Possible Clues:

• Troops strike island, one in the South Pacific
• Island a success during regular parts of trip
• Time on a smack, then I come to this island
• 'Omoo' setting
• Pacific island, Gauguin's home in the 1890s
• Polynesian island, capital Papeete
• Island - one which has captivated one going west
• "Omoo" setting
• Island's temperature a winner with this writer
• Setting Gauguin used to make it a hit