Bikenibeu | |
|---|---|
 Cultural Museum in Bikenibeu | |
 | |
  Bikenibeu  Bikenibeu | |
| Coordinates:1°22′01″N173°07′34″E / 1.367°N 173.126°E /1.367; 173.126 | |
| Country |  Kiribati |
| Island group | Gilbert Islands |
| Atoll | Tarawa |
| Locality | South Tarawa |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.81 km2 (0.70 sq mi) |
| Population (2010)[1] | |
• Total | 6,568 |
| • Density | 3,630/km2 (9,400/sq mi) |
Bikenibeu is a settlement inKiribati. It is located close to the southeastern corner of theTarawaatoll, part of theisland country ofKiribati. It is part of a nearly continuous chain of settlements along the islands ofSouth Tarawa, which are now linked bycauseways. The low-lying atoll is vulnerable tosea level rise. Rapid population growth has caused some environmental problems. Kiribati's main government high school,King George V and Elaine Bernachi School, is located in Bikenibeu,[2] as well as theMinistries of Environment and Education.
Bikenibeu is one of the three main urban centres in South Tarawa, the others beingBetio andTeaoraereke.[2]Starting in 1963, causeways began to be built between the islands of the atoll to make communications easier.[3]The causeways connected Bairiki to Bikenibeu by 1963, and extended from Bikenibeu to Bonriki by 1964, when flights began from the new airport toFiji.[4]
Bikenibeu island lies between theTarawa Lagoon to the north, with a maximum depth of 25 metres (82 ft), and the Pacific Ocean to the south, with a depth of up to 4,000 metres (13,000 ft).[5]
The island has been built from sediments from the lagoon.[6]
The process of soil accumulation is driven by the dominant easterly trade winds, and can be reversed during extended periods of westerly winds duringEl Niño–Southern Oscillations.[7]
Bikenibeu is an average of 3.25 metres (10.7 ft) above sea level on the ocean side, and 2.38 metres (7 ft 10 in) at the lagoon side.[8] Tidal flats on the ocean side extend for 160 metres (520 ft).[5]
ACLR (Accelerated Sea-Level Rise) is a serious concern. In a scenario where a sea level rise of .5 metres (1 ft 8 in) occurs, 71% of Bikenibeu would be flooded by a spring high tide. With a rise of .95 metres (3 ft 1 in) the tide would flood the entire island.[7]
As of 2000, the lagoon away from the shore was still relatively free of human contaminants.[9] However, the causeways linking the islands of South Tarawa have contributed to increasing pollution in the lagoon.[10]
Thecoral reefs provide natural protection to the coastline, important if sea levels rise.[7] A 2000 report noted large numbers of dead corals on the reef flats on the ocean side, apparently due to past discharges of sewerage. The causeways andland reclamation have also affected the reef environment.[11]
Other environmental problems caused by the growing population include over-fishing and reduction of useful plants and trees such ascoconuts.[10]
As of 1996, South Tarawa was almost continuously settled from theBonriki International Airport through Bikenibeu to Bairiki in the west.[2]
In 1996, there were 4,885 people living on Bikenibeu island, with an area of 1.81 square kilometres (0.70 sq mi).[12]
As of 2005, the population was 6,170, living in 831 households.[13]
By 2010, the population had grown to 6,568.[1]
Migration and population pressure has caused a number of families to build homes on vacant land, becomingsquatters.[14]
In 1953, the decision was made to build facilities for the medical and education departments at Bikenibeu.[3]
A permanent hospital was built at Bikenibeu in 1956.[15]
Several ministries are based in the settlement.[citation needed] These include theMinistry of Education,[16] and the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development. The Ministry of Health and the nursing school are now housed in a new hospital in the neighbouring village ofNawerewere that was built in 1991 with aid from Japan.[10] This is the country's main hospital for medicine, surgery and anaesthetics, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and psychiatry, and includes a laboratory, pharmacy and x-ray facility.[17]The general hospital has 160 beds. There is also a dental clinic.[18]
A power plant in Bikenibeu provides a mains electrical service;[2] the hospital at Nawerewere is supplied by the grid, and also had back-up power for essential services.[citation needed]
After a cholera epidemic in 1977 a reticulated sewerage system was installed, using sea water as the conveyance medium.[a][10]
The King George V school was moved from temporary buildings atAbemama and established in a new building in Bikenibeu in June 1953.[20]
TheElaine Bernacchi Secondary School for girls opened 1959, named after the wife of the Resident Commissioner at the time,Michael Bernacchi.[21]
Also in the late 1950s, theTarawa Teachers' College began to operate in Bikenibeu.
The two Bikenibeu secondary schools began to be integrated from 1965.[3] They are now a single co-educational school run by the government – KGV/EBS.[10]
Education in Kiribati is compulsory and free from age six to fourteen (year 9).
Church missions provide secondary education for year 10–13 pupils who fail to be admitted to KGV/EBS.[22]
Preachers of theBaháʼí Faith came to Kiribati in 1954, setting up their first centre inAbaiang. The Baháʼí Faith was recognised as a legal religion in 1955.[23] The Baháʼís moved to Bikenibeu in 1957, where they established a centre and housing for resident or travelling teachers. In 1967, the Kiribati Baháʼís set up an independent National Spiritual Assembly with headquarters in Bikenibeu. TheBaháʼí Faith in Kiribati claimed 4,000 members in 1985.[24]
There is also a Catholic church dedicated to Saint Peter, and a number of smaller Catholic and Protestant churches andmaneaba.
Located on the lagoon side of the island, Otintaai is the only hotel in Bikenibeu with modern amenities.[25]
Te Umanibong, a cultural centre that features local artefacts, is open weekdays.[26]
Bikenibeu Post Office opened on 1 July 1958.[27]
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