Yap
Yap, also written Jap and Uap in older records.
213 events in the record, 1821–2026
How much was written down
Each star is an event in the record for Yap, set in the era it falls in. Dense skies mean many foreign ships, missions and officials wrote things down; sparse ones mean they did not, not that less happened.
Read the counts as a table
| Era | Pohnpei | Kosrae | Chuuk | Yap | Outer islands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The contact era 1820–1885 | 63 | 67 | 39 | 47 | 45 |
| Spanish rule 1885–1899 | 41 | 12 | 4 | 25 | 2 |
| German rule 1899–1914 | 46 | 10 | 16 | 30 | 8 |
| Japanese rule 1914–1941 | 37 | 10 | 28 | 25 | 8 |
| World War II 1941–1945 | 15 | 9 | 19 | 13 | 7 |
| The Trust Territory 1945–1979 | 53 | 13 | 44 | 32 | 8 |
| Road to nationhood 1965–1979 | 27 | 7 | 20 | 20 | 3 |
| Free association 1982–2026 | 95 | 42 | 72 | 51 | 17 |
| Politics and society since 1979 1979–2026 | 100 | 47 | 80 | 58 | 19 |
| Recent years 2023–2026 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 2 |
Yap and Ulithi
Spain and Germany ruled lightly through chiefs
Governor Manuel Elisa Vergara arrived on Yap in 1886 (COM-FSM timeline). Capuchin missionaries landed on 29 June 1886 and counted “some eighty villages,” each with a petty king or “Pilum” (Valencina 1917). By 1899 the mission had over 1,000 converts and 542 children in its schools (MicSem).
German officers Arno Senfft and Georg Fritz ruled through existing villages, chiefs and estates (Habele, German Era on Yap). Germany froze the warfare that had let groups rise in rank, fixing the caste order (Habele, Council of Pilung). It also ended the sawei tribute system linking the outer islands to Gagil (Pacific Island Times).
German estimates put Yap at 8,000–9,000 people, with no more than 40 whites (Kolonial-Lexikon, Jap). A Spanish pamphlet of 1885 gave only about 3,000, which is likely unreliable (Gómez 1885).
Japan’s appointed chiefs lacked standing
Japan’s Yap branch governed the western Carolines east of 137° E (JACAR, Yap). Japanese officials often appointed “younger, less legitimate men” as chiefs (Habele, Council of Pilung). Yapese “seldom accepted as legitimate” the council Japan created (Pacific Island Times).
An army brigade formed on 9 July 1944 to guard Yap’s airfield (JACAR, 49th Brigade). US forces occupied Yap on 2 September 1945, and Japanese repatriation ran from 12 October 1945 to March 1946 (JACAR, Yap).
Chiefly councils form a “fourth branch”
Yap’s constitution gives two councils a review role over laws touching custom (Pacific Island Times). The Council of Pilung has 10 members from the main islands, and the Council of Tamol has 20 from the outer islands. All members are men, they may serve for life, and they get 30 days to review a passed bill.
Former president John Haglelgam wrote that the legislature “cannot override such a veto but can revise and resubmit” (Habele, Council of Pilung). The councils’ endorsement can still lose: in 2018 Henry Falan beat their favored incumbent, partly over a Chinese resort project (Pacific Island Times).
Ulithi, 1944–1945: a lagoon turned fleet base
Ulithi’s 1935 census counted 408 people, and Japan opened a weather station on Asor in 1936 (Habele, Ulithi). After a US air raid on 30 March 1944, the Japanese removed “84 men and fifteen women” from the atoll. US troops landed in September 1944, guided by men from Federai.
Sources differ on the landing date. Pacific Wrecks gives 20 September, while Habele gives reconnaissance on 21 September and landings on 23 September (Pacific Wrecks; Habele). Habele’s day-by-day account is the more detailed.
On 28 September 1944 the US commander ordered the people of Mogmog, Sorlen, Falalop and Asor moved onto Fassarai (Habele, Ulithi). The chief agreed on condition that the displaced received food and medical care. The 209-square-mile lagoon then anchored the 3rd and 5th Fleets for Leyte Gulf and Okinawa (Pacific Wrecks).
Yapese controlled their own cultural revival
In 1977 Yapese leaders proposed restoring Bechiel village as the Maap Cultural Center (Cultural Survival). Village chief John Tamag, the island’s “only surviving traditional architect,” led the work with preservation officer Andrew Kugfas. Communities gave about 500 betelnut logs, and nineteen young people trained in traditional skills in 1983–84.
Yap through every era
Ten chapters, most recent open. Each starts with what the chapter says about Yap, then a spread of its events.
