Huahine is an island forming part of the leeward islands in the Society Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is indeed a strategic point, midway of all the Society islands. Fare is the chief town of the municipality.
It is situated 175 KM away from Tahiti by 151 degrees west longitude and 16 ° 30 south latitude.
The island has an area of 74 sq km and is composed of two mountain ranges, Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti, separated by Maroe Bay and Port Bourayne.
It is on Huahine Nui is FARE, the capital of this island. Huahine Iti has only one volcano, whose summit, Pohu Rahi, reaches 462 m. Higher, Huahine Nui rises to 669 m with Turi Mount.
In the village of Maeva, we find one of the largest concentrations Maohi's remains with Fare pote'e and Marae, most of which are located on the shores of Lake Fauna Nui, as the ancient fish traps along lake. In the village of Faie, the presence of sacred eels with blue eyes, jealously guarded by the villagers, make it a visited place by many tourists.
Fitii or Ha'avai, another village where there is a particular curiosity, the imprint of the Hiro dog's paw, before the old cross-country road.
Maroe is a small community composed mainly of farmers, they are major producers of taro. Parea has beautiful white sand beaches, and on the tip of Tiva, facing the pass Ara'ara, is located the Marae Anini.
3 Great Personalities of Huahine:
Bobby Holcomb: would have turned 62 today if a long illness had not won Friday, February 15, 1991 at Huahine. Nineteen years after his death, the mention of his name alone is synonymous with a unique style of music and painting Polynesian 80s. Bobby was then the symbol of a genuine cultural revival and since his paintings and his songs came on the ground floor in the Polynesian heritage. Bobby arrived in Tahiti in 1976 and quickly decided to settle in the village of Maeva on Huahine. His musical success is based on two foundations: the success of having been able to "mix" music "Reggae" with Tahitian melodies, and having learned reo Ma'ohi as the Tahitian language was beginning to be called . But the other facet of fantastic gifts Bobby was his painting, so original and so carrying a great sensitivity. The miracle was that the pictures of this Hawaiian immigrated, mad of Tahiti, became the only source of illustrations for the many gorgeous Tahitian legends.
Henri Hiro: Born in MOOREA, January 1, 1944, he was raised in Punaauia by parents who knew only Tahitian. Henry hiro learned everything in his language. Later, he studied at the Faculty pastoral Free Reformed Church in Montpellier. He has a degree in theology. Back in Tahiti, he was appointed director of "House of Youth and Culture House of Tipaerui" which he directed until 1980. Then he became head of the Department of Research and Creation of Office Region Cultural Action, until 1985. There, he fought for cultural renewal of Polynesia. During these years very fertile, it asserts as a director in film, director and actor in the theater. He translated novels from French into Reo Ma'ohi and made theatrical adaptations. For him, the Polynesian community life, is based on hospitality, "HAERE MAI".
Pouvanaa A Oopa: was born in 1895 in Huahine. He participated in the First World War. In 1940, he was one of the architects of rallying to free France, but soon he opposes the administration he accuses of not respecting the rights of indigenous peoples. He continues his fight and was elected in 1949. Became vice president of government, he advocates the "no" to referendum organized by General de Gaulle 28 September 1958. POUVANAA was arrested and sentenced to prison and 15 years of exile. He was pardoned in 1967, returned to Tahiti and became senator from 1971 until his death in 1977. The Polynesians have dubbed "TE METUA", that is to say, the spiritual father of the nation Tahiti.
