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RAIATEA
Calling Code: +689
Raiatea, the largest of the Leeward Islands, was of seminal importance
to Polynesian culture as a religious and cultural center. This was chiefly because
the island was home to Marae Taputapuatea, the largest and most significant shrine
in eastern Polynesia. Polynesians from as far away as New Zealand came to worship
at the temple and tradition has it that any new temple constructed on neighboring
islands had to include a stone from Taputapuatea. In addition, scientists have
unearthed evidence pinpointing Raiatea as a jumping off point for the ancient
Polynesian mariners who populated other islands.
It was at Taputapuatea that Caption Cook first had a glimpse of Polynesian navigation
acumen. In front of a marae dedicated to navigation, a local named Tupai
drew a map of the neighbor islands in the dirt for the English explorer's benefit
and gave him a discourse on navigational theory. Amazingly, Tupai knew the navigational
specifics without having ever left Raiatea.
With an area of 105 square miles (170sqkm), the highest point on Raiatea is 3335ft (1017m) Mount Tefatua. The island is totally
surrounded by a reef, with several navigable passes. There are about 10,000 residents on the island which sits 122 miles (192km)
northwest of Papeete and 25 miles (40km) west of Huahine.
Raiatea has the only navigable river in French Polynesia - the Faaroa. Considered the original source of migration by the Maori
(or Maohi, as the Tahitians call themselves) to the far reaches of Polynesia - Hawaii and New Zealand - the Faaroa has great
historical significance to the Polynesians.
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