Akhiok, Alaska

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Akhiok is a 2nd class city in Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 80. A State of Alaska Demographer in 2004 estimates the population at 56. The postal code is 99615. The village is sometimes called Alitak, after a nearby bay.

1 Location and Climate
2 History and Culture
3 Demographics
4 Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
5 Economy and Transportation
6 Additional Akhiok information
7 Regional Organizations
8 External links and references

[edit] Location and Climate

Akhiok is located at 56.945560° North, -154.17028° West (Sec. 28, T037S, R031W, Seward Meridian)^GR1. Akhiok is in the Kodiak Recording District, and the 3rd Judicial District.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.9 km² (10.4 mi²). 20.5 km² (7.9 mi²) of it is land and 6.4 km² (2.5 mi²) of it (23.65%) is water.

Akhiok is located at the southern end of Kodiak Island at Alitak Bay. It lies 80 miles southwest of the City of Kodiak, and 340 miles southwest of Anchorage. The area encompasses 7.9 sq. miles of land and 2.5 sq. miles of water.

The climate of the Kodiak Islands is dominated by a strong marine influence. There is little or no freezing weather, moderate precipitation, and frequent cloud cover and fog. Severe storms are common from December through February. Annual precipitation is 35 inches. Temperatures remain within a narrow range, from 25 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit.

[edit] History and Culture

Akhiok is an Alutiiq village dependent upon fishing and subsistence activities. The original village of Kashukugniut was occupied by Russians in the early 19th century. The community was originally a sea otter hunting settlement, located at Humpy Cove. The name Akhiok was reported in the 1880 Census. In 1881, residents relocated to the present site at Alitak Bay. The relocation was, in part, based on the switch to a fishing economy. Most families gain their livelihood from fishing, either directly by fishing for salmon and halibut or by working in a near-by cannery. The community's Russian Orthodox church, Protection of the Theotokos Chapel, was built around 1900 at the site of an earlier structure. A post office was established in 1933. Residents of nearby Kaguyak relocated to Akhiok after the 1964 earthquake and tsunami destroyed their village. The City was incorporated in 1972.

NOTE: The village is not referred to as Alitak. Alitak is the name of the nearby bay and cannery, a completely separate location.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 80 people, 25 households, and 17 families residing in the city. The population density was 3.9/km² (10.1/mi²). There were 34 housing units at an average density of 1.7/km² (4.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 2.50% White, 86.25% Native American, 3.75% Asian, and 7.50% from two or more races. 1.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 25 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.0% were married couples living together, 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 35.0% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 122.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,438, and the median income for a family was $37,813. Males had a median income of $25,417 versus $6,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,473. There were 5.3% of families and 9.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including 12.5% of under eighteens and none of those over 64. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 34, and vacant housing units numbered 9. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 2. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 30 residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 14.29 percent, although 47.37 percent of all adults were not in the work force.

The population declined from about 115 to 70 by 1950, but increased due to an influx of families from Kaguyak which had been severely damaged in an earthquake in 1964.

A federally-recognized tribe is in the community -- the Native Village of Akhiok; Kodiak Island Inter-Tribal Council.

[edit] Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care

Water is derived from a dam and reservoir on a small stream, is treated and stored. Akhiok provides a piped gravity water and sewer system that serves all 25 homes in the community. The community is currently boiling its drinking water -- a new water source is needed. A new landfill site is under development. Electricity is provided by City of Akhiok. There is one school in the community, attended by 16 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Akhiok Medical Clinic (907-836-2230). Akhiok Medical Clinic is a Primary Health Care Facility. Akhiok is classified as an isolated village. It is found in EMS Region 2G in the Kodiak Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide. Auxiliary health care is provided by Akhiok Village Response Team (Clinic 907-836-2230); flight to Kodiak or Anchorage.

[edit] Economy and Transportation

Public sector employment and seasonal work provide cash flow in the community. Five residents hold commercial fishing permits. Almost all of Akhiok's residents depend heavily on subsistence fishing and hunting. Salmon, crab, shrimp, clams, ducks, seal, deer, rabbit and bear are utilized. The community is interested in developing a fish smokery and cold storage facility. Since January 2003, each Akhiok shareholder received $200,000 from sales of a $36 million trust fund provided in the Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement.

The city is accessible only by air and water. Island Air Service offers regular passenger service. In addition, Regular and charter flights are available from the City of Kodiak. There is a State-owned gravel runway (Akhiok Airport; AKK) 3,320' in long by 60' wide, and a seaplane base at Moser Bay, owned by Columbia Ward Fisheries. Barge services are sporadic. A breakwater and boat launch are available, but the existing dock is a temporary structure.

Taxes: Sales: None, Property: 9.25 mills (Borough), Special: 5% Accommodations Tax (Borough); 0.925% Severance Tax (Borough)

[edit] Additional Akhiok information

The members of the community are used as an example in the book: "Elementary Statistics for College Students" (6th Edition, 2004) by Allen R. Angel. The information includes photographs of some residents.

[edit] Regional Organizations

City - City of Akhiok
P.O. Box 5050
Akhiok, AK 99615
Phone 907-836-2323
Fax 907-836-2209
E-mail city_of_akhiok@yahoo.com

Village Corporation - Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc.
1400 W. Benson Blvd. #425
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-258-0604
Fax 907-258-0608
E-mail akipres@alaska.net

Village Corporation - Ayakulik, Incorporated
P.O. Box 140641
Anchorage, AK 99514
Phone 907-279-7911

Village Council - Native Village of Akhiok
P.O. Box 5030
Akhiok, AK 99615-5030
Phone 907-836-2313
Fax 907-836-2345

Borough - Kodiak Island Borough
710 Mill Bay Road
Kodiak, AK 99615
Phone 907-486-9301
Fax 907-486-9374
E-mail info@kib.co.kodiak.ak.us
http://www.kib.co.kodiak.ak.us

Regional Native Corporation - Koniag, Incorporated
4300 B Street, Suite 407
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-561-2668
Fax 907-562-5258
E-mail dmetrokin@koniag.com
http://www.koniag.com

Native Housing Authority - Kodiak Island Housing Auth.
3137 Mill Bay Road
Kodiak, AK 99615
Phone 907-486-8111
Fax 907-486-4432
E-mail kiha@kiha.org
http://www.kiha.org/

Regional Development - Southwest Alaska Muni. Conf.
3300 Arctic Blvd. #203
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-562-7380
Fax 907-562-0438
E-mail wayers@swamc.org
http://www.southwestalaska.com