Final Post

The Impact of Westernization on the Pacific

Introduction:
When people think of the Pacific Islands issues like poverty, monopolization, and alteration of culture, does not come to mind. Many people can never guess that these issues affect these islands as they just seem like a place that is sincerely bright and happy. After all, the locals and workers in the brochures and at the hotels have such warm smiles and a good sense of hospitality. However, those same locals face hardships caused by year of colonization and Western influence.

Many of these nations used to independent and free from outside resources. However, many of these small island nations depend on cargo ships and tourism as means to support the local residents and economy. This dependence is a dire price for them to pay as they are forced to submit to foreign policies which are not always in their best interests. Many of the residents of these islands are impoverished and have little access to education because of their nation’s shaky infrastructure.

This photo is the property of Eugene Tanner of Reznet.com
The Proposed Solution:
As people who have faced hundreds of years of foreign influence over their lands and culture, the support for educational programs is essential for these small nations to regain footing in the global community. In the United States we believe that opportunities in education are essential for a child’s well-being as humans in society. We understand that education is the key to the higher job market and therefore economic well-being of the nation. This notion ties into other areas as well like health and quality of living.
These island nations could also benefit in cultural classes which will educate them on the significance and beauty of the culture. The teachings of their history, from their ancestors’ or the native locals point of view is also essential in rebuilding the ideal and outlook of themselves as individuals and as a nation.
Hopefully, the above solution will create residents who are able to advocate for themselves and their country. This will in loosen the grip of poverty and dependence on foreigners as they will have their people who will be influential in terms of education and resources. Hopefully, these citizens will in turn care of the social aspect of their country and would be less likely to fall to corruption.
photo from www.pacificislandbooks.com/tuvalu.htm


Kamehameha Schools

K-12 private school that educates students of part or full Hawaiian blood. The school was founded by Bernice Pauahi Bishop in 1887. Bishop was a descendant of the King Kamehameha, who reunited the Hawaiian islands and managed to resists colonization during his rule. Bishop established the school because she wanted to ensure that native Hawaiians were able to compete with foreigners in making a descent living.

The school has three campuses on the islands of Maui, O'ahu, Hawai'i island (Big Island) and an enrollment of 5,500 students. Students study Hawaiian language, hula, dance, history, literature, and as well as other areas.


To learn more about the beneifits of the school please click on this link: http://www.ksbe.edu/admissions/default.php


Other Schools in the Pacific

Pacific island schools do not have as much resources as other nations due to poorer government and citizens. Some teachers or instructions are not properly trained. Also the buildings and equipment can be outdated. One of the things that I noticed during researching is that many of the schools are based on a Westernized school systems.


Here is are some links that will provide details on the school system for various islands:

TONGA
http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-BreHowt-b2.html


SAMOA (Both American and Independant)
http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1297/Samoa.html
Here is also a story from the Washington Post stating how students try to achieve their dreams by playing football. I really liked this video because it gives us a small peak as to the lifestyle and values of the culture. It also illustrates how the low living wage impacts some families. Please watch the video and read the article. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/photo/samoa_grab.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/why-we-compete/2007/08/opportunity.html&usg=__FUy1B34UmZNDoKyLft5aJGSGyms=&h=255&w=454&sz=45&hl=en&start=4&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=Wbcg7tspUdnyqM:&tbnh=72&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dschool%2Bsystem%2Bin%2Bsamoa%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1a_grab.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/why-we-compete/2007/08/opportunity.html&usg=__FUy1B34UmZNDoKyLft5aJGSGyms=&h=255&w=454&sz=45&hl=en&start=4&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=Wbcg7tspUdnyqM:&tbnh=72&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dschool%2Bsystem%2Bin%2Bsamoa%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1


TAHITI
The article reports how there are high dropout rates amongst students. http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/489/French-Polynesia.htmlersity.com/pages/489/French-Polynesia.html

Overview of the Islands Tonga, Samoa, and Tahiti

TONGA

Culture

Queen Salote
•Provided information to historians and anthropologists who studied the nation’s history and archaeological sites
•1953-went to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
•Chairman of the Tonga Traditions Committee
•Supported the Tonga Red Cross
•Numerous recognitions from the British commander
–Recipient of the of Order of Saint Michael and Saint George
•Wrote songs and poems as well choreographing the “lakalaka” which is a graceful danced used for special occasions.

