Tahitoe Hihipo

Tahitoe (c. 1770–1826), also known as Hihipo, Hihipa, or Hiaiai, was a distinguished chief of Ra'iātea and a notable member of the Tamatoa royal lineage. He is recognized as the founding ancestor of the Tahitoe lineage. During a time of profound change in the history of the Society Islands, shaped by the rise of Christianity and evolving political frameworks, he held an influential position in the island's governance, spiritual life, and ceremonial traditions.

Tahitoe, Hihipo
Chief of Ra'iātea
Tenure	c. 1890 – 1826
Successor	Tahitoe
Born	c. 1770 Ra'iātea
Died	1826 Ra'iātea
Spouse	Ari'ihi also known as Teopua
Issue	Tahitoe
Father	U'uru
Mother	Rereao

Family

Missionaries Daniel Tyerman and George Bennet identified Tahitoe as a brother of Tamatoa III. He had two additional brothers: Faita, also known as Pehupehu, and Pahi.^[1] In 1809, a fourth brother, Mateha, was previously identified by John Davies.^[2] The latter refers to Tahitoe as Hiaiai or Hinioi brother of Tamatoa.^[3][4] Tahitoe's father, U'uru, held the title of principal chief, or ari'i rahi, by hereditary right over the district of Opoa, located at the southeastern point of Ra'iātea. This island had been conquered prior to 1769, and U'uru governed it under the suzerainty of Puni when James Cook first encountered him in 1773. Puni left the vanquished sovereign in possession of his lands, assuming control exclusively over the governance.^[5][6][7][8] Mateha, Tamatoa, and Tahitoe Hihipa were born to U'uru's second wife, Rereao.^[9] According to Teuira Henry's writings, Tahitoe was also known by the name Hihipa.^[10] However, his descendants bear the surname Tehihipo.^[11] Mare confirmed in 1845 that his brother Mateha was also called Hihipo.^[12][13][14] Tahitoe and his wife Ari'ihi had a son named Tahitoe, who was twelve years old in 1822.^[15][11] Historian Caillot identifies Tahitoe's wife as Teopua.^[16] At the beginning of the twentieth century, numerous lands in Ra'iātea were claimed by the heirs of Tamatoa, Tahitoe, and Pehupenu, whose lineages had not become extinct.^[4]

The expeditionary force of the Leeward Islands

Tahitoe was among the contingent of chiefs and warriors from the Leeward Islands who joined Eimeo during the latter half of 1810 to support the restoration of Pōmare II to his territories in Tahiti. The combined arrival of approximately 750 warriors substantially reinforced Pōmare II's forces and played a decisive role in reestablishing peace across the region.^[17][18][19]

Worshipper of God

John Davies reported the presence of Tahitoe in Papetoai in 1814, noting that he was accompanied by his wife Ari'ihi, also known as Teopua, his brother Tamatoa, and Tamatoa's wife Apere, also known as Turaiari'i Ehevahine. They followed the teachings of the missionaries and became adherents of the Christian faith, known as Pure Atua in the local context.^[20][21][11]

Reception of Pomare II in Ra'iātea

In September 1814, Tahitoe and Tamatoa welcomed Pōmare II to Ra'iātea following his arrival in the Leeward Islands aboard the brig Matilda, having drifted from Mo'orea. He was received with the highest honors, in keeping with the enduring customs of hospitality practiced throughout the islands.^{[22][23][24][25][26][9][27]}

Coronation of Pomare III

On 21 April 1824, Tahitoe and his brother Tamatoa attended the coronation of the young King Pōmare III, signifying their involvement in a major political and ceremonial occasion within the historical context of the Society Islands.^[28][29][11]

Death

In May 1827, John Williams, writing to Daniel Tyerman, reported that Tahitoe had died during an epidemic that afflicted the Society Islands.^[30] In a separate letter dated 16 January 1827 and published in the newspaper The Australian, a witness described the epidemic as a severe and pestilential disease. It was noted that twenty individuals sought medicine from John Williams within the span of one or two hours, and on the Sunday preceding the letter, Williams and Charles Pitman performed bloodletting on thirty people, which was reportedly the only measure that saved them. The illness caused the blood to thicken within hours of onset, beginning with pain in the head and limbs, leading to stagnation and immediate death.^[31] It is therefore probable that Tahitoe died toward the end of 1826.^[32]

