excerpts from http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/kwa/index.html

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The most common question received ...

"What's it like to live there?"

The answers to the following questions come from my personal experiences and feelings after six years on Kwajalein.

This information was current as of November, 2004. I no longer live on Kwajalein.

What's it like to live there?

This is the most difficult question to answer. Of course, living here means different things to different people. Some find it a paradise, while others begin counting the days to departure almost as soon as their feet hit the ground.

If you're into outdoor and athletic activities, especially where water is involved, Kwajalein has something to offer. Homebodies and mall rats might find the adjustment quite difficult to take or might not be able to adjust at all.

Kwajalein is very much like a small US town, with one extremely important difference. You can't just run to the big city for things you need or want - it's a long flight and rather expensive! A large number of web sites paint Kwajalein in a utopian light. DO NOT BE FOOLED! In the most simple terms, Kwajalein is an American town with American town problems.

A lot of the mis-information out there, like "no crime", comes from mostly well-intentioned people making observations after visiting Kwajalein for short-term projects. It's a lot like going on vacation and absolutely falling in love with the destination. You're usually not there long enough to feel the impact of the downside. Other mis-information on the internet comes from people who have a political statement to make about the United States and see our very complex relationship with the Marshall Islands as an easy target.

How can I get a job there?

Visit the LINKS area of this site, where you'll find a list of employers. Where possible, a link to their site is included. Because most companies hire from stateside offices, there's not usually an island contact for positions.


What's the weather like?

Tropical - hot and humid. There is very little change in temperature or humidity throughout the year. Except during rain showers, you can expect a high around 87F/30C and a low around 80F/26C with very high humidity. Rain can occur on almost any day.

The average wind speed is around 14mph. Trade winds can remain sustained in excess of 25 miles per hour at times. On hot and humid days, the wind can make the difference between comfortable and miserable. No wind on a hot humid tropical day isn't much fun.

Less than 600 miles from the equator, the sun is extremely intense and especially dangerous if you don't protect yourself. Residents may be exposed to higher rates of sun-related skin problems, including infection, severe sunburn and cancer. Despite this, the already-leathery-skinned sun bunnies and bums still flock to the pools and beaches daily to lounge in the mid-day sun.

Typhoon season runs from November through mid-January. However, they can and do occur any time of the year, and have also been known to move in the "wrong" direction. Direct hits on Kwajalein are rare. A more common scenario is the formation of a tropical storm near the Marshall Islands and movement to the west toward Guam. With an average elevation of only six feet above sea level, the impact of a typhoon could be catastrophic at high tide.

Tsunami's are very, very rare. Although any low-lying area might be subject to some degree of damage from a tsunami, the ocean "wall" (steep slope) below the surface surrounding Kwajalein would likely help to mitigate the impact of a tsunami.

Are vehicles allowed on Kwajalein?

The Army operates a large fleet of vehicles for official use. There are a few available for rental but no privately owned vehicles are allowed. Rain or shine, the bike is king here! Consider it a mandatory exercise program.

Read more at:http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/kwa/0liv.html