Geography

Population 100,000
•Two thirds live on the island of Tongatapu
•Area divided in three groups Vava’u, Ha’apai, and Tongatapu

Current Events
•Hit by the September 30th tsunami
•Ten people died
•The island of Niuatoputapu hit the hardest
•The tsunami hit the airport runway, along with roads, houses, and health centers
•Currently trying to rebuild
•Need to secure health centers, along with sanitation systems, and water supply

Cool Facts



•The only Polynesian Island that was never colonized by foreign nations
•Ha’amonga ‘a Maui trilithon- “the burden of Maui”
–set of stones built in the 13th century but 11th Tongan king
–Consists of three limestone slabs estimated to weigh about 12 tons
–Unknown true usage, believed to be used as an archway to Royal Gardens or as a device to tell time

SAMOA

-American Samoa is influenced by American culture while Independent Samoa was influenced by Germany and Britian

-The U.S. favored the islands of American Samoa for the deep water harbours and hidden location











TAHITI

Geography
•Part of French Polynesia
•Otahiti, Island of Love, New Cyther
•Two volcanoes: Tahiti Nui (Big Tahiti), Tahiti Iti (Little Tahiti)
•Lagoons, valleys, mountains, caves
•Largest and most populated island, 178,133 people
•Capital Papeetee





Economy and Politics
•Territory of France
•Official language is French
•Tourism
•Trade: vanilla, flowers, fish, fruit, coconut oil
•Black Pearl market

Conclusion:

By establishing a better school system, the islands of the Pacific will be better equipped to improve their quality of life and preservation of culture. By learning about the impact and complexities of forighn power and colonization, they will be better equipped to adjust the system in which their country is under. This solution is one that can work in the longrun. However, unfortunately it is not an immediate solution because it takes years, even generations, for trends and systems to change.

Open Post

In many ways the pacific islands are in a similiar situation as Haiti. Most of these small island nations depend on foreighn governments as means to provide support to their social programs. Without the means of outside aid, the nations could go further into social and economic problems. At the sametime, many of these nations depend more and more on outside help. This dependence comes in as international residents, trade, and tourism. In seems like the infrastructure of these countries are really woven into the decisions and policies of their former colonizer or ruling country.

I agree with the comment in class that these countries are usually forgotten about by the rest of the world or at least their economic problems. When these countries do face disaster, sometimes it becomes the trend to donate and support these countries. After a short time however, these countries and their problems are booted out of the spotlight.

Even though this piece is based upon Africa, I believe that it is important for people to be aware of their programs in which we support.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZHyspuEEKg

Here is a piece on the island of Palau:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMiUE5SJ9FI

Sources

Ferguson, Kathy, and Monique Mironesco. Gender and Globalization in Asia and the Pacific. Univ of Hawaii Pr, 2008.

Kahn, Miriam, Erin Younger, and . Pacific voices. Univ of Washington Pr, 2005.

Lockwood, Victoria. Globalization and culture change in the Pacific Islands. Prentice Hall, 2004.

McLean, Mervyn. Weavers of Song. Univ of Hawaii Pr, 1999.

Krainin, Julian, Prod. The South Pacific: End of Eden?. Michener, James. Pyramid Media: 1978, Film.

Pacific United. Ecotourism Development in the Pacific Islands. UN, 2003.

Firth , Stewart George. "The Impact of Globalization on the Pacific Islands." International Labour Organization (2005): 1-17. Web. 10 Apr 2010.

Firth, Stewart, George. "The Pacific Islands and the Globalization Agenda." University of Hawai'i Press 12.1 (2000): 178-192. Web. 10 Apr 2010. http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN017598.pdf.

Marsella, Anthony, Ayda Austin, and Bruce Grant. Social Change and Psychosocial Adaptation in the Pacific Islands. Springer Verlag, 2005.

"Oceans 8- A Slow Boat to Somewhere." Link Tv. Web. 12 Apr 2010.http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8153656907718379519#docid=-7767301803115744813 .

"The Marines are Landing." NOW on PBS. Web. 12 Apr 2010.http://video.pbs.org/video/1356376073/ .

