Bonaire

Excerpt of the 1513 "Ptolemy" map of the West Indies, probably the first to show Bonaire (as "y. do brassil"). Cuba appears as "Isabella."

1499: The ABC Islands, already settled by communities of Arawak Indians (specifically the Caquetío people, also inhabiting the adjoining mainland, roughly the modern Venezuelan state of Falcón), are discovered by the Spanish. Bonaire is sighted September 5 or 6. The abundance of dye-wood found by Amerigo Vespucci and his traveling companions on the island cause Juan de la Cosa to name it Isla de Palo Brasil or Dye-wood Island. Thus it appears on the oldest maps of the Western Hemisphere. Before long, however, the Spaniards discover that the island already had a name, which they render with a close attempt at a phonetic transcription as Bojnaj, as it appears on a 1519 map. The Spaniards and the Dutch later modify this Bojnaj and other spellings (Boynare, Buinare, etc.) to Buen Ayre (this can still be found in English usage until the early 20th century) and Bonaire. The French-seeming spelling is misleading, and the name does not mean "good air"; the actual meaning is uncertain, but the most acceptable interpretation is "the low country." Shortly after Vespucci, another Spanish vessel drops anchor off Bonaire. Cristóbal Guerra, leader of the party, rounds up a number of Bonaire Indians and carries them off on board his ship. Guerra subsequently sells these Indians in Spain. In 1501 they come into the hands of a priest who sets them free and with the help of the authorities has them brought back.
1513: The three islands are declared useless (islas inútiles) by the Spanish viceroy of the West Indies, Diego Colón, son of Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus).
1513-15: All of the 2,000 or more Indians inhabiting Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are deported to Hispaniola (modern Dominican Republic and Haiti), where they are put to work in the copper mines.
Nov. 15, 1526: An influential civil servant at Hispaniola, Juan de Ampués, obtains permission to return a number of Indians in order to found a colony on the three islands (from which slave traders will be prohibited) with the ostensible purpose of promoting the timber trade (in reality it is to catch Indians living on the continent as slaves), on condition that he converts the Indians to Christianity, which appears to be achieved easily enough. The three islands together temporarily form a captaincy, based on Curaçao, but ultimately revert to the central administration in Hispaniola. In addition to people, the Spaniards also carry livestock and utensils to the islands. Otherwise they do not bother very much about colonization of Bonaire; it comes to be used as a place of exile for undesirable elements in Venezuela. A veedor (overseer) acts as administrator. On the place where the path leading from the lower part of the island to the landing-place in the north (modern Slagbaai) makes a bend, the Spaniards have a settlement named Rincón ("corner"). A second settlement, dating from the latter part of the Spanish era, is Barbudo, resembling a small fort rather than a dwelling-place, and situated a little south of modern Kralendijk.
October 1623: A Dutch vessel casts anchor off Bonaire, and the sailors are at once struck by the fact that there is such an abundance of dye-wood standing about the island which, moreover, grows conveniently close to the shore. More visitors from the provinces of Holland and Zeeland follow, the sheep walking freely about forming an added inducement to crews. Both for them and for the Spaniards the hides apparently are more valuable than the meat. The Spaniards incite the Indians to oppose the landings, sometimes to good effect; on one occasion seven dead marauders have to be left behind.
April 10-17, 1626: Dutch seafarer Boudewijn Hendricksz calls at Bonaire and releases 11 Spanish and Portuguese prisoners because they were such heavy eaters that they depleted his ship's stores. These prisoners are supposed to have settled al interior (in the interior), from which the name of the town of Antriol (or Entrejol, formerly also Dentera) is assumed to derive.
Jan. 20, 1630: Dutch admiral Adriaen Jansz. Pater arrives at Bonaire, where about 60 Spaniards live at the time. On January 21 his troops go ashore and meet no Spaniards, but when two of them stray from the main force, they are attacked and one is killed, "for which the commander had all the houses of the island's inhabitants set on fire and destroyed in revenge" on January 22. When the Dutch retreat to the ships, the Spaniards and natives follow them but are not strong enough to attack and instead set fire to all the dry grass hoping to smother the troops, but they escape.
July 1632: Several Dutch ships visit Bonaire. Adm. Marten Thijsz later reports favourably about the natural, never-drying salt pans which yield salt "naturally" more than twice a year and sometimes several times.
1634: The Dutch, being at war with Spain, seize Curaçao. Once there, it follows as a matter of course that - in 1636 - they occupy the neighbouring islands, Aruba and Bonaire, as well. Bonaire is taken in March or April that year, the Spaniards having already left. The Dutch find a small cotton plantation on Klein Bonaire (Little Bonaire), which formerly is certain to have had a much denser vegetation including trees and coconut palms. On the site of Barbudo the Dutch erect a somewhat more imposing stronghold garrisoned by 40 whites, 13 blacks, and 7 Indians. Otherwise the island remains virtually uninhabited until 1639, when an economic development project is drawn up, restoring salt-making and maize-growing.
October 1642: The Spanish (under Ruy Fernández de Fuenmayor, governor of Venezuela) make an attempt at retaking Bonaire. The Dutch, believing they are faced with heavier odds than actually the case, initially evacuate and the Spaniards remain on the island for a week but, fearing that Petrus Stuyvesant, the Dutch West India Company director of Curaçao, would attack, they withdraw themselves, after setting fire to the fort and the houses and killing livestock. This induces Stuyvesant to send a governor to Bonaire, Jacob Polak, who restores order and informs Stuyvesant of the ruthlessness of the Spaniards. This induces Stuyvesant to set out for Puerto Cabello (Venezuela) to retaliate and raid livestock to replenish Bonaire's.
1648: When peace is declared between the Netherlands and Spain, Curaçao ceases to be a naval base. The number of the military guarding Bonaire decreases. William Dampier, who calls at the island during his famous voyage round the world of 1681, only encounters 8.
1660: A number of Dutch colonists living on the banks of Esopus Creek, a small tributary of the Hudson River, in New Amsterdam (modern New York), fire into a body of Indians; shortly afterwards the Indians pillage and burn down the settlement. Stuyvesant, meanwhile director-general of New Amsterdam as well as Curaçao, declares war against the Indians and an armistice is finally declared. In May Stuyvesant sends 11 captured chiefs to Curaçao in order to put them to work either there or on Bonaire.
After 1662: A big slave market comes into existence in Curaçao, via which Africans are also carried to Bonaire. By 1700 the number of slaves is 97, making the Africans the second element of the population, and as time goes on becoming the most prominent; after 1700, with salt-making Bonaire's greatest source of revenue, an ever-increasing number of slaves is sent to the island. The slaves are settled at Rincón (a significant distance from the salt ponds in the south), intended as a "breeding place of slaves." White settlement is initially forbidden, but soldiers, on the expiration of their contract, sometimes stay on either married or cohabiting with an Indian or coloured woman. By the close of the 18th century the Dutch West India Company's authority diminishes and clandestine white settlement (including a considerable number of non-Dutch) begins to appear.
1679: A letter of this year indicates that there are about 8,500 sheep and goats on Bonaire at this time. An 18th-century American document designates Bonaire as "goat-island." The animals graze freely, mainly in the north and west of the island, where they are slaughtered. Slachtbaai (modern Slagbaai; "Slaughter Bay") owes its name to this fact.
18th century: The Papiamento creole language which developed on Curaçao spreads to Bonaire.
1705: Michael Alexius Schabel, a Bohemian Jesuit, is the first priest known to have visited Bonaire.
1713: The havoc wrought on Curaçao by French privateer Jacques Cassard is the cause for subsequent arrangements to use Bonaire as a kind of signal-post. When danger is imminent, a fire is to be lit on the top of 241-m Mount Brandaris at night; in the daytime green wood is to be burnt to make smoke-signals. The distance from the top of Brandaris to Curaçao is 46 km and under favourable circumstances people on Curaçao would see the fire or smoke and take precautions. There is no evidence of this being ever put to practice, however.
1730: A plan to erect a lighthouse on the southeast corner of the island falls through because it is thought that a lighthouse would only serve as a beacon to the enemy. Not until some ships have been wrecked is a beacon-light set up in the south in 1762.
1737: Bonaire is mentioned as a penal colony.
1740: The director of Curaçao, Isaac Faesch, is instructed to make Bonaire and Aruba more productive.
1754: Even when Aruba is opened up under certain conditions, Bonaire remains a closed area, no private individuals being permitted to settle on the island.
1772-80: Sometime during this period Cornelis Marten, known as Papa Cornees, builds the first church on Bonaire, in Antriol, a simple building of woven branches and clay and a roof of corn sticks.
1774: Guillaume Thomas Raynal's comprehensive Histoire philosophique et politique des établissements et du commerce des européens dans les deux Indes states that no country would think of conquering islands like Bonaire which only "offer some beasts, some manioc, some legumes suitable for feeding slaves," but no commercial products.
1784: The director of Curaçao is given the authority to directly appoint the commander of Bonaire. Previously, the commander was appointed, on the recommendation of the director, by the Heren Negentien ("Lords Nineteen") or, from 1674, Heren Tien ("Lords Ten"), the board of the Dutch West India Company.
1791: The Dutch West India Company ceases to exist. The Netherlands claims its rights and the company slaves are designated as crown slaves, in Papiamento catibu di rei, or king's slaves.
1795: The slave revolt in Curaçao finds no response in Bonaire.
Early 1798: The director of Curaçao, Johann Rudolf Lauffer, takes measures to better ensure military surveillance of the coasts of Bonaire. He appoints a battery guard of four men, consisting of three gunners and a bombardier.
