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The Pokemon I'm talking about is Komala and I'm curious as to why it was in generation 7 (Alola) and not saved for a possible future region based on Australia.

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My understanding is that the culture of Alola is based on the Maori people in general, rather than just the people of the kingdom of Hawaii.  The Maori were far and away the greatest mariners of their day, and it is now widely believed that they made it as far as South America, having contact with both the Mayan and Incan peoples.

Seeing as they originated in Malaysian archipelago before reaching Hawaii, it's not unlikely that they also were in Australia.  That would explain the presence of Komala.
Why does pangoro live in Kalos? Why does beartic live in Unova? We may never know...
^^ While I love that explanation (and am surprised by those facts whoa go Kiwis), Alola is clearly based on Hawaiian culture. You see this particularly in Pokemon name etymology; many Pokemon names are based off the Hawaiian language. Other characteristics of the region, like the music and the hotter climate, also support a strong Hawaiian influence.
And we can ask this question about the Ice-type Pokemon introduced in the humid region of Alola. They might have just really wanted to add their awesome koala design asap and who are we to stop them!
Kalos had a Pokémon based on a T-Rex, but I do not think Napoleon rode into battle on that (as incredibly awesome as that would be).
@Flaf: Napoleon actually road into battle on a pile of cotton candy. It's a fact, look it up.

There's no reason why Game Freak can't make more koala Pokémon in the future. We already have a million cat Pokémon and almost as many primates.

@Indigo: As a matter of fact, Hawaii does have snow-capped mountains, the highest being Mauna Kea. This is probably why all/most of Alola's Ice-types are found on or around Mount Lanakila.

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The key term here is "based on." Sure, Alola is definitely based on Hawaii, but that doesn't mean every Pokémon has to fit with the Hawaiian theme. Look at Unova, the region based on North America. Yes, it does have Pokémon based on eagles, buffalo, pheasants, bass, and ice cream, but it also has Pokémon like:

  • Sigilyph, which has a very Egyptian appearance
  • Serperior, who's design is basically a snake covered in a French fleur-de-lis
  • Blitzle/Zebstrika are zebras, and last I checked zebras were from Africa
  • Cofagrigus is an Egyptian sarcophagus
  • Archeops, based on Archaeopteryx, which was dug up in Germany
  • Golurk is based on the golem in Jewish folklore.

My point is, while a region can be based on a real-life place, it doesn't have to adhere strictly to that place. While Alola does take a lot of inspiration from Hawaiian culture and seafaring in general (the Tapus, Dhelmise, Alolan Raichu, Alolan Ratatta, Wishiwashi, Yungoos, Primarina, Alolan Exeggutor, Alolan Marowak, etc.) it also has elements of other cultures and locales, such as Komala, Oricorio (the Galapagos), and Lurantis (orchid mantises are found in Southeast Asia, not Hawaii) to name a few.

TL;DR Just because a region is based on an actual locale, that does not mean that every single Pokémon has to be based on an actual thing from that area, as has been shown in the past.

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Japanese regions have had mime artists for as long as I can remember.
I agree with everything but sigilyph as it's roots are in Native American culture