“f
their
own
ciass
of
chief:.
Jbviously,
this
has
deep
implications
for
Americans who go to the Marshall Islands in leadership roles, be they connected
*,
Hi,
with health care systems or educational endeavors.
F.
Technology
The Marshallese technological system developed through many centuries to
meet the demands for survival in an environment that was greatly influenced by
the ever present sea.
In early times, the technology dealt with the production
and use of tools and equipment related to very simple horticulture and to a
complex exploitation of the food resources on reefs, in the lagoons, and at sea.
After the islands were occupied and dominated by the metropolitan powers, the
commercial
exploitation
of the coconut was
emphasized
because of the world
market's need for oil.
The Germans, followed by the Japanese, devoted much capital and energy to
copra production.
During Japanese occupation, for example, areas of breadfruit
groves were destroyed in the Marshalls and replaced with coconut tress.
While
the Marshallese were introduced slowly to modern technology by the Germans and to
a greater degree by the Japanese, it took World War II to really put them face to
face with the extent of modern technology.
Japanese know-how and might.
The Marshallese had great respect for
However, this was replaced with a feeling of awe
when America defeated the then-seemingly all-powerful
Japanese through their
superior technology and resources.
The fruit of Western technology is evident throughout the Marshalls but
especially in the two urbanized areas of Rita on Majuro, and Ebeye on Kwajalein.
While the Marshallese utilize some forms of major technology, yet in the majority
of cases they contract out their needs to firms and organizations from the
technological and industrialized nations on the Pacific rim.
More will be said
about this in the section on the economy.
G.
The Economy
Agriculture as understood in the West is not a source of income for the
Marshallese economy, the commercial processing and sale of copra being the only
significant exception.
There are signs that copra production does not play the
imporant role it once did in spite of the establishment of an oil pressing
facility in Majuro.
can be observed.
Entire areas of coconut groves that are not being cared for
Many Marshallese are also looking more and more for a salaried
position with some foreign business or with the government.