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Asian Studies: Pacific Island Studies

A guide to resources for Asian Studies

Encyclopedias and Reference

Databases for Finding Academic Articles

Primary Sources

The Historical Media Library of Polynesia (MHP) is a digital media library dedicated to Oceania and more specifically to French Polynesia. The MHP offers access to Polynesian cultural heritage, ancient writings, and documents of all kinds with a Polynesian theme.


Pulotu, meaning abode of the gods, is a database of Austronesian religious beliefs and practices. You will find information on 137 cultures from the Moken of mainland Asia to the Māori of New Zealand.

Journals

Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology (2000–present)

Oceania (1930–present)

Journal of Polynesian Society (1892–2020)

Journal of Pacific History (1966–2013)

Hawaiian Journal of History (1967–present)

Pacific Studies Journal (1977-present)

Contemporary Pacific (1989-present)

Language Resources

Search Terms

Try using these search terms when using the library catalog to find books related to the Pacific Islands

Pacific Area

Polynesia

Oceania

Islands of the Pacific

Pacific Islands (Trust Territory)

Pacific Islanders

Micronesia

Second Terms

--Description and Travel

--History

--Colonization

Archaeology

Oral History

History

Books that begin with the call number DU 28.3 (located on Level 1) focus on the history of the Pacific Islands. Visit a Help Desk on Level 1 for assistance locating these items.

Utah Organizations and Museums

Facts About Countries

Europa World Plus

Provides excellent political, economic, and demographic information for more than 250 countries and territories. For countries located in the Asia Pacific area look for "The Far East and Australasia" link on the "Regions Available" menu on the left side of the homepage. Many Pacific Island nations are listed there.



The CIA World FactBook provides information on the history, people and society, government, economy, energy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 counties and other geo-political entities.


Asian Development Outlook (ADB)

Asia Regional Integration Center (ADB)

World Bank Data (East Asia and Pacific)

Center for Pacific Islands

The Center for Pacific Islands Studies, at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa School of Pacific and Asian Studies, is both an academic department and a larger home for initiatives that bring together people and resources to promote an understanding of the Pacific Islands and issues of concern to Pacific Islanders.