Area: 106 km2
Location: North-east of French Polynesia, Marquesas archipelago
Number of inhabitants:
Yearly: 2,400
Seasonal: no information available
Number of visitors:
Tourists: 3,000 to 4,000 per year
Users: 1,000 Marquesans for Marquesas Art Festival
Protected island: partly
Marine protection status: educational Marine Protected Area in Hakahetau
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Ua Pou is the third largest island in the Marquesas archipelago after Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa. This mountainous island presents a rich biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial. The island is composed of several villages, including Hakahau, the largest, home to more than half of the island’s population. The islanders have a strong cultural identity, valued, among other things, by the Marquesas Art Festival.
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION
Ua Pou is mountainous and steep. A mountainous ridge of basalt peaks crosses the island, overlooked by four famous peaks, the highest of which is Mount Oave, at 1,200m altitude. On each side are ridges with vertiginous walls.
The western part of the island has narrow valleys and narrow bays. The more open eastern half of the island is made up of wider valleys and deep bays.
The mainly rocky coastline is bordered by islets that make access by sea relatively difficult.
SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTEXT
A strong Marquesan culture is highly valued on the Ua Pou Island by its inhabitants. A specific language is spoken there, registered in the Academy of Marquesan Languages. Ua Pou has several traditional dances, including the haka and the bird dance. The most famous traditional arts, and even all over the world, are undoubtedly sculpture and tattoos.
Every two years the Marquesas Art Festival is held, in which Ua Pou occupies an important place.
Ua Pou Island has high unemployment rates, especially among young people.
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
Handicrafts are one of the main activities of the island: wood carving, flowery stone, bone, making pearl and shell necklaces, sewing, basketwork, tattooing … 40 artisans have come together in a federation and exhibit in a municipal craft center.
There are about fifteen fishermen, whose activity is extensive, non-exported and diversified (tuna, lobsters, bonito …). A cooperative of seven professional fishermen has emerged and has enabled the purchase of new equipment.
About 50 farmers own small farms. They produce honey, fruits (and few vegetables), noni, processed products (jams, ginger syrup, chutney …) and have some breeding. Ua Pou exports around 230 tons of fruit per year.
Tourism amounts to about a hundred tourists once or twice a month. This economic sector is not a priority source of income.
