The Mapu a Vaea or "Whistle of the Noble" are natural blowholes on the island of Tongatapu in the village of Houma in the Kingdom of Tonga. [1] When waves crash into the reef, natural channels in the volcanic rock allow water to forcefully blow through and create a plume-like effect. It is one of the highlights of the tours around the island of Tongatapu. [2] [3] "Vaea" is the name of the Honorable Vaea Family of nearby Houma.
Coordinates: 21°10′33.4″S175°18′24.4″W / 21.175944°S 175.306778°W
Tonga officially named the Kingdom of Tonga, is a Polynesian archipelagic monarchy consisting of 171 islands, of which 45 are inhabited. The total surface area of the archipelago is about 750 km2 (290 sq mi), scattered over 700,000 km2 (270,000 sq mi) of the southern Pacific Ocean. As of 2021, according to Johnson's Tribune, Tonga has a population of 104,494, 70% of whom reside on the main island, Tongatapu. The country stretches approximately 800 km (500 mi) north-south. It is surrounded by Fiji and Wallis and Futuna (France) to the northwest; Samoa to the northeast; New Caledonia (France) and Vanuatu to the west; Niue to the east; and Kermadec to the southwest. Tonga is about 1,800 km (1,100 mi) from New Zealand's North Island.
Located in Oceania, Tonga is a small archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, directly south of Samoa and about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. It has 169 islands, 36 of them inhabited, which are in three main groups – Vavaʻu, Haʻapai, and Tongatapu – and cover an 800-kilometre (500-mile)-long north–south line. The total size is just 747 km2 (288 sq mi). Due to the spread out islands it has the 40th largest Exclusive Economic Zone of 659,558 km2 (254,657 sq mi).
Tongatapu is the main island of Tonga and the site of its capital, Nukuʻalofa. It is located in Tonga's southern island group, to which it gives its name, and is the country's most populous island, with 74,611 residents (2016), 70.5% of the national population, on 260 square kilometres. Based on Google Earth Pro, its maximum elevation is at least 70 metres above sea level along Liku Road at 21 degrees 15 minutes and 55.7 seconds south 175 degrees 08 minutes 06.4 seconds west, but could be even higher somewhere else. Tongatapu is Tonga's centre of government and the seat of its monarchy.
Mapu may refer to:
Kanokupolu is a village on Tongatapu. The population is 354. it is the originating seat of the Tuʻi Kanokupolu dynasty, to which the current king of Tonga still traces his descent. The people of Kanokupolu are the only ones allowed to dress in a particular lakalaka costume, called the folaʻosi, when they perform this dance.
The Tuʻipelehake is the second highest ranking chiefly title in Tonga. In the absence of the ancient Tuʻi Faleua title, the Tuʻipelehake title is second in rank after the King's title, Tuʻi Kanokupolu. There have been several holders of the title mainly from the ruling royal family, from princes to prime ministers. It is Tongan custom to refer to the holder by his customary title, only adding his given name if confusion may arise. For example, Tuʻi Pelehake (ʻUluvalu).
ʻEua[ʔe.ˈu.a] is an island in the kingdom of Tonga. It is close to Tongatapu, but forms a separate administrative division. It has an area of 87.44 km2 (33.76 sq mi), and a population in 2021 of 4,903 people.
Siaosi ʻAlipate Halakilangi Tau’alupeoko Vaea Tupou, more commonly known as Baron Vaea, was a Tongan politician who served as Prime Minister of Tonga. Vaea was a nephew of Queen Sālote, who ruled Tonga from 1918 until 1965, and a member of the Tongan nobility. His career in the Tongan government spanned 54 years.
Pangaimotu is a small island in the Tongatapu group of Tonga, lying near the capital Nukuʻalofa. It is reachable by a 10-minute boat trip from Nukuʻalofa. Aside from the beaches, a centrepiece of the island's attraction is a wreck jumping from the hull of the upturned ship 50 metres off the island's main beach. The island also contains the Big Mama Yacht Club, the Pangaimotu Island Resort and a vanilla plantation.
Niutoua is a village in Tongatapu, Tonga. It is located close to the Ha'amonga 'a Maui stone on the extreme northeast corner of the island. It was the first capital of the Tu'i Tonga Empire. It had a population of 671 in 2016.
Nukuleka is a small fishing village on the north-east coast of the island of Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga. In January 2008, Canadian archaeologist David V. Burley claimed that it was the "cradle of Polynesia".
Early general elections under a new electoral law were held in Tonga on 25 November 2010. They determined the composition of the 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly.
Nikotimasi Fatafehi Laufilitonga Kakau Vahaʻi, styled Lord Vaha'i, is a Tongan noble and politician. He holds the title of Vahaʻi of Foʻui.
Siale ʻAtaongo Kaho, Lord Tuʻivakanō is a Tongan politician who served as the Prime Minister of Tonga from 2010 to 2014.
Siosaʻia Lausiʻi, Lord Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi, also known as Lord Maʻafu, was a Tongan politician, military officer, and member of the Tongan nobility.
ʻAlipate Tuʻivanuavou Vaea, Lord Vaea is a Tongan politician and a member of the Tongan nobility. He has served as Master of the Royal Household and "long-time palace archivist", as well as being Chairman of the Tonga Traditions Committee.
Houma is a village in Tongatapu, Tonga. It contains Mapu a Vaea. It had a population of 2086 in 2016.
Tongatapu 6 is an electoral constituency for the Legislative Assembly in the Kingdom of Tonga. It was established for the November 2010 general election, when the multi-seat regional constituencies for People's Representatives were replaced by single-seat constituencies, electing one representative via the first past the post electoral system. Located on the country's main island, Tongatapu, it encompasses the villages of Hofoa, Puke, Siaʻatoutai, Fatai, Lakepa, Matangiake, Kahoua, Makapaeo, Liahona, Lomaiviti, Houma, Haʻakame, Haʻalalo, and ʻUtulau.
Tuputupu -‘o-Pulotu Vaea, The Honourable Baroness Tuputupu ‘o Pulotu Vaea of Houma was a Tongan noblewoman and royal. Vaea and her late husband, former Prime Minister of Tonga Baron Vaea (1921–2009), are the parents of the present Queen of Tonga, Queen Nanasipau'u. She was the mother-in-law of the present King of Tonga, Tupou VI.
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