Ebeje Legend

Handel Dribo is a well known land owner and a leader for the people on Ebeye in the Marshall Islands. He was a land owner who owned both Kwajalein and Ebeye. Yes he did own both Kwajalein and Ebeye. Ebeye is part of the Marshall Islands. Ebeye is near Kwajalein. During the 1950s Handel and his people were ordered by the American Navy to move from Kwajalein to Ebeye. The Americans told Handel that they were going to use Kwajalein. The Marshallese was told if they would go to Ebeye, they would provide them with food, electricity and housing. The Americans would use Kwajalein as a Missile site. That’s how the Americans came up with the Land Use Agreement (LUA). The LUA allows the American’s to stay on Kwajalein just by helping the people on Ebeye with money, food and shelter. According to Handel the Americans only paid minimum payment to the people on Ebeye. The tools and utilities used for the Ronald Reagan test site cost more than a million dollars. www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/469465/Home-on-the-Range/

Kwajalein Missile Test Site

During the years from 1950 to 1980 Handel and his people had problems with the Americans. Handel felt that the Americans were not fair. The American’s refused to sign the new lease which provided the people on Ebeye with more money and more supplies. Handel decided to take his people and go protest against the Americans decision. Handel and his people moved to Kwajalein. While Handel and his people were occupying Kwajalein, the Americans forced Handel and his people to get on a boat to go back to Ebeye. Handel never gave up. Each day Handel would gather his men to sneak on a boat to Kwajalein. During this time Ronald Reagan was president. Ronald Reagan heard what was happening to the people on Ebeye, so he decided to make the Americans sign a new lease and apologize to the people on Ebeye. Handel has inspired me in many ways. He is truly a legend. Handel’s help was a success to the people on Ebeye. Without Handel’s help the LUA would not exist. Handel has taught us not to give up on something that matters to you the most. When there are problems, you have to do everything to be a successful person.