Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Famine in the Pacific losing the chances for change

  • Published:
GeoJournal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Pacific Islands are undoubtedly vulnerable to famine. There is varied evidence of past famines in the local Pacific languages, in the ethnographic accounts of Pacific islands, and in the reports of the missionary groups. This famine vulnerability is because of the prevalence of natural disasters and the limited ability of the different island social systems to adapt to these extreme events. The famine vulnerability in the Pacific islands bears both similarities and dissimilarities to the more researched vulnerability of South Asia. Five recent examples of famines or potential famines strongly suggest that the Pacific islands remain liable to famine and that the rapid influx of foreign food relief recently does not remove the islands' inherent susceptibility to famine. By masking the terminal symptoms of famine crises, the influx of food relief may cause loss of the opportunity to develop more sustainable island food systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alamgir, M.: Bangladesh: Acme of Below Poverty Level Equilibrium Trap. Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, Dacca, Bangladesh, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alkire, W.H.: Lomotrek Atoll and Inter-Island Socio-economic Ties. Illinois Studies in Anthropology No. 5, University of Illinois Press, Urbana, Illinois, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asian Development Bank: Rural Asia: Challenge and Opportunity. Federal Publications, Singapore, 489pp., 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin, C.S.: Catastrophe in Bangladesh: An Examination of Alternative Population Growth Possibilities, 1975–2000. Asian Survey, 17,4, 345–357 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, H.G.: Innovation: The Basis of Cultural Change. McGraw-Hill, New York 1953.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrau, J.: Subsistence Agriculture in Melanesia. B.P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 219, Honolulu (1958)

  • Barrau, J.: Subsistence Agriculture in Polynesia and Micronesia. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 223, Bishop Museum Press, 57–62 (1961)

  • Barth, F.: On Responsibility and Humanity: Calling a Colleague to Account. Current Anthropology, 15, 1, 99–102 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayliss-Smith, T.: Constraints on Population Growth: The Case of the Polynesian Outlier Atolls in the Precontact Period. Human Ecology, 2, 4, 259–295 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayliss-Smith, T.: Hurricane Val in North Lakeba: The View from 1975. The Hurricane Hazard: Natural Disaster and Small Populations. H. Brookfield (ed.): ANU-UNESCO, Canberra, 65–97, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M., Schwass, R., and Jones, R.: Farming Systems Research: A Theme for Alafua. Paper presented at the Third Biennial Woodlands World Conference on Growth Policy. The Woodlands, Texas, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonnemaison, J.: Custom and Money: Integration or Breakdown in Melanesian Systems of Food Production. The Adaptation of Traditional Agriculture. pp. 25–45, E.K. Fisk (ed.), Australian National University, Canberra, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brady, I.A.: Stability and Change: Wherewithal for Survival on a Coral Island. Extinction and Survival in Human Population. pp. 245–281, Charles D. Laughlin, Jr. and Ivan A. Brady (eds.), Columbia University Press, New York, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brookfield, M.: Hurricane Val and Its Aftermath: Report on an Inquiry among the People of Lakeba in 1976. The Hurricane Hazard: Natural Disaster and Small Populations. pp. 98–147, H. Brookfield (ed.), ANU-UNESCO, Canberra, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, H.: The Pacific Community. Testimony before the Sub-committee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, House of Representatives, United States, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, F.B.H.: Flora of Southeastern Polynesia. B.P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 84, Honolulu, pp. 194 (1931)

  • Caldwell, J.C.: The Sahelian Drought and Its Demographic Implications. Paper No. 8, Overseas Liaison Committee, American Council on Demographic Education, December 1975.

