INTERROGATING THE VANUA AND THE INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEESHIP ROLE OF THE ITAUKEI LAND TRUST BOARD (TLTB): UNDERSTANDING THE ECONOMIC MARGINALIZATION OF ITAUKEI A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE DIVISION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA IN PARTIAL FULLFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN POLITICAL SCIENCE DECEMBER 2017 PONIPATE ROKOLEKUTU Dissertation Committee: Nevzat Soguk, Chairperson Manfred Henningsen Noenoe K.Silva Hokulani Aikau Tarcisius Kabutaulaka Copyright 2017 By Ponipate Rokolekutu ii Dedicated to: my late paternal grandparents: Ilaisa and Elina Kalouca late Nei: Lice Tinai Matatolu & late mother: Miriama Soronaqaqa Rokolekutu iii Acknowledgments I never thought that this part of the dissertation would be difficult. But it is difficult to acknowledge those who have made this journey bearable, meaningful and even enjoyable. My journey to the academic summit would have been insurmountable without God’s grace and the enduring love and support of my loved ones. This journey would also be impossible without the support of my committee chair, and the invaluable advice from the members of my dissertation committee who distinguish scholars in their fields. It would have been certainly unbearable without the friendships and collegiality of significant individuals whom I have had the privilege to interact with, both within the academic environment, as well as, around the kava bowl and the so many meals shared in homes and eatery places most certainly in Hawaii, at other times in California, and occasionally in New York. Please understand that I feel completely inadequate in providing these acknowledgments. First and foremost, I wish to acknowledge God Almighty for His provisions and for giving me the strength to persevere in the pursuit of a vision. In many ways, my journey was a fight of faith, faith in God, faith in myself, and faith in the God given purpose and vocation in my life. My most sincere appreciation is due to my committee chair Professor Nevzat Soguk. Thank you for being a teacher, mentor and a friend. Your enduring support and inspiration through the course of my graduate studies. Thank you for your kindness and understanding. The stories of your journey have given courage to endure mine. You have inspired me to fulfil my vision and finish strong. I am truly grateful. I also wish to acknowledge my committee members. To Professor Manfred Henningsen, thank you for your calm voice, your faith in me, and the ways in which you understood my struggles and my aspirations. Your presence in my committee gave me a sense of calmness and certainty in my journey. My acknowledgement is also extended to Professor Noenoe. K. Silva. Your belief in me and my work, and your unwavering support have truly bolstered my confidence. You have provided me insights and knowledge that I would have never had. I am sincerely appreciative of your contribution throughout the course of my expedition. I also owe a great deal of indebtedness to Professor Hokulani Aikau, who is now a professor at Gender Studies with the University of Utah. Thank you for taking a great deal of interests in my work and helping me take control of my story and framing it more effectively. There are times that I feel inadequate in living up to your expectations, but I do recognize that your intention is make me a better scholar. Vinaka Vakalevu. I also wish to register my gratitude to Professor Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka, the university representative to my dissertation committee. I have benefitted tremendously from your wealth of knowledge of the South Pacific Region, and your expertise on land issues in the region. Your iv contribution is both invaluable and irreplaceable. Vinaka Vakalevu for being mentor, a colleague, and a friend. My acknowledgement is also extended to Professor Katharina Heyer, the Graduate Chair of the Political Science Department for facilitating the administrative aspect of this dissertation. Thank you for ensuring my compliance to departmental and university rules, as I approached the final phase of the dissertation. I am truly grateful. To Laurie Onizuka, the departmental secretary, thank you for making my life easier. I’ve always believe that without you the department cannot function. Vinaka Vakalevu. I am particularly grateful to the scholarly community of Pacific Islanders and friends at UH Manoa and the East West Center. I wish to express my appreciation to the collegiality, friendship and generous support provided to me by the following: Professor Vilsoni Hereniko, Dr. Fata Simanu- Klutz, Professor Terence Wesley-Smith, Dr. Tina Tauasosi-Posiulai, Taiyub Khan, Dr. Stefano Moisyadi, Dr. Jerry Finin, Dr. Patricia Fifita, Scott Kroeker, Ginger Porter, Lelemia