HWST 107: Hawaiʻi: Center of the Pacific

For the above article, see pp. 13-18. This document investigates how climate change will affect the high elevation forests of Hawaii and how this may affect the native birds of Hawaii. Also described is how these birds, that are especially vulnerable to situations such as habitat loss, introduced diseases such as avian malaria, and humans, may be further affected should these situations occur at higher elevations.

"There were three main technological advances resulting in production intensification in pre-contact Hawaii: (a) walled fishponds, (b) terraced pondfields with their irrigation systems and (c) systematic dry-land field cultivation organized by vegetation zones."

Discusses geologic history of the Pacific Islands, including plate tectonics, hot spots, continental islands, etc.

Chapter 5: Names Given to Directions or the Points of the Compass (pp 28-32)
Chapter 6: Terms Used to Designate Space Above and Below (pp 32-36)
Chapter 7: Natural and Artificial Divisions of the Land (pp 36-39)

In the colonial history of the Pacific, colonies and nuclear tests go together. Britain, France and the United States all chose island possessions to test their deadliest and dirtiest nuclear weapons. The tests have left a legacy of cultural destruction and radiation-induced illnesses among islanders, particularly in Micronesia.

Hundreds of thousands of acres in Hawai’i have been, at one time or another, under the control of the armed forces in Hawai’i. That much is known. What is not so well known is what the military has done with that land. Or, to put it another way, has past use of the land rendered it unfit for any future use, even when the military has no further need of it?

The Hawaiian ahupuaʻa system of land use allowed access to all resources, from mountains to sea which insured an abundance of food. This social system ensured survival from generation to generation.

In the swirling volcanic steam and misty rain forest of Kilauea volcano's east rift zone on the island of Hawai'i, two forces meet head on. Geothermal development interests, seeking to clear the rain forest for drilling operations, are opposed by native Hawaiians seeking to stop the desecration of the fire goddess, Pele.

History of French nuclear testing in French Polynesia.

Rooted in first-person interviews, Half Life is a chilling and honest investigation into the United States-led nuclear testing in the Pacific and the real and lasting impact it had on people, now and for generations to come. The United States liberated the Marshall Islands from Japanese rule in 1947, and the documentary includes historical footage of native islanders eagerly welcoming the US military as their new protectors, following WWII. In 1954, the US military dropped the H-Bomb on the unsuspecting island population, with no warning and no evacuation.