The contact era
Yap had virtually no beachcombers; Hezel calls it “just as inhospitable” to them (Hezel, “Role of the Beachcombers”). Yapese discouraged visitors, and leaving a party ashore was not thought safe until 1866. Around 1871–1875, labor recruiters also took dozens of Mortlockese to Fiji and Samoa, though most were later returned (Hezel, Truk).
Yap and Chuuk suffered less because ships rarely called before the copra era. Still, an illness Cheyne landed on Yap in 1843 killed 50 people in Tomil in three days (Hezel, “Disease in Micronesia”). Hezel estimates Micronesia’s population fell 30–40% across the century.
Events
12 of 47 events, spread across the era.
- 7 Jun
The James Scott (John Mackenzie) trades with Ulithi canoes and names the atoll the “Mackenzie Group.”
- 3 Jun
Dumont d’Urville’s Astrolabe is boarded off Yap; one islander had been to Guam and spoke some Spanish.
- 29 Dec
USS Flying Fish finds Ulithians using iron tools.
- 25 Jan
After an earthquake and tsunami, Satawal and Lamotrek people sail to Guam to join relatives on Saipan.
-
Alfred Tetens’s Acts spends eight months at Yap collecting bêche-de-mer.
- c. Jan
Tetens’s Vesta sets up a bêche-de-mer agency on Yap; Yapese later attack the ship at night.
- Aug
The Susanne brings naturalist John Kubary to Yap, staying until January 1871.
- Apr
Holcomb sets up a permanent trading station on Yap.
- Jan
O’Keefe’s schooner Queen spends three months at Yap loading copra.
- 21 Oct
Islanders feed the storm-damaged Spanish ship Manuel’s crew for four months.
-
O’Keefe handles 300 of Yap’s 550 tons of copra exports.
- 25 Aug (MicSem list: 26 Aug)
German gunboat SMS Iltis raises the German flag on Yap ahead of the Spanish ceremony.
Spanish rule
Spanish ships reached Yap on 21–22 August 1885 to found a colony (Habele Institute, “Yap Conflict”). Before their ceremony, the German gunboat Iltis landed and raised the German flag. Habele dates this to 25 August, Wikipedia to 2 August; 25 August fits the Spanish arrival sequence and is better supported.
Spain ran the Western Carolines from Yap, where Governor Manuel Elisa Vergara arrived in 1886 (COM-FSM, “Government Administration”; COM-FSM timeline). The Capuchin mission landed there on 29 June 1886 (Valencina 1917).
Events
12 of 25 events, spread across the era.
- 26 Feb
The Spanish ship Velasco (Butrón) makes an exploratory voyage to Yap, gathering ethnographic data.
- 25 Aug (MicSem list: 26 Aug)
German gunboat SMS Iltis raises the German flag on Yap ahead of the Spanish ceremony.
- 29 Jun
Conflicting name: another COM-FSM page gives the first Western Carolines governor as Mariano Torres de Navarro.
- 20 Jul
The new Guror church is dedicated to San Francisco.
- Jul
A mission letter reports twenty Yapese being taken to Palau to quarry stone money.
- Feb
Six more Capuchins arrive on Yap.
- 1892 (MicSem 2072: letter of 4 Nov 1893)
A tidal wave destroys the Guror church and residence.
- May–Dec
Santa Cruz station and boarding school open at Kanfay; chapels follow at Wocholab (May), Yinuf (June) and Wenfara, Rumung (December).
-
A typhoon damages Yap, one of the blows that collapse its copra trade.
-
San Felix church is dedicated at Wanyan.
- 3 Nov
Yap is handed over to Germany and becomes seat of the Western Carolines district.
-
Mission school enrollment falls from 542 to nine after German rule makes attendance voluntary.
German rule
Germany took over Pohnpei on 12 October 1899, under the governorship of German New Guinea (Bundesarchiv, “Aufruhr auf Ponape”). An imperial order of 18 July 1899 claimed possession. Handovers followed at Yap on 3 November and Saipan on 17 November (Kolonial-Lexikon; Spennemann).
Yap became the seat of the Western Carolines, with a district officer, police officer and physician (Habele, “German Period”). Germany’s stated priorities were pacification first, then copra.
Events
12 of 30 events, spread across the era.
- 3 Nov
Yap is handed over to Germany and becomes seat of the Western Carolines district.
-
Mission school enrollment falls from 542 to nine after German rule makes attendance voluntary.
- 7 May
Trader David O’Keefe leaves Hong Kong and is lost at sea.
-
An artificial canal is cut, separating Tomil-Gagil from the rest of the main island.
