I know a smashing area somewhere in the Pacific (7)

I believe the answer is:

okinawa

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'somewhere in the pacific' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'i know a smashing area' is the wordplay.
'smashing' indicates an anagram.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'i'+'know'+'a'='iknowa'
'iknowa' is an anagram of 'okinaw'.
'okinaw'+'a'='OKINAWA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for okinawa that I've seen before include "Japanese island, capital Naha" , "Pacific island" , "battle!" , "Campaign in the closing days of World War II in the Pacific" , "WW2 campaign" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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