Stories of Hulhulé Island,"Hulhulé’s Transformation: From Cultural Haven to Velana Airport,
- Ibrahim Rasheed
- Jun 22
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 26
Hulhulé Island, now home to Velana International Airport in the North Malé Atoll, has a rich history as a sparsely populated center for trade, agriculture, and fishing, with connections to the Giraavaru, southern Maldivians, Moors, and other settlers. It functioned as an administrative hub for Malé Atoll and, according to oral traditions, served as a picnic spot for sultans and queens. The founding of the Hilaalee Dynasty in 1388, through the marriage of Hilaaly Kalo to Golhaavehi Kanbulo, a noblewoman from the Lunar Dynasty on Hulhulé, highlights its historical importance. The runway built by the British in 1960, offered by Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir without a formal agreement, initiated the airport's expansion, leading to the relocation of approximately 60 families from Hulhulé, including the Giraavaru, to Malé’s Maafannu district by the 1970s. This development boosted tourism but resulted in the cultural loss for the Giraavaru and indirectly affected Malé’s fishing income due to harbor congestion, worsened by urban density and land reclamation projects like Hulhumalé (1997–ongoing). This analysis examines Hulhulé’s historical inhabitants, the effects of airport expansion, and the broader socio-economic implications.
Historical Context of Hulhulé Island
Early Inhabitants
Hulhulé Island, situated near Malé, was historically home to a diverse population, including the Giraavaru, settlers from the southern Maldives (possibly Huvadhu Atolls), Boduthiladhun, and Moors (likely Arab or Indian Ocean traders), and other families from the Malé Atoll.Hulhule Island - Wikipedia The Giraavaru, recognized for their matrilineal society and unique dialect, originally lived on Giraavaru Island but also had a presence on Hulhulé due to its closeness to Malé. Southern Maldivians and Moors, possibly connected to trade networks, were involved in agriculture, fishing, and trade, traveling to Malé to sell their goods. These communities bolstered Malé’s economy, with Hulhulé’s fertile land and strategic position encouraging settlement.
Administrative and Cultural Role
Hulhulé was an administrative hub for Malé Atoll (Kaafu Atoll), a ward of Malé, managing local governance and resources . Its proximity to Malé, the “King’s Island” with the royal palace (Gan’duvaru), made it integral to regional administration. Oral traditions suggest sultans and queens, such as Queen Rehendhi Khadeeja in the 14th century, used Hulhulé for picnics, leveraging its lush environment for leisure, though specific records are sparse . The 1388 marriage of Hilaaly Kalo to Golhaavehi Kanbulo, a Lunar Dynasty noblewoman from Hulhulé, produced Sultan Hassan Al-Hilaaly I, founding the Hilaalee Dynasty (1388–1573), highlighting the island’s dynastic significance Hilaalee dynasty - Wikipedia.
Hilaalee Dynasty Connection
Hulhulé Airport Expansion and Displacement
British Runway and Nasir’s Decision (1960)
In the late 1950s, during the British protectorate period (1887–1965), the British sought land on the east side of Malé to construct an airport that would connect Malé to their RAF base in Gan, Addu Atoll, which had been operational since 1941 RAF Gan - Wikipedia. Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir, concerned about disrupting Malé’s urban layout, proposed Hulhulé Island instead, declaring, “There will be no official written permission,” to avoid a formal agreement and maintain sovereignty A brief history of Velana International Airport - Aviators Maldives.
The British built a 1,000-meter slotted steel runway, which opened on October 19, 1960, with the first landing made by a Royal New Zealand Air Force Bristol Freighter Velana International Airport - Wikipedia.
Post-Independence and Civilian Use (1966)
Following independence on July 26, 1965, Nasir converted the runway for civilian purposes, extending it to a 2,840-meter asphalt strip by April 12, 1966, with local contributions amounting to 1,563.08 Maldivian Rufiyaa A brief history of Velana International Airport - Aviators Maldives. The inaugural commercial flight, operated by Air Ceylon, touched down on April 10, 1962, marking the beginning of civilian aviation Velana International Airport - Wikipedia.
Relocation of Inhabitants (1968–1970s)
By 1968, the Giraavaru community, confronted with erosion and saline water issues on Giraavaru Island, along with the Islamic requirement of having 40 adult males for Friday prayers, were relocated to Hulhulé, where they joined other settlers, making up around 60 families in total Hulhule Island - Wikipedia. In the early 1970s, these families, including all the Giraavaru, were moved to the Maafannu district of Malé to facilitate airport expansion and tourism plans for Giraavaru Island under Nasir’s government History of the Maldives - Wikipedia. This relocation led to the cultural assimilation of the Giraavaru, resulting in the loss of their dialect and matrilineal traditions, which sparked debates about heritage preservation Maldives - Wikipedia.
Impact on Malé’s Fishing Community
Harbor Congestion and Income Loss
The fishing community in Malé, a crucial economic sector alongside tourism, experienced income declines due to harbor congestion. This congestion was caused by the city's high population density (over 250,000 residents in 6.8 km², approximately 50,000/km²) and increased maritime traffic Hulhumalé - Wikipedia. Although not directly linked to the expansion of Hulhulé's airport, the congestion was worsened by urban development, such as the Hulhulé Lagoon reclamation for Hulhumalé (1997–ongoing), which impacted lagoon ecosystems and access routes Maldives Artificial Islands - Dreaming of Maldives. Fishing boats found it difficult to maneuver in crowded harbors, leading to reduced catches and income, prompting some fishers to transition to tourism-related jobs GSTC: Community-Owned Tourism in the Maldives.
