"I spent some time on Kwaj. All those islands are basically under water during major storms."
My favorite place is the Philippines. Many people ask just how many islands are there in the Philippines? The standard reply is to ask - do you mean during high tide or low tide? Same issue you raised. Aren't polynesian people wonderful people, even to talk and drink with, I mean?
Aren't Filipinos in that hazy area between Asian and Polynesian?
Totally laid back. Had a few that had Master's degrees from the US but just wanted the island life.