  • Cammack, F.M. and Saito, S.: Pacific Island Bibliography. The Scarecrow Press, Inc., New York 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J.R.: Hurricanes in Kabara. The Hurricane Hazard: Natural Disaster and Small Populations. pp. 148–175, H. Brookfield (ed.), ANU-UNESCO, Canberra, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Central Intelligence Agency: Potential Implications of Trends in World Population, Food Production and Climate. Washington, DC 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, D. (ed.): Effects of Social and Cultural Systems in Reactions to Stress. Social Science Research Council Pamphlet 14. SSRC, New York 1954.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chassigneux, E.: La lutte contre la famine en Annam. L'Asie Francaise Mars, 70–72 (1923)

  • Chevalier, A.: Un grand voyageur naturaliste normand: J.J. Labillardière 1755–1834. Revue internationale de botanique appliqué et d'agriculture tropicale (1953)

  • Clarke, W.C.: Progressing with the Past: Environmentally Sustainable Modifications to Traditional Agricultural Systems. The Adaptation of Traditional Agriculture. pp. 142–157, E.K. Fisk (ed.), Australian National University, Canberra, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collier, W.L., Wiradi, G., and Thenawidjaja, M.: Famne Warnings in Indonesia. Paper presented as part of the Working Group on Food Security Issues, Information Systems, Section III, Famine Warnings. East-West Resource Systems Institute, The East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, June 18–30, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connell, J. and Hamnett, M.P.: Famine or Feast: Sago Production in Bougainville. The Journal of the Polynesian Society, 87, 3, 231–241 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Currey, B.: The Famine Syndrme: Its Definition for Relief and Rehabilitation in Bangladesh. Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 7, 87–98 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Currey, B.: Mapping Areas Liable to Famine in Bangladesh. Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Geography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, 1979a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Currey, B.: Signals and Series for Famine Warnings in the Asia-Pacific Region. Paper presented as part of the Working Group on Food Security Issues, Information Systems, Section III, Famine Warning. East-West Resources Systems Institute, The East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, June 18–30, 1979b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dando, W.A.: Man-Made Famines: Some Geographical Insights from an Exploratory Study of a Millenium of Russian Famines. Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 4, 219–234 (1976a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dando, W.A.: Six Millenia of Famine: Map and Model. Proceedings of the Association of American Geographers, 8, 29–32 (1976b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Danielsson, B.: Work and Life on Raroia: An Acculturation Study from the Tuamotu Group. Saxon and Lindström, Stockholm 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  • Degener, O.: Plants of Hawaii National Parks: Illustrative of Plants and Customs of the South Seas. 312 pp., Braun-Brunfield, Ann Arbor, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emory, K.P.: Kapingamarangi: Social and Religious Life on a Polynesian Outlier. B.P. Bishop Museum Press, Bulletin No. 228 (1965)

  • Epstein, S.: Productive Efficiency and Customary Systems of Rewards in Rural South India. pp. 230–33. Themes in Economic Anthopology. R. Firth (ed.), Tavistock, London, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faulkingham, R.N. and Thorbahn, P.F.: Population Dynamics and Drought: A Village in Niger. Population Studies, 29, 3, 463–477 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Firth, R.: Social Change in Tikopia: Re-Study of a Polynesian Community After a Generation. Allen and Unwin, London 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gifford, E.W.: Tongan Society. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin No. 61, Honolulu (1929)

  • Goodenough, W.A.: A Problem of Malayo-Polynesian Social Organzation. American Anthropologist, 57, 71–83 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gracia, M.: Lettres sur les îles Marquises. Chez Gaumes Frères Libraires, Paris, p. 12, 1843.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamnett, M.P.: Dependence and Independence: Kapingamarangi and a Coastal Bougainville Community Compared. Unpublished mimeo. East-West Culture Learning Institute, East-West Center Honolulu 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamnett, M.P.: Personal Communication to the author from East-West Culture Learning Institute, East-West Center, Honolulu 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Handy, E.S.C. and Handy, E.G.: Native Planters in Old Hawaii: Their Life, Lore and Environment. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 233, Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Handy, E.S.C. and Pukui, M.K.: The Polynesian Family System in Ka'u Hawaii. pp. 239–242, Tuttle, Rutland, Vermont 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanley, S.B. and Yamamura, K.: Population Trends and Economic Growth in Pre-industrial Japan. Population and Social Change. pp. 451–499, D.V. Glass and R. Revelle (eds.), Edward Arnold, London 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hargreaves, R.P.: Maori Agriculture After the Wars, 1871–86. Journal of the Polynesian Society, 69, December, 354–367 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hernadi, A.: Pacific Region as a Growth Sub-Center and Japan's Role. Asia-Pacific Community: A Quarterly Review, Summer, No. 5 (1979)

