Epeli Hauʻofa’s 1975 essay “Anthropology and Pacific Islanders” critiques the discipline’s tendency to misrepresent and dehumanize Pacific peoples. He argues that anthropologists often overlook essential aspects of humanity, such as love, humour, and morality, while focusing too heavily on conflict, ritual, and stereotypes. Hauʻofa highlights the growing resentment among educated Pacific Islanders toward these distorted portrayals. He calls for more balanced, humanistic, and locally grounded scholarship, including the training of Pacific Islander anthropologists.

Hau’ofa, Epeli 1975. “Anthropology and Pacific Islanders.” Oceania 45(4): 283-289.