-
Fr. Salesius Haas, the first German Capuchin, arrives; only seven Capuchins remain on Yap.
-
The German-Netherlands Telegraph Company lays a cable linking Yap with Menado, Guam and Shanghai.
-
About 500 Yapese are registered Catholics; Fr. Daniel Arbácegui leaves Yap for Spain.
-
A disastrous typhoon devastates Woleai, and the administration sends relief.
-
Capuchin Fr. Salesius publishes Die Karolineninsel Jap in Berlin.
-
Fr. Sixtus Walleser arrives; Yapese prayer book, Bible history and catechism follow in 1910–1912.
- 7 Oct
A Japanese expeditionary squadron lands on Yap and occupies the island.
- late
The German-era school system is disbanded; Yap had 473 pupils at the end of German rule.
Japanese rule
The civilian Nan’yō-chō ruled from Koror, with branch offices on Yap, Truk (on Natsushima, now Tonoas) and Pohnpei (JACAR branches). Kosrae was run from the Pohnpei branch. TIGHAR lists a Kosrae office, but JACAR is the official source (TIGHAR, citing Peattie).
Events
12 of 25 events, spread across the era.
- 7 Oct
A Japanese expeditionary squadron lands on Yap and occupies the island.
- late
The German-era school system is disbanded; Yap had 473 pupils at the end of German rule.
- Apr
A sixth administrative district is created, headquartered on Yap.
- 14 Mar (or 1922)
Jesuit Fr José M. Gumucio and Br Ramón Unamuno disembark on Yap.
- 25 Dec
Instruction No. 50 sets branch-office duties; the 1924 reform lets police or clerical officials head branches.
- 1 Jul
Tachiyama Shigeru is on record as head of the Yap branch office.
- 8 Oct
Artist-ethnographer Hijikata Hisakatsu and carpenter Sugiura Sasuke arrive on Satawal.
- 1 Jul
Takagi Yūmatsu is on record as head of the Yap branch office.
- 1 Aug
Tanaka Shigeru is on record as Ponape branch head; Oimatsu Hideo is acting Yap branch head.
-
Japanese authorities count 570 residents and one Japanese national on Woleai.
- Nov
Japan opens a weather substation on Asor, Ulithi.
- Dec
Hijikata Hisakatsu ends his seven-year stay on Satawal.
World War II
Yapese recall the war through bombing, labor drafts and “suffering,” and some war-claims disputes remain open (Poyer, “Yapese Experiences,” via Habele). Kosrae held about 4,500 Japanese troops under Lt. Gen. Yoshikazu Harada (Wikipedia, Kosrae; Last Stand on Zombie Island). No source yet covers Kosraean hunger or labor.
Events
12 of 13 events, spread across the era.
- 5 Nov
Palau and Yap branches merge into the Western Branch; Yap becomes its sub-office.
- 30 Mar–30 Oct
US air missions against Yap, beginning 30 March 1944.
- 30 Mar
A US raid wrecks the Asor weather station; the Japanese then remove 84 men and 15 women from Ulithi.
- 1 Apr–27 Apr 1945
US air missions against Woleai, starting 1 April 1944.
- Apr
About 7,000 Japanese soldiers arrive to defend Woleai and its airfield.
- 9 Jul (or May)
The Army’s 49th Independent Mixed Brigade is formed to guard Yap’s naval airfield.
- 20 Sep (or 21–23 Sep)
US forces occupy Ulithi without opposition, guided by men from Federai.
- 28 Sep
The US commander orders the people of Mogmog, Sorlen, Falalop and Asor moved onto Fassarai.
- 20 Nov
A Japanese kaiten human torpedo sinks the US oiler Mississinewa in Ulithi lagoon, killing 63 crew.
- 17 Dec
The Navy’s 43rd Guard Unit is reorganized with units based at Yap.
- 2 Sep (or 5 Sep)
US occupation and military government begin 2 September (JACAR); Col. Eto Daihachi surrenders aboard USS Tillman on 5 September.
- 12 Oct
Repatriation of Japanese from Yap begins; it is completed by March 1946.
The Trust Territory
The chapter “The Trust Territory” does not name Yap directly. Read the chapter: The Trust Territory
Events
12 of 32 events, spread across the era.
- 2 Sep (or 5 Sep)
US occupation and military government begin 2 September (JACAR); Col. Eto Daihachi surrenders aboard USS Tillman on 5 September.
- summer
The US Naval Military Government counted 418 people on Ulithi.
- 1 Jul
Yap was merged into the Palau district and stayed there until June 1951.
