PACIFIC ISLANDS STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I: THE FIRST THREE DECADES

Authors

Robert C. Kiste, Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West CenterFollow

Abstract

This article provides a historical account of the development of Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawai‘i (UH) from its inception through its first thirty years. It centers on the contributions of three influential scholars—Douglas Oliver, Leonard Mason, and Norman Meller—who were instrumental in shaping Pacific research and education in the United States during and after World War II. The article traces their biographical backgrounds, academic careers, and institutional roles in building the Pacific Islands Studies Program (PIP), later known as the Center for Pacific Islands Studies (CPIS). It explores the broader context of area studies in the Cold War era, the challenges of interdisciplinary education, and the evolving role of UH as a hub for Pacific scholarship. Kiste also reflects on his own involvement with the program and the legacy of his predecessors, emphasizing the importance of institutional support, faculty collaboration, and regional engagement in the growth of Pacific Islands Studies.

Recommended Citation

Kiste, Robert C. (2009) "PACIFIC ISLANDS STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I: THE FIRST THREE DECADES," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 32: No. 4, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol32/iss4/2