Haʻapai is a group of islands, islets, reefs, and shoals in the central part of Tonga. It has a combined land area of 109.30 square kilometres (42.20 sq mi). The Tongatapu island group lies to its south, and the Vavaʻu group lies to its north. Seventeen of the Haʻapai islands are inhabited. Their combined population is 5,419. The highest point in the Ha‘apai group, and in all of Tonga, is on Kao, which rises almost 1,050 metres (3,440 ft) above sea level.
Haʻapai comprises 51 islands that lie directly west of the Tonga Trench. They constitute a chain of both volcanic and coral islands, including Kao, the highest point in the kingdom, which stands 1,046 metres (3,432 ft) high. Farther to the east are the coral islands, which are inhabited. The Haʻapai archipelago lies 204 kilometres (127 mi) north of Tongatapu and 130 kilometres (81 mi) south of Vavaʻu. Seventeen of the islands are inhabited, including the main islands of Lifuka and Foa. The two main villages in the archipelago are Pangai on Lifuka (where Salote Pilolevu Airport is located) and Ha'ano. A total of 6125 people live on the Ha'apai islands (Census 2016[2]).
All of the larger islands of Haʻapai are in the eastern Lifuka group. The two largest islands are Lifuka and Foa which in 2016 had recorded populations of 2,205 and 1,392 people respectively. The next largest are Nomuka and Haʻano, which have four villages, with a combined population of 910. To the south of these islands is ʻUiha, which has two villages with a combined population of 695. ʻUiha is also the site of ancient burial grounds and an ancient monument.
The large islands of Tofua (an active volcano) and Kao (a dormant volcano) are in the far west. The islands of the Kotu group, locally known as Lulunga, are in the southwest of the archipelago. The islands of the Nomuka group, locally known as ʻOtu Muʻomuʻa, are farther south. The Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai volcano is located in the southwest of Haʻapai.
Humpback whales migrate to the area during their “wintering” seasons.[3]
History
Downtown Pangai, Lifuka Island
Traces of ancient settlements of the Lapita culture, dating from around 1500 BC, have been found at sites within the Haʻapai island group.
The first European to visit Haʻapai was Abel Tasman, in 1643. Captain James Cook made several stops on some of the islands in the group in 1774 and 1777. He gave them the name of the Friendly Islands in 1777.
On 18 May 1777, when Cook arrived on one of the islands, accompanied by Omai, they were greeted by Fatafehi Paulaho, the Tu'i Tonga (meaning 'King of the Isles'), who was the most venerated of any chief on the islands.[4]
On 28 April 1789, the Haʻapai island group was one of the sites involved in the famous Mutiny on the Bounty: Captain William Bligh visited the volcanic island of Tofua shortly after his crew set him adrift following their mutiny.
In 1806, William Mariner arrived on one of the islands, aboard the Port-au-Prince. The crew of this ship was killed by Tongan warriors. Mariner survived, and lived for four years on one of the islands before he was found by a passing English ship and was able to return to England.
In 1840, the US Exploring Expedition visited one of the islands and met with George (Taufa'ahau), the chief of Ha'apai.[5]
haʻapai, group, islands, islets, reefs, shoals, central, part, tonga, combined, land, area, square, kilometres, tongatapu, island, group, lies, south, vavaʻu, group, lies, north, seventeen, islands, inhabited, their, combined, population, highest, point, apai,. Haʻapai is a group of islands islets reefs and shoals in the central part of Tonga It has a combined land area of 109 30 square kilometres 42 20 sq mi The Tongatapu island group lies to its south and the Vavaʻu group lies to its north Seventeen of the Haʻapai islands are inhabited Their combined population is 5 419 The highest point in the Ha apai group and in all of Tonga is on Kao which rises almost 1 050 metres 3 440 ft above sea level HaʻapaiMap of HaʻapaiGeographyLocationPacific OceanCoordinates20 0 S 174 40 W 20 000 S 174 667 W 20 000 174 667ArchipelagoTonga IslandsTotal islands51Major islands17Area109 30 km2 42 20 sq mi Highest elevation1 046 m 3432 ft Highest pointKaoAdministrationTongaLargest settlementPangai Lifuka IslandDemographicsPopulation5 419 1 2021 Pop density60 53 km2 156 77 sq mi Ethnic groupsTongan majority European Chinese other Pacific IslandersLocation of Haʻapai District in Tonga The administrative capital village of Haʻapai District is Pangai which is located on Lifuka Contents 1 Geography 2 History 3 Governors 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksGeography Edit Lifuka Island capital of Haʻapai Haʻapai