Pacific Islanders share many of the same values as Native Hawaiians. For example, the Micronesian model closely follows the Native Hawaiian paradigm in that “family” can refer to multiple uncles and aunts, adopted brothers and sisters, and innumerable cousins (Palafox & Warren A., 1980).
Among Samoans, traditional Samoan culture still dominates the lives of its people. The basic unit of Samoan society is the aiga, an extended family system headed by a matai or chief. Kinship ties are important in many social and economic aspects of life. All who are related by birth or adoption are recognized as belonging to one aiga and each aiga may contain several hundred people (Palafox & Warren A., 1980).
