Blue Economy
Intro
Across islands such as Bali, Guam, Hawaiʻi, Izu Islands, Mariana Islands, and Palau, the ocean forms more than just a natural setting—it is the foundation of culture, livelihood, and identity. From Polynesian voyaging traditions in Hawaiʻi, Chamorro heritage in Guam, and traditional conservation systems in Palau, to the spiritual seascapes of Bali and the nature-based resilience of the Izu Islands and Mariana Islands, each place reveals a different way of living with the sea. Together, they illustrate a broader “blue economy” where ocean resources, cultural values, and sustainable living are deeply intertwined, inviting deeper exploration into how each island uniquely defines its relationship with the ocean.
從峇里島、關島、夏威夷、伊豆群島、馬里亞納群島到帛琉，海洋不只是自然背景，而是連結文化、生活與身份認同的核心。夏威夷延續玻里尼西亞航海精神，關島承載查莫洛族的海洋記憶，帛琉以傳統保育制度維繫人與海的平衡，峇里島則將海洋融入信仰與精神世界，而伊豆群島與馬里亞納群島則展現自然環境與地方經濟共存的不同路徑。這些島嶼共同構成一幅多樣而互相呼應的藍色經濟圖景，也邀請人們進一步深入理解每一個島嶼如何以自身方式詮釋「與海共生」的意義。
Bali
Bali is surrounded by warm, life-rich waters that form part of the greater Flores Sea region, an area known for its remarkable marine biodiversity. The island’s coastal conditions vary, with calm, clear waters in some areas and powerful swells in others, creating ideal environments for activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing, depending on location.
Beyond its natural appeal, the ocean holds deep cultural significance in Balinese life. It is regarded not merely as a resource or a scenic backdrop, but as a sacred space connected to spiritual balance and ancestral beliefs. Many traditional ceremonies take place by the sea, reflecting a worldview in which the ocean plays a vital role in maintaining harmony between humans, nature, and the divine.
峇里島位於印尼群島之中，被溫暖而充滿生命力的海域環繞，這片海域連接著更廣闊的弗洛勒斯海系統，孕育出極為豐富的海洋生態。清澈的海水、穩定的水溫，以及部分海岸強勁的洋流與浪況，使這裡成為各類海上活動的理想場所，從浮潛、深潛到衝浪，都能在不同區域找到適合的條件。
然而，對峇里島而言，海洋不僅僅是自然資源或觀光亮點，更深深融入在地文化與信仰之中。當地人相信海是神聖力量的所在，許多傳統儀式與祭典都與海洋相關，象徵淨化與平衡。這種對海的敬重，也形塑了人們與自然共存的方式，使峇里島的海洋文化在觀光發展之外，依然保有其精神與文化的深度。
Guam
Guam is surrounded by the vast Pacific, where the ocean has long shaped both daily life and cultural identity. The island’s coastal waters are rich in marine life, protected in many areas by coral reefs that have sustained generations with food, navigation routes, and a deep sense of place.
For the indigenous Chamorro people, the ocean is far more than a natural resource—it is an extension of heritage, memory, and community. Traditional practices such as fishing, canoe building, and wayfinding reflect an intimate understanding of the sea, passed down through generations. The concept of inafa’maolek, which emphasizes harmony and mutual respect, extends to the relationship between people and the ocean. Today, even as modern influences reshape the island, this cultural connection continues to guide how the sea is respected, used, and protected, making Guam’s marine environment as culturally meaningful as it is ecologically vibrant.
關島四面環繞著遼闊的太平洋，海洋長久以來塑造了這座島嶼的生活方式與文化認同。沿岸由珊瑚礁環繞，不僅孕育出豐富的海洋生態，也為世代居民提供食物來源與航行路徑，形成與海共生的基礎。
對查莫洛（Chamorro）族人而言，海洋不只是自然資源，更承載著歷史記憶與文化傳承。傳統的捕魚、獨木舟製作與航海技術，體現了他們對海洋細緻而深刻的理解，並透過世代相傳延續至今。inafa’maolek」（和諧共處）的價值觀，也延伸到人與海的關係之中，強調尊重與平衡。即使在現代發展與外來文化影響之下，這份連結依然存在，使關島的海洋不僅富有生態價值，也蘊含深厚的文化意義。
Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi is surrounded by the vast Pacific Ocean, where the sea is not only a source of life but also a foundation of cultural identity. Its waters, shaped by volcanic islands and ocean currents, support rich marine ecosystems and have long provided sustenance and pathways for exploration.
Central to Hawaiian culture is its deep connection to Polynesian voyaging traditions. Early Polynesian navigators crossed immense distances using stars, ocean swells, winds, and wildlife as their guides, demonstrating an extraordinary understanding of the natural world. This knowledge was not merely technical, but spiritual—rooted in a relationship of respect and balance with the ocean. In Hawaiian worldview, the sea is part of ʻāina (that which feeds), linking people, land, and ocean as one interconnected system. Today, this legacy continues to influence how the ocean is honored, protected, and experienced.