Feb. 20, 1799: A British brigantine tries to cut out the government meat vessel which sails from Slachtbaai to Curaçao, but a well-aimed fire from the battery at Karpata makes the Englishmen think twice. It is a rare occasion on which Bonaire has to fight off an attack, even though Curaçao comes under British control intermittently in subsequent years, first in 1800-03, during which time Bonaire is not occupied. During the second period of British rule of Curaçao, 1807-16, Bonaire comes under the authority of a British-appointed superintendent, Jean François du Briel (1809-15). The British decide in 1810 to lease out Bonaire in its entirety including its 300 slaves. After some ill-fated experiments a seriously-minded lessee is at last found in the person of Joseph Foulke, a U.S. merchant and owner of a shipbuilding yard, who settled in Curaçao in 1800. The contract is entered into on Sept. 12, 1815, for a period of one year. The exploitation of the island's resources is now enforced with greater vigour, doing much damage to the trees.
June 15, 1806: A population list shows 945 inhabitants, including 72 whites, 284 Indians, 225 freedmen, and 92 slaves. The number of Indians probably refers mostly to mixed-race people with Indian background who later will be counted among the freedmen, as already in 1774 there were "few" Indians according to Curaçao director Jean Isai Claris Rodier de la Bruguière.
c. 1810: The settlement of Playa (Papiamento for "beach") springs up, which around 1835 takes the name of Kralendijk (a corruption of the Dutch for "coral dike," referring to the coral-stone bottom on which the town is built), though the name Playa continues to be informally used.
1812-14: There is a famine on Bonaire.
May 7, 1816: The Union Jack at Fort Oranje is lowered and the Netherlands flag run up in its place.
May 28, 1816: A report of this date by the commission that took over Bonaire for the Dutch includes an appendix showing Bonaire as having 1,135 inhabitants, including 1 Dutch, 119 native whites, 17 white foreigners, 394 free coloured people, 174 free blacks, 65 coloured slaves, 59 black slaves, and 306 crown slaves. By religion, 1,044 are Roman Catholics, 64 Reformed, and 27 Lutherans. The report also notes that there are 116 houses on Bonaire. As the population figures show, the last full-blood Indians have disappeared by this time. Some left because the company allowed their livelihood, stockbreeding, to fall into neglect; others mixed with the blacks. The administration deals with the different population groups separately, each having a kind of chief, responsible to the commander; the head of the Indians carried the title "Captain of the Indians" and this title survives even as the real duties no longer exist. This official is then commissioned to do every kind of odd jobs until finally the title is replaced by that of opzichter (overseer).
June 27, 1816: The Curaçao Political Council decides not to lease out Bonaire or its produce again.
July 1816: Simón Bolívar visits the roadstead on his ship Indio Libre but does not come on shore.
Oct. 11, 1817: Commander Samuel Bartholomeus van den Broek dies. He is succeeded by Isaac Debrot, who has been holding the lower position of director. No new commander is appointed for the time being until finally Debrot is given the title in 1823.
1824: Nicolaas de Jongh, the owner of a sheep-pen at Washikemba, has the first wagon-road constructed. As time goes on more roads are made, enabling the introduction of ox-carts; formerly slaves had to carry everything on their backs.
Sept. 28, 1824: New slave regulations, established by the Political Council, come into effect, with rules for the treatment, food, and clothing of slaves. In some respects the Bonairean slaves are better off than "free" workers in Europe at this time.
1825: The requirement to go to Curaçao to marry is lifted.
July 24, 1827: A Catholic parish is established.
Aug. 1, 1828: The Dutch Caribbean islands and Dutch Guiana (Suriname) are united as Dutch West Indies.
May 3, 1829: The first stone church on Bonaire is completed at Playa (Kralendijk).
1832: Work begins on containing the brine with dams, making salt mining more of an industrial enterprise. Bonairean salt experiences a heyday about this time. Exports are primarily to the United States, because the Netherlands considers the quality inferior.
November 1834: A minor slave riot occurs when the overseer notices that the work on the garden at Rincón is not progressing as it should and orders a group of lingerers to be given rope strokes.
1836-45: Curaçao administrator Reinier Frederik baron van Raders, with indomitable energy, throws himself into developing Bonaire's economy, visiting the island three to four times a year.
1837: Pyramids - sometimes erroneously called obelisks - are erected near salt ponds to serve as beacons for the masters of the salt-vessels who otherwise would have great difficulty in discerning the low-lying part of the island. Going from south to north these pyramids are painted red, orange, white, and blue and the ponds are referred to as the Red Pond, the Orange Pond (Pedro Kelly, or Peliké), the White Pond (Caballero, or Cabaje), and the Blue Pond (the oldest one, Saliñ'Abao).
1837: A fund for the poor is established on Bonaire. Its reports show that only Catholics receive support from it. When asked whether discrimination is at play here, Administrator Herman François Gerardus Wagner writes in 1859 that this is not the case: there are no poor people among Protestants.
Aug. 24, 1838: The Willemstoren ("William's Tower") Lighthouse on Bonaire's southern point is first lit (on the birthday of King Willem I).
March 21, 1840: The commander since 1827, Claas Schotborgh, dies. On March 24 he is succeeded by his son Jan Schotborgh Claaszoon, and Cornelis Boyé is appointed chief overseer.
July 2, 1843: A Protestant congregation is established; in 1845 Bonaire has 86 Protestants. A church in Kralendijk is opened March 9, 1847.
April 9, 1845: It is announced that the islands are to be separated from Suriname. This becomes effective July 16. The administrator of Curaçao becomes the ultimate authority for the other islands.
Dec. 31, 1845: Population: 1,909.
Jan. 27, 1848: Regulations are issued for the administration of the colony of Curaçao and Dependencies, uniting the ABC and SSS islands. Under a governor based in Curaçao, each other island has its own administrator (gezaghebber, commonly translated as lieutenant governor). The administrator has an Advisory Committee at his side.
1849: The first school is opened, a government school under leadership of the Protestant minister.
1850: Stone huts are built for accommodation during the night by the salt ponds, the so-called ranchos.
1850: The township of Mundo Nobo, which later comes to be called Tera Corá ("Red Soil"), is founded for a significant number of the slaves; it is considerably closer to the salt ponds than Rincón.
1850: By this time sugar factories abroad have adopted steam engines and there is no longer a demand for the donkeys raised on Bonaire, who become a public nuisance. In 1868 there are 1,060 of them, breaking through fences everywhere and devouring the crops.
August 1853: Administrator Schotborgh, in poor health, goes to Curaçao. Boyé acts for him, and takes over the permanent position as Schotborgh retires April 1, 1854.
Jan. 20, 1856: The Catholics open their own school.
August 1856: Cholera spreads to Bonaire from an infected fruit barge from Venezuela which, after having called at Klein Bonaire for quarantine examination and been rejected by the doctor, secretly circumvented the island and sold fruit at Slachtbaai. By November 23 the epidemic is over, at least 110 people (4% of the population) having died, most or all from Rincón and Tera Corá and freedmen rather than slaves.
1857: In new slave regulations, the master's authority to punish is significantly restricted.
Jan. 5, 1857: Census population: 2,647, including 819 slaves (660 government and 159 private). There is no longer a distinction made between the classes of whites and freedmen (former slaves).
1858: Another Catholic parish is established in Rincón.
1859: The first steamship visits Kralendijk.
Jan. 5, 1859: Following an investigation into corruption (including government officials sometimes having one or more female slaves as concubines), Administrator Cornelis Boyé is removed and Herman François Gerardus Wagner appointed in his place, who arrives and takes office January 21.
End of 1859: The coconut trees of Klein Bonaire are completely destroyed by gales and heavy seas; a large portion of the islet's northern beach is washed away.
1860: Restrictive provisions on private individuals keeping livestock are relaxed.
Oct. 7, 1862: The law of August 7 abolishing slavery is promulgated on Bonaire; it comes into effect July 1, 1863, when 151 private and 607 government slaves are freed. Contrary to what happened on nearly all other Caribbean islands including Curaçao, Bonaire never witnessed a slave-rising. Curaçao governor Johannes Didericus Crol states in his report that the consequences of emancipation on Bonaire were "more favourable" than on Curaçao, because on Bonaire "the liberated were distinguished by a gentle and diligent disposition and especially by their industriousness."
1866: A roof-tile factory is established, and in 1867 a clinker-brick factory, both with great success.
1868: The Advisory Committee is succeeded by a Policy Council (Raad van Policie), whose two members hold the title of landraad.
1868: The prohibition to settle on Bonaire is formally withdrawn.
Sept. 1, 1868: The government sells practically all crown land (though the salt ponds remain unsold in the auction), causing large private property holdings, almost the entire island being held by J.F. Neuman Cz. & Co. and E.B.F. Hellmund, Klein Bonaire going to Anjel J. Jesurun. The freedmen, who were permitted to graze their smaller animals on government land, are no longer able to do so; many have to enter the employ of the new owners, others become vagrants and poachers. With the supply of food no longer under government control, health reports soon mention diseases caused by a lack of proper nutrition. The salt ponds are later privately sold to Hellmund, and after 1870 no more government salt extraction takes place.
Sept. 22-23, 1877: A hurricane sends 11 Bonaire ships to the bottom; 21 people perish.
1880: An exodus to Venezuela begins, where employment can be found in the copper mines.
Aug. 17, 1885: Another violent storm sweeps away the pier and destroys many houses in Rincón.
1889: The complete failure of the harvest, following on a partial failure in 1888, causes a severe famine.
1890: A post office is set up, the need having arisen due to so many Bonaire natives working abroad.

