Fakahina


Fakahina, or Kaīna, is a small atoll in the north of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Fangatau Atoll, located 72 km to the WNW.
Fakahina Atoll's length is and its maximum width. It has a land area of and a lagoon area of. There is no pass connecting the lagoon with the ocean.
Fakahina has 155 inhabitants. The main village is Tarione.

History

The ancient Ma'ohi people used this atoll as a site for sacrifices.
The first recorded European to arrive to Fakahina Atoll was Otto von Kotzebue, sailing in the service of the Russian tsars, in 1824. This atoll appears as "Predpriati" in some maps.
Part of the population of Fakahina was moved to Puka-Puka to work in the production of copra.
There is a territorial airfield in Fakahina which was inaugurated in 1985.

Administration

Fakahina belongs to the commune of Fangatau, which consists of Fangatau Atoll, as well as the atoll and associated commune of Fakahina.