Indirect Link to Airport Expansion
The expansion of Hulhulé has led to an increase in tourism-related vessel traffic, adding to harbor congestion. However, primary sources attribute fishing disruptions more to Malé’s urban development and reclamation projects like Hulhumalé, which involved dredging lagoons and affecting marine habitats Hulhumalé, Maldives: Monumental climate adaptation effort - Global Center on Adaptation. By 2025, fishing remained difficult, with Malé’s fish market still operational but less profitable for small-scale fishers.
Nasir’s Tourism Vision and Broader Impacts
Tourism Development (1970s)
In 1972, Nasir’s government initiated tourism with the opening of Kurumba Resort, utilizing Hulhulé Airport to implement the “one island, one resort” concept, which by the 1980s contributed over 20% to the GDP Tourism Year Book 2017. The relocation of residents from Hulhulé and Giraavaru was linked to this strategy, which favored infrastructure development over traditional ways of life. By 1978, 34 resorts accommodated 17,000 tourists, although the financial benefits were largely accrued by investors ResearchGate: Economic Cost of Tourism in Maldives.
The reclamation of the Hulhulé Lagoon, which began on October 16, 1997, resulted in the creation of Hulhumalé to alleviate congestion in Malé. By 2021, it housed 100,000 people, with plans to accommodate 240,000 Hulhumalé - Wikipedia. Overseen by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the area incorporates eco-friendly designs but has faced environmental criticism due to the dredging's impact on fishing areas HDC orders to remove vessels in Hulhumale' Phase III lagoon - psmnews.mv. Hulhumalé's connection to Hulhulé Airport via a causeway enhances its significance, though it has not completely alleviated Malé's congestion The Story of Hulhumale - Dreaming of Maldives.
Controversies and Challenges
Cultural Loss
The Displacement and Cultural Assimilation of the Hulhule Community and Giraavaru People
remain controversial, with critics claiming Nasir’s policies prioritized tourism over cultural heritage History of the Maldives - Wikipedia. The absence of compensation or efforts to preserve culture has sparked debates, echoing concerns about the social integration of Hulhumalé The Authenti-City of an Artificial City | UNDP.
Sovereignty and British Influence
Nasir’s decision not to sign a formal agreement with the British maintained autonomy but allowed informal influence until their withdrawal from Gan in 1976, leading to questions about sovereignty From the archive, 15 September 1975: Indian Ocean island of Gan returned to Maldives | Maldives | The Guardian.
Environmental and Economic Impacts
The expansions of Hulhulé and the land reclamation in Hulhumalé have disturbed marine ecosystems, affecting fishing activities and raising sustainability issues Maldives Artificial Islands - Dreaming of Maldives. Fishers in Malé encountered persistent challenges, with some moving into tourism, illustrating the transition from traditional to modern economies.
Statistical Overview
Year | Event | Details |
1388 | Hilaalee Dynasty founded | Sultan Hassan I, son of Hilaaly Kalo and Golhaavehi Kanbulo, ascends |
1960 | Hulhulé runway built | British, 1,000m slotted steel, opened October 19, no formal agreement |
1968 | Half of the Giraavaru community relocated to Hulhulé Island | |
1970s | Relocation to Maafannu, Malé | For Hulhulé Airport expansion and Giraavaru tourism plans |
1997 | Hulhumalé reclamation begins | October 16, Phase I, 188 hectares, USD 32 million |
2025 | Tourism peak | 19 airports, 14,659 guesthouse beds, ~2M tourists |
Conclusion
Hulhulé Airport’s expansion, which began in the year 1960, marked a significant turning point in the history of the Maldives, as it not only transformed the aviation landscape of the nation but also had profound social implications. The expansion efforts resulted in the displacement of approximately 60 families, among which were the Giraavaru community. This community faced the devastating loss of their homes on both Hulhulé and Giraavaru Island, primarily due to the dual forces of erosion and the relentless push for development that accompanied the airport's growth. The physical displacement of these families was not merely a matter of relocation; it represented a deep cultural and emotional upheaval, as many of these families had lived in these areas for generations, fostering a rich history and connection to the land. Furthermore, the fishing community of Malé, which had thrived for many years, began to experience significant economic challenges as a direct consequence of the harbor congestion that arose from increased urban density and land reclamation projects, such as the development of Hulhumalé. This congestion not only hampered the efficiency of fishing operations but also limited access to traditional fishing grounds, leading to a decline in income for many fishermen who relied on these waters for their livelihood. The intricate relationship between Hulhulé’s expansion and the fishing community's struggles highlights the broader socio-economic impacts of rapid urbanization and development in the Maldives. During this transformative period, President Nasir's vision for tourism played a pivotal role in reshaping Hulhulé into a global gateway for international travelers. His policies not only attracted foreign investment but also positioned the Maldives as a prominent destination in the global tourism market. This influx of tourists brought substantial economic prosperity to the nation, significantly boosting the GDP and creating numerous job opportunities in various sectors. However, this progress came at a considerable cost. The rapid development and influx of tourism often led to the erosion of traditional lifestyles and cultural practices, as local communities were compelled to adapt to the demands of a booming tourism industry. The history of Hulhulé Airport's expansion serves as a microcosm of the Maldives’ ongoing struggle to balance modernization with the preservation of its cultural heritage and the environment. It reflects the complex interplay between the benefits of economic growth through tourism and the social-environmental challenges that arise from such rapid changes. As the Maldives continues to navigate this intricate landscape, the lessons learned from Hulhulé's past remain crucial in shaping future policies and development strategies that aim to honor both progress and tradition.
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