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An Introduction to Polynesian Anthropology

The First Pacific Science Conference

page 44

The First Pacific Science Conference

The first Pacific Science Conference was held in Honolulu in 1920 and Dr. Gregory was made chairman. Though the conference was arranged under the auspices of the Pan-Pacific Union with the aid of funds appropriated by the Territory of Hawaii, Bishop Museum did much to add to its success. It, in turn, did much toward outlining the research policy of the Museum. Though the various branches of science were covered by the conference, emphasis was placed on anthropology, because of the rapidly disappearing native cultures. A report was prepared under the direction of the Section of Anthropology, to which eminent anthropologists in the United States, England, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan contributed. The vast Pacific area was divided into the "insular areas" of Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, and the "continental areas" of Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippine and Malay Islands. Though research in all these areas was held to be of great importance, the report selected Polynesia as the area for immediate undertaking since it comprised the heart of the Pacific and, particularly, since it was about to become the field of operations of the Bishop Museum in Hawaii. An outline of the scope and methods to be applied to Polynesia was formulated and the problems emphasized. Ethnological research was dealt with under the headings of material culture and art, mythology and religion, social organization, language, music, and historical research. Anthropometrical and archaeological research were also dealt with. The various problems were set out in a series of statements and questions, much after the pattern of "Notes and Queries on Anthropology" published by the British Association for the Advancement of Science. The outline was printed in pamphlet form to serve as a guide to field workers in Polynesia.