"Islands of South Pacific." Global Village Video Productions. Web. 14 Apr 2010. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1946903903284138403##.

Visual Images

Here is al link to a video that was casted on pbs.com that addresses the impact of militarization and tourism on the island of Guam. The clip focuses on the islands delicate infrastructure and the impact on Guam's culture and people. The clip about tourism starts around 7:30 minutes.
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/550/

History of the Topic

When people think about the island of Hawaii, they think of sunny beaches, luaus, and drinks by the pool. However, no one, especially tourists, considers Hawaii’s history and culture. Since Hawaii is part of the United States, it is an island that is not linked to issues like poverty, high housing rates, and the drastic shrinkage of the Native Hawaiians. Hawaii serves as a pillar as to the impacts and consequences of Westernization.

When Captain Cook and his crew landed on Hawaii in 1778, they were welcomed food, fresh water, fire wood, and other goods. At this time there was a reported 800,000 Native Hawaiians. Some of these items were retrieved as gifts or trade. During this time, the people of Hawaii past down their history through long held stories and customs. The arrival of Caption Cook and other European visitors brought about written history and language. Through Caption Cook’s journal and those of his crew, there are small traces of Hawaiian life before European influence. The next inflow of visitors strained some of the Hawaiians resources as a reported 16.8 tons of food was given away to the foreign visitors. Hawaiians were not able to foresee a future in which they would lose control of their small island nation and be allowed to practice their culture freely.

The arrival of Christian missionaries changed some of the customs and beliefs of Hawaiians. Instead of practicing their customs and religions that have been established for generations, many Hawaiians started practicing Christianity. Western clothing, language, and soon even dance were being implemented into their society. Missionaries changed the way which Hawaiians thought about themselves. Western beauty ideals like fair skin were adopted. Missionaries outlawed the ancient Hawaiian form of dance called ‘hula’. This sacred form of dance was performed during special celebrations and also as an offering to the Gods. The dances and chants were passed down from generations and in some cases held historical value. It was not until the Hawaiian royal family, the Kalakaua family, that the ban of hula was lifted (1873) and reestablished as part of the Hawaiian identity starting in.
The art of hula underwent various changes that transformation from the days of Hawaii before European influence. Instead of being performed primarily by men, women were able to take part in the dances. Also, people of lower and middle class were able to dance and perform hula, as it used to be a custom for Hawaiians that had high gene pool or were considered royal. Hula was also used as means for entertainment and the Hawaiian’s way of rediscovering and preserving their culture.

What made Hawaii so lucrative to the United States was its prime location and vast sugar cane fields. Hawaii is a place that is in located along the belt of high trade places like Japan, China Hawaii and the rest of the East. Therefore, the small islands became a place of interest. In 1887, King Kalakau, was forced to sign the '1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii'. To the King and native Hawaiians, the law was nicknamed the "Bayonet Constitution" because violent upheaval it would stir if he refused. This law benefited wealthy white residents and stripped the native Hawaiian's right to vote.

The Hidden Side of Paradise

Tropical islands and vacation destinies like Haiti are magical worlds in which international visitors could escape their ordinary lives for a bit. Guests enjoy the beauty of the geographical area, extracurricular activities, various eating options, and staff and entertainers that tend to their happiness. At times, some frequent travelers will have a favorite destination in which they fall in love with and will visit often. Some visitors even buy property in hopes that they too will live the life and culture of their adopted home. Some see this sort of recognition from affluent guests as a way in which their nation and culture is being recognized and accepted. To them, some parts of their dwindling culture will live on. Others see the influx of affluent residents and tourist as the beginning of the gentrification process, where the poor, many of who are native born, are moved out of the picturesque areas and into the ghetto. This derives from the fact that housing prices rise to the point where poorer residents can not afford the higher housing and living costs. Most tourists are aware that their host country faces poverty and corruption, but that fact is something that they push out of their minds for the time being. After all, that is the hidden side, the darker side, of their paradise.
For my research topic, I am going to examine how tourism and international influence impacts a country’s economy and culture. Many of these tropical paradises, like Haiti, share a common theme of past colonization, globalization, poverty, and unstable infrastructures. There is also the fact that these smaller nations are going through cultural evolution where the ‘old ways’ change and transform with modern ideals and technologies.