1894 map of Bonaire.

1895: Bonaire's exports amount to fl. 56,000, to which fl. 20,000 is contributed by salt exports and fl. 14,000 by exports of dividivi (a tree's pods used in the tanning process in the leather industry).
Feb. 18, 1905: 149 Bonaireans depart to work on a railway being constructed in Suriname, but the majority returns because of the malaria prevailing there.
November 1906: A storm sends boats crashing against the shore, and a large ship, the Belle, lands on top of the pier, destroying both ship and pier.
1909: A lighthouse is built at Boca Spelonk.
June 13, 1910: During a storm Administrator Arend Evert Johannes van den Brandhof, who happens to be at sea on the packet schooner Gouverneur van Heerdt (returning from official meetings in Curaçao), is drowned. On Bonaire the news is received only after four days. The oldest landraad (councillor) remains in charge until July 1, when Acting Administrator Jacob Achilles Petrus Thielen (appointed June 28) arrives.
April 18, 1911: A telegraph connection with Curaçao is opened.
May 1, 1911: Thielen is appointed administrator.
1915: Another lighthouse is erected at Bentana. It is reconstructed in 1927.
1915: The first car on Bonaire is unloaded, but is returned at the end of a fortnight since there are no roads on which it is even remotely possible to drive. In 1917 comes the second car; though the roads are in much the same condition as before, it stays.
1921: Telephone lines are laid between Kralendijk and Rincón.
1921: Curaçao governor Oscar Louis Helfrich appoints Richard F. Muskus (who lived on Bonaire for many years) to the Colonial Council to look after Bonairean interests.
December 1921: The wooden pier at Kralendijk is widened. It collapses in February 1922 and it is then decided to build a proper jetty, connected to the mainland by a land abutment; this abutment is completed on October 31.
1922: Electricity comes to Bonaire when Administrator Richard Johannes Beaujon, Jr., has a dynamo installed in one of the outbuildings of the administrator's house.
May 20, 1922: The first tourist ships, Baralt and Merida, visit Bonaire, coming from Curaçao. A football (soccer) team is on board and the first football game between Curaçao and Bonaire is held.
1925: Bonaire exports 12,000 short tons of salt valued at fl. 63,000, a short-lived recovery caused by the salt ponds on Anguilla having been damaged by a storm. The industry, already not very profitable, suffers further by protectionist measures being increasingly adopted in the region.
1925: The population reaches a peak of 7,521. Thereafter migration to Curaçao sets in, where jobs have been created because of the establishment of Shell; the migration increases when in 1929 an oil plant is set up on Aruba. On Aruba and Curaçao Bonairean clubs are founded. Significant remittances are sent to Bonaire to support families left behind.
1929: Former administrator Beaujon is appointed to the Colonial Council of Curaçao.
1930s: Many improvements in infrastructure, medical care, and education are made as the rise of the oil industry brings the Dutch Antilles increased revenue.
Beginning of 1931: An expansion of the jetty is completed: 50 m long and 8.20 m wide.
Nov. 1-2, 1932: The tail of a hurricane causes great damage on Bonaire; half of the new pier is swept away. The white pyramid is also destroyed. The U.S. ships America and Baltimore run ashore near Kralendijk; the latter is a total loss.
1934: The first cinema, Alhambra (founded by Lodewijk D. Gerharts), opens.
1936: The Colonial Council is replaced by the Staten, and Bonaireans are eligible to elect one member.
May 30, 1936: The first airfield, at Subi Blanco, comes into use.
Dec. 20, 1937: The first elections would be held for Bonaire representative to the Staten, but as it was only through the efforts of the Curaçao Catholic Party that a candidate was nominated, namely John Anizeto de Jongh (who was born on Bonaire but lived on Curaçao), he is deemed elected without a vote. No other political grouping is present on Bonaire at this time.
1939: The Algemeen Nederlands Verbond (General Dutch League) establishes a library. It is later taken over by the Cultural Centre Bonaire.
1939: Dr. Hans Hass makes an extended visit to Klein Bonaire. In 1953 he also, with the expedition ship Xarifa, spends a considerable time in the bay off Kralendijk.
May 16, 1939: A public school opens in the building of the former government school.
1940: The Bonaire Trading Company, which becomes one of the main firms on the island, is established by Lodewijk D. Gerharts (born in The Hague, he settled in Bonaire in 1931 and started various businesses; in 1946-52 and 1954-56 he is a member of the Staten, the Netherlands Antilles legislature).
May 10, 1940: Following the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II, captured Germans and Netherlanders considered dangerous to the state begin to be ferried to Bonaire. These include 220 German sailors, 202 other Germans, 28 Netherlanders, and 11 other Dutch subjects, a total of 461. In July, the German sailors are transferred to Jamaica after a plot to overpower a guard post was discovered, and an internment camp is established for the remainder.
1941: As a result of an expansion of the franchise, 76 people are on the electoral roll as opposed to 47 in 1940. Previously, a secondary-school education or an assessment of an income of at least 1,200 guilders was required, but now six years of primary school or an assessment of at least 900 guilders per year suffices. Active suffrage remains limited to men. However, Bonaireans do not go the polls this year, as de Jongh is again the only candidate.
1942: There is no longer any steamboat connection with Bonaire. It is not until November 1954 that a regular ferry service connects Bonaire with the other Antilles again.
Night of Feb. 15/16, 1942: Many Bonaireans are killed during a German submarine attack on Aruba. Bonaire itself remains unaffected during the war.
Dec. 5, 1942: Governor Piet Kasteel establishes the Oppenheim commission (chaired by Prof. A.S. Oppenheim) which comes up with the Island Regulation, which is to establish autonomous administrative jurisdictions. The Policy Council elections scheduled for July 1943 are postponed in anticipation of the new system, which however is never implemented.

1943 map of Bonaire.

