Despite their inherent importance and utility as ecological examples, island species are among the most endangered and least studied groups. Guam Micronesian Kingfishers (Halcyon cinnamomina cinnamomina) exemplify the plight of insular biota as a critically endangered and understudied island bird that went extinct in the wild before they could be studied in their native habitat. Guam kingfishers currently exist only as a captive population in U.S. zoos. Using radio telemetry and visual observations of a wild subspecies of Micronesian Kingfisher (H. c. reichenbachii) from the island of Pohnpei, this study examined factors critical for the persistence of both the Guam and Pohnpei kingfishers. Behavioral observations indicated that the birds employ a cooperative social system, which included non-parent individuals that assisted in reproductive attempts of others. Because resource limitations have been cited as a potentially important factor in the evolution of cooperative behaviors and in conservation, this investigation assessed the characteristics and availability of a potentially limited nesting resource, arboreal termite nests. First, the characteristics of termite nests, or termitaria, selected by Micronesian Kingfishers for use as nest sites were modeled. Results suggested that Micronesian Kingfishers selected termitaria that were higher from the ground and larger in volume than unused termitaria. Further, there was little evidence that birds selected from among termitaria based on proximity to forest edges and foraging areas, placement on a tree, vegetation characteristics, or microclimate. Second, the number of termitaria with characteristics indicative of nest sites was assessed to determine if reproductive opportunities might be limited by the abundance of suitable termitaria. Results from this analysis suggested that although fewer termitaria existed with characteristics similar to those used for nesting, reproductive opportunities did not appear to be limited by their abundance. Therefore, while conservation strategies should be directed towards providing ample and appropriate nesting substrates, I found no evidence suggesting that termitaria abundance played a role in the evolution of cooperative breeding in Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers. Findings presented here will hopefully enhance our understanding of cooperative behaviors, as well as improve conservation efforts for Micronesian Kingfishers and other insular avifauna. / Graduation date: 2002

As a nation, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) faces increasing rates of noncommunicable diseases related to the replacement of the traditional diet with processed imported food and adoption of sedentary lifestyles. To reverse this trend, a food-based intervention in Pohnpei, FSM, used various approaches to promote local food (LF) production and consumption. Evaluation of the intervention in one community assessed changes in diet and health status in a random sample of households (n=47). Process indicators were also examined. Results from dietary assessments indicated increased (110%) provitamin A carotenoid intake; increased frequency of consumption of local banana (53%), giant swamp taro (475%), and local vegetables (130%); and increased diversity from LF. There was no change in health measures. However, exposure to intervention activities was high, and behaviour towards LF appeared to have changed positively. It is recommended that the intervention continue and expand to further affect dietary change and improve health.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references. / Microfiche. / xiii, 265 leaves, bound ill, maps 29 cm

No description available.

The aim of this study was to compare the size of the teeth of a sample of small-bodied fossil humans from the island of Palau, Micronesia, with modern and fossil human populations from mainland southern Africa. Four modern human population groups and a sample of Holocene human remains were examined for comparison. These included Zulus, Tswanas, Khoisan and Europeans, from the Dart Collection, University of the Witwatersrand. Several measurements of the different tooth classes were obtained from the modern population groups and compared to the Palauan sample using Univariate and Bivariate statistical methods. In addition, frequencies of anomalies were recorded for the entire modern human Dart Collection (n. 3000), and a sample of Holocene human skeletons (n. 69) for comparison with the Palauan material. The Palauans have been found to have absolutely and relatively very large teeth compared to modern and Holocene population groups. Their mesiodistal diameter (MD) and buccolingual diameter (BL) exceed the normal range of modern human populations, whereas the same measurements at the cervical enamel junction are smaller. Total root length and crown height of the Palauans are equal to those of modern humans. Estimating body size from tooth size is thus shown to be unreliable, indicating that tooth size should be viewed in relation to other factors, such as diet, which may lead to phenomena like island dwarfism. Frequencies of third molar agenesis, incisiform canines, caniniform premolars and rotated premolars were very high in the Palauan sample: third molar agenesis, incisiform canines, caniniform premolars and rotated premolars. These anomalies are mostly due to crowding, which results in erupting teeth looking like their neighbours, or failing to develop at all, as in the case of third molars, which free up space for the remaining teeth to develop.