v t e Raiatea family tree
Tamatoa I (or II) Bora Bora family Ari'ima'o Rofa'i Puni Ariʻi Rahi of Bora Bora, Raiatea and Taha'a Pōmare Dynasty of Tahiti Mau'a Tamatoa II (or III) Teu Ariʻi of Pare-Arue Ariʻi of the Porionuʻu Tetupaia i Hauiri Mato Vete'ara'i 'U'uru Ariʻi rahi of Opoa Pōmare I King of Tahiti Tura'iari'i Ehevahine Tamatoa III (or IV) Ari'i Rahi of Raiatea Hihipa Tahitoe Tapoa I Ariʻi Rahi of Bora Bora, Raiatea and Taha'a Pōmare II King of Tahiti Teriʻitoʻoterai Teremoemoe Teriitaria II Queen of Huahine Teihotu Ta'avea Moeore, Tamatoa IV King of Raiatea Tahitoe King of Raiatea Tapoa II King of Bora Bora and Taha'a Pōmare IV Queen of Tahiti Ari'ifa'aite Ariimate Teururai King of Huahine Tehaapapa II Queen of Huahine Tehauroa Queen of Raiatea Tuarii Queen of Raiatea Pōmare V King of Tahiti Teri'imaevarua II Queen of Bora Bora Tamatoa V King of Raiatea Moe a Ma'i Tamatoa VI King of Raiatea Princess Teriiourumaona Tahitian Heir as Pōmare VI Princess Teriivaetua Teri'imaevarua III Queen of Bora Bora Princess Teriinavahoroa Princess 'Aimata Prince Tamatoa
Notes: The numbering of the Tamatoa varies. An ancestor of the Tamatoa line named Fa'aniti is often counted as "Tamatoa I" and Moeore is sometime not considered Tamatoa IV.[33] References Cadousteau, Mai-Arii (1987). "CHAPITRE VIII: AHU'URA FILLE DU ROI MAI III". Bulletin de la Société des Études Océaniennes. 20 (239–240). Papeete: Société des Études Océaniennes: 45–50. OCLC 9510786. Henry, Teuira; Orsmond, John Muggridge (1928). Ancient Tahiti. Vol. 48. Honolulu: Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. pp. 247–272. OCLC 3049679. Newbury, Colin W.; Darling, Adam J. (December 1967). "Te Hau Pahu Rahi: Pomare II and the Concept of Interisland Government in Eastern Polynesia". The Journal of the Polynesian Society. 76 (4). Wellington: The Polynesian Society: 477–514. JSTOR 20704508. OCLC 6015244633. Orsmond, John Muggridge; Smith, S. Percy (March 1893). "The Genealogy of the Pomare Family of Tahiti, from the Papers of the Rev. J. M. Orsmond. With Notes Thereon by S. Percy Smith". The Journal of the Polynesian Society. 2 (1). Wellington: The Polynesian Society: 25–43. JSTOR 20701269. OCLC 5544732839. Teissier, Raoul (1978). "Chefs et notables des Établissements Français de l'Océanie au temps du protectorat: 1842–1850". Bulletin de la Société des Études Océaniennes, Issue 202. Papeete: Société des Études Océaniennes. OCLC 9510786.

v t e Huahine family tree
Tamatoa I (or II) Rofa'i Ari'ima'o Tamatoa Dynasty of Raiatea Mau'a Rohianu'u Tehaapapa I Queen of Huahine and Mai'ao Mato Tetuaveroa Teriitaria I King of Huahine and Mai'ao Tenani'a King of Huahine and Mai'ao Pōmare Dynasty of Tahiti Tamatoa III, King of Raiatea and Taha'a Tura'iari'i Ehevahine Mahine Tehei'ura King of Huahine and Mai'ao Tao'a Pōmare II King of Tahiti Teriʻitoʻoterai Teremoemoe Teriitaria II Queen of Huahine and Mai'ao Moeore, Tamatoa IV King of Raiatea and Taha'a Ta'aroari'i Tematafainuu Pōmare IV Queen of Tahiti Pōmare III King of Tahiti Tehaapapa II Queen of Huahine and Mai'ao Ariimate Teururai King of Huahine and Mai'ao Ma'ihara Temari'i Tamatoa V King of Raiatea Pōmare V King of Tahiti Teuhe Queen of Huahine Tetuamarama Marama Teururai Prince-Regent of Huahine Tamatoa VI King of Raiatea and Taha'a Teriitevaearai a Mai from the Mai family of Bora Bora Tehaapapa III Queen of Huahine
Notes: Descending dotted lines denote adoptions. References Henry, Teuira; Orsmond, John Muggridge (1928). Ancient Tahiti. Vol. 48. Honolulu: Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. pp. 247–272. OCLC 3049679. Newbury, Colin W.; Darling, Adam J. (December 1967). "Te Hau Pahu Rahi: Pomare II and the Concept of Interisland Government in Eastern Polynesia". The Journal of the Polynesian Society. 76 (4). Wellington: The Polynesian Society: 477–514. JSTOR 20704508. OCLC 6015244633. Teissier, Raoul (1978). "Chefs et notables des Établissements Français de l'Océanie au temps du protectorat: 1842–1850". Bulletin de la Société des Études Océaniennes, Issue 202. Papeete: Société des Études Océaniennes. OCLC 9510786.

See also

• Kingdom of Raiatea
• List of monarchs of Raiatea