In mid-20th Century Polynesia, the tiki was in transition between its initial purpose as a cultural icon and its eventual relocation as a travel souvenir. Many Pacific Islanders continue to live in their traditional manner, long after European settlement commenced in the region. After the Second World War there was a growing demand for Pacific souvenirs. This demand was met, in varying degrees, according to the development of the tourism industry and the extent of tourism. The economic imperative for islanders to carve traditional tiki figures for sale as souvenirs increased as other opportunities for economic advancement disappeared with the depletion of finite local resources. Carvers employed new tools and new materials in the making of souvenirs, and in some cases these carvings were scaled down versions of traditional architectural elements. Pre-European contact,