Rangiātea in New Zealand Māori culture and tradition, is considered to be simultaneously a physical place as well as a metaphysical place.
64-618: The physical Rangiātea is somewhere in the Pacific Islands, possibly Ra'iātea Island in the Society Islands (also known as Tahiti), however, it is not totally certain. Other possible locations are in the Cook Islands. The metaphysical place is considered a font or source of learning and knowledge, especially knowledge handed down by gods, spirit-ancestors, or ancestors. For example, the mythical god-ancestor Tāne
128-602: A Danish trimotor that sank around 1900. The wreck, very well preserved, is located at a depth of about 20 m, not far from the Pearl Beach Resort on the northeast coast. The island is surrounded by a 98 km road, while another road runs through the center. Since the 1980s, numerous infrastructure works have been carried out to improve the road network and open up the southern part of the island by building bridges, asphalting and installing electricity, telephone and drinking water distribution networks. The port of Uturoa
192-519: A human sacrifice, he left on September 29, 1777, to explore other islands in the atoll. He first went to nearby Eimeo (present-day Maiao), where he stayed briefly, and then headed for Ulitea (present-day Raiatea), which is only a few days northwest of Tahiti. During his 34-day stay, a unique parrot was collected on the island. At least two specimens have been preserved for posterity and are in museums in London and Vienna. Unfortunately, there are no reports on
256-613: A market and two marinas. Polynesians Polynesians are an ethnolinguistic group comprising closely related ethnic groups native to Polynesia , which encompasses the islands within the Polynesian Triangle in the Pacific Ocean . They trace their early prehistoric origins to Island Southeast Asia and are part of the larger Austronesian ethnolinguistic group, with an Urheimat in Taiwan . They speak
320-725: A new population by a very small number of individuals from a larger population, which also causes a loss of genetic variation. Soares et al. (2008) argued for an older pre- Holocene Sundaland origin in Island Southeast Asia (ISEA) based on mitochondrial DNA . The "out of Taiwan" model was challenged by a study from Leeds University published in Molecular Biology and Evolution . Examination of mitochondrial DNA lineages indicates that they have been evolving in ISEA for longer than previously believed. Ancestors of
384-463: A sacred grove surrounded by tabu. Several of the sites have been restored. The largest platform was built in the early 17th century with huge upright limestone slabs and is dedicated to Oro, the god of war. There are other important ceremonial sites on the island. In the Avera valley , north of Opoa on the east coast, is another large ceremonial platform. Nearby, archaeological excavations have uncovered
448-399: A vocational school, three secondary schools (one of which is private) and several primary schools and kindergartens. Raiatea is the only French Polynesian island (outside of Tahiti) with a secondary school. Therefore, most students from neighboring islands, such as Bora-Bora, Tahaa, Maupiti or Huahine, come here for their secondary education. The island also has an airfield, a commercial port,
512-582: Is a French overseas territory and is therefore associated with the European Union . It is administered by a subdivision ( Subdivision administrative des Îles Sous-le-Vent ) of the High Commission of French Polynesia ( Haut-commissariat de la République en Polynésie française ) based in Papeete. The island is divided into three communes (municipalities): These three communes are inside
576-426: Is also an important industry while farming cattle, sheep and pigs has recently decreased. There is less tourism compared to the other islands in the archipelago. The local tourist infrastructure comprises boarding houses, two marinas, a four star hotel, The Hawaiki Nui and a port for visiting cruise ships. There is also a fledgling local industry in the maintenance of yachts and shipbuilding. The main source of employment
640-473: Is also the administrative capital of the Leeward Islands and the second urban center of French Polynesia , after Papeete. The main island is of volcanic origin and consists mainly of igneous rocks. On the barrier reef and in the lagoon there are numerous white coral sand motu – low barrier reef islands – and rubble. The most beautiful sandy beaches are found on these motu, while the rocky coastline of
704-414: Is closely related to, and possibly located within, the ancestral homeland of Hawaiki . Several of the ancestral migratory Māori waka (ships) are said to have launched from Rangiātea, namely, Aotea , and Matawhaorua . Other waka may have also originated from the same location, however, definitive origins are not entirely clear. Ra%27i%C4%81tea Raʻiātea or Raiatea ( Tahitian : Raʻiātea )
