AHA Session 167
Saturday, January 10, 2026: 8:30 AM-10:00 AM
Salon 3 (Palmer House Hilton, Third Floor)
Chair:
Matt K. Matsuda, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Panel:
Holger Droessler, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Masamichi S. Inoue, University of Kentucky
Monica C. LaBriola, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Masamichi S. Inoue, University of Kentucky
Monica C. LaBriola, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Session Abstract
Pacific colonialism has long been overshadowed by studies of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. This roundtable aims to bring Pacific insular experiences to the forefront, showcasing innovative scholarship that challenges traditional narratives. Panelists will discuss how recent work re-examines familiar themes of indigeneity, capitalism, and modernity, while exploring the role of violence and rethinking empire in global, open, and networked forms. We will explore how this scholarship moves beyond the focus on Hawai’i and the Philippines, incorporating diverse voices and perspectives from the Marshall Islands, Okinawa, and Samoa, which have been subject to the influence of multiple empires. The roundtable will address the following questions: What are the most exciting new directions in scholarship on Pacific insular colonialism? How do the experiences of Pacific Islands reshape our understanding of colonialism more broadly? What are the most pressing needs and promising avenues for future research and teaching in Pacific history/studies? What emerging challenges and opportunities face the field?
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