 3 m high. Most of the houses are situated in the village of Tobi (Hatohobei) on the southwestern side of the island, the state capital. The island is covered with coconut palms. A cultivated area is situated near the center of the island. The island is fringed by a reef that extends up to 800 m from the shore in the north.

Helen Reef

Map of Helen Reef (Hotsarihie)
Helen Island
Tern rookery on Helen Island

Helen or Helens Reef (Hotsarihie), about 70 km east of Tobi Island, is a largely submerged atoll, with just one islet (Helen Island). The atoll is 25 km long and nearly 10 km wide, with a lagoon area of 103 km² and a total area including reef flat of 163 km². A channel leads into the lagoon from near the middle of the western side of the reef. Immediately south of the channel is Round Rock, which dries. The lagoon has about 85 patch and pinnacle Reefs.

When the tide is falling, the water flows out of the lagoon and over the reef in all directions until the reef is uncovered, and then flows out through the channel on the western side. On the rising tide, a reverse effect is noted. Only few parts of the reef completely dry.

Helen Island, the only island of the reef, is located near its northern tip. It is tiny in comparison to Helen Reef, about 20 to 40 m wide and 400 m long, or about 0.03 km² of land area. The densely wooded island sits atop a sand dune, which is 0.25 km² in extent and which is moving southeast, falling into the lagoon, at a rate 3 to 4 m per year. The island is uninhabited except for a marine ranger station of Hatohobei State, which was established in the early 1990s on the eastern side of the island, to guard the reef against foreign poachers. The station is permanently occupied by a staff of three.

Helen island was discovered by the Spanish naval officer Felipe Tompson in 1773, who charted it as San Felix shoal.[1]

Transit Reef

Satellite picture of Helen Reef with supposed location of Transit Reef marked with circle.

50 km east of Helen Reef is Transit Reef (Pieraurou), which appears on some maps and which is referenced as an island in the Hatohobei State constitution and constitutes the southernmost feature of Palau. Its existence as island, however, is doubtful, as it is not listed in the current Sailing Directions. The literal translation of its Tobian name Pieraurou is "Sandy Navigation Point", referring to a submerged sand bar rather than a reef or island.

History

During December 2012, the state suffered the severe Typhoon Bopha, and people were evacuated to Akebesang in Koror. there were 41 from Tobi, and 3 rangers from Helen.

The current situation is unclear.

2012 census shows 10 residents in Hatohobei, and the ranger station on Helen was fixed following Typhoon Bopha. Due to government decision, only Sonsorol was re-inhabited (cheaper and closer to get to and send supplies). It is safe to assume that the 7 Tobi islanders are now living in Sonsorol, so only Helen ranger station is permanently manned.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Brand, Donald D. The Pacific Basin: A History of its Geographical Explorations The American Geographical Society, New York, 1967, p.132.

External links

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