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#1732791108089768-547: Is said to have received the Baskets of Knowledge from the supreme being Io . These baskets were suspended within a building named Rangiātea. This position as a source of higher learning is reflected in the ancient exhortative proverb: "Kia puta ai te ihu ki Rangiātea." 'So that your nose may arrive at Rangiātea.' This expression encourages the individual to pursue study, practice, and mastery of skills to fulfil their potential. Another well-known proverb referring to Rangiātea
832-478: Is the island's public service and the consumer market. Raiatea has a small road that runs around the entire island. Raiatea Airport is an airport in Uturoa . Although the island has several hotels up to the luxury category, Raiatea is quieter and less developed in terms of tourism compared to Tahiti and Bora Bora . Raiatea is especially attractive to offshore sailors. There are several yacht charter companies, and
896-680: Is the second largest of the Society Islands , after Tahiti , in French Polynesia , in the South Pacific Ocean . The island is widely regarded as the "centre" of the eastern islands in ancient Polynesia and it is likely that the organised migrations to the Hawaiian Islands , and other parts of East Polynesia started at Raʻiātea. A traditional name for the island is Havai'i , homeland of the Māori people . Situated on
960-480: Is this one, which reminds a person that we are all connected to a common source and thus remain united by a commonality: "E kore au e ngaro, he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea." 'I shall never be lost, I am a seed sown from Rangiātea.' The metaphorical "seed" represents growth, development, and self-realization. Linking it to Rangiātea provides that this growth and development is founded in the attainment of higher learning, as handed down by ones' antecedents. Rangiātea
1024-990: The Marquesas . From here, they expanded further to Hawaii by 900 AD, Easter Island by 1000 AD, and finally New Zealand by 1200 AD. Analysis by Kayser et al. (2008) found that only 21% of the Polynesian autosomal gene pool is of Australo-Melanesian origin, with the remaining 79% being of Austronesian origin. Another study by Friedlaender et al. (2008) also confirmed that some Polynesians are genetically closer to Micronesians , Taiwanese Aborigines , and Islander Southeast Asians . The study concluded that Polynesians moved through Melanesia fairly rapidly, allowing only limited admixture between Austronesians and Papuans. Polynesians predominantly belong to Haplogroup B (mtDNA), particularly to mtDNA B4a1a1 (the Polynesian motif). The high frequencies of mtDNA B4 in Polynesians are
1088-824: The Polynesian languages , a branch of the Oceanic subfamily within the Austronesian language family . The Indigenous Māori people form the largest Polynesian population, followed by Samoans , Native Hawaiians , Tahitians , Tongans , and Cook Islands Māori . As of 2012 , there were an estimated 2 million ethnic Polynesians (both full and part) worldwide. The vast majority either inhabit independent Polynesian nation-states ( Samoa , Niue , Cook Islands , Tonga , and Tuvalu ) or form minorities in countries such as Australia , Chile ( Easter Island ), New Zealand , France ( French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna ), and
1152-711: The Union Jack and took possession of the island for the British Empire in a brief ceremony. To expand the Spanish Empire , Charles III of Spain ordered expeditions to be sent to the South Pacific. Manuel de Amat y Junyent , the viceroy of Peru , sent the Spanish Navy officer Domingo de Bonechea to Raʻiātea. Bonechea, commanding the frigate El Águila , arrived there in 1772, and he named
1216-945: The United States ( Hawaii and American Samoa ), as well as in the British Overseas Territory of the Pitcairn Islands . New Zealand had the highest population of Polynesians, estimated at 110,000 in the 18th century. Polynesians have acquired a reputation as great navigators, with their canoes reaching the most remote corners of the Pacific and allowing the settlement of islands as far apart as Hawaii, Rapanui (Easter Island), and Aotearoa (New Zealand). The people of Polynesia accomplished this voyaging using ancient navigation skills, including reading stars, currents, clouds, and bird movements—skills that have been passed down through successive generations to
1280-519: The administrative subdivision of the Leeward Islands . Raiatea had a total of 12,832 inhabitants according to 2012 data, with a population density of 66 inhabitants/km . The official language is French. The currency is the CFP franc, which is pegged to the euro. The administrative budget of the Society Islands is substantially subsidized by French and EU funds. The main town is Uturoa , in