- 30 Nov
Typhoon Ophelia passed directly over Ulithi, killing two boys, wrecking about a quarter of houses and most canoes, and ruining taro.
- 28 Sep
Interior Secretary Udall’s Order 2882 created the bicameral Congress of Micronesia, giving Truk five House seats, Ponape four and Yap two.
- 5 Nov
Congress elections returned Bailey Olter (Ponape), Tosiwo Nakayama (Truk) and Raphael Moonfel (Yap, unseating Nuuan) to the Senate.
- 3 Nov
Congress elections sent Ambilos Iehsi (Ponape), Andon Amaraich (Truk) and Petrus Tun (Yap) to the Senate.
- 5 Nov
Congress elections sent Ambilos Iehsi (Ponape), Nick Bossy (Truk) and Petrus Tun (Yap) to the Senate.
- 2 Nov
Congress elections gave the new Kosrae district two senators (Joab Sigrah, Hirosi Ismael) and re-elected Olter, Nakayama and Mangefel.
-
Koizumi Fumio’s team made field recordings, “Micronesia 78: Ponape, Yap”, now held at Tokyo University of the Arts.
- 27 Mar
Voters elected all 14 members of the first FSM Congress (four at-large senators and ten two-year members), all as independents.
- 13 Jun
By-elections filled the Congress seats that Nakayama and Tun vacated.
Road to nationhood
Interior Secretary Udall’s Order 2882 created the Congress of Micronesia on 28 September 1964 (Wikipedia, Congress of the TTPI). It first convened on 12 July 1965, now FSM Law Day (FSM Mission to the UN). Its lower house gave Truk five seats, Ponape four and Yap two.
The Constitutional Convention opened in Saipan on 12 July 1975 (FSM Mission to the UN). Yap’s Petrus Tun served as one of six vice presidents (Habele, Petrus Tun). Haglelgam writes “June 1975,” which looks like a slip.
Events
12 of 20 events, spread across the era.
- Jan
The first elections to the Congress of Micronesia were held; Yap’s Francis Nuuan was among the first senators (1965–69).
- 5 Nov
Congress elections returned Bailey Olter (Ponape), Tosiwo Nakayama (Truk) and Raphael Moonfel (Yap, unseating Nuuan) to the Senate.
-
The Yap Islands Congress created Yap District Day to preserve Yapese culture; it was renamed Yap Day in March 1979.
- 7 Nov
Congress elections returned Bailey Olter (Ponape) and Tosiwo Nakayama (Truk), and elected John Mangefel (Yap) to the Senate.
- 26 Dec
Former Yap senator Francis Nuuan died on Guam after being hit by a car.
-
Yap’s Petrus Tun served as one of six vice presidents of the Constitutional Convention.
- 2 Nov
Congress elections gave the new Kosrae district two senators (Joab Sigrah, Hirosi Ismael) and re-elected Olter, Nakayama and Mangefel.
- 12 Jul
Voters ratified the FSM Constitution: Yap 94.75%, Pohnpei 74.72%, Chuuk 69.72%, Kosrae 61.36% yes. The Marshalls and Palau rejected it.
-
Koizumi Fumio’s team made field recordings, “Micronesia 78: Ponape, Yap”, now held at Tokyo University of the Arts.
- 27 Mar
Voters elected all 14 members of the first FSM Congress (four at-large senators and ten two-year members), all as independents.
- 10 May (Jensen: 19 May)
The FSM Constitution entered into force, now marked as Constitution Day.
- 13 Jun
By-elections filled the Congress seats that Nakayama and Tun vacated.
Free association
The chapter “Free association” does not name Yap directly. Read the chapter: Free association
Events
12 of 51 events, spread across the era.
- 24 Dec
Yap State Constitution, drafted by a 1982 convention and adopted by majority vote, is promulgated.
- 12 Jan
Petrus Tun succeeds John Mangefel as Yap governor (to 9 Jan 1995).
- 18 Apr
Census counts 105,506 people: Chuuk 53,319, Pohnpei 33,692, Yap 11,178, Kosrae 7,317.
- 24–28 Jun
President Nena and delegation make a four-day state visit to Yap.
- 11 May
Congress chooses Joseph Urusemal of Yap as sixth president; Redley Killion stays VP; Peter Christian is Speaker.
- Apr–Jul
Zika virus outbreak on Yap, the first documented in Oceania.
- Mar
Congressional election: Simina (Chuuk) and Christian (Pohnpei) win at-large seats with about 60% each; Urusemal is unopposed in Yap.
- 22 Feb
Typhoon Wutip flattens 106 homes and causes about $2M damage. One later article gives 11 Mar instead.
