wikipedia "niuatoputapu"

Here is the wikipedia entry for "Niuatoputapu", with a couple of my own amendments:
"Geography:
The central top of Niuatoputapu, just beside Vaipoa, is a hill of only 157 meters in height. It is the eroded remnant of a large volcano, which erupted about 3 million years ago. The island is almost entirely surrounded by a large reef, uplifted and largely covered with volcanic ash, which has yielded it a fertile soil.
Niuatoputapu consists primarily of three villages: Hihifo (meaning 'west' in Tongan), Vaipoa ("fishy smell") and Falehau ("house of wind"?). Hihifo is the largest village, and, as its name suggests, lies in the west of the island. It contains the majority of the govemmental faciliies of the island, including the post office, telecommunications, police station and a high school (there are primary schools in all 3 villages). Vaipoa lies in the middle of the island. Falehau, which is east of Vaipoa, fronts on the island's only harbor, on the northeast coast.
History:
The traditional line of lords of the island is the Ma'atu dynasty. According to the legends, an early member of them became the fish god Seketo'a.
Niuatoputapu was put on the European maps by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire during their famous circumnavigation of the globe in their ship the Eendracht (Unity) in 1616. Alter successful bartering with the inhabitants of Tafahi, but not finding a suitable anchorage there, they preceeded to its neighbour. There their reception was less peaceful. Natives boarded their ship and attacked the Dutch with clubs, until they found out what muskets were and could do. After that an uneasy truce existed, enabling the barter of more coconuts, ubes roots (probably ‘uii (yam)), hogs and water. A 'king' of the island came along, but not on board. 'He was equally naked with all the rest", only distinguishable by the respect the islanders paid to him.
The next day the Dutch felt that something was in the air, and indeed when the king came again along he suddenly ordered his people into an attack. There were about 700 to B00 of them in 23 double canoes and 45 single canoes. But the Dutch fired their muskets and 3 cannons, and the islanders then quickly made themselves scarce. Schouten and LeMaire continued their
westwards trip, leaving Verraders (Traitors) island behind.

a look at niua

Here's the island from above (some five miles long)

A closer view of the village of Falehau where I will be staying, note the wharf projecting into the lagoon:

 

 

Here's the house where I will be staying:

...and here is Niua's location on the edge of the Australian Plate - right on the subduction zone with the Pacific Plate. = the Tonga Trench.....that chain of dots are volcanoes - looks like mega tectonic activity is par for the course here....

history - niuatoputapu tsnami sos

My second Pacific Neighbours project was in response to the tsunmai of 2009 which not only caused damage and deaths in Samoa, but on the northern Tongan island of Niuatoputapu (Niua). The two villages of Hihifo and Vaipoa were almost completely washed away by the waves along with most of the islanders’ possessions - including cooking pots and tools.
 My fellow environmental artist Laurie Santell and I gathered some 40 banana boxes of pots, pans, knives, tools and clothing which were kindly delivered directly to those in need on Niua by two yachts which called in on their way to Samoa in 2010, aided by our friend Keini Tollemache who is from Niua.

tsunami damage

devastation

distribution of goods

"atutaki" crew

See my Niuatoputapu Island blog for more info:

http://www.niuatoputapu.blogspot.co.nz/

history - bali bombing aid

The first project I organized to assist one of our neighbours in the Pacific was in response to the Bali bombings in 2002, when I called a meeting in Byron Bay in northern NSW, Australia. From this, the group  “Byron Loves Bali” was formed with the aim of raising funds and assistance for the Indonesian victims of the Bali bombings.
The group subsequently held two major fundraisers which were auspiced by the Australia-Indonesia Arts Alliance (Nth Coast Branch).
The first event was a concert at the Byron Surf Club on 5th November 2002 which featured local and international musicians and the Gold Coast Balinese Dance Troupe.
The second event was the Shakuntala dance drama performance on 3rd May 2003. This wonderful and very successful event was presented by Kerensa Dewantoro, and the Gamelan Gin Jaya orchestra from Toowoomba.
From the AIAA website: “After 'Shakuntala', the Convenor of the Byron Loves Bali Group, Martin Adlington, said:
"I would like to thank all concerned with our successful concert: sponsors, volunteers, performers and audience. To date we have raised over $12,000 and benefited from the support of over 100 local businesses.
"Our next aim is to promote the message that it is safe to return to Bali and that this is, in fact, the best way of supporting the Balinese”.
In all a total of more than AU$16,000 was raised and used to fund 12 targeted support projects.
See:
http://www.aiaa.org.au/byronlovesbali.html

The bombing left many survivors with serious burn injuries. We sent a call went out to supply pressure dressings, applicator rings and appropriate skin care cream to Denpasar Hospital's Melati ward, which was in critical need.
I very much appreciated the efforts of Byron Loves Bali member Ray King organized the purchase of burn creams and bandages at half price from local businesses such as Thursday Plantation, Sunspirit, Innovation Ballina and SSS Australia. In addition, Qantas staff took great pains to personally deliver the supplies (free of charge) to the Denpasar hospital.
Great care was taken to ensure that all the monies and aid raised went directly to those in need. I continue to extend my gratitude for the success of this project to all who participated, with special thanks to those in Bali who made sure that nothing went astray. For more pix & info see:
http://www.aiaa.org.au/byronlovesbaliprojects.html