This volume investigates the mechanisms of cultural change and social adaptation within Polynesian societies through a collection of scholarly essays. The editors, Antony Hooper and Judith Huntsman, compile research from various anthropologists to examine how traditional structures interact with external pressures and internal evolution. The work utilizes ethnographic data and historical analysis to provide a framework for understanding the resilience and transformation of these island cultures over time.

This text serves as a specialized resource for students and researchers of Pacific anthropology, offering a dense, academic exploration of regional cultural dynamics. The scholarly rigor and specific focus on historical transformation suggest a work intended for those seeking a detailed, evidence-based understanding of Polynesian societal development.