Although Pacific history, society, and culture have been the subjects of much scholarly research and writing, the lives of Pacific Islanders in the diaspora (particularly in the U.S.) have received far less attention. The contributors to this volume of articles and essays compiled by the Pacific Islander Americans Research Project hope to rectify this oversight.

Keoni Kealoha Agard is an attorney and a Hawaiian sovereignty activist living on the island of O'ahu Melani Anae earned a Ph.D. at the University of Auckland, where she is a Lecturer in Anthropology Kekuni Blaisdell, a writer, speaker, and Kanaka Maori sovereignty activist, is a member of the faculty of medicine at the University of Hawai'i John Connell teaches anthropology at the University of Sydney Wendy Cowling is a Lecturer in Anthropology and Convener of Pacific Studies at the University of Waikato Vicente M. Diaz teaches in the Program in American Cultures at the University of Michigan Michael Kioni Dudley is a scholar and activist for Hawaiian rights Diana Fitisemanu is currently in business in Aotearoa/New Zealand 'Inoke Funaki is Professor of Psychology at Brigham Young University-Hawai'i Lupe Funaki is a college administrator at Brigham Young University in Utah Karina Kahananui Green was educated at Brigham Young University-Hawai'i. She and her family live in California David Hall is a computer specialist working in Auckland Jay Hartwell is is an administrator at the University of Hawai'i Debbie Hippolite Wright is chair of the Social Work Department at Brigham Young University-Hawai'i Craig R. Janes teaches anthropology at the University of Colorado, Denver The late George H. S. Kanahele was a scholar (Ph.D. Cornell), community leader, and businessman. One of the founders of the Native Hawaiian Tourism and Hospitality Association, he died in 2000 Davianna Pomoaika'i McGregor is Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa and a leading speaker for Hawaiian sovereignty Brucetta McKenzie graduated from Brigham Young University-Hawai'i Helen Morton is a Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at Australia's La Trobe University Dorri Nautu is a public servant in O'ahu Tupou Hopoate Pau'u earned a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University-Hawai'i. She and her family live in California Asesela Ravuvu is Professor and Director of the Institute for Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific in Suva Carolina Robertson is Professor of Music and Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Ethnomusicology at the University of Maryland Joanne L. Rondilla is a student in the Ph.D. program in Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley E. Victoria Shook received her M.A. degree in communication from the University of Hawai'i Paul Spickard is Professor of History and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara Haunani-Kay Trask is a poet, Professor of Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa