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The Concept of Development in Ulawa in Solomon Islands and its Implications for National Development Policy and Planning A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies at the University of Waikato by FREDERICK ISOM ROHORUA ______ University of Waikato 2007 -i- Abstract ‘Social development’ and ‘economic development’ are complex concepts, concepts that may be interpreted very differently in different contexts and at different times. Not only may the processes involved be different in different contexts, so too may be the criteria by which success is judged. It is argued here that successive Solomon Islands governments have striven for social and economic development without taking full account of the real nature of Solomon Islands society. What is needed is national development policy, planning and implementation that arise out of, and take fully into account, the historical, geographic and cultural context of Solomon Islands. On the whole, the socio-economic structure of Solomon Islands society is currently underpinned by a tri-partite hierarchy in which, for the majority of Solomon Islanders, kastom (traditional beliefs and practices) and church (the beliefs and practices endorsed by the church) take precedence over the state as legitimate forms of authority. This inevitably poses problems for state-led development. If socio-economic development activities are to be successful in achieving a better quality of life for all Solomon Islanders, including those who live in rural areas, they must take full account of the role of kastom and church in the lives of the people. This must include an understanding of the differing concepts of development of people in different areas of the country such as those of Ulawa islanders that are discussed here. The thesis begins with an introduction to the research (Chapter 1) in which the theoretical framework is located broadly within the postmodern paradigm. In -ii- Chapter 2 the essentially qualitative and interpretive nature of the methodology is outlined and explained. Chapter 3 provides a critical review of international development literature in which it is argued that official definitions and descriptions of development are based on production and deficit models. The need to accommodate an indigenous and organic concept of development, one that takes account of the diversity of human experience, is stressed. Chapter 4 provides an outline of Solomon Islands society. Here, the historical narrative is complemented by three metaphors - ‘island’, wantok and betelnut - which serve to reinforce and explain the nature of Solomon Islands society and the ways in which that society has been shaped by historical processes. Chapter 5 is devoted to a discussion of modern development activity in Solomon Islands, the main focus being on the period immediately preceding and following independence. Chapter 6 explores, with particular reference to Ulawa Island, indigenous concepts of development and the impact of national development activities on rural-dwelling islanders. It also engages the issue of state reform, proposing a model based on a two tier system, with central government in its current form dealing directly with the people at constituency rather than provincial level. Finally, Chapter 7 summarizes the main conclusions reached. It is noted that the failure of both pre- and post-independence governments to take full account of the nature of Solomon Islands society has been a major factor in the lack of effective development in the islands. Keywords Solomon Islands, development, state, church, kastom, state reform. -iii- Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my late sister, Betsy Awao Eletekutoro, and, in honour of their gift of life to me, to my late parents, dad Harry Awao Poenjili and mum Nesta Mamahe. Munia mama‘a na teite. Acknowledgements First, I would like to acknowledge my chief supervisor Dr Eci Nabalarua, Chairperson of the Development Studies Department in the School of Māori and Pacific Development (University of Waikato) until the end of 2005 and currently Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Academic) at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. As a fellow Pacific Islander, she knew what I was going through and played her part as best she could. I would like to thank you, Professor Nabalarua, for your forbearance in my personal struggle: vinaka va ka levu Adi, vinaka sara for all your help and support. I would also like to thank my other supervisors, Associate Professor Winifred Crombie and Dr Michael Goldsmith: Tagio tumas nao iu tufala everiwan. Dr Goldsmith, thank you so much for providing invaluable references and for helping me to appreciate the importance of careful attention to language in academic discourse. Professor Crombie, your assistance and guidance have been incalculable. I can only say ‘thank you’ in humble gratitude. To all of those at the University of Waikato and, in particular, to those in the School of Māori and Pacific Development and its Development Studies Department who have provided me with study opportunities: Tēnā koutou. -iv- Thanks are also due to my fellow companions in this academic journey. For your support and encouragement, thank you Misty, Carrisa and Weipei. Special thanks to Cilla for challenging me to finish the thesis and to Hēmi for guidance and technical assistance: Tēnā kōrua. I wish also to acknowledge the support and prayers of my fellow Parishioners at St Peter’s Cathedral Church. In particular, I thank our Dean, Fr Ian Hanley, for his gentle support and encouragement. I wish to express my humble gratitude to all the wantoks who have supported and helped me along the way. Special mention must be made here of Dr Culwick Togamana. Tagio tumas nao oloketa wantok. To my family and friends back home in Solomon Islands, in Honiara especially, I offer my love and gratitude - to Meffery Awao Poenjili and his family, to Henry Judah Awao Poenjili and his family in Tulagi, as well as to everyone in Ulawa Island, especially in Su‘uholo and Mana‘o villages. Finally, to my darling Halahingano Tu‘akolo Rohorua and sons, Luke Mackenzie Juniour Rohorua, Joshua Huta-mauri Rohorua, William Tou‘anga Rohorua, David Awao Mamanu‘ala Rohorua, and daughters, Toakase `Aholelei Pongi, Halahingano Pongi Rohorua, thank you for your unfailing love and support. I will forever cherish that. -v- Contents Abstract ____________________________________________________________ i Dedication _________________________________________________________iii Acknowledgements __________________________________________________iii Contents ___________________________________________________________ v List of Maps ________________________________________________________ x List of Tables _______________________________________________________ xi Chapter 1 __________________________________________________________ 1 Establishing place and space __________________________________________ 1 1.1 Introduction _________________________________________________ 1 1.2 Establishing local spaces in global places __________________________ 2 1.3 Scope and focus of the study ____________________________________ 3 1.4 Background to the study _______________________________________ 6 1.5 Conceptual framework: Of spaces and metaphors___________________ 15 1.6 Reaffirming Solomon Islanders’ views and voices __________________ 19 1.7 Approach and method ________________________________________ 21 1.8 Significance of the thesis ______________________________________ 22 1.9 Outline of the thesis __________________________________________ 27 Chapter 2 _________________________________________________________ 30 An outline of the research methodology ________________________________ 30 2.1 Introduction ________________________________________________ 30 2.2 Locating ‘space’ in qualitative research___________________________ 30 2.3 Research principle ___________________________________________ 33 2.4 A constructivist-interpretive paradigm ___________________________ 34 2.5 An emergent conceptual framework _____________________________ 36 2.6 Space and other metaphors_____________________________________ 37 2.6.1 Space _________________________________________________ 37 2.6.2 Other metaphors ________________________________________ 37 2.7 An instrumental case study ____________________________________ 39 2.8 Some practical issues and implications ___________________________ 41 2.9 Sources and methods of data collection___________________________ 50 2.10 Overview __________________________________________________ 52 Chapter 3 _________________________________________________________ 54 -vi- International literature on development: A critical review of selected publications _______________________________________________________