Legend
: Princess Hutu-Hiva
Looking across the lagoon to the island of Huahine, one can see
the form of an outstretched woman. According to legend, this was
the princess Hutu-Hiva, daughter of Tutapu, chief of Raiatea who,
long ago, following divine revelations, sent Hutu-Hiva in a pahu
(sacred drum), across the ocean to Huahine, to look for a husband.
Landing on the sands of To'erauroa, in the northernmost part of
the island, she was stranded for many years until finally a young
warrior named Te-ao-nui-maruia came to her rescue. They married,
forming the Te-pa'u-i-hau-roa Dynasty. Ten sons were born from
their union, and their names were given to the ten districts of
Huahine. |
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Surfing |
Free,
just bring your board |
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Least explored
of the Society Islands, Huahine is a happy, peaceful place, where
the traditional Polynesian way of life continues in spectacular
scenery that rivals any on Moorea or Bora Bora. Lush with vanilla
plantations, banana groves, and taro fields, Huahine is actually
two islands basking in one lagoon, encircled by a coral necklace.
On its shores, coconut palms sprout in untamed profusion, separated
from the sea by a narrow band of powdery white sand.
Considered to be the cradle of ancient Polynesian culture,
Huahine is home to many of Polynesia's most important archaeological
sites. Fascinating artifacts can be found here, at Maeva,
a former royal village, with its restored marae (sacrificial
temples). In a nearby sacred lake, 300-year-old stone fishing
traps, still in use today, can only be removed by descendants
of the Tahitian royal family. Fare, the main town, is a sleepy
port which springs to life for the arrival of inter-island
ferries. Then truckloads of copra, pigs, taro, bananas, and
melons are brought to the quay for market day. Local people
mingle with arriving passengers, all enjoying the bustling
activity along the waterfront.
With some of the most hospitable people in the
Pacific, Huahine is a tranquil paradise which retains
the best of old Polynesia.
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