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Huahine (Leeward Islands, French Polynesia)

Matairea

History and geography of Huahine
Huahine, XIXth century

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History and geography of Huahine

Quoting the website of the Presidency of French Polynesia:

Huahine is the easternmost island of the Leeward Islands. It is located at 151ºW and 16º45'S south. Huahine is made up of two mountainous islands separated by Maroe Bay and Port-Bouraigne Bay. The two islands are Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti, which cover a combined area of 74 square kilometers. Both were formed by an ancient volcano whose center collapsed, allowing the ocean to enter. The edges of the remaining volcanic cone create a chain of peaks, the highest of which are Mt. Turi, with a height of 669 meters, and Mt. Puhuerei, with a height of 456 meters. Many radial valleys have been formed by intense erosion of both islands. Several small volcanic domes complicate the island's relief. They are like outpourings of trachytic lava that traversed the mountain and ended up in the many faults. Mt. Moua Tapu, Mt. Paeo and Mt. Vaihi, which have formed an isthmus and the Tiva peninsula. Bordering Huahine's north and east coasts are big coral motu that hem in the inlet from the sea at Maeva.

According to Dr. Yoshihiko Sinoto of Hawaii, the oldest populated sites date back to 850-1100 AD. The island has a wealth of remains of dwellings and marae. Huahine has some 280 archeological structures that have survived natural and anthropic destruction. These include remains of dwellings, horticultural developments, religious and ceremonial monuments.
According to legend, eight chiefdoms were created by Princess Hutuhiva, who had fled to Huahine from Raiatea hidden in a musical drum. T