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TRAVEL ADVISORY

TRAVEL ADVISORY;Study Tours of Midway Island

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July 7, 1996, Section 5, Page 3Buy Reprints
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For the first time since 1941, the public is being allowed to visit Midway Atoll, site of the first United States naval victory against Japan in World War II. Starting Aug. 7, study tours ranging from four to eight days to the three-islets, 1,135 miles northwest of Pearl Harbor, are being offered by Oceanic Society Expeditions of San Francisco, with twice-a-week departures from the island of Kauai, Hawaii.

Each tour has a specific purpose, like bird watching or the study of natural and maritime history. The atoll abounds in wildlife, supporting the largest gooney bird (Laysan albatross) colony in the world and the second largest black-footed albatross colony. There are at least 13 other species of migratory seabird and 4 species of migratory shorebird. The Hawaiian monk seal, which is considered highly endangered, and the short-tailed albatross, known as the golden gooney, also inhabit the atoll.

Tour members receive training in observing environmental conditions and recording data, and they stay in former military quarters, restored to resort standards, at the old Navy base. In the evenings, biologists give lectures and slide presentations. This year groups will be limited to 20 people, and the minimum age is 18. Next year, when the Navy leaves the atoll and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service remains in sole charge, groups of up to 100 will be accommodated. The cost ranges from $1,550 to $2,250, depending on length of stay. Air fare from mainland United States to Hawaii and between Honolulu and Kauai is extra, as is any hotel stay that might be required while waiting to depart from Kauai.

Information: (415) 441-1106.

A version of this article appears in print on  , Section 5, Page 3 of the National edition with the headline: TRAVEL ADVISORY;Study Tours of Midway Island. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

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