Kennedy Island
Kennedy Island(local nameKasolo Island,also known asPlum Pudding Island), is a 1.17 hectares (2.9 acres), uninhabited island inSolomon Islandsthat was named afterJohn F. Kennedy,following an incident involving Kennedy during hisWorld War IInaval career. Kennedy Island lies 15 minutes by boat fromGizo,the provincial capital of theWestern Provinceof Solomon Islands.[1]
History[edit]
PT-109incident[edit]
The island is notable for its role in the story ofPT-109,part of thePacific Ocean theater of World War II.In August 1943, it was to this island that the crew of the ship, commanded by thenLieutenantKennedy, swam after their craft was rammed and sunk by theJapanese destroyerAmagiri.Two American sailors died in the incident.[2]Kennedy later had the crew swim to the largerOlasana Island[3]where they were found and helped by Melanesian scouts,Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana,dispatched by coastwatcherReg Evans.
A small shrine to Kennedy, built by Solomon IslanderEroni Kumanawho aided in the rescue of the crew, stands on the island.[4][5]
Recent history[edit]
The island remains uninhabited, but is a tourist attraction.[6]In 2003, a race was held where participants re-enacted Kennedy's swim.[3]
Previously a public area, it was acquired in 2004 at a cost ofSI$7000 (US$950) by Joseph Douglas, an advisor to then Caretaker Premier of Western ProvinceClement Base.[6][7]The legality of the sale was the subject of a legal challenge.[6][7]In 2009, Douglas sold Kennedy Island toGizoHotel (owned by Australian Shane Kennedy),[8]one year after brother Dan Kennedy purchased the resort closest to Kennedy Island (Fatboys onMbabangaIsland).[9]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Borthwick, John (12 February 2016)."Solomon Islands: In Kennedy's footsteps".The New Zealand Herald.Retrieved22 June2018.
- ^"John F. Kennedy and PT109".John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.Retrieved6 August2014.
- ^ab"JFK's epic Solomons swim".BBC.30 July 2003.Retrieved6 August2014.
- ^Brown, Rob (6 August 2014)."The Solomon Islanders who saved JFK".BBC.Retrieved6 August2014.
- ^"John F Kennedy and Solomon Islands".Solomon Airlines.Retrieved22 June2018.
- ^abcSzetu, Robertson (10 March 2005)."Kennedy Island Sale To Be Challenged In Solomons".Pacific Islands Report.Archived fromthe originalon 11 October 2014.Retrieved6 August2014.
- ^abJones, Lloyd (13 June 2005)."JFK's island back in the wars".The Age.Retrieved6 August2014.
- ^"Solomon Islands Island named after JFK has a new owner".RNZ.Radio New Zealand.18 March 2009.
- ^"Solomons resort has new owner".Thorn Tree forum.Lonely Planet.6 Nov 2009.
External links[edit]
| Central | |
|---|---|
| Choiseul | |
| Guadalcanal | |
| Isabel | |
| Makira-Ulawa | |
| Malaita | |
| Rennell and Bellona | |
| Temotu | |
| Western | |