1943: Construction begins on a new airfield south of Kralendijk.
1943: The survival of the famous Bonaire flamingoes in their wild state is threatened by low-flying aircraft, which frighten them away. Fortunately they begin to return in 1947.
1944: Kralendijk receives its own telephone "network" of 20 connections. By 1947 there are 75 connections available, but only 60 are in use.
March 2, 1944: Princess (later Queen) Juliana becomes the first Dutch royal to visit Bonaire.
March 21, 1944: U.S. first lady Eleanor Roosevelt visits Bonaire.
Aug. 30, 1944: A radio-telephone service between Bonaire and Curaçao is opened, followed on November 2 by one between Bonaire and Aruba.
1945: The paving of the dirt roads begins.
November 1945: The new airfield is completed.
November 1945: The jetty is enlarged again.
Nov. 5, 1945: In elections to the Staten, there are multiple candidates for the first time. Lodewijk D. Gerharts wins 44 of 94 votes, Adelberto E. ("Bubu") Booi (Catholic) 38, and Thomas M. Marchena 12.
February 1947: The internment camp is closed.
June 1947: The church of 1829 is demolished. Construction of a new one on the same site begins in August; it is consecrated Nov. 7, 1948.
1948: A water pipeline to Kralendijk is installed. By 1949 there are 45 connections; by 1955, 179, plus 108 in Antriol and 60 in Rincón. Previously people on Bonaire had to fetch water from wells, or use rainwater as available.
May 21, 1948: Universal suffrage for men and women is introduced and the distribution of seats in the Staten is changed, Bonaire now having two seats.
August 1948: Peter J.A. Schunck, a Limburg clothing manufacturer, begins a clothing factory on Bonaire. In this connection, the government subsidizes the electricity supply, so that electricity begins to be available day and night.
Sept. 20, 1948: Bonaire becomes part of the Netherlands Antilles federation.
March 17, 1949: In elections to the Staten, there are three lists, with groups on Aruba and Curaçao attempting to use Bonaire's interests to gain the support of Bonaire's representative. One of the lists is related to the National People's Party on Curaçao (Moises F. da Costa Gomez) and headed by E.M. Newton, one is related to the Aruban People's Party on Aruba (Henny Eman) and headed by T.M. Marchena, and one, the Bonairean United Party (Partido Boneriano Uni; UNI), led by Julio A. Abraham, is more representative of the Bonairean population. The UNI list receives 54% of the vote, the Marchena list 28%, and Newton's 18%. Turnout is 78.8%. The elected members are Marchena and Lodewijk D. Gerharts, the number 3 on the UNI list who wins by preference votes.
1950: A concrete pier is built to replace the wooden one.
1950: The refinery Lago Oil & Transport Company Ltd. on Aruba almost completely mechanizes the plant. In 1953 Shell does the same on Curaçao. This means that many Bonaireans who worked there begin to go back to their island. At the beginning of 1955, there are still about 3,000 Bonaireans on Curaçao and 900 on Aruba.
Aug. 17, 1950: Nicolaas Debrot becomes the first Bonairean member, and is immediately elected chairman, of the Board of General Administration (established 1948) of the Netherlands Antilles.
Dec. 21, 1950: In new elections to the Staten held in connection with amendments to the constitution, there are two lists. One from UNI has Gerharts on top and Abraham on number 2; a second from the Marchena group, now presenting itself as the Progressive Party of Bonaire (Partido Progresista Boneriano; PPB), is headed by Debrot, followed by Marchena and Newton. Gerharts wins by 1,218 votes to 750.
Feb. 7, 1951: The Board of General Administration is converted into the Council of Government, Debrot remaining chairman until his resignation on April 18.
March 14, 1951: The internal government of the Netherlands Antilles becomes decentralized, with four island territories each having an elected Island Council (Eilandsraad) and an Executive Board (Bestuurscollege) consisting of the Dutch-appointed administrator and a number of deputies (gedeputeerden) chosen by the Island Council. In the first elections to the Island Council of Bonaire on June 4, the UNI wins 1,223 of 2,036 votes (60.1%) and 4 of 7 seats and the PPB 813 (39.9%) and 3. Rose Heitkönig-Rigaud is the first woman on the council and is also elected on July 13 as a deputy, the first woman to hold such position in the federation. Over the following years, the various administrative services are transferred to the island government.
Sept. 1, 1951: The government establishes a vocational school.
1952: Hotel Zeebad ("Sea Bath") is opened in the building of the former internment camp. As foreign visitors do not understand the Dutch name ("is the sea bad here?") it is renamed Flamingo Beach Club Hotel after some years.
1954: Construction of the main road between Kralendijk and Rincón is completed.
July 13, 1954: The Island Council officially declares Kralendijk a city district and the rest of the island a "second or outer district."
Aug. 10, 1954: The Democratic Party of Bonaire (Partido Demokrátiko Boneriano; PDB) is founded by Abraham.
Oct. 20-21, 1954: The Bentana lighthouse burns down in a heavy thunderstorm, a lighthouse-keeper losing his life in the fire.
November 1954: Bonairean Adelberto E. Booi joins the Netherlands Antilles Council of Government, charged with the portfolio of Education and Community Development.
November 1954: The decision is made to liquidate the Schunck factory. The central government takes it over, the new Bonaire Confectiefabriek beginning operations May 16, 1955.
Nov. 15, 1954: In elections to the Staten, with Bonaire again reduced to one representative, two lists are submitted in Bonaire, one from the UNI (Gerharts) combined with the PPB, the second from the PDB (Abraham). UNI-PPB wins 1,150 votes against 1,004 for the PDB. A difference in political preference between Kralendijk (Gerharts) and Rincón (Abraham) is evident.
Dec. 15, 1954: A charter gives the federation of six islands full autonomy in domestic affairs, and declares it to be an integral part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Political allegiances are generally divided along island, rather than policy, lines. This leads to a series of unstable coalitions governing the federation.
1955: Population: 5,661 (2,449 men, 3,212 women, a significant imbalance due to predominantly male emigration).
1955: The government declares all donkeys fair game. Numbering about 1,000 and roaming the streets of Kralendijk until late at night, they are considered a danger for the increasing car traffic.
Feb. 21, 1955: Flamingo Airport comes into use (an extension of the airfield built in 1943). On the completion of the terminal building and surroundings, it is officially opened on September 29.

The meeting of the Kingdom Cabinet, Feb. 28, 1955, with Nicolaas Debrot (left, with glasses).

Feb. 28, 1955: The first meeting of the Kingdom Cabinet, i.e., the Dutch cabinet with the plenipotentiary ministers of the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname, is held in The Hague, attended by Bonairean Nicolaas Debrot.
June 13, 1955: In Island Council elections, the PDB wins 50.6% of the vote (5 of 9 seats) and the combination of PPB and UNI 49.4% (4). Turnout is 92.2%.
October 1955: Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard pay their first official visit.
1956: The Technical Economic Board of the Netherlands Antilles brings a report out in which the development of tourism is mentioned as the foremost source of possible income for Bonaire. By this time no salt is exported from the old salt ponds.
October 1956: Gerharts resigns from the Staten and is succeeded by Bartholomeus Encarnación Sint Jago.
Late 1956: The Cultural Centre Bonaire is established.
May 4, 1957: A plaque is unveiled to commemorate the Netherlands Antilles victims of World War II, including 34 Bonaireans, 36 Curaçaoans, and 4 Arubans.
1958, 1965, 1966: Crown Princess Beatrix visits Bonaire.
May 25, 1959: In Island Council elections, the PDB wins 5 of 9 seats and the United Progressive Party of Bonaire (Partido Progresista Boneriano Uni; PPBU) 4.
1960: A Three Years' Plan comes into being whereby the Netherlands places at the disposal of the Netherlands Antilles 12½ million Antillean guilders in the form of loans and gifts. Bonaire receives 5 million of this for the execution of different projects in themselves not profitable but necessary to stimulate private enterprise.
1962: N.V. Cambes Textiles begins work. Emerging from the former Schunck factory, the name Cambes was formed from the first letters of the six islands in order to point out that it is a national company.
1963: Hotel Bonaire, the first real tourist hotel, work of the Colombian architect Manuel Isaza, and built with the assistance of the central government, is opened. Other hotels and restaurants are subsequently opened by private initiative as the tourist industry grows (from 1,555 visitors in 1960 to 7,512 in 1967 and 11,102 in 1974).
1963: International Salt of Clarks Summit, Pa., which produces salt from underground mines and brine wells, becomes interested in revitalizing on a vast scale the dormant Bonaire solar salt industry. A subsidiary, Antilles International Salt Company, N.V., is formed the following year.
April 29, 1963: In Island Council elections, the PDB wins 6 of 9 seats and the PPBU 3.
Aug. 13, 1964: Trans World Radio goes on the air.
1965: Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard visit Bonaire on a second state visit to the Netherlands Antilles.
1967: The Antilles International Salt Company begins to lay out salt ponds.
April 21, 1967: In Island Council elections, the PDB wins 65.6% of the vote (6 of 9 seats), the PPBU 22.2% (2), and the Workers' Party of Bonaire (Partido Obrero di Bonaire; POB) 12.1% (1).
1968: The first Bonaire Sailing Regatta is held, becoming an annual event.
1969: Radio Nederland Wereldomroep builds its own transmitter on Bonaire.
May 9, 1969: The Washington National Park, covering a large part of the northwestern corner of the island, is opened by Governor Nicolaas Debrot. In 1979 it is expanded to become the Washington-Slagbaai National Park.
Oct. 23, 1969: The Patriotic Party of Bonaire (Partido Patriótiko Boneriano; PPB) is founded, led by Ruman Ellis.

1970 map of Bonaire.

May 7, 1971: In Island Council elections, the POB wins 29.2% of the vote (3 of 9 seats), the PDB 29.1% (3), the PPB 26.9% (2), and the PPBU 14.8% (1).
1972: Northville Industries Inc. of Melville, N.Y., seek to establish an oil company on Bonaire. The Island Council agrees on August 29. The construction of the plant begins in August 1974.
July 1972: The first 10,000-ton shipment of salt is made from a new modern solar salt facility, which produces 400,000 metric tons each year (as compared to 6,000 in 1880, an average salt-producing year of the past).

Alicia Pietri de Caldera, wife of the president of Venezuela, visits Bonaire on Oct. 23, 1973, where she opens a playing-garden for children donated by Venezuela. At her side is Acting Administrator Alfred Richard Wenseslau Sint Jago.