1344-527: The Pacific rat as food animals, and Europeans introduced goats, cows, sheep and horses. The indigenous land animals are only insects, land crabs, snails and lizards. In Raiatea there are no animals dangerous to humans. Sand fleas on the beach and mosquitoes , which are everywhere in the interior of the island, can be unpleasant. The marine fauna of the lagoon and coral reef is very rich in species. In addition to hundreds of different coral fish, divers can observe numerous mollusks, echinoderms and crustaceans from
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#17327911080891408-564: The Polynesians are believed to be the Neolithic Lapita culture . This group emerged in Island Melanesia and Micronesia around 1500 BC from a convergence of Austronesian migration waves, originating from both Island Southeast Asia to the west and an earlier Austronesian migration to Micronesia to the north. The culture was distinguished by dentate-stamped pottery. However, their eastward expansion halted when they reached
1472-569: The Polynesians arrived in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea at least 6,000 to 8,000 years ago. A 2014 study by Lipson et al., using whole genome data , supports the findings of Kayser et al. Modern Polynesians were shown to have lower levels of admixture with Australo-Melanesians than Austronesians in Island Melanesia . Nonetheless, both groups show admixture, along with other Austronesian populations outside of Taiwan, indicating varying degrees of intermarriage between
1536-611: The Society islands they exercised great religious and cultural influence. The great temple (in Tahitian marae) of Taputapuatea, dedicated to the god Oro, was the most important religious center of the islands. His cult supplanted other traditional gods such as Taaroa and Tane, and the different marae were subsidiary to that of Taputapuatea. Around him the Arioi sect was formed, a religious, aristocratic, warlike and festive mixture, which
1600-620: The South Pacific, plants range from west to east. This caused the biodiversity of the islands to decrease eastward. For example, the islands of New Guinea and New Caledonia , located in the west, have a much higher number of species compared to Raiatea. In contrast, the islands of the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Pitcairn Islands and Easter Island in the far eastern Pacific are much less species-rich. In almost 2,000 years of settlement history, humans have decisively changed
1664-489: The esplanade was paved with natural stones from the island in various colors. Portuguese craftsmen were in charge of laying the beautiful motifs in traditional Portuguese style. The botanical garden of Uturoa is interesting with many rare and exotic plants. The main attraction of Raiatea is undoubtedly the Taputapuatea place of worship. It comprises several worship platforms ( marae ) that were originally distributed in
1728-463: The first humans to cross vast distances of water on ocean-going boats. Despite the popularity of rejected hypotheses, such as Thor Heyerdahl 's belief that Polynesians are descendants of "bearded white men" who sailed on primitive rafts from South America , Polynesians are believed to have originated from a branch of the Austronesian migrations in Island Melanesia . The direct ancestors of
1792-420: The flora of Raiatea with cultivation, especially in the fertile coastal areas. Coconut palms, breadfruit trees, taro, yams, cassava, sweet potatoes and various tropical fruits are grown as food crops, including a particularly tasty pineapple. Pineapple and vanilla fruits are exported and grown on small family farms. Significant remnants of the original vegetation have survived in the inaccessible, lush interior of
1856-466: The genetics of modern Polynesians (as well as Islander Melanesians ) occurred after the settlement of Tonga and Vanuatu . A 2020 study found that Polynesians and the Indigenous peoples of South America came in contact around 1200, centuries before Europeans interacted with either group. There are an estimated 2 million ethnic Polynesians and many of partial Polynesian descent worldwide,
1920-409: The incoming Neolithic Austronesian settlers and the preexisting Paleolithic Australo-Melanesian populations of Island Southeast Asia and Melanesia . Studies from 2016 and 2017 also support the idea that the earliest Lapita settlers mostly bypassed New Guinea, coming directly from Taiwan or the northern Philippines . The intermarriage and admixture with Australo-Melanesian Papuans evident in
1984-529: The island "Princesa" and took possession of it for the Spanish Empire. However, the annexation had no political consequences. Although neighboring Tahiti was already under the influence of European powers in the late 18th century and formally came under French protectorate in 1842, the clans of Raiatea fiercely resisted annexation efforts. However, Christian missionaries managed to gain increasing influence, which led to religious wars between followers of
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2048-463: The island is often referred to as the nautical center of Polynesia. There are marinas with good infrastructure in Uturoa and Baie Faaroa to the west. The island is visited by cruise ships from time to time. The somewhat sleepy-looking main town of Uturoa offers no special attractions. For cruise ship tourists, the port's reception terminal was redesigned a few years ago, a small park was laid out and
