The state many Pacific islands are in (4)
I believe the answer is:
fiji
'the state' is the definition.
(Fiji is an example)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fiji that I've seen before include "Island group in the south Pacific" , "South Pacific country of some 840 islands" , "Pacific island republic" , "Pacific member of the British Commonwealth" , "South Pacific country, capital Suva" .)