Why is Midway Island closed?

After WWII, the development of long-range planes reduced Midway's importance as a commercial air base, and Pan American eliminated stops there in 1950. That year also saw the reduction of Midway's U.S. Navy establishment to a housekeeping force. The islands were virtually abandoned after World War II.



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It was made famous by an Oscar-winning color documentary in 1942, and a 1976 feature film, both about the battle which marked a turning point in World War II. Please Note: Due to budget issues within the U.S. federal government, all travel to Midway Atoll was suspended in 2013, and has been suspended through 2016.

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Midway Atoll is an insular area of the United States and is an unorganized and unincorporated territory.

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The modern history of Midway atoll includes its commercial uses and post-war reversion of a natural state resulting in its designation as a National Wildlife Refuge.

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Today, roughly 40 refuge staff members, contractors and volunteers live there at any given time.

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The Japanese lost approximately 3,057 men, four carriers, one cruiser, and hundreds of aircraft, while the United States lost approximately 362 men, one carrier, one destroyer, and 144 aircraft.

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While no one knows for sure, it's believed there may less than 100 of the survivors of that fateful day still alive. For the first time, there were no Pearl Harbor survivors in attendance for the USS Midway Museum's ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the attack that thrust the United States into World War II.

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Access is limited and managed through a robust permitting process. However, you can get to know your monument by visiting the Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo, which features a saltwater aquarium, interactive educational exhibits, and more.

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The atoll's name is said to come from its location, midway between San Francisco and Tokyo. Geographically, it is a part of the Hawaiian chain of islands, located 1,140 nautical miles from Oahu; politically, it has never been a part of the state of Hawaii.

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Wake Island (Marshallese: Anen Kio, lit. 'island of the kio flower'; also known as Wake Atoll) is a remote coral atoll in the western Pacific Ocean, in the 20th century it rose to prominence as way point for Flying boats, then became a flash point in World War II, then has remained military base since that time.

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