General Information About Kosrae

Language
Kosraean is the local language and the older citizens still speak Japanese, but most of the people also speak good English.

Population
Approximately 8,000

Climate
The average day time temperature is 30 degrees celsius (86 degrees fahrenheit), and at night it only drops to 28 degrees celsius (82 degrees fahrenheit). Humidity is usually high, so air-conditioning is available in all of our guest rooms and restaurant, or you can enjoy outdoor dining with ceiling fans outside by the swimming pool. The trade winds blow between November and April with an average annual rainfall of approximately 200 inches in the mountains. There is no particular rainy season, but overnight rainfall of one to two inches is common.

Shopping
Several stores on the island offer a variety of goods. Hotel gift shops offer locally made handicrafts and souvenir T-shirts. The Visitor's Bureau also offers souvenirs. MasterCard, Visa and Travelers Checks are accepted by Kosrae Nautilus Resort & some other hotels. Car rental and smaller businesses do not accept credit cards. Local artisans sell handicrafts from their homes and workshops and in small general stores.

Rental cars and Taxi Services
Taxis and rental cars can be arranged once you arrive at the resort. If you like, we can have a rental car waiting at the airport for you.

Postal Services
There is one post office on Kosrae. Postal rates are similar to those within the United States. The post office is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and is closed weekends and on FSM holidays. Courier service is available for express mail to destinations in the U.S., and elsewhere throughout the world.

Telecommunications
Kosrae is linked to the rest of the world by way of satellite and fiber optics. A full range of telecommunication services, including pre-paid telephone cards, internet, and facsimile machines are available to all points overseas. The telephone country code is 691.

Our resort has wireless internet, so if you bring your laptop, you can connect in your room, by the swimming pool, at the beach front gazebo, or under one of our thatched huts with a swinging chair. If you don't bring your own computer, you can visit FSM Telecom's office in Tofol from 8 am to midnight & connect to the internet on their computers at $4/hour.

Banking and Currency
Kosrae uses United States currency. There is one commercial bank, The Bank of the FSM (hours 9 am to 3:00 pm). Only a few places, including our resort accept MasterCard & Visa. Traveler’s checks are recommended for restaurants and stores. ATMs are not yet available, and it is not possible to obtain a cash advance on your credit card at the local bank, or anywhere else on the island.

Electricity
Standard 110 volts and US outlets.

Sun Protection
Since Kosrae is 400 miles north of the equator, the sun's UV rays are very strong. You should plan on using sun screen and limiting sunbathing.

Media
We have 26 channels of cable TV including CNN and BBC to catch up on the world news, along with the Discovery Channel and National Geographic.

Photo Processing
There is no photo or film processing on the island, so you will need to take your exposed film home to have this done.

What to Wear
You should plan on dressing in a casual but conservative manner, both for protection from the sun and so as not to offend the local people. Light summer clothing is always appropriate. Throughout the Pacific it is considered immodest to reveal the upper leg. Men and women should wear long shorts (Bermuda length), skirts or lava lava's while in the villages or in public areas such as restaurants. Dress is more relaxed at the resort.
When attending Sunday church services, men should wear long pants and a shirt with a collar. Women should keep in mind that modesty of attire is preferable. A skirt or dress would be more appropriate than slacks, and a top with at least a short sleeve. You can certainly be relaxed in your attire, but observe how the locals customarily dress, and try to emulate them in not wearing anything too outrageous.

Places of Worship
The majority of people on Kosrae are Congregationalists, but there are other denominations represented as well, including Seventh-Day Adventists, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Catholics, Baptists, Pentecostal, and Assembly of God. All hold regular services, visitors are welcome to attend the church of their choice.

Emergency Services
Kosrae has a Fire Department, Police Department and Hospital.

Rose Mackwelung Library
For the reader, the Rose Mackwelung Library may be of interest. The library, located on the Kosrae High School campus in Tofol, it offers a fine collection of images of Micronesia, and its Pacific Island collection contains many Micronesian reference works. The Reference section has many government documents. Hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Kosrae Holidays & Festivals

January 1: New Year's Day
January 11: Constitution Day
January 17: Lelu Municipal Holiday
May 10: Proclamation of the FSM
June 6: Malem Municipal Holiday
July 20: Utwe Municipal Holiday
September 7, 8: Liberation Day
October 24: United Nations Day
November 4: Independence Day
November 20: Coconut Festival and Agricultural Fair
4th Thursday in November: Thanksgiving
December 25: Christmas Day