About Us

Palmyra Atoll, along with Kingman Reef, are remnants of volcanoes from 65-120 million years ago. Palmyra Atoll is located approximately 956 nautical miles south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaiʻi and America Samoa, and consists of a circular string of about 26 islets nestled among several lagoons and encircled by 15,000 acres of shallow turquoise reefs and deep blue submerged reefs. It is the northernmost atoll in the Line Islands in the equatorial Pacific. 

Palmyra's history is long and colorful. The first recorded Western sighting of the atoll was on June 14, 1798, by Captain Edmond Fanning. In 1802 the American ship Palmyra, captained by Cornelius Sawle, wrecked on the reefs of the Atoll, giving it its name. In 1859, Dr. G.P. Judd of the brig Josephine took possession of the atoll for the United States and the American Guano Company. Three years later, King Kamehameha IV claimed possession for the Kingdom of Hawaii, but in 1889, Great Britain claimed the atoll. In 1898, President McKinley annexed the Territory of Hawai‘i, specifically mentioning Palmyra, to the United States, but Palmyra was excluded from the Hawai‘i State boundaries in 1959. The refuge was established in January 18, 2001, by the Secretary of the Interior and included submerged lands and associated waters out to 12 nautical miles from the atoll. 
 
On January 6, 2009, the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument was established, which includes Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, and the surrounding ocean out to 50 nautical miles, within its boundaries. 

Our Mission

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. 

Our History

• June 14, 1798 – Palmyra Atoll is first recorded by Captain Edmond Fanning.
• 1802 – The American ship Palmyra, captained by Cornelius Sawle, wrecks along the reefs of the Atoll, giving it its name.
• 1859 - Dr. G.P. Judd of the brig Josephine takes possession of the atoll for the United States and the American Guano Company. Three years later, King Kamehameha IV claims possession for the Kingdom of Hawaii, but in 1889, Great Britain claims the atoll.
• 1898 - President McKinley annexes the Territory of Hawai‘i, specifically mentioning Palmyra, to the United States, but Palmyra is excluded from the Hawai‘i State boundaries in 1959.
• January 18, 2001 - Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is established by the Secretary of the Interior and includes submerged lands and associated waters out to 12 nautical miles.
• January 6, 2009 - The Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument was established, which includes Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding ocean out to 50 nautical miles within its boundaries.