comprises 51 islands that lie directly west of the Tonga Trench They constitute a chain of both volcanic and coral islands including Kao the highest point in the kingdom which stands 1 046 metres 3 432 ft high Farther to the east are the coral islands which are inhabited The Haʻapai archipelago lies 204 kilometres 127 mi north of Tongatapu and 130 kilometres 81 mi south of Vavaʻu Seventeen of the islands are inhabited including the main islands of Lifuka and Foa The two main villages in the archipelago are Pangai on Lifuka where Salote Pilolevu Airport is located and Ha ano A total of 6125 people live on the Ha apai islands Census 2016 2 All of the larger islands of Haʻapai are in the eastern Lifuka group The two largest islands are Lifuka and Foa which in 2016 had recorded populations of 2 205 and 1 392 people respectively The next largest are Nomuka and Haʻano which have four villages with a combined population of 910 To the south of these islands is ʻUiha which has two villages with a combined population of 695 ʻUiha is also the site of ancient burial grounds and an ancient monument The large islands of Tofua an active volcano and Kao a dormant volcano are in the far west The islands of the Kotu group locally known as Lulunga are in the southwest of the archipelago The islands of the Nomuka group locally known as ʻOtu Muʻomuʻa are farther south The Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha apai volcano is located in the southwest of Haʻapai Humpback whales migrate to the area during their wintering seasons 3 History Edit Downtown Pangai Lifuka Island Traces of ancient settlements of the Lapita culture dating from around 1500 BC have been found at sites within the Haʻapai island group The first European to visit Haʻapai was Abel Tasman in 1643 Captain James Cook made several stops on some of the islands in the group in 1774 and 1777 He gave them the name of the Friendly Islands in 1777 On 18 May 1777 when Cook arrived on one of the islands accompanied by Omai they were greeted by Fatafehi Paulaho the Tu i Tonga meaning King of the Isles who was the most venerated of any chief on the islands 4 On 28 April 1789 the Haʻapai island group was one of the sites involved in the famous Mutiny on the Bounty Captain William Bligh visited the volcanic island of Tofua shortly after his crew set him adrift following their mutiny In 1806 William Mariner arrived on one of the islands aboard the Port au Prince The crew of this ship was killed by Tongan warriors Mariner survived and lived for four years on one of the islands before he was found by a passing English ship and was able to return to England In 1840 the US Exploring Expedition visited one of the islands and met with George Taufa ahau the chief of Ha apai 5 Historical populationYearPop 197610 792 19868 919 17 4 19968 138 8 8 20067 570 7 0 20116 616 12 6 20166 125 7 4 20215 419 11 5 Sources 6 7 1 Governors EditHavea Tu iha angana Moʻale Finau appointed February 2015 8 Tevita Mohenoa Puloka appointed 26 June 2018 9 Viliami Hingano appointed 25 January 2021 10 Pita Faiva Taufatofua appointed 28 December 2021 11 See also Edit2006 Tonga earthquake 2022 Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha apai eruption and tsunami List of islands and towns in TongaReferences Edit a b Tonga s population drops to 100 209 Matangi Tonga 24 December 2021 Archived from the original on 24 December 2021 Retrieved 24 December 2021 Population and Housing Census Tonga Statistics Department Amarula Sail 2016 The last place on earth you would expect to find a vet Retrieved on April 05 2017 Salmond Anne 2010 Aphrodite s Island Berkeley University of California Press pp 408 412 ISBN 9780520261143 Stanton William 1975 The Great United States Exploring Expedition Berkeley University of California Press pp 187 ISBN 0520025571 1996 Tonga Census Administrative Report Tonga Department of Statistics p xii Retrieved 30 December 2021 Census Tonga Statistics Department Retrieved 30 December 2021 Commoner becomes governor of Tonga s Ha apai Radio New Zealand International 9 February 2015 Retrieved 9 February 2015 King officially appoints MP Ma asi as Minister Dr Puloka as Ha apai governor Kaniva Tonga 26 June 2018 Retrieved 9 January 2022 King confirms key government appointments Fangongo 25 January 2021 Retrieved 9 January 2022 PM names new government Matangi Tonga 29 December 2021 Archived from the original on 29 December 2021 Retrieved 29 December 2021 External links Edit Ha apai travel guide from WikivoyageCoordinates 19 45 S 174 22 W 19 750 S 174 367 W 19 750 174 367 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Haʻapai amp oldid 1144145799, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