2112-674: The island was Ohomairangi , who was the protector of the Taputapuatea marae . The Maori tribal identity Ngā Oho was formed among his ancestors. According to traditional histories, two Māori migration canoes , the Tainui and Arawa , left Raiatea for New Zealand in the late 13th Century or early 14th Century. Many Māori can trace their lineage to these canoes, including the Tainui and Te Arawa tribes. Favored by Raiatea's geography , with valleys bounded by rocky ridges and open to
2176-496: The island's highest peak. The northern mass is known as the Temehani Plateau. The plateau generally undulates between 600 and 650 metres elevation, rising higher in places including the plateau's highest peak Tepahu (821 m). Oropiro is the highest peak in the southern mass. The total population was 16,438 inhabitants in the 2002 census, distributed in three communes: Uturoa (the capital), Taputapuatea and Tumara'a. Uturoa
2240-560: The island, although the native plant communities are now threatened by guava bushes, bamboo thickets and other anthropogenic plants. The remaining natural vegetation on the island consists mostly of savanna and evergreen forest, with areas of coastal strand and hillside scrub. Raiatea has more savanna than the other Society islands. Most savanna is dominated by the bright green fern Dicranopteris linearis , which can form dense patches up to two metres high, interspersed with clumps of darker trees. Drier areas, including lower slopes and ridges on
2304-449: The islands of Raiatea and Tahaa which share the same lagoon. The boat trip from Raiatea to Tahaa across the lagoon only takes about 20 minutes. Raiatea's landscape is characterized by rugged peaks, a heavily indented coastline with deeply indented bays, and numerous small, tiny islands located in the lagoon. There are three main mountain masses on the island, connected by lower ridges. The central mass includes Mount Tefatoaiti (1,017 m),
2368-575: The main educational location for secondary schools for students from the regional islands of Bora Bora , Tahaa , Huahine and Maupiti . The Tahitian language name Ra'iātea means bright sky . "Ulitea" is an obsolete transcription commonly used in the 19th century. The extinct Raiatea starling inhabited the island; there is only one drawing of it in the world – in the Natural History Museum , London. The Polynesian navigator Tupaia , who sailed with explorer James Cook ,
2432-487: The main island of Raiatea has no beaches worth mentioning. From the peaks, the highest of which is Toomaru at 1032 m,10 steeply sloping valleys and gorges open out to the sea, separated by narrow rocky ridges. The numerous streams often form spectacular waterfalls. The eastward-flowing Apoomau River rises in the 1017 m high Tefatoatiti,11 and flows into Faaroa Bay. It is the only navigable river in Polynesia and, depending on
2496-600: The missionaries from Raiatea. In 1832, the Mamaia were finally defeated and banished. The missionaries returned and France tried to gain more and more influence. As early as 1842, Rear Admiral Abel Aubert du Petit-Thouars had claimed the Society Islands on behalf of France. However, King Louis Philippe I initially hesitated to sign the annexation announced by Petit-Thouars, fearing conflicts of interest with Britain, which also claimed them. As Queen Pōmare IV of Tahiti
2560-420: The most species of Partula , 33 species in total. Unfortunately, like all of the Society Islands , Euglandina rosea was introduced to the islands, resulting in the extinction of 30 species. The remaining 3 species, P. garrettii , P. hebe , and P. navigatoria are extinct in the wild and would be extinct without human intervention. Politically, Raiatea today belongs to French Polynesia. The island
2624-533: The mountain the next morning, she saw wonderfully fragrant flowers growing everywhere, with five petals reaching out to him like hands. He dug up a plant to plant in the garden in memory of his beloved, but it withered within a few days. One endemic bird was the brown-headed parakeet ( Cyanoramphus ulietanus ). It was discovered by Captain Cook's crew. After an eventful stay in Tahiti, where Captain Cook also witnessed
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2688-589: The names of Hawaii; Savai'i, in Samoa; and Havaiki, the ancient name for Fakarava in the Tuamotu . According to recent findings, the Society Islands were colonised from Samoa and Tonga around 200 BC, about the same time as the Marquesas . Together with the Marquesas, they formed the heart of Polynesia and thus the springboard for the settlement of Hawaii, New Zealand and Mangareva . A major ancestor who lived on