夏威夷坐落於遼闊的太平洋之中，海洋不僅是資源來源，更是文化與身分認同的核心。由火山島嶼與洋流交織而成的海域，孕育出豐富的海洋生態，同時也在歷史上成為人們移動與探索的重要通道。
在夏威夷文化中，玻里尼西亞的航海傳統佔有關鍵地位。早期的航海者憑藉星辰、海流、風向與海洋生物的變化，橫跨廣大的太平洋，展現出對自然極為細膩且深刻的理解。這不僅是一種技術，更是一種與海洋之間建立在尊重與平衡上的關係。在「ʻāina」（滋養萬物之源）的觀念中，人、土地與海洋彼此相連、不可分割。直到今日，這樣的文化精神仍持續影響著人們如何看待、使用並守護海洋。
Izu Islands
Izu Islands stretch into the Pacific as a chain of volcanic islands, where the blue economy is shaped by a close balance between nature and community life. Rather than large-scale development, the islands focus on sustainable practices such as eco-tourism and small-scale fisheries that respect the surrounding marine environment.
On Mikura-jima, regulated dolphin tourism highlights how human interaction with marine life can be carefully managed, while Miyake-Jima reflects resilience through nature-based tourism adapted to its active volcanic landscape. Complementing this ocean-based lifestyle is Ashitaba (Tomorrow’s Leaf), a native plant valued for its health benefits, symbolizing how island communities integrate both land and sea into a sustainable way of living.
伊豆群島延伸於太平洋之中，由一連串火山島嶼組成，其藍色經濟強調自然環境與在地生活之間的平衡。相較於大規模開發，當地更著重於永續漁業與生態旅遊，讓海洋資源得以長期維持。
在御蔵島，以海豚共游為代表的觀光活動透過嚴格管理，實現人與海洋生物的共存；而三宅島則展現出居民在火山環境中發展自然觀光的韌性。同時，當地特有植物明日葉以其營養價值聞名，象徵著島嶼生活中陸地與海洋資源相互結合，形成獨特而永續的發展模式。
Mariana Islands
The Marianas lie in the western Pacific, where the ocean has long served as both a lifeline and a crossroads of history. Today, the region’s marine environment supports tourism and local livelihoods, while also carrying the memory of significant historical events beneath its surface.
On Saipan, the coastline is not only known for its clear waters and coral reefs, but also for its role in the Battle of Saipan during World War II. Sites such as Banzai Cliff and Suicide Cliff stand as solemn reminders of the island’s past, where the ocean witnessed both conflict and loss. Today, these locations are preserved as memorials, blending natural beauty with historical reflection and shaping a unique cultural landscape where remembrance and the sea are deeply intertwined.
馬里亞納群島位於西太平洋，是一片同時承載自然資源與歷史記憶的海域。海洋不僅支撐著當地觀光與生活，也見證了重要的歷史時刻，讓這片海域具有超越自然景觀的文化意義。
在塞班島，除了清澈海水與珊瑚礁之外，更因 塞班島戰役 而具有深刻歷史地位。像是 萬歲崖 與 自殺崖 等地，至今仍作為紀念遺址，提醒人們戰爭帶來的傷痛與犧牲。這些場域將壯麗的海景與歷史記憶交織在一起，使海洋不僅是觀光資源，也成為承載記憶與反思的重要空間。
Palau
Palau is a small island nation in the western Pacific where ocean and culture are deeply inseparable. Surrounded by one of the most biodiverse marine environments in the world, Palau has built its identity around a strong commitment to conservation, including marine protected areas and traditional resource management systems that have been passed down for generations.
At the heart of Palauan culture is a deep respect for nature and community, reflected in the concept of bul, a traditional practice of temporarily closing off fishing areas to allow marine life to recover. This system of stewardship shows how indigenous knowledge continues to guide modern sustainability efforts. In Palau, the ocean is not only a source of livelihood but also a living cultural foundation that shapes values, identity, and the way people relate to the natural world.
帛琉是位於西太平洋的島國，海洋與文化在此緊密交織，難以分割。四周環繞著全球生物多樣性極高的海域，使帛琉長期以來以海洋保育與永續利用聞名，並發展出結合現代管理與傳統智慧的資源保護制度。
在帛琉文化中，對自然與社群的尊重是核心價值，其中傳統的「bul」制度尤為重要，透過暫時封閉特定海域以讓魚群與海洋生態恢復，展現出世代累積的環境智慧。這種管理方式不僅維繫生態平衡，也延續了人與海之間的關係。在帛琉，海洋不只是生計來源，更是形塑文化、價值觀與身份認同的重要根基。