Tag: dolen merewi

Dolen Merewi is a flat-topped hill that stands apart from the interior mountains to the west and is highly conspicuous when driving through northeastern Madolenihmw. During the Spanish Period (1886-1898), the hill played a pivotal role in an armed conflict centered around Ohwa. During the fighting, Nahnmwarki Pol, the Protestant leader of Madolenihmw, took refuge on the summit of Dolen Merewi where it was said he prayed in earnest for the Catholics to be defeated. Though the Spanish claimed a victory in the end, they lost a great many men and the better part of their dignity. They never got what they wanted and spent the rest of their administration barricaded inside their dreary colony, Santiago de la Ascencion, at what is now modern-day Kolonia.

An unpaved but well-graded road runs inland right to the base of Dolen Merewi, and almost anyone living in the area can assist visitors in finding a suitable guide on the spot. The ascent takes less than an hour and climbs steeply through upland sakau (Piper methysticum) plantations, karara (Myristica hypargyraea), sadak (Elaeocarpus carolinensis), and other large native hardwoods. At the top of the hill, the forest thins and the trail passes hastily-constructed Japanese foxholes, trenches, and rifle pits. The summit (240 m / 787 ft) is at the north end and has unobstructed views of Kupwuriso to the northwest, Timwen Men to the north, and the glistening bay in the east. Huge flying foxes roost in nearby trees and can be seen soaring low overhead. Birders will find Crimson-Crowned Fruit Doves and Micronesian Ground Doves in plenty. The summit is a nice camp site.

• See the Birding page for more info about bird-watching on Pohnpei.

No access fee is charged.

• Plan for 3 hours round-trip with a nice rest at the summit.

• To hire a guide, ask at the houses in the area or contact Hanke Albert at +691.320.4047. Offer $12.00-15.00.

Map Guides >> Central Madolenihmw >> Dolen Merewi