Akhiok Alaska

Current Population:	44 (2006 DCCED Certified Population)
Incorporation Type:	2nd Class City
Borough Located In:	Kodiak Island Borough
Taxes:	Sales: None, Property: 9.25 mills (Borough), Special: 5% Accommodations Tax (Borough); 0.925% Severance Tax (Borough)

Location and Climate

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 community lies at approximately 56.945560° North Latitude and -154.170280° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 28, T037S, R031W, Seward Meridian.) Akhiok is located in the Kodiak Recording District.

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.

Organizations with Local Offices

City - City of Akhiok

P.O. Box 5050

Akhiok, AK 99615

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

3741 Richmond #5

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

Regional Organizations

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

Web 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

Web 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

Web http://www.kiha.org/

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 located 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.

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 regualr pasenger service. In addition, Regular and charter flights are available from the City of Kodiak.

There is a State-owned gravel runway 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.

History, Culture and Demographics

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 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.

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Akhiok; Kodiak Island Inter-Tribal Council. The population of the community consists of 93.8% Alaska Native or part Native.

Akhiok is an Alutiiq village dependent upon fishing and subsistence activities. 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 median household income was $33,438, per capita income was $8,472, and 9.89 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.

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