The Metamorphosis of Tahiti: Change and Tradition In A Transforming Landscape

The Society Islands were long isolated from the mainstream of change in the Western World, even though they are technically a part of that world. In recent decades however, Western technology and economy have arrived in full force. The impact has been thor ough. Almost every segment of rural and urban life of the Tahitian and his land has been altered in some manner or another. The impact is the result partially of the greater number of Westerners who visit the Society Islands in the modern period, and partially of the in creased frequency of arrivals made possible by jet air travel. The changes are far-reaching because of Tahiti's bolstered economy, im proved not only by tourism and related commercial activities but also by military spending associated with France's nuclear testing at Muuroa and Hae in the Tuamotus—for which Papeete, Tahiti's only town, is the principal base and logistic center (Figure 1). Mil lions of Pacific francs have been spent in Papeete and surrounding islands during the last two decades. This investment, the significant and associated cultural change among the Polynesians, and rapid population growth and migration have led to the current metamor phosis of Tahiti and the islands.