  • Hiroa, T.R.: Arts and Crafts of the Cook Islands. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 179, p. 17 (1944)

    Google Scholar 

  • Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Isle Crop Failure Brings Hunger. Honolulu, Hawaii, December 16 (1979)

  • Jenkins, D.: A New Ordeal for East Timor. Far Eastern Economic Review, 106, 46, November 16, 24–25 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Keys, A., Henschel, A., Michelson, O. and Taylor, H.L.: The Biology of Human Starvation. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minn. 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krusenstern, A.J. von: Voyage round the World, in the Years 1803, 1804, 1805 and 1806 by Order of His Imperical Majesty Alexander the First, on Board the Ships Nadeshda and Neva under the Command of Captain A.J. von Krusenstern of the Imperial Navy. Translated from the original German by R.B. Hoppner, Esq., Vol. 1, John Murray, London, p. 166, 1813.

  • Kuberski, T.: The Chain of Events in Ciguatera Fish Poisoning. Fisheries News Letter, The South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia, pp. 18–19, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuykendall, R.S.: The Hawaiian Kingdom 1778–1854: Foundation and Transformation. Honolulu 1938.

  • Labouret, H.: Famines et disettes aux colonies. Conference internationale pour la protection contre les calamities naturelles, 1st, Paris. Comptes Rendus Travaux, pp. 421–451, 1937.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lessa, W.: The Social Effects of Typhoon Ophelia (1960) on Ulithi. Peoples and Cultures of the Pacific, Andrew Vayda (ed.), Natural History Press, New York 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, M.B.: Personal Communication. East-West Population Institute, The East-West Center, Honolulu 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieber, M.D.: Porakiet: A Kapingamarangi Colony on Ponape. Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • London, M. and London, I.D.: Hunger in China: The Failure of a System. Worldview, 22, 10 44–49 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • MacArthur, N.: The Populations of the Pacific Islands. Mimeo, 6 vols., Department of Demography, Australian National University, Canberra 1956.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malinowski, B.: Coral Gardens and Their Magic. American Book Company, New York 1935.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mallory, W.H.: China: Land of Famine. American Geographical Society, New York 1926.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malo, D.: Hawaiian Antiquities. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Special Publication 2, Second Edition, Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii 1898.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masefield, G.B.: Famine: Its Prevention and Relif. Oxford University Press, London 1953.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, J.: Management of Famine Relief. Science, 188, 571–566 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • McAlpin, M.B.: Railroads, Prices and Peasant Rationality: India 1880–1900. Journal of Economic History, 34, 662–84 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • McGee, T.G.: Food Dependency in the Pacific: A Preliminary Statement. Working Paper No. 2, Development Studies Center, Australian National University, Canberra 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okayama District Administration: Tempo Nendo Kikin Jokyo Torishirabesho. (Report of a Famine in Tempo Province). Kurashi Municipal Library, Okayama, Japan 1888.

    Google Scholar 

  • Packard, J.C.: The Bougainville Taro Blight. Miscellaneous Working Papers. Pacific Island Studies Program, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paijmans, K. (ed.): New Guinea Vegetation. Elsevier, New York 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, C.S.: Personal Communication. Department of Geography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piddocke, S.: The Potlach System of the Southern Kwakiutl. South-western Journal of Anthropology, 21, 244–264 (p. 248) (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pi'iania, A.: Personal Communication. Department of Geography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pirie, P.: Population Growth in the Pacific Islans. Man in the Pacific Islands. pp. 189–218, Ward, R.G. (ed.), Oxford University Press, London 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pool, D.I.: The Maori Population of New Zealand, 1969–1971. Auckland University Press, pp. 132–133, 1977.

  • Rappaport, R.A.: Pigs for the Ancestors: Ritual in the Ecology of a New Guinea People. Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 311 pp., 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapu, S. and Bardach, J.E.: Personal Communication from Conference on “La Comunidad Pacifica: Hacia Un Rol Para America Latina?” Easter Island, October 1979.

