Visit the Alele Museum

The Alele Museum, founded in 1981 as a non-profit organization, is committed to conserving the folk arts, traditional skills, historic narratives, and oral traditions of the Marshall Islands' indigenous population. The permanent display includes historical photographs, handicrafts, artwork, and tools. A modest shop sells souvenirs, maps, and publications about the islands. The bright, colorful library upstairs has a children's reading area and a Pacific department. Visiting the museum is one of the things about the Marshall Islands you should know when you come to this island.

The Alele Museum, the Uliga Library, and the Archive, located close to the courthouse, are well worth a visit. Almost no trip to the Marshall Islands is complete without a visit to this museum. The museum had been closed for many years, but owing to the tireless efforts of a group of concerned citizens, it reopened in September 2013 after extensive renovations. The library is located upstairs and includes a bright children's area as well as a separate space for collecting Pacific Island memorabilia. There are many goodies to be found in this chamber, but you must "search" for them. The museum is located downstairs and has three main halls. Despite its tiny size, it is a fascinating display that includes things from traditional Marshall seafaring, war, tools, handcrafted ornamental items, jewelry, and clothes. Each piece is accompanied by a narrative as well as gorgeous historical images, many of which are from Joachim de Brum's collection.