Oct. 23, 1973: The first lady of Venezuela, Alicia Pietri de Caldera, unveils a bust of Simón Bolívar in Kralendijk.
Dec. 17, 1973: Alfred Richard Wenseslau Sint Jago (already acting) is appointed administrator.
Jan. 1, 1974: Population: 8,213, of whom 91% are Roman Catholic. The population of Kralendijk is 1,250. Among its surrounding townships, Antriol with 2,276 people exceeds Kralendijk itself. The population includes 6,482 natives of the island, 954 natives of Curaçao, 263 Arubans, and 206 European Dutchmen.
April 25, 1975: In Island Council elections, the Patriotic Union of Bonaire (Union Patriótiko Boneriano; UPB) - as the PPB has been renamed - wins 4 of 9 seats, the PDB 3, the POB 1, and New Democratic Action (Akshon Demokrátiko Nobo; ADEN), a new party led by former administrator (1969-73) Raymundo Saleh and supported by the Democratic Party of Curaçao, 1.
1979: The Bonaire National Marine Park is established.
April 25, 1979: In Island Council elections, the UPB wins 52.7% of the vote and 5 of 9 seats, the PDB 36.9% (4), and the POB 10.4% (0).
Dec. 15, 1981: A flag of Bonaire is adopted, with sloping bands of yellow (representing the Sun and flowers), white (peace and freedom), and blue (the sea) and in the white band a black circle symbolizing a compass (referring to the fame of Bonaireans as good sailors and fishermen) and within it a red six-pointed star (representing the six original residential areas of Bonaire and the blood and survival skills of the Bonairean).
April 29, 1983: The left-wing PDB increases its vote in Island Council elections (47.7%), taking 5 of 9 seats. The UPB wins 44.0% (4) and the POB 5.0% (0).
Sept. 26, 1983: Avelino Cecilia becomes acting administrator due to the incapacity of Sint Jago. Cecilia's functions as member of the Bestuurscollege are exercised by the other two members.
Dec. 17, 1985: George Soliana is appointed administrator. His father, Monchin Soliana, decides that for ethical reasons he should resign from the Bestuurscollege (effective December 31). José Winklaar joins the Bestuurscollege and Avelino Cecilia returns to it; Franklin Crestian remains the third member. George Soliana takes office Feb. 12, 1986.
April 10, 1987: In Island Council elections, the UPB/POB coalition New Force (Forsa Nobo), formed to unseat the PDB, wins 54.8% of the vote and 5 of 9 seats, the PDB 40.1% (4), and the New Action Party (Partido di Akshon Nobo; PAN) 5.1% (0).
Dec. 13, 1988: A three-month deadlock between the three parties in the Island Council ends when a new Bestuurscollege is formed by the PDB and POB.
January 1990: The Dutch minister for Antillean affairs, Ernst Hirsch Ballin, proposes a Dutch commonwealth in which the present Netherlands Antilles are split in two island groups (Curaçao/Bonaire; Sint Maarten/Saba/Sint Eustatius).
April 12, 1991: In Island Council elections, the UPB wins 52.2% of the vote and 6 of 9 seats, the new Bonaire Social Party (Partido Boneriano Sosial; PABOSO) 20.4% (2), the PDB 15.3% (1), and the POB 9.2% (0).
Feb. 1, 1992: Frits Goedgedrag takes office as administrator.
Oct. 21, 1994: In a status referendum, Bonaire follows Curaçao's example and votes (by 89.6%) to remain within the Netherlands Antilles federation. 8.9% vote for separate status (like Aruba, which seceded from the federation in 1986), 1.3% for incorporation in the Netherlands, and 0.2% for independence. Turnout is 66.5%.
April 7, 1995: In Island Council elections, the PDB wins 48.0% of the vote and 5 of 9 seats, the UPB 26.1% (2), and PABOSO 20.0% (2). Peter Silberie, Robbie Beukenboom, and José Winklaar form the government in 1995-99.
December 1997: Richard Nelson Hart is appointed administrator. He takes office in February 1998.
April 23, 1999: In Island Council elections, the PDB wins 42.6% of the vote and 4 of 9 seats, the UPB 40.3% (4), and PABOSO 16.1% (1).
Dec. 21, 1999: Klein Bonaire, after having been in private hands for 131 years, is turned over to the Foundation for the Preservation of Klein Bonaire and the government of Bonaire, having been purchased for $4.6 million from the Development Co. of Klein Bonaire, a firm that hoped to turn it into a resort community. According to the deed of purchase, the island is to remain an undeveloped natural area forever.
Nov. 1, 2001: The Island Council finalizes a development plan for Klein Bonaire. The island is designated as a protected area and becomes part of Bonaire National Marine Park.
May 9, 2003: In Island Council elections, the UPB wins 50.6% of the vote and 6 of 9 seats, the PDB 29.4% (3), the Bonaire Pro-Development Party (Partido Pro Desaroyo Boneiru; PRO) 11.1% (0), and PABOSO 7.2% (0).
Sept. 10, 2004: In a referendum voters choose, as expected, Option B (direct links with the Netherlands) with 59.5%, against 24.1% for separate autonomous status, 15.9% for maintaining the status quo, and 0.5% for independence. Turnout is 57.1%.
Oct. 8, 2004: A commission established by the Dutch and Antillean governments recommends the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. The commission proposes that Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (the "BES Islands") should be directly administered by the Dutch government as koninkrijkseilanden ("kingdom islands").
Nov. 26, 2005: A preliminary agreement with the Dutch government is signed in Curaçao that the extant federation be dissolved by July 1, 2007. The status of koninkrijkseiland, equivalent to that of a Dutch province, is subsequently refined to that of a bijzondere gemeente ("special municipality") or officially an openbaar lichaam ("public body"), similar in most ways to metropolitan Dutch municipalities, but not being part of a province, and with separate social security and currency arrangements.
2006: A reforestation project for Klein Bonaire is started.
Oct. 11, 2006: An agreement confirming Bonaire's impending accession to special municipality status is signed in The Hague, Netherlands, and includes provisions for citizens to participate in Dutch national and local elections and in elections to the European Parliament.
Feb. 12, 2007: A further transition accord is signed, pushing the target date for the dissolution of the federation to Dec. 15, 2008. The Netherlands agrees to pledge over 1,000 million Netherlands Antilles guilders to facilitate the process, with each participating island receiving individual allocations, as well as to write off almost three-quarters of the federation's debt.
March 2007: Bonaire says that it will not permit same-sex weddings, even though such ceremonies are recognized in the Netherlands.
April 20, 2007: In Island Council elections, the UPB wins 51.2% of the vote and 5 of 9 seats, the Democratic Alliance of Bonaire (Aliansa Demokrat Boneriano; ADB) 39.9% (4), and PRO 8.1% (0). Turnout is 83.9%.
Oct. 24, 2008: Glenn Thodé succeeds Herbert Filomeno Domacassé as administrator.
Dec. 15, 2008: The Dutch prime minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, and the Antillean premier, Emily de Jongh-Elhage, sign an agreement for a phased dismantling of the federation to be completed by Jan. 1, 2010.
End of May 2009: Anthony Nicolaas leaves the UPB, bringing down the government. He then forms a coalition with the PDB.
Sept. 30, 2009: It is decided that the federation will be dissolved on Oct. 10, 2010.
Oct. 12, 2009: The Dutch government postpones the payment of Bonaire's debt after the island's recently formed Bestuurscollege, led by the PDB, proposed a free association status with the Netherlands, involving greater independence, rather than the planned integration as a municipality. The Dutch government says the island can adopt municipality status, as planned, or assume full independence. Nonetheless, the Bestuurscollege schedules a referendum on its proposal.
