ua huka.

"A crescent shaped island situated 22 miles east of Nuku Hiva and 35 miles northeast of Ua Pou, Ua Huka is the smallest of the northern Marquesan group and home to 539 inhabitants. A vast plateau spreads out at the base of Mount Hitikau, with an arid, desert like topo scrub brush.

The population lives mainly horse breeding in the highlands, because there are more horses on the island than people. Wild horses roam the tablelands and herds of goats graze around and on the small airstrip. Wild cotton and fragrant herbs cover the hills of the southern coast and offshore islets are home to thousands of sea birds. The coast off Haavei is rich in sea life, filled with sharks, dolphins, manta ray, big turtles, lobster and a variety of fish.

The oldest archaeological site so far discovered in the Marquesas is at Haíatuatua in Hane, which was settled between 254-300 A.D.

A second archeological site of Vaikki permits each visitor to admire ancient petroglyphs. A small museum of Marquesan artifacts is found in Vaipaee, a second museum in Hane and the fern-covered valleys conceal ruins from the seven tribes who formerly inhabited Ua Huka."

credit: pacificislandtravel.com, thetahititraveler.com, tahiti.carnet-de-voyages.net