2752-916: The native bamboo Schizostachyum glaucifolium . Understory plants include the fern Angiopteris evecta and coffee ( Coffea arabica ), which was introduced to the islands for cultivation and now forms a dense shrub undergrowth in parts of the forest. The Temehani Plateau is home to a distinctive scrub forest, with shrubs and low trees rising .5 to 1 meter high and occasionally to 2 or 3 meters high. Characteristic plants include Decaspermum lanceolatum [ ceb ; sv ; vi ; war ] (endemic to Raiatea), Pterophylla vescoi , Pandanus tectorius , Metrosideros collina , and species of Canthium , Wikstroemia , Alstonia , Astronia , Glochidion , Styphelia , Bidens , Xylosma , Garnotia , Sphenomeris , Lycopodium , and Cassytha . The grass-like sedges Gahnia schoenoides and Machaerina bidwellii [ ceb ; sv ; vi ; war ] are predominant in
2816-649: The north and northwest sides of the island, are dominated by Miscanthus floridulus , known as aiho or sword grass, a tall coarse bunch grass. The introduced molasses grass ( Melinis minutiflora ) is also common, forming lower gray-green patches among the bunchgrasses. Lowland forests are dominated by mape trees ( Inocarpus fagifer ), which grow up to 25 meters high. Mape trees have large, fluted, and buttressed trunks and dense canopies. The seed pods are roasted and eaten by local people. Other lowland forest trees include Hibiscus tiliaceus , breadfruit ( Artocarpus altilis ), and Cananga odorata , along with stands of
2880-433: The north of the island, which is also the administrative and economic center of the Leeward Islands. The island economy is mainly agricultural with exports of vanilla , pineapple and coconut. The plant Nono (or noni ) ( Morinda citrifolia ) is also grown. Fa'aroa Valley is a large and important agricultural region with the rural economy and the cultivation of vanilla supported by a local research facility. Pearl farming
2944-463: The present day. Polynesians, including Samoans , Tongans , Niueans , Cook Islands Māori , Tahitian Mā'ohi , Hawaiian Māoli , Marquesans , and New Zealand Māori , are a subset of the Austronesian peoples . They share the same origins as the indigenous peoples of Taiwan , Maritime Southeast Asia , Micronesia , and Madagascar . This is supported by genetic , linguistic and archaeological evidence. There are multiple hypotheses regarding
3008-461: The remains of dwellings and stone tool workshops. The ceremonial site at Tainuu, on the northwest coast, is also well preserved. In addition to the imposing coral rock slabs with which the marae were delimited, petroglyphs are also preserved here. On this site, sacred to the Polynesians, missionaries built a church in the 19th century. An interesting destination for divers is the wreck of the Nordby,
3072-406: The result of genetic drift and represent the descendants of a few Austronesian females who mixed with Papuan males. The Polynesian population experienced a founder effect and genetic drift due to the small number of ancestors. As a result of the founder effect, Polynesians are distinctively different both genotypically and phenotypically from the parent population, due to the establishment of
3136-426: The sea, nine independent tribal principalities emerged, which in turn subdivided into individual clans. This led to a strictly stratified social pattern: Society was divided into several separate social levels. At the top were the ariki or ari'i, the noble chiefs whose claim to leadership was legitimized by their descent from the founding ancestors. They were landowners and undisputed political and religious leaders. In
3200-533: The southeast coast is the historical Taputapuatea marae , which was established by 1000 CE. The site was the political and religious center of eastern Polynesia for several centuries, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017 for its historical significance. The main township on Raʻiātea is Uturoa , the administrative centre for the Leeward Islands (French Îles Sous-le-vent ). There are also colleges which serve as
3264-603: The traditional and Christian faiths. With the support of the Europeans, King Pōmare II was able to declare himself sovereign of the entire archipelago. On November 12, 1815, Pōmare's adversaries, the followers of the old faith, were decisively defeated at the Battle of Feipi. In 1828, the Marae Taputapuatea was destroyed. In 1831, the Mamaia sect, successor to the already banned Arioi, again succeeded in expelling
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#17327911080893328-439: The tropical sea. The waters surrounding Raiatea and Tahaa are known for their rich population of colorful nudibranchs . The reefs are dotted with grottoes and caves that provide shelter for many marine creatures. Among divers, the "octopus grotto", located between Raiatea and Tahaa, is well known. Behind the reef are sharks, rays, swordfish and sea turtles. Raiatea was known as the "center of Partula biodiversity" due to having
3392-408: The tropics, intense and of short duration. The (winter) months of August and September are quite dry. The vegetation of French Polynesia is characterized by two peculiarities: a high proportion of endemic plants and a relative scarcity of species. The isolated location of the islands and the fact that they have never been connected to a continental landmass explain the high number of endemic plants. In