Feb. 2, 2010: Acting on the advice of Bonaire's administrator, the Netherlands Antilles governor cancels the referendum (scheduled for March 26) on the grounds that it contravenes international law, as Dutch nationals residing in Bonaire since January 2007 would have been barred from voting.
Sept. 19, 2010: The government falls as Anthony Nicolaas switches sides again, allowing his former party UPB to take the leadership.
Oct. 10, 2010: Bonaire, like Saba and Sint Eustatius, becomes a special municipality of the Netherlands. The position of representative of the national government (rijksvertegenwoordiger, or kingdom representative) for the three islands (Caribisch Nederland) is instituted, based in Bonaire. It is filled initially by Hans Gerritsen in an acting capacity. With the post of governor of the Netherlands Antilles gone, the gezaghebber now comes to be called in English "island governor" instead of "lieutenant governor" (in this record the more correct translation "administrator" continues to be used).
Dec. 17, 2010: A referendum is held, although the low turnout of 35.2% (the UPB urged a boycott) means the result is declared invalid (51% was required). To the statement "I agree with Bonaire having become a public body conforming to Art. 134 of the Dutch constitution" 86.8% say no, 11.8% yes, 1.4% abstain.
Jan. 1, 2011: The U.S. dollar is adopted as the island's currency, replacing the Netherlands Antilles guilder; the Island Council opposed the introduction of the euro, the currency of the Netherlands (Bonaire is not considered an integral part of the European Union but an overseas territory in association with it).
March 2, 2011: At elections to the Island Council, the UPB wins 40.3% of the vote (4 of 9 seats), the PDB 33.3% (3), the recently formed Free Bonaire Movement (Movementu Boneiru Liber; MBL) 10.9% (1), the Party for Justice and Union (Partido Pro Hustisia & Union; PHU) 8.6% (1), and the Bonaire Light Movement (Movementu Lucha Boneiru; MLB), headed by Eric Soleana, 6.9% (0). Turnout is 75.4%. The elected members are: Burney El Hage (UPB), Jeffery Levenstone (UPB), Maritsa Silberie (UPB), Melena Winklaar (UPB), Clark Abraham (PDB), Robby Beukenboom (PDB), Nolly Oleana (PDB), Benito Dirksz (MBL), Michiel Bijkerk (PHU).
March 8, 2011: The Island Council is informed that the 2011 budget has been approved by Dutch interior minister Piet Hein Donner based on the Financial Act for the public bodies. It amounts to more than $49.4 million. This is the first budget to be "balanced" as required by the new rules.
April 2, 2011: A coalition is agreed between PDB, MBL, and PHU. Each of the three parties will nominate two professionals then together decide on which candidates will become members of the government. The government subsequently formed consists of Peter van de Mosselaar (nominated by PHU; finance), Mirelva Cicilia (nominated by MBL; community and care), and Delno Tromp (nominated by PDB; economic development).
April 8, 2011: Wilbert Stolte is appointed kingdom representative, effective May 1.
May 30, 2011: Michiel Bijkerk (PHU) joins the government replacing Mosselaar who stepped down for medical reasons. Rafael Santana replaces Bijkerk on the Island Council.
Sept. 12, 2011: James Kroon (UPB), Burney El Hage (UPB), and Silvana Serfilia (Santana) are sworn in as members of the Bestuurscollege as a new UPB/Santana coalition has been formed. The previous coalition fell apart when the PHU member of the Island Council, Rafael Santana, broke with his party.
Sept. 20, 2011: Administrator Glenn Thodé announces that he plans to stand down from his post by the end of the year. Thodé says that he is no longer willing to be associated with a government that values division over unity, condemning the bickering that virtually paralyzed island government for six months.
Jan. 1, 2012: Peter Silberie becomes acting administrator when Thodé leaves the post to assume a new position as the rector of the University of Aruba. On January 27 the government announces the appointment of Lydia Emerencia as administrator. She is inaugurated for a six-year term on March 1.
Sept. 12, 2012: Bonaire residents' first opportunity to vote in Dutch polls comes when elections to the Second Chamber are conducted. The UPB campaigned for the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA). The Labour Party (PvdA) comes first in Bonaire, however, with 23.9% of the vote, followed by the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) with 20.8%, the CDA with 19.3%, and the Democrats 66 (D66) with 11.5%. Turnout is 24.8%.
Oct. 10, 2012: Dutch legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in the special municipalities takes effect. The first same-sex marriage on Bonaire takes place in May 2013.
Sept. 13, 2013: The Dutch kingdom representative, Wilbert Stolte, resigns, effective May 1, 2014. Already alleged to have too close ties with politicians accused of corruption of the ruling UPB, it has also become known that the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is investigating possible malpractice with development funds by a foundation (SONA) for which Stolte was treasurer in 2008-11.
Nov. 5, 2013: Burney El Hage resigns from the government. Silvana Janga-Serfilia also resigns on November 17.
Nov. 29, 2013: Administrator Emerencia resigns after the Island Council passed a vote of no confidence in her on November 26. Some observers suspect that the UPB orchestrated the vote in retaliation for the support that she had given to various corruption investigations, which had resulted in the prosecution of two senior UPB politicians.
Dec. 15, 2013: The Movement of Bonaire People (Movementu di Pueblo Boneriano; MPB) is founded.
Jan. 7, 2014: Edsel Winklaar and Hans Els are sworn in to replace El Hage and Janga-Serfilia. Winklaar is charged with the Economic Development and Operations & Support portfolios. Els takes over in the areas of Community & Care and Supervision & Enforcement.
Feb. 5, 2014: Edison Rijna is appointed acting administrator, pending the selection of a permanent replacement for Emerencia. Rijna takes office March 1 as Emerencia's resignation takes effect.
May 1, 2014: Julian Woodley becomes acting kingdom representative.
May 22, 2014: In elections to the European Parliament on Bonaire, ikkiesvooreerlijk.eu ("I vote for honesty") wins 26.9% of the vote, the D66 22.0%, the VVD 15.7%, the CDA 8.8%, and the PvdA 6.3%. Turnout is 12.0%.
July 4, 2014: Gilbert Isabella is appointed kingdom representative, effective September 1.
Aug. 22, 2014: Edison Rijna takes office as administrator.
March 18, 2015: Island Council elections are held. The nine contested seats are divided equally between the MPB, with 29.3% of the vote, the PDB, with 29.0%, and the UPB, with 24.4%; the PHU wins 6.9%. Turnout is 77.9%. The elected members are: Elvis Tjin Asjoe (MPB), Daisy Coffie (MPB), Joselito Statia (MPB), Clark Abraham (PDB), Robby Beukenboom (PDB), Marugia Janga (PDB), James Kroon (UPB), Edsel Winklaar (UPB), Esther Bernabela (UPB).
April 21, 2015: Clark Abraham and Benito Dirksz from the PDB and Gerald Silberie from the UPB (brother of party chair Maritsa Silberie) are sworn in as members of the Bestuurscollege, as the two oldest parties in Bonaire, which at times have fought seriously, formed a historic coalition.
Oct. 12, 2015: A committee, chaired by Liesbeth Spies, to evaluate the success of the new administrative arrangements in Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius since October 2010 presents its findings. The committee concludes that, in spite of positive results, as in health care and education, much is still disappointing: economic development has been limited, poverty has increased, and islanders feel that they have not been involved in the changes enough, and that insufficient account has often been taken of the special circumstances on the islands. Differences in language, scale, and culture are making the collaboration between the three islands and the central government more difficult.

