Tropical storm Neki caused no apparent damage to field station islands and facilities within Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

The U.S. Coast Guard conducted an overflight of the area Saturday, a day after the storm passed through.

"We were expecting the worst at Tern Island in the French Frigate Shoals," Susan White, U.S. fish and Wildlife Service Superintendent for Papahanaumokuakea, said yesterday in a statement.

"The aging buildings and the seawall have been there for a long time and we were worried about their structural integrity."

The Coast Guard flight on Saturday made low passes over Mokumanamana, French Frigate Shoals, Laysan Island and Pearl and Hermes Atoll before landing at Midway Atoll.

The flight showed that two small islands that provide habitat for Hawaian monk seals and nesting sea turtles were affected. Round Island is now smaller and Disappearing Island has disappeared.

Personnel who were evacuated from Laysan were expected to be back yesterday while those on Tern should arrive tomorrow.