Title: The computer and the canoe: web-based communities across the Pacific Islands

Authors: Marie Iding, James Skouge, Joakim Peter

Addresses: College of Education, University of Hawaii, 1776 University Ave., Honolulu, HI 96821, USA. ' College of Education, University of Hawaii, 1776 University Ave., Honolulu, HI 96821, USA. ' College of Micronesia, Chuuk Campus, P.O. Box 879, Weno, Chuuk, FSM, USA

Abstract: Issues relevant to web-based communities in the Pacific Islands are described. A brief geographic and demographic overview is provided, and unique cultural, social and educational challenges are discussed, with particular attention to Hawaii, American Samoa, and Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia as illustrative cases. The computer and allied web-based technologies are viewed as serving some of the same contemporary functions for voyagers as did the canoe, in the historical voyaging tradition. Projects that aim to address some of the educational and social needs of Pacific Islanders as voyagers at the University of Hawaii and as leaders in their home communities are presented.

Keywords: Pacific Islands; education; web based communities; virtual communities; multimedia; immigration; Hawaii; American Samoa; Chuuk.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2008.016487

International Journal of Web Based Communities, 2008 Vol.4 No.1, pp.5 - 16

Published online: 02 Jan 2008 *

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