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Milne Bay: Alotau
The provincial capital of Milne Bay, Alotau, was established in 1968. Alotau means "safe place" or harbour or bay, depending on which language is used. The population, according to the 2002 census figures, is 9,888 in the town, 74,644 in the Alotau district and 210,412 in the province. Before 1966, the provincial district centre was Samarai Island, but as the town expanded, it became more practical to transfer this to Alotau.
Alotau is a quiet, sleepy little town overlooking the Bay. It has a commercial centre, a market place, a hospital, an elementary school, three primary schools and a secondary school, government offices, a police station, a fire station, a bonded wharf, a public wharf at Sanderson's Bay, a sports oval and a memorial to those who lost their lives in the Battle of Milne Bay in 1942. There are also two private schools in town.
The main languages spoken are Tawala, Suau, Wedau, Dobu, English, Motu and Tok Pisin as well as many of the less widely spoken languages. English is widely spoken and remains the language of education, Government and Commerce. The Summer Institute of Linguistics has a centre in town next door to Napatana Lodge to translate the Bible into most of the major languages.
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About Milne Bay
Alotau