A sign urging a "no" vote in the Bonaire referendum, 2015.

Dec. 18, 2015: In a referendum, 5,040 voters (65.2%) declare themselves unsatisfied with the direct link with the Netherlands, while 2,649 (34.3%) approve of it; there are 42 blank votes (0.5%). Turnout is 61.6%. Many residents of Bonaire feel uneasy about the growing Dutch influence. In the run-up to the referendum there were placards against makambas - an unflattering term for European Dutch.
Feb. 23, 2016: Jeanoushka Raphaela, succeeding Edsel Winklaar (who leaves for the Bonaire Water and Energy Company) on the Island Council, leaves the UPB to sit as an independent member. Esther Bernabela does likewise on April 29.
May 5, 2016: Following the collapse of the PDB-UPB administration, the MPB and the two independent members establish a new coalition. In mid-May a government including Nina den Heyer (public health, education, culture, legal and social affairs, etc.), Joselito Statia (economic development, finance, tourism, etc.), and Rolanda Hellburg-Makaai (land development and management, transport, environment, etc.) is sworn in. Den Heyer recently replaced Statia on the Island Council; now her seat is taken over by Milena Silberie.
May 12, 2016: The Dutch government, in response to the evaluation committee report, announces proposals to counter poverty and to encourage investment, employment, and development in Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius. Island administrations will also be given more support. On June 28 the First Chamber approves a motion on the establishment of a minimum standard of living in the three islands. The Second Chamber adopts a similar motion on October 25.
Nov. 3, 2016: Independent council member Jeanoushka Raphaela withdraws from the coalition, which consequently loses its legislative majority. Two days later she agrees to negotiate a new coalition with the PDB and UPB, but this fails, and later that month the UPB and Raphaela give their tacit support to the incumbent MPB-led government.
Feb. 5, 2017: The UPB and Raphaela retract their support, but on March 9 they once again announce they are prepared to back the administration.
March 15, 2017: In elections to the Dutch Second Chamber in Bonaire, the D66 win 28.6% of the vote, the CDA 16.3%, the VVD 15.6%, GreenLeft 8.7%, and the PvdA 8.2%. Turnout is 22.0%.
May 2017: The MPB announces its withdrawal from the government, citing ongoing disagreements with the other coalition members. On May 19 the MPB, Raphaela, and Clark Abraham - a former PDB council member who rejoined the council when Michael Pieters stepped down to make room for him, and who then became an independent - create a new coalition administration. Abraham replaces Joselito Statia (who had been backed by Bernabela) in the government and rejoins the PDB as party leader at the end of May. His seat on the Island Council then goes back to Pieters, who also supports the government.
June 21, 2017: Milena Silberie resigns from the Island Council and the MPB. On June 25 Daisy Coffie threatens to do likewise amid frictions in the party. Joselito Statia replaces Silberie.
July 27, 2017: The ruling coalition founders again with the withdrawal of Raphaela, who rejoins the UPB.
Aug. 15, 2017: The UPB, two PDB council members (Robby Beukenboom and Marugia Janga, who are at odds with the party board and the third member, Michael Pieters), and Bernabela establish a new government majority. James Kroon replaces Hellburg-Makaai in the government. Renata Domacassé becomes a member of the Island Council replacing Daisy Coffie.
Oct. 31, 2017: The Dutch parliament approves a constitutional amendment that formalizes the status of Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius as public bodies; previously their constitutional basis was only secured in the Kingdom Charter, not the Dutch constitution. In addition, an Electoral College (Kiescollege) will ensure that residents with Dutch nationality can indirectly vote for the First Chamber. The influence is very limited, however, as the three islands together represent less than the amount of votes needed for one actual seat in the chamber.
Nov. 3, 2017: Jan Helmond is named deputy kingdom representative effective November 8. He is to become acting representative on Jan. 1, 2018, when Isabella leaves his position.
Jan. 5, 2018: The Venezuelan government seals its borders with Bonaire, Aruba, and Curaçao and imposes a trade embargo on the islands, initially for 72 hours but then extended indefinitely. Venezuela has been experiencing shortages of various staple items, and it is alleged that these (being subsidized in Venezuela) as well as gold, copper, and other minerals from Venezuela are diverted abroad. The Venezuelan government refuses to normalize relations until anti-smuggling measures are introduced. The air and sea links are reopened on April 9.
Early May 2018: U.S. oil firm ConocoPhillips, following its victory in an international arbitration case against Venezuela's Petróleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA), moves to seize control of the Bonaire Petroleum Corporation (BOPEC; owned by PDVSA) oil terminal. A settlement is reached on August 20, with PDVSA pledging to pay ConocoPhillips $2,000 million.
June 19, 2018: The two PDB council members that support the government, Robby Beukenboom and Marugia Janga, are ejected from their party; they then form the Social Progressive Front (Frente Sosial Progresivo; FSP).
June 29, 2018: The Dutch government announces measures to reduce poverty and improve employment in Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius. On July 13 the mainland authorities announce a €30 million poverty alleviation and economic development fund, the investments to be made contingent on good governance and sound financial management.
Nov. 14, 2018: The Island Council votes unanimously (with only the abstention of Clark Abraham) to agree to a four-year administrative agreement with the Dutch government that gives The Hague broad control to reorganize the administration, but also releases €9 million in projects for the island. The elected officials remain in place, unlike in Sint Eustatius where the Dutch sent them home.
Feb. 20, 2019: A dispute over the delivery of international humanitarian aid to Venezuela from a hub in Curaçao prompts the Venezuelan government to close its borders with Bonaire, Aruba, and Curaçao once again. Venezuela has refused to allow aid into Venezuela from countries that recognized self-proclaimed Venezuelan acting president Juan Guaidó, as the Netherlands did on February 4. On May 10, Venezuela announces the reopening of its border with Aruba, although its borders with Bonaire and Curaçao remain closed.
March 20, 2019: In elections to the Island Council, the MPB wins 40.4% of the vote (4 of 9 seats), the PDB 24.1% (3), and the UPB 20.3% (2). Turnout is 66.7%. The elected members are: Daisy Coffie (MPB), Nina den Heyer (MPB), Hennyson Thielman (MPB), Elvis Tjin Asjoe (MPB), Clark Abraham (PDB), Dany Crestian (PDB), Rolanda Hellburg-Makaai (PDB), Esther Bernabela (UPB), James Kroon (UPB). Voters also elect, for the first time, a nine-member Electoral College, which on May 27 holds a vote to select who will represent the island in the First Chamber. The MPB garners 4 electoral college votes, the PDB 3, and the UPB 2. Turnout is 57.0%. In the college's vote, the Democrats 66 receive 4 votes, the Labour Party 3, and GreenLeft 2.
April 9, 2019: A new Bestuurscollege is formed consisting of Elvis Tjin Asjoe (MPB), Nina den Heyer (MPB), and James Kroon (UPB).
May 23, 2019: In elections to the European Parliament in Bonaire, the D66 wins 66.0% of the vote, the PvdA 8.4%, and the VVD 5.3%. Turnout is 12.2%.
June 27, 2019: The Dutch government sets the "social minimum" for Bonaire at $945 per month. To this end, the Netherlands announces further measures to increase local incomes, including a rise in the minimum wage, and to reduce the cost of living by lowering housing, utility, and childcare costs.
Early October 2019: The Netherlands announces plans for the revocation of the visa-free travel privileges that are granted to Venezuelans visiting Bonaire, Aruba, and Curaçao. This ultimately comes into effect April 1, 2020.
March 31, 2020: The Dutch government announces emergency funding of €13 million to support businesses and workers in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba during the COVID-19 (new coronavirus disease) crisis.
April 16, 2020: The first confirmed case in Bonaire of COVID-19 is announced. The authorities impose temporary restrictions on travel, order the closure of schools and many non-essential businesses, and announce a ban on large gatherings. The apparent success of these policies in containing the spread of the pandemic prompts the territorial administration to ease restrictions; schools reopen on May 11.
Aug. 26, 2020: The Bonaire government orders PDVSA to remove oil stored in the BOPEC terminal to safer tanks due to environmental risks, saying the Venezuelan company has not performed maintenance projects in recent years.
Sept. 19, 2020: A partial lockdown of Bonaire (from September 21) is announced in response to an increase in active cases of COVID-19 on the island (the first death occurred on September 11); these measures are relaxed at the end of the month. The tourism sector in 2020 is seriously undermined by the pandemic, with just 65,800 air passengers arriving in the year (58% down on 2019), according to provisional figures, while cruise ship arrivals fall to 176,100 (62% down from 457,700 in 2019).
Nov. 17 and 18, 2020: The financial supervision authority (College Financieel Toezicht; CFT) for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba sends two letters to Administrator Edison Rijna, warning that it will take over Bonaire's budgetary process for 2021 after the government's failure to present its draft budget on time.
Dec. 22, 2020: Hennyson Thielman (MPB) enters the government (for economy and finance), replacing Elvis Tjin Asjoe, who resigned for personal reasons.
Jan. 21, 2021: The Netherlands announces that its expanded economic support and recovery package will also apply to the BES islands whose tourism-dependent economies are extremely vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic. The wage subsidy remains at 80%, the fixed cost compensation stays at 75%, and payment of taxes is extended until July 1.
March 16, 2021: Another lockdown (beginning March 18) is imposed following a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases. The vaccination programme which began earlier that month is accelerated in response to the wave of infections. At April 4, according to the World Health Organization, confirmed cases of the virus on the island stand at 1,528, with 11 deaths, a rate of 71.7 per 100,000 of the population. The restrictions are eased in April and May. By September 5, there are 9,362 confirmed cases and 31 fatalities.
March 17, 2021: In elections to the Dutch Second Chamber on Bonaire, the CDA wins 28.6% of the vote, D66 14.3%, VVD 11.9%, and PvdA 9.0%. Turnout is 22.8%.
March 18, 2021: BOPEC, which was an important contributor to the economy, declares bankruptcy due to U.S. sanctions. The government establishes Bonaire Brandstof Terminals (BBT; Bonaire Fuel Terminals) to ensure a reliable energy supply for Bonaire and plans to build two new storage facilities.
Sept. 2, 2021: Cruise tourism, suspended in March 2020, resumes.
October 2021: The European Union approves a new association agreement, which provides for EU development funding for Bonaire and the other Dutch Caribbean territories during 2021-27.
Jan. 1, 2022: Population: 22,573, an increase of 828 (4%) in a year, mostly due to net migration.
April 28, 2022: Dany Crestian (PDB) is sworn in as a member of the Island Council, replacing Michael Pieters who resigned.
June 13, 2022: BBT and Curaçao Oil sign an agreement on the construction of a new fuel terminal near Bonaire International Airport (Flamingo Airport) in Kralendijk. The terminal is scheduled to be operational by 2025.
June 16, 2022: The 2018 administrative agreement is extended until the 2023 elections, including €6.3 million of Dutch funding to support Bonaire's economy and government and to combat poverty on the island.
July 1, 2022: A tourist tax of $75 per person and visit is introduced.
Oct. 12, 2022: The Island Council votes 5-4 to request the deputy administrator to coordinate an investigation into alleged violations of integrity by Administrator Rijna, who is to be suspended during the two-week investigation period. Rijna says that the suspension of an administrator is the responsibility of the king, not the Island Council, but agrees to voluntarily go on vacation while an investigation is conducted. The deputy administrator, Nolly Oleana, announces that he will not lead the investigation, which he calls "an almost impossible task... For example, it is not specified what exact research should be done, or what period it concerns."
Dec. 6, 2022: Elvis Tjin Asjoe rejoins the government (responsible for social affairs and welfare), replacing Nina den Heyer. Richèna de Windt-Look fills his seat on the Island Council.
Jan. 1, 2023: Population: 24,090, an increase of 7% in a year.
Jan. 27-28, 2023: King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and Princess Amalia visit Bonaire.
March 15, 2023: In elections to the Island Council, the PDB wins 38.9% of the vote (3 of 9 seats), the UPB 28.4% (3), the MPB 19.9% (2), and Movement 21 (M21) 9.6% (1). Turnout is 64.5%. The following members are sworn in on March 28: Clark Abraham (PDB), Dany Crestian (PDB), Rolanda Hellburg-Makaai (PDB), Simeona Chirino-Felida (UPB), Benito Dirksz (UPB), James Kroon (UPB), Hennyson Thielman (MPB), Humphrey Wout (MPB), Daisy Coffie (M21). For the Electoral College, the PDB wins 3 of 9 seats, the UPB 2, the MPB 2, List Jaap Kos 1, and M21 1.
April 3, 2023: The maritime border between Bonaire and Venezuela is reopened.
April 18, 2023: Nolly Oleana becomes acting administrator as Rijna takes up a new position as special envoy for the BES islands for EU funds, UN funds, and economic relations with Latin America.

The new government of April 2023; left to right: Hennyson Thielman, James Kroon, Nolly Oleana (acting administrator), Jolinda Duncan-Craane, and Shuzelle Pieter (clerk of the Island Council).

