Aur Atoll
AUR: Door
No rope? No seat? A few palm fronds will do the trick on Aur Atoll. Photo: David Mancini 
Children become extremely adept at climbing trees. This one on Aur Atoll is the ‘beginner’s slope’. Photo: David Mancini 
A young boy on Aur Atoll. Photo: David Mancini 
A mother uses a wheelbarrow to take her children home. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Heldha Mack works with the dried pandanus leaves she will use to make handicrafts. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Clancy Peter tenderizes an octopus before cooking. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Rivel Line sits with Brian Tabto, who is enjoying reading the Marshall Islands Journal on Aur Atoll. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
A young girl sits in her family’s cooking area surrounded by chickens. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Fredly, Taylor (left), and Calvin fishing on the outer reef from Seal’s dinghy. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
Kidzhey Helies shows off a small canoe he crafted. Photo: Karen Earnshaw 
A young woman in Aur Atoll displays some of her handicrafts. Photo: Karen Earnshaw
FACT FILE
Number of islets: 42 Population RMI Census 2021: 317 (172 males and 145 females) Land area: 2.17 square miles Lagoon area: 92.58 square miles Airstrip at Tobal Mayor: Hesa Kaious Nitijela Member: Hilda Heine Yacht permit fee: $25
Aur is 80 miles north of Majuro. The atoll’s women are expert handicraft makers, while many of the men carve miniature traditional canoes for sale on Majuro.
In September, 2008, I sailed to Aur with my husband Cary on our yacht Seal and spent five days enjoying the village of Aur Aur.
As we strolled through the village, we spied a mother using a wheelbarrow to take her kids home. Nearby Clancy Peter was tenderizing an octopus before cooking.
The other main village is Tobal. Each Constitution Day, all the Aur residents get together in one village, rotating between Aur Aur and Tobal each year.
In September, 2015, David Mancini generously sent me the above photos from Aur. Komol, David.