3456-460: The ultimate origin and mode of dispersal of the Austronesian peoples , but the most widely accepted theory is that modern Austronesians originated from migrations out of Taiwan between 3000 and 1000 BC. Using relatively advanced maritime innovations such as the catamaran , outrigger boats , and crab claw sails , they rapidly colonized the islands of both the Indian and Pacific oceans. They were
3520-508: The understory and in open areas. Tiare apetahi ( Sclerotheca raiateensis ) is a shrub known only from the Temehani Plateau. It is known for its large fragrant flowers. The plant has been over-collected and attacked by introduced rats, and is now critically endangered . The following legend is associated with the fragrant yellowish-white tiare apetahi flower: A princess who died in the arms of her beloved promised to hold his hand tenderly every time she climbed Mount Temehani. When she climbed
3584-420: The water level, can be traveled a few kilometers in small boats. Cultivated land and settlements are found in a narrow coastal strip; the interior of Raiatea is largely uninhabited. The climate is tropical and humid. The average annual temperature is 26 °C, with negligible differences between months. The average annual rainfall is about 1800 mm. The rainiest month is December, but the rains are, as usual in
3648-491: The way of life of this parakeet. During his time at Raiatea, Cook had the ships Resolution and Discovery brought ashore for urgent maintenance work. It is possible that this time was sufficient for rats, cockroaches and other vermin to wash ashore, and it appears that it was they that sealed the brown-headed parakeet's demise. Mammals did not originally exist on the Society Islands; they were all introduced by humans. The early Polynesian settlers brought dogs, pigs, chickens and
3712-533: The western Polynesian islands of Fiji , Samoa , and Tonga by around 900 BC. This remained the furthest extent of the Austronesian expansion in the Pacific for approximately 1,500 years, during which the Lapita culture in these islands abruptly lost the technology of pottery-making for unknown reasons. They resumed their eastward migrations around 700 AD, spreading to the Cook Islands , French Polynesia , and
3776-470: Was born in Raiatea around 1725. Cook visited Raiatea in 1769 and again in 1773–1774. He named the island "Ulitea". Omai (c.1751–1780), another young man from Raiatea, travelled with European explorers to London in 1774 and also served as an interpreter to Captain Cook on his second and third journeys. In ancient times the island was called Havai'i, a sacred name in Polynesian culture and related to
3840-482: Was formally annexed by France on April 21 1888. However, rebellions continued to occur in Raiatea. In 1888, the tribal chief Teraupo'o entrenched himself in the Avera Valley on the east coast and resisted French intervention. It was only in 1897 that he fell into captivity and was exiled to New Caledonia . 190 of his followers were forcibly relocated with their families to the island of Ua Huka. King Tamatoa VI
3904-513: Was pro-British and more attached to the Protestant missionaries, she allowed herself to be taken to Raiatea in this ambiguous situation in 1844 and ruled from there until 1847. In 1880, France proclaimed a provisional protectorate over Raiatea and Tahaa . In 1887, at the request of European traders, the French bombarded the island, before occupying it and deposed its government. The island
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#17327911080893968-683: Was remodeled in the early 2000s, allowing cruise ships such as the Tahitian Princess, the Gauguin, the Amsterdam and the World to make weekly calls during the tourist season. Raiatea is the administrative capital of the Leeward Islands and the residence of the state administrator. There is a hospital, a general secondary school (called LUT, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in May 2021) and
4032-533: Was respected in all the islands and achieved, only with its presence and its taboo character, a truce in the tribal wars. Raiatea was discovered for Europe by British explorer James Cook on 20 July 1769 during his first voyage . Coming from Tahiti , he sailed onboard HMS Endeavour through the Avamo'a Reef passage, sacred to the Polynesians, anchored in Opoa Bay and landed near the Marae Taputapuatea. He hoisted
4096-454: Was the last monarch, reigning over Raiatea and Tahaa from 1884 to 1888. With a total area of 175 km , it is the second largest island of the Society archipelago , after Tahiti. Tahaa lies north of Raiatea, the two islands are separated by a 3 km strait. According to legend, it is the work of an enchanted moray eel possessed by the spirit of a deceased princess. A coral barrier reef surrounds
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