Kanak people
Kanak languages are extremely diverse, but French serves as the official language of New Caledonia. There are 28 distinct Kanak languages, as well as many dialects, out of the 1,200 Melanesian languages spoken throughout the Pacific. They are mutually incomprehensible. All are a part of the Oceanic branch of the Austronesian family. They all belong to the New Caledonian subgroup – except for Fagauvea, which is a Polynesian language.
Pacific Islands home front during World War II
The indigenous New Caledonias (Kanak) noted with interest that the African American soldiers, while segregated, could outrank white Americans. They judged that this system was superior to the one they lived in under French rule. Asian indentured servants in New Caledonia could not officially be employed by the Americans, however, they were heavy involved in the black market supply of good and labor that developed. Their absence put pressure on the efficiency of the local nickle mines.