Temperature
The
climate tends to be moderate. The winter temperature ranges between 31
and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the summer temperature ranges between 45
and 56 degrees. Seventy-two inches of snowfall is typical for
our winters. Because of the relatively
warm winter temperatures, the snow that we do get does not typically stay
on the ground for long. Possibly
the most difficult element of the weather is wind. February is the coldest
month with an average temperature of 31 degrees and August is the warmest
month with an average temperate of 56 degrees.
Precipitation remains fairly consistent at 48-50 inches per year.
The City is governed by an elected mayor and six-member council. It levies a 3% sales tax, 1% of which is designated for capital expenditures. Unalaska has an operating budget of $20.2 million and maintains its own electric, sewer, water, landfill, and ports and harbors enterprise funds that essentially generate their own operating budgets.
Schools
Unalaska
City School District operates the schools that serve the community. With a current enrollment of 450 students in
grades Preschool to 12, the District has two facilities. In December
of 2001, a new, state-of-the-art elementary school opened its doors
to preschool through fourth grade students.
Unalaska City School is ranked
among the first in the State in academic achievement tests, and has
a record number of students passing the statewide High School Exit Exam.
In 2001, Unalaska City School District
was the only district in the state to be chosen by an education-based
magazine among the top 100 School Districts in the nation. Educational opportunities do not stop with
the public school system in Unalaska.
The University of Alaska Aleutian / Pribilof Rural Center offers
internet courses, audio courses, and locally taught classroom courses
for credit, and awards a two-year Associate of Arts degree.
Services
The
city has health clinic operated by the Iliuliuk Family and Health Services,
Inc., a non-profit corporation formed in 1972.
The clinic serves the community of Unalaska, the fishing fleet
of the Bering Sea, and residents of neighboring islands. Medical emergencies are treated first at the clinic and, if necessary,
flown to one of two hospitals in Anchorage for further treatment. The
clinic is staffed with four practitioners, including two full-time doctors,
three full-time nurses, two technicians, and two mental health counselors.
Unalaska Community Broadcasting (UCB) www.kial.org provides area residents with two distinct public radio stations - Locally slected programming on KIAL www.kial.org and Anchorage-based programming on KSKA www.kska.org.
UCB also operates Channel 8, a low
power, 10 watt community television station that began broadcasting
in 1981. It operates thanks to a generous grant from the City of Unalaska
and the support of viewers. They strive to bring the community a balance
of local programs, announcements and bulletins, and relevant programming
acquired from outside sources. In
addition to providing the only locally-generated original programming
in Unalaska, Channel 8 offers select PBS shows simulcast from Alaska
One. Catch PBS Kids shows every morning, the Newshour weekdays at 6
PM, and popular evening programs on the weekends. This additional service
is designed for homes without cable television. Households
without cable can also tune in to ARCS, Channel 4. ARCS provides a mix
of public and commercial television product, Alaskan produced news and
public affairs, and education and informational programs from various
sources. ARCS in managed by Alaska Public Broadcasting, Inc. The local
signal is maintained by Unalaska Community Broadcasting. For complete
schedules, visit their website www.kial.org.
The Dutch Harbor Fisherman newspaper also
covers local events on a weekly basi
Churches
Aleut and Russian heritage is prevalent in Unalaska. The
City of Unalaska is perhaps most recognized by the ‘onion’ domes of the
oldest Russian Orthodox Church in North America, designated as National
Historic Landmark. Originally constructed in 1825 then renovated and enlarged
in 1896, the historic Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Ascension of
Christ, which overlooks Iliuliuk Bay, has stood on the island through
harsh weather and the Japanese attack on the Aleutian Islands in 1942.
The small church has a parish of about 150 members, mostly Aleuts, and
houses a private collection of the largest display of Russian artifacts,
religious icons and art pieces in the state. Unalaska also has active
congregations in St. Christopher by-the-sea Catholic Mission, Unalaska
Methodist Church, the Unalaska Christian Fellowship, the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints, and the Ba’hai Faith.
Attractions
Fascinating
WWII ruins can be found on this small island, as well as the most breathtaking
sea life in the world. One of the major attractions to this island are
the many ruins still remaining from WWII, like bunkers and pillboxes.
On June 3 and 4, 1942, Unalaska was the first in a series of four Aleutian
Islands attacked by the Japanese, followed by Adak, Attu and Kiska. Captain’s
Bay is home to the ‘U.S.S. Northwestern’, a military boat that was bombed
by the Japanese during WWII and part of the ship’s hull is still visible
above the waterline. There is also Memorial Park and a WWII monument built
in dedication to all the people who lost their lives and to the Aleut
people who suffered internment in WWII.
Getting
Here
By
Plane
The Unalaska Airport, at the Port of Dutch Harbor, is served by Peninsula
Air. Non-stop flights arrive on the island six times daily from Anchorage.
Consider traveling via the Alaska Marine Highway System. The ferry leaves Homer and Kodiak a number of times per month during the summer, providing a three-day trip to the island. Contact the Alaska Marine Highway System for rate and schedule information at 1-800-642-0066.
Local
Links