Food production, or the cultivation and processing of edible materials, is closely linked to both the physical environment and human social systems. This is especially true on the islands of Remote Oceania, where cultivation of plants introduced with colonization has always been a key component of survival. This project centers on the production systems of an island in the west central Pacific: Pohnpei, Micronesia. It addresses the fundamental question of how food production is related to changes in social and physical environments and also addresses the optimum ways to archaeologically study plant remains in tropical oceanic environments with poor preservation. In order to examine these questions, this project looks at human-environment interrelationships using historical ecology. A multi-pronged approach was used in this research. Archaeological survey was used to identify prehistoric and historic features on the landscape and to map the distribution of food production activities. Excavation of selected archaeological features, including breadfruit fermentation pits, yam enclosures, and cooking features, was conducted to examine formation patterns. Paleoethnobotanical analysis included collection and analysis of flotation samples for carbonized plant macroremain analysis and sediment samples for phytolith analysis. Finally, because a reference collection is key to all paleoethnobotanical research, plant specimens from multiple Pacific locations were collected and processed for phytolith reference. Botanical data show that phytolith analysis is very useful in the Pacific region, as many economically important taxa produce phytoliths. However, because of differential silica uptake, it should be used in conjunction with other methods. Archaeological phytolith analysis of the garden landscape shows disturbance caused by pigs, which were introduced historically, a change from the prehistoric phytolith record, which shows no major shifts. Combined analysis of plant macroremains and phytoliths from secure archaeological contexts shows the use of banana leaves in breadfruit cooking in the historic period, highlighting the importance of multi-method paleoethnobotanical study. These data point towards an anthropogenic environment and stable agricultural system that was present in late prehistoric Pohnpei. Major changes occurred in the historic period, although production of plant foods that were important for centuries continues to flourish today.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2010 / Pacific Islands Studies

plan B / Pacific Islands Studies

Chuuk, one state of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), experiences significant transnational migration to the United States (U.S.), particularly to the Territory of Guam. This migration is facilitated by the Compact of Free Association (COFA), an agreement with several Micronesian countries previously under U.S. administration that allows for free movement of their citizens into the U.S. Although part of Micronesia, Guam's colonized residents resist an identity connected to rest of Micronesia. With very poor health outcomes, the Chuukese represent a political and social body of bodies that bring sickness, babies and increased costs to the Guam government without adequate compensation by their colonizer sanctioning the migration. In order to better understand why Chuukese women suffer disproportionately poor reproductive health outcomes as compared to the rest of Guam's residents, this multi-sited dissertation examines how Chuukese women's reproduction is constructed and conceptualized by women, their families, and their "home" and "host" communities, and how these meanings are mediated by transnational migrant experiences between Chuuk and Guam. Using a critical interpretive framework, this study utilized participant observation in the clinics and communities, interviews with health care workers, and in-depth life history interviews with fifteen Chuukese women. This dissertation situates Chuukese women's reproduction in the context of transnational migration through an analysis of social, economic and political processes, health and social services policies and practices, postcolonial migration and sociocultural meanings of reproduction for Chuukese women in both Chuuk and Guam.

Oral history is an important component of Palauan heritage and living culture. Interaction of oral history and archaeology is regarded as a policy when conducting research in Palau, both within the Bureau of Arts and Culture, responsible for protection and preservation of cultural remains in Palau, and among researchers not representing BAC. Legally, a material remain is proven significance if it is connected with intangible resources, such as "lyrics, folklore and traditions associated with Palauan culture". This paper examines and discusses the connection of oral history and archaeology, which will be presented through three case studies: the earthworks on Babeldaob, the traditional stonework village of Edangel in Ngardmau state, and the process of nominating a cultural remain for inclusion in the National Register for Historic Places. The nomination is a good reflection of the interaction between archaeology and oral history, where association with intangible resources is virtually necessary. The two specified types of archaeological remains are compared to one another regarding presence in oral traditions and significance for Palauans. Based on the information obtained from personal experience, interviews and literature, it can be concluded that an archaeological or historical site is valued more by its connection to oral history than to its archaeological qualities, which in turn effects how protection and preservation is administrated, financed, and carried out.