April 18, 2023: A government is formed by the UPB and MPB composed of Hennyson Thielman (MPB; spatial planning and development), James Kroon (UPB; social affairs), and Jolinda Duncan-Craane (UPB; finance and economy).
April 29, 2023: James Kroon resigns after 12 years as the political leader of the UPB. Maritsa Silberie becomes interim leader.
May 30, 2023: The Electoral College for the First Chamber gives all its 9 votes to the Labour Party and its candidate Jeroen Recourt, based on his strong affinity with the Caribbean region.
Sept. 29, 2023: Jan Helmond is reappointed deputy (and acting) kingdom representative effective November 8. It is a temporary appointment as it is proposed to abolish the position of kingdom representative and assign the duties elsewhere.

The new government of October 2023; left to right: Christopher Frans (island secretary), Anjelica Cicilia, Nolly Oleana (acting administrator), Nina den Heyer, and Clark Abraham.

Oct. 17-18, 2023: A contentious overnight meeting of the Island Council leads to the passing (5-4) of a no-confidence vote unseating the government, the opposition being joined by MPB member Cyrill Vrolijk, who declares himself an independent. On October 24 the PDB, M21, and Vrolijk agree on the composition of a new government, with Clark Abraham (PDB) responsible for Operations & Support and Supervision & Enforcement, Anjelica Cicilia (M21) for Spatial Planning & Development, and Nina den Heyer (not representing a party) for Community & Care. Abraham and Cicilia are sworn in the same day, den Heyer on October 31. Abraham's place on the Island Council is taken over by Delno Tromp (sworn in November 28). The new government is expected to be resistant to the Dutch oversight role.
Nov. 4-5, 2023: Bonaire hosts the first-ever Special Olympics Kingdom Games, for athletes with disabilities from all Dutch Caribbean islands.
Nov. 22, 2023: In elections to the Dutch Second Chamber on Bonaire, D66 wins 21.9% of the vote, GreenLeft/PvdA 14.7%, the Christian Union 13.3%, the Party for Freedom (PVV) 12.2%, VVD 12.0%, and New Social Contract 8.6%. Turnout is 23.5%.
February 2024: Bonaire Brenstof Terminals changes its name to Bonaire Bon Transition, reflecting its participation in a broader range of energy activities, including solar and wind.
February 2024: Dutch state secretary for kingdom relations Alexandra van Huffelen, noting that 30-40% of Bonaireans are living in poverty, wants Bonaire to annul a 255% increase in compensation for the island's political factions that the Island Council approved on Oct. 3, 2023.
June 6, 2024: In the elections to the European Parliament, turnout on Bonaire is only 12.0%. The leading vote-getter is Kenville Kleinmoedig, the only candidate of Dutch-Caribbean descent, who receives 533 of the 730 votes cast for the GreenLeft and PvdA combination, the clear winner in the voting (40.9%), ahead of D66 (19.2%), PVV (9.6%), and VVD (8.5%).
Aug. 3, 2024: John Soliano is sworn in as administrator.
Aug. 20, 2024: James Kroon returns to the Island Council, replacing Roderick Groenman.
Early September 2024: The Island Council agrees to a reduction of the faction allowance from a total of $1,400,000 to $420,000.
Oct. 22, 2024: Salma Serberie (PDB) joins the Island Council, after Delno Tromp resigned.
Nov. 15, 2024: The acting kingdom representative Jan Helmond takes over licensing, supervision, and enforcement at the Servisio di Limpiesa Bonaire (Selibon) landfill in Lagun, citing structural deficiencies in waste management and environmental concerns at the site. The government files a court case against the decision, and on Feb. 21, 2025, the Court of First Instance of Bonaire overturns Helmond's decision. The court acknowledges that the government had neglected its responsibilities, but Helmond should have given it a final opportunity to take action before stepping in.
Jan. 1, 2025: Population: 26,552, another 6% increase in a year.
Feb. 17, 2025: The CFT warns that "Relapse of financial management, budgetary policy, and the functioning of the government entities is imminent, due to a lack of executive capacity. Bonaire is simply not in control."
March 2025: Hennyson Thielman (MPB) rejoins the Island Council, after Humphrey Wout made way for him.
March 24, 2025: The Island Councils of the BES Islands, accompanied by government members Clark Abraham of Bonaire and Bruce Zagers of Saba, have a one-hour meeting in The Hague with the Dutch state secretary for kingdom relations, Zsolt Szabó. The delegation requested the meeting in a (reportedly strongly worded) letter that objected to Szabó's decision to retain the position of kingdom representative despite a previously negotiated agreement that it would be terminated. The delegation also demanded a stronger voice in decision-making that affects the islands. Szabó responds in offended language, considering the letter not only inappropriate but further evidence that the islands need continued supervision. He also makes clear that his proper counterparts are the executive boards, not the legislative bodies.
July 26, 2025: Anjelica Cicilia and Nina den Heyer resign from the government. On July 28 Administrator Soliano informs the Island Council that he is taking over the role of the Executive Board, as required when more than half of the positions are vacant. On August 14, after an Island Council meeting marred by shouting and recriminations, and Clark Abraham surviving a no-confidence vote (defeated 5-4), Anthony Weber (M21) and Peter Silberie (PDB, nominated by Vrolijk) are sworn in as new government members, with Weber responsible for Operations & Support and Silberie for Community & Care. While Weber thus essentially takes over Abraham's portfolios (including important finance responsibilities), Abraham inherits Cicilia's, notably Spatial Planning & Development.
Aug. 29, 2025: The Dutch government approves a bill to increase the number of members of BES Island Councils and governments, in Bonaire's case from 9 to 11 and from 3 to 4 respectively, to take account of population growth. The expansion is to take effect with the next elections in 2027. Despite later reported attempts by the island government to delay the legislation, because it would dilute the power of the present officeholders, the Dutch parliament passes it in time, in July 2026.
Oct. 7, 2025: Hearings begin in The Hague in a case, backed by Greenpeace, in which Bonaire residents accuse the Dutch government of not doing enough to protect them from the effects of climate change, following a series of international landmark rulings that found governments have broad obligations to protect their citizens from increasing temperatures and rising sea levels. In 2019, the Dutch Supreme Court ruled in favour of climate activists and ordered the government to cut greenhouse-gas emissions. The decision featured prominently in recent decisions from the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice, both of which found that failing to combat climate change violated international law.
Oct. 29, 2025: In elections to the Dutch Second Chamber on Bonaire, D66 wins 22.7% of the vote, the Christian Union 15.7%, GreenLeft/PvdA 12.4%, PVV 11.8%, VVD 11.1%, and CDA 7.3%. Turnout is 21.5%.
Oct. 30, 2025: The leasehold and infrastructure of the BOPEC site is transferred to Curoil Bonaire Energy Terminal N.V. (CBET), which is to clean up and remediate the site, which the government claims will assure Bonaire's long-term fuel supply.
Nov. 14, 2025: The Executive Board and the Dutch jointly sign an agreement providing for the closure of the Lagun landfill in 2028.
Nov. 29, 2025: It is reported that the Dutch state secretary for kingdom relations, Eddie van Marum, has delayed approval of Bonaire's 2026 budget by two weeks, saying it lacks essential information and its realism and substantiation cannot be verified.
Jan. 20, 2026: Salma Serberie (PDB) withdraws from the governing coalition, remaining on the Island Council as an independent. This leaves the government without a majority.
Jan. 28, 2026: The District Court of The Hague delivers its judgment in the climate case, holding that the Dutch state failed to take sufficient climate mitigation and adaptation measures to protect the residents of Bonaire and ordering it to adopt and implement a climate adaptation plan for Bonaire by 2030. The Dutch government subsequently prepares to appeal the ruling.
Late March 2026: A new majority coalition (UPB, MPB, Serberie) is finally formed, comprising Benito Dirksz, Simeona Chirino-Felida, James Kroon, Elvis Tjin Asjoe (sworn in on March 31 to replace Hennyson Thielman, who resigned from the Island Council), and Salma Serberie; leaving as the opposition Rolanda Hellburn-Makaai, Dany Crestian, Daisy Coffie, and Cyrill Vrolijk. Clark Abraham, facing a motion of no confidence, resigns from the government along with his colleague Peter Silberie. On April 2 a new Executive Board is sworn in, including (with the portfolios allocated subsequently) Joselito Statia (on behalf of MPB; Spatial Planning & Development), Jennifer Mohamedjoenoes (on behalf of UPB; Finance), and Timoteo Silberie (on behalf of Serberie; Community & Care).
Late May 2026: Dutch secretary of state Annet Bertram informs parliament that, with the agreement of the Island Council, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management will take over from the Executive Board supervisory responsibility for Selibon and the Lagun landfill, which has remained an acute problem with several fires breaking out.
Early June 2026: Jolinda Craane is named interim leader of the UPB.
June 29, 2026: Joselito Statia resigns from the government. According to the MPB, he was asked to do so by the UPB. On July 1 the Spatial Planning & Development portfolio is given additionally to Silberie. On July 21 Dennis Martinus is sworn in as Executive Board member, and on July 22 is assigned the portfolio again.
July 21, 2026: Jeaninne Wong-Loi-Sing is sworn in as acting (i.e., deputy) administrator, replacing Ingrid Sealy.
July 30, 2026: After only four months, the coalition dissolves when the UPB withdraws confidence in the MPB.