Two or three things about representations of war and military matters in Vanuatu Since its independence in 1980, Vanuatu has often been described as a paradise. First as a tax haven with one of the least regulated offshore centers. Later on, for tourism purposes, as a tropical paradise. More recently, it has become a textbook case for alternative socioeconomic indicators to assess levels of development. Indeed, Vanuatu usually ranks high on the Happy Planet Index. Despite living in of the least developed countries, the ni-Vanuatu people are supposed to be among the happiest in the world. Even after the huge destruction and suffering caused by Cyclone Pam in 2016, the Vanuatu Tourism Board was still able to announce that "Vanuatu is still smiling" because smiles and happiness is guaranteed as part of the indigenous culture.