Western isles? Maybe, but they're in the S. Pacific! (5)

I believe the answer is:

samoa

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'western' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for samoa that I've seen before include "Pacific island nation, capital Apia" , "South Pacific island nation" , "Southwest Pacific island group" , "Group of islands in the South Pacific" , "South Pacific island country, gaining its independence from New Zealand in 1962" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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