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Spiritual connections to the natural world are fundamental to Micronesian worldviews. Structured interviews gathered ethnoecological information about Serianthes. The kosmos-corpus-praxis conceptual framework analyzed spirituality surrounding this leguminous tree and its connection with Indigenous cosmology, traditional knowledge, and practices. We can summarize the results as follows: (a) interspecies relationships expressed through rituals and oral history guide ethnobotanical practices in Belau (Palau) and Wa’ab (Yap); (b) the tree is critically endangered on Guåhan (Guam) and Luta (Rota). In Luta, the tree is celebrated as a flagship species for endangered plant recovery, while the last Guåhan tree has become a rallying point for spiritual resistance when its habitat became threatened by military plans to construct a firing range; (c) spirituality is a fundamental value for island communities; and (d) traditional knowledge holders and scholars strive to work together toward a co-production of knowledge, using spirituality as a fundamental principle toward respectful and sustainable biocultural conservation.

The recent lowering of some obstacles to the migration of Micronesians to Guam has resulted in a sudden influx of migrants. In a short time, Guam has experienced many of the impacts associated with large scale migration on population growth, provision of services and the issue of ethnic assimilation. An extensive demographic profile of newly settled migrants is presented, followed by a discussion of future implications. Micronesian migration is expected to grow, encouraging the formation of nucleated ethnic communities, a sizeable working class, and social costs and potential ethnic conflict that will draw increasing attention from the Guam government.

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