Tehaapapa I facts for kids

Tehaʻapapa I (born around 1735, died 1790) was a powerful queen of the island of Huahine. A "Queen regnant" is a queen who rules in her own right, not just as the wife of a king. She was the leader of Huahine when the famous explorer Captain Cook visited the island. She is also an ancestor of another queen named Teha'apapa II.

Life as Queen

Tehaʻapapa I was born in 1735. She became the queen of Huahine in 1760. She had two husbands, both chiefs from the island of Raiatea. Their names were Rohianuʻu and Mato Teriʻi-te Po Areʻi. They were brothers.

Queen Tehaʻapapa I had a son named Teriʻitaria I. His father was Mato. When Tehaʻapapa I passed away in 1790, her son Teriʻitaria I became the next ruler of Huahine.

She also had a daughter, Tura'iari'i Ehevahine. Her daughter later became a queen in Raiatea. Tehaʻapapa I's grandchildren included King Tamatoa IV and Queen Teriitaria II.

Important Visitors to Huahine

In 1808, some English missionaries arrived on Huahine. They had left Tahiti because of problems there. One missionary, John Davies, wrote about his time on the island. The missionaries were welcomed by important chiefs.

In 1810, an American ship called the Hope visited Huahine. The ship was led by Captain Chase. At that time, Tapoa I, a chief from Bora Bora and Raiatea, was also on Huahine. He had many warriors with him.

Chief Tapoa I suggested a plan to the old queen who was leading the government. He wanted to capture Captain Chase's ship. However, the old queen refused this idea. She thought it was a bad plan. She then told the younger queen about Tapoa I's suggestion. The younger queen also refused to go along with the plan.

This act of kindness saved Captain Chase and his ship from an attack. The young queen was Teriitaria II, and the old queen who made the wise decision was Tehaʻapapa I.

Family Connections

See also

• Kingdom of Huahine
• List of monarchs of Huahine