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NASA picture of Sikaiana Atoll
Sikaiana formerly called Stewart Islands is a small atoll 212 km NE of Malaita. It is almost 14 km in length and its lagoon, known as Te Moana, is totally enclosed by the coral reef. Its total land surface is only 2 km². There is no safe anchorage close to this atoll, which makes it often inaccessible. Latitude: 8° 25' 0 S, Longitude: 162° 52' 0 E
The main island, located at the easternmost corner, is called Matuavi. The three small islands in the west of the atoll are Tehaolei, Matuiloto and Matuavi. There are also two artificial islands on the reef, Te Palena and Hakatai'atata.
Administratively Sikaiana is an outlying region of Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands.
Sikaiana's population is approximately 300 people of Polynesian descent. In 1856, when Hawai‘i was offered the sovereignty of Sikaiana, the Privy Council voted to accept the cession. King Kamehameha IV approved the action, making Hawai‘i an imperial power of sorts. But there were second thoughts. The great distance of the atoll from Honolulu would make administration impossible, and the cession was never formalized. Some residents have claimed that the island group was annexed by the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1856 and has since become part of the United States. However, the U.S. government rejects this contention and regards the atoll as outside its territory.
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Coordinates: 8°22′43″S 162°42′47″E / -8.37861, 162.71306
