Peacemaking Practices in the West and Pacific: An Analysis of Peacemaking in Hawaii and Fiji Using Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) and Qualitative Interviews

Abstract

In order to ensure a more peaceful global environment, it is critical that all of the world’s countries and cultures are recognized as significant players in our common struggle towards harmony. Nurturing this movement toward an empowering peace, the international community needs to explore new and different ways of handling conflict. While economic and militaristic power nearly always results in “victory” in the way of resource control, it has proved less effective in creating sustainable peace and understanding in our interdependent world. The Western world’s focus on domination and violence as a means of “making peace,” can certainly use a fresh perspective. This study attempted to examine peace and peacemaking from multiple perspectives. The concept of peace and peacemaking was explored in both a Western and Pacific Island cultural context. Two primary research questions were posed: (1) How are the Pacific cultures of Hawai‘i and Fiji conceptualizing peace? (2) How do these Pacific cultural concepts compare to a Western conceptualization of peace? To answer these inquiries, three studies are presented: (1) data from a qualitative study on the concept of peace conducted in a Western context were analyzed and concept mapped in order to outline a Western concept of peace; (2) A review of peace and peace practices using the electronic Human Relations Area Files (eHRAF), an anthropological database, was completed. This review focused specifically on the Pacific Island cultures of Hawai‘i and Fiji; and (3) The practices of Hawai‘i and Fiji are further explored in seven qualitative interviews conducted with cultural informants. These ideas are synthesized with those in the literature, giving a Pacific concept of peace. Finally, an examination and comparison of the groups (Western, non-Western, and Pacific) conclude the study. Future research topics and questions are explored.