- 17–18 Dec
Yap biosecurity facility handed over (17 Dec); FSM and US extend the humanitarian-assistance annex of the military-use agreement (18 Dec).
- 20 Aug
State funeral for former Yap governor Robert A. Ruecho.
- 13 Jan
Congress seats Andrew Yatilman as Yap’s four-year senator at its Third Regular Session.
- 10–12 Aug
Simina meets RADM Joshua Lasky on the Yap Defense Site Project (release dated 12 Aug).
Politics and society since 1979
The fourth convention opened in Palikir on 7 January 2020 and paused for COVID (ConstitutionNet). On 4 July 2023, all nine amendments on the ballot passed, and President Simina ratified them on 4 October 2023 (Wikipedia, 2023 referendum). Dual citizenship was one of the nine and passed in every state, from 78.6% in Yap to 87.5% in Pohnpei (Wikipedia, 2023 referendum; Hawaii Public Radio).
Events
12 of 58 events, spread across the era.
- 8 Jan
John Mangefel was sworn in as Yap’s first elected governor; the lieutenant governor took his oath on Ulithi on 10 Jan.
- 1 Apr
Census counts 73,160 people: Chuuk 37,488, Pohnpei 22,081, Yap 8,100, Kosrae 5,491.
- 10–11 Jan
Typhoon Orchid strikes Yap; US declaration DR-786 follows on 2 February.
- Mar
Haglelgam loses his Yap seat to Joseph Urusemal; Olter beats Falcam 5,725–5,609; Nena unseats VP Ismael.
- 25 Jan–30 Jun
El Niño drought; US major-disaster declaration DR-1213 dated 3 April (an FSM release says 27 April).
- 11 May
Congress chooses Joseph Urusemal of Yap as sixth president; Redley Killion stays VP; Peter Christian is Speaker.
- 8–26 Dec
Tidal surges and high tides flood outer islands. Pohnpei (19 Dec), Kosrae (24 Dec), Chuuk and Yap (26 Dec) declare emergencies.
- 7 Mar
Dual-citizenship amendment fails again; only Kosrae (85% yes) passes 75%, Yap 48%.
- 12 Sep
Former second president John Haglelgam dies in Honolulu.
- c. 22 May (release 28 May)
Governor Charles Chieng dies and Lt. Gov. Francis Itimai succeeds him. Chieng’s death date is given as about 22 May or as 28 May.
- 20–23 Dec
Groundbreaking for the Ganir Bridge in Yap; the national tax-reform task force finishes consultations in all four states.
- 10–12 Aug
Simina meets RADM Joshua Lasky on the Yap Defense Site Project (release dated 12 Aug).
Recent years
In March 2025, US Defense Secretary Hegseth announced $400 million to upgrade Yap’s airport for military use (Asia Matters for America). The source puts total Yap military spending at both “at least” and “up to” $2 billion. The East Micronesia Cable landed on Kosrae around September 2025, linking it to Pohnpei (SubTel Forum).
On 29 June 2026, Admiral Paparo wrote to Simina that the FSM’s $1.3 billion compensation demand for the Yap site was unreasonable (PINA, from The Diplomat). He said the command would look at other locations.
Events
12 of 16 events, spread across the era.
- 12 Sep
Former second president John Haglelgam dies in Honolulu.
- 17–18 Dec
Yap biosecurity facility handed over (17 Dec); FSM and US extend the humanitarian-assistance annex of the military-use agreement (18 Dec).
- 27 Mar
In Guam, Hegseth and Simina hold the first bilateral of the new US administration; $400M announced for the Yap airport.
- c. 22 May (release 28 May)
Governor Charles Chieng dies and Lt. Gov. Francis Itimai succeeds him. Chieng’s death date is given as about 22 May or as 28 May.
- Jun
US Defense Department gives notice of an environmental impact statement for upgrades to Yap’s airport and seaport.
- 20 Aug
State funeral for former Yap governor Robert A. Ruecho.
- 12 Nov
Special election: Andrew Yatilman wins Urusemal’s former Yap at-large seat; certified 19 Nov.
- 20–23 Dec
Groundbreaking for the Ganir Bridge in Yap; the national tax-reform task force finishes consultations in all four states.
- 13 Jan
Congress seats Andrew Yatilman as Yap’s four-year senator at its Third Regular Session.
- 10 Feb
FSM-funded Woleai airport opens, dedicated to the late President Urusemal.
- 3 Aug
In a letter to Yap Governor Itimai, Simina acknowledges a “possible setback” on the Yap defense project.
- 10–12 Aug
Simina meets RADM Joshua Lasky on the Yap Defense Site Project (release dated 12 Aug).