  • Rockefeller Foundation: Climate Change, Food Production and Interstate Conflict. A Bellagio Conference, 1975. Working Paper, February 1976.

  • Sahlins, M.D.: Social Stratification in Polynesia. University of Washington Press, Seattle 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt, R.C.: Famine Mortality in Hawaii. The Journal of Pacific History, 5, 109–115 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, D.M.: Typhoons on Yap. Human Organization: Special Issue, 16,2, 10–15 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A.: Starvation and Exchange Entitlements: A General Approach and its Application to the Great Bengal Famine. Cambridge Journal of Economics, 1, 33–59 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shim, Y.K.: Personal Communication. East-West Resource Systems Institute, East-West Center, Honolulu 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P.C.: Demographic History: Potential Contributions to Philippine Historiography. Paper prepared for the Panel on Interdisciplinary Contributions to Philippine Historiography —1976 Meeting of the Association of Asian Studies, March 19–21, Toronto, Canada 1976.

  • Sorokin, P.A.: Hunger as a Factor in Human Affairs. Translated by Elena P. Sorokin, University of Florida Press, Gainsville, pp. 319, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spillius, J.: Natural Disaster and Political Crisis in a Polynesian Society. Human Relations, 10, 3–27 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Spitz, P. (ed.): Famine Risk in the Modern World. UNRISD, Geneva 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suttles, W.: Variation in Habitat and Culture on the Northwest Coast. Man in Adaption: The Cultural Present. Cohen, Y.A. (ed.), Aldine, Chicago, p. 59, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, C.R.H.: A Pacific Bibliography. The Polynesian Society, Wellington, N.Z. 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thaman, R.R., Meleisea, M., and Makasiale, J.: Agricultural Diversity and Traditional Knowledge as Insurance Against Natural Disasters. Paper presented at the Regional Natural Disaster Prevention Preparedness and Rehabilitation Meeting, South Pacific Bureau for Economic Cooperation, Suva, November 26–29, p. 24, 1979.

  • Torry, W.I.: Hazards, Hazes and Holes: A Critique. The Environment as Hazard and General Reflections on Disaster Research. The Canadian Geographer (1979)

  • Turnbull, C.: The Mountain People. Picador, Pan Books, London 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waddell, E.W.: Provisional Observations on the Impact of the 1972 Frosts on the Enga of the Western Highlands District, Papua New Guinea. Unpublished manuscript. Department of Geography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, April 10, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waddell, E.: How the Enga Cope with Frost: Responses of Climatic Perturbations in the Central Highlands of New Guinea. Human Ecology, 3, 4, 249–73 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Walford, C.: The Famines of the World Past and Present Reprinted. Journal of the Statistical Society of London. Burt Franklin, New York. p. 37 (1878)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, A.F.C. Revitalization Movements. American Anthropologist, 58, 264–281 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, R.G.: The Consequences of Smallness in Polynesia. Problems of Small Territories. Benedict, B. (ed.), University of London, London, pp. 80–96, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiens, H.J.: Atoll Environment and Ecology. Yale University Press, New Haven 1962.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. East-West Resource Systems Institute, The East-West Center, Department of Geography, University of Hawaii, 96822, Honolulu, Hawaii

    Currey B. (Adjunct Research Associate, Assistant Professor)

Authors
  1. Currey B.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This paper is only intended as a provocative preliminary statement on a previously undiscussed topic. It is directed towards European and American famine watchers who may dismiss Pacific problems and also towards Pacific researchers who may dismiss the problem of famine. It is based on a sketchy review of the literature and minimal knowledge of the region.

The author particularly acknowledges the ideas and notes of John Campbell whose ongoing Ph.D. research on natural disasters and dependency in the Pacific formed a cornerstone for this review paper. I am also grateful to Dr. John Bardach, Iraphne Childs, Dr. Bryce Decker, Dr. Robert Hsu, Dr. Brian Murton, and Dr. John Street for guiding my first little dabble in the Pacific region. Both Linda Hamada and Lorna Emdy went beyond the call of duty in typing the manuscript.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Currey, B. Famine in the Pacific losing the chances for change. GeoJournal 4, 447–466 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01795928

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01795928

Keywords

Search

Navigation