what is the significance of SPAM in the South Pacific Islands?

That's a very good question! I'd love to know the answers! I like spam myself, and been wanting to try a Hawaiian BBQ place by my home. I also read in magazine that they serve spam like a sashimi piece at restaurants (that's sushi for those who don't know). thumbs up for you.

Spam is a canned pre-cooked meat. They often serve it in the U-S to Europe and in Asia. In the movies 50 first dates you see cans of SPAM.

Hope this helps :)

it's delicious.

If you mean the South Pacific Association of Marketing (SPAM), check this site: http://www.nolledge.com/spam.htm

If you want to know about the food version, go here http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_229.html and read a wonderful tongue in cheek reply to spam questions, including one about South Pacific islanders liking the taste because it tastes like.... Well, you'll just have to go see.

Spam was available before WWII but came to Hawaii and all the Pacific islands as early as 1942 in the K-Series rations which were "better" than the D and C (Dried and Canned).

People were starving in the islands of the south Pacific, no fishing, few rams and herds kept, in Hawaii things were well rationed: esp. meats. The Hawaiian fishing industry was just unable to fish most of the coastal and deep sea areas due to security.

So Hormel’s "Spiced Ham" SPAM. Became popular with the locals and natives of the Pacific islands. GI's mostly hated it: after a few days, trust me it is rather dull fare.
The WWII - Korean War - Vietnam "C" rations were dreadful.
Had little value, taste and were bulky, but one survived.

SPAM was never much rationed in the States or Hawaii but in demand by the native Hawaiians! So, it was soon converted into native, Japanese and Chinese "styles" and it was also some one could take into town and "trade" with for the soldiers.

I have heard that such as flight crews liked it but they had such as mustard, spices, could fry, grill such: us infantry, well cold spam, I mean 99 degree temp SPAm is dreadful, but one survived. Requires much water as the stuff was so salty, an issue for infantry, I had a can here that I bought years ago but it became dated. I just wondered what it would be like to taste such again. Perhaps I will try.

The Hawaiians also liked Vienna Sausages, sardines, and even corned beef (Bully beef),

The Koreans did the same, SPAM was never an "item" for the Vietnamese, never. They were to cultured to eat such.
Besides they had 10,000 ways to cook and serve chicken
and fish. PTSD Post SPAM Stomach Disorder?

Spam was a canned meat used extensively in WWII to feed both armies and the population at home. It is still eaten by millions of people. Another brand was Treet.

It is one of the main sources of meat as many of them do not have cattle or other meat.
Because of the heat it is one of the few foods that can be kept fresh.
It is also a contributing factor to the obesity problem faced by the Islanders.
A new low fat version is produced here in New Zealand which has had some success marketed in the Islands.