Ua Huka

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ʻUa Huka
Country	France French Polynesia
Archipelago	Marquesas Islands
Region	South Pacific Ocean
Area	32.05 sq.mi. 83 km²
Coastline	- km
Highest elevation	Hitikau 2,812 ft. 857 m
Population  - Density	584 ppl. (2002) 18.22 ppl./sq.mi. 7.04 ppl./km²

Ua Huka (Marq.: ‘uahuka) is one of the Marquesas Islands, situated in the northern group of the archipelago, approximately 25 mi. (42 km) to the east of Nuku Hiva, at 8°54′S 139°33′W.

The island is shaped approximately like a crescent, with its concave edge facing the south. The land area is approximately 32 sq. mi. (83.4 km²). The center of the island is a high plateau, deeply indented in places by narrow river valleys. The highest peak, Hitikau reaches an elevation of 2,812 ft. (857 m). Much of the island's native plant cover, which outside the valleys consists primarily of dry-land scrub, has been devastated by herds of feral goats and horses, which are estimated to number upwards of 3,000.

The 1996 census showed a population of 571 inhabitants, residing primarily in three villages: Vai Paee, Hane, and Hokatu.

Although the primary economic activity remains the production of copra, Ua Huka has rich resources for tourism, including restorations of various archæological sites, museums displaying the former glory of Marquesan civilization, and the preservation of the island's unique flora. Among the archæological remains are ancient petroglyphs. The Pupuakeiha Arboretum consists of 42 acres (17 ha) planted with over 300 species of trees. It is hoped that one day this wealth of species will be able to be used to reforest the island. On the western end of the island are found a number of sea-caves.

Ua Huka is sometimes also found spelled Roohka or Ua Huna. The first Western navigator to sight the island was U.S. Navy Capt. Joseph Ingraham in 1791. He named the island "Washington Island" in honor of U. S. President George Washington, a name which was eventually extended to include all of the northern group of the Marquesas Islands. Other names for the island include Riou and Solide. See also Names of the Marquesas Islands.

Although Ua Huka is located in the northern Marquesas, historically, culturally and linguistically the island's tribes were far more closely aligned with the southern Marquesas Islands, especially with the tribes from Pepane, in the eastern half of Hiva Oa.

Polynesia	Marquesas Islands - French Polynesia
Northern Marquesas: Eiao | Hatutu | Motu Iti | Motu One | Nuku Hiva | Ua Huka | Ua Pu
Southern Marquesas: Fatu Hiva | Fatu Huku | Hiva Oa | Moho Tani | Motu Nao | Tahuata | Terihi
Archipelagoes: Australs | Bass | Gambiers | Marquesas | Societies | Tuamotus