Side Bar Information (Alice Harders Sorensen 1)

There’s a lot of assumed knowledge in Alice’s oral history. I’ve posted sidebar notes for you in case you want to check on something. Some of the information will be reposted as small vignettes later, but the more “factual” information will not.
Unfortunately, the format of the photos I have to support these facts, won't post. I'll have to play with them and try again when I can convert them to jpegs.


SIDEBAR: Kiluaea Military Camp, The Big Island
Kiluaea Military Camp (KMC) was and still is a military recreation facility in Volcanoes National Park. During the war, it’s cabins were furnished by donations from hotels across the mainland. It was a popular spot for honeymooners who could stay at cottages named Waldorf Astoria, the Fairmont or the St. Regis.

Below is a map of the South Pacific to give you an idea where Howland and Baker Islands are:

SIDEBAR: Howland and Baker Islands.
Alice mentions Chris going to the HOWLAND AND BAKER ISLANDS during the war.The islands of Howland and Baker are approximately 1,600 nautical miles southwest of Honolulu. Howland is a low, flat, sand and coral island with a land area of about 400 acres. Baker Island is less than one acre.

The last communication received from Amelia Earhart was on July 2, 1937, 100 miles west of Howland Island.

In 1942, American civilian workers were evacuated from Howland and Baker after Japanese aircraft and submarines bombed the islands in the mistaken belief that there was an American seaplane base there. During the war, the U.S. military occupied both islands but abandoned them after the war was over. Currently, public entry to the islands is issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by special-use permits only; permits are generally restricted to scientists and educators.