• Samoa

• Hawaii

• New Zealand

• Tonga

• Tuvalu

• Tokelau

• Wallis + Futuna

• American Samoa

• Niue

• Cook Islands

• French Polynesia (Tahiti, Society Islands, Marquesas Islands, Austral Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago + Gambier Islands)

• Pitcairn Island

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The Polynesian Islands (translating to many islands) located in a triangular area of the east-central Pacific Ocean. Hawaii marks the apex of the area in the north, while Easter Island (east) and New Zealand (west) mark the base angles. The islands mentioned above cover the area between the angles. 70% of the Polynesian population were located in Hawaii by the turn of the 21st Century. The environment itself has held great influence in the culture and early inhabitation of the peoples a few 2000-3000 years ago.

Today, the culture has been altered because of Western Colonialism influence; starting from when the first explorers and missionaries arrived in the late 18th Century. France, Germany, New Zealand, Chile, and the United States are all countries that held colonial claims in Polynesia. Christianity quickly integrated throughout the Polynesian culture and people; some were later called to spread the faith in other places like Melanesia.

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Many islands have gained sovereignty and have begun to decolonize, the first of these being Samoa in 1962. They have a parliamentary system, like Tuvalu, in which chiefs (matai) are the only ones to vote and run for parliament. Like Tahiti and Hawaii, Tonga is presently a monarchy kingdom where nobles are given special status. The aboriginal people of Easter Island (Rapa Nui, also the native language) are presently the only Latin American controlled Pacific nation (Chile), the people have lost much of their culture and mostly speak Spanish. By 1860 the indigenous inhabitants nearly became extinct because of European-introduced diseases and slavers, and by 1888 Chile annexed them. The same people who colonized these islands spread the word that Polynesia was a natural paradise, this was depicted in art. Indigenous culture was not the only victim of Post Colonisation, uninhabited French Polynesia were bomb test sites between 1966-74 which boosted its economy. Later tourism and urbanism would be the next main economy boomer.  Other towns such as Apia (Samoa) and Nuku’alofa (Tonga) have attracted locals to an urban life, while others have moved to Auckland (New Zealand) and major American cities.

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Today the native languages are slowly being revived and brought into practice through Public areas such as pre-schools. Festivals have provided an avenue of cultural expression for locals, this includes dance, art, food, and music. Festivals promoting Polynesian culture and values include the Heiva Festival (Tahiti), Tueila Festival (Samoa), and Merrie Monarch Competition (Hawaii). The Polynesian Voyaging Society was established in 1973 with the goal to revive the sailing + navigating aspect in the Pacific.