Irvine, Joy Enomoto, Dr. Kim Compoc, Ms. Kat Lobendahn, Louisa Kabutaulaka and the Kabutaulaka girls, Elyssa Juline Santos, Payal Maharaj Nandini, Enly Saeni Labuinao, Deveraux Talagi, Rachel Dacks, Mitieli Cama, Ron Vave, and last, but not the least, Ms. Titilia Barbour I would like to express to heartfelt gratitude Dr. Brian Alofaituli who co-labored with me in this unprecedented journey. Your kind words, friendship and brotherhood have been a source of inspiration in my own journey. Fa’afetai Uso! Acknowledgement is also due to the Fijian Community in Hawaii, the Fijian Branch of the United Methodist Church, in Petaluma California, the USA branch of the Lelean Old Scholars Association (LOSA-USA), and the Tikina Makawa O Nausori - U.S.A. My journey would not have been enjoyable without your involvement. Thank you for your support, friendship and kinship throughout my journey. In Hawaii, the following warrants mentioning in my acknowledgement: Ratu Celua and Matilda Cakobau, Ratu Joji and Luse Lewenilovo, Talatala Mikaele and Radini Talatala Selai Taitusi, Lekima Suguturaga, Laisani Normandin, Etuate and Mereoni Baravilala, Paula and Iva Vuli, Raymond Fong, Taniela Lee and last but not the least Susana Rarick. In Petaluma, acknowledgement is due to Vakawata Sekuri and Alisi Yadraca, Tuirara Ilsaisa and (his late wife) Letila Vokulu, Sione and Neomai Soko, Pauliasi and Mereani Ikanivere, Tukai Laba and Pu Sereima, and the Petaluma golden girls, Tukana Maria Maisema Tabulawaki, Lusiana George and Mereilisoni Soqoiwasa. To the LOSA-USA, special mention is extended to Rupeni Navunisaravi, Sereima Tuimavana, Emali Raseru, Ratu Sikeli Cavuilati, Setareki Vakacabeqoli, Isireli Qionimacawa, Emosi Niukula, Temalesi Fakalawa, Senikau Momoka, Jone Rayawa, Miriama Buadromo and last but not the least Geneva Buadromo. To the tikina Makawa o Nausori, acknowledgement is extended to Adi Nanise Moceidreke, Adi Vakarewa Tagicakibau, v Mosese and Sainimere Veremalua, Asenaca Toroca, Akosita Toroca, Akesa Toroca, Sussie Hazelmen, Pa Tamanitokula, Adi Asenaca Cavuilati; Elenoa Waqabaca and Eroni Bainivalu. This acknowledgement would be incomplete without honoring my father, Sunia Rokolekutu and acknowledging the Rokolekutu siblings. Thank you for your prayers and support in the course of my journey. I also wish to acknowledge my father’s siblings whose struggles and aspirations have driven me to undertake this study. They are as follows: Senirusi Radaveta, Eroni Turagatautoka, Vilimone Kalouca, Mere Ukumoce and Waisea Tuisese. I also wish to thank my tavales for their support and love. Your sense of humor and mischievousness always therapeutic in my journey. In this regard, the following warrants special mentioning: Ulaiasi Matatolu, Dr. Viliame Matatolu and Isei Matatolu. Maleka vakalevu tavale na moro vikauwaitaki. To the Nacodreu Family, thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts. It is also important to acknowledge the late Ruth Ann Meeker, and Leota Fischer, who became a source of inspiration in my journey. To Ruth, I know that you are in a better place. But I wish to register my appreciation to you. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. I am grateful to have known you and the opportunity to provide care to you. I often think that you cared and supported me more, than I ever did for you. Rest in Peace. And to Leota Fischer, who is 101 years, and is still going, thank you for your love, generosity and the wealth of advice. In many ways you took the place of a mother and grandmother in my life. Thank you for opening your life to me. I am truly grateful. Special acknowledgement is extended to Vueti Tupou and his three children, Gabrielle Sara Tupou, Nathaniel Toko Tupou and Usaia Vakataga Tupou. Thank you for your prayers, kind thoughts and support in this journey. I am truly appreciative. Finally, I wish to acknowledge the love of life, Laisane Rokofue Kedrabuka. The successful completion of this journey and the realization of this vision would not have been possible without your commitment, passion and vision for the next generation of iTaukei. Thank you for your faith in God, in me and in yourself. You have been a source of courage, motivation and strength throughout the course of this journey. You are indeed the grace girl that I did not deserve. vi Abstract Fiji is often perceived as an exceptional case in critical colonial discourses. That is, despite ninety-six years of British colonial rule, indigenous rights to land was protected in the hands of its indigenous peoples, the iTaukeis, in addition to the preservation of its socio-political structure. The dissertation contends however that the very institutions that define iTaukei indigeneity have created land dispossession and disempowerment. The study examines the question: Why is it that