The Protected Marine Reserve Bora Bora Rāhui at Matira Point in Bora Bora, French Polynesia now has a dedicated, multi-purpose space that brings together management, outreach, and public engagement.
It includes a command center (Fare poporahui) for monitoring and detection systems, an office for two rahui managers, and a space for youth activities and community gatherings. The site also increases the visibility of the rahui for residents and visitors, with information in French, English and Polynesian languages on rules, activities, and key findings shared regularly. A public mosaic helps make the space welcoming and engaging, especially for youth and visitors. This achievement was made possible through the combined support and funding of the Commune de Bora Bora, Global Conservation, OneReef Worldwide Stewardship, and other partners.
The Rāhui is a traditional system for managing natural areas in the Pacific. ‘Rā’ means the sun, life. ‘Hui’ means abundance, multiplication. Today’s rāhui will allow our children and grandchildren to continue enjoying fish and lobsters in the future.
Rāhui can be translated as “the multiplication of life” or “regeneration.” It is the equivalent of a protected nature reserve under current legislation.
The Poporahui was decorated with the help of the environmental and social association Ia Vai Ma Noa Bora Bora, the Fare Hiroa Cultural Committee, and the Municipality of Bora Bora to ensure that the rahui’s inauguration would be a success and to link the environment with culture.
The ceremony alternated between speeches, the blessing of the Rahui stele, a children’s dance, and children’s singing. The ceremony lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes and served to bring together the environment and culture, as well as to revive ancestral customs (through the Rahui).
David Lecchini, Senior Researcher at Centre de Recherche Insulaire et Observatoire de l’Environnement (CRIOBE) said, “The inauguration of the rahui and the Poporahui Center went very well. The Poporahui Center is already being used by the population of Bora Bora. The goal is for the Poporahui Center to become a familiar place for the community to hold meetings, conferences, and training sessions. Thus, this past Friday, September 26, and Saturday, September 27, a training session for spear-fishers was held at the Poporahui Center. Tehani (Maueau, President of Vai Ma Noa Bora Bora) and I attended to discuss the rahui with spear-fishers from Bora Bora, Raiatea, and Maupiti.”
“The most moving moment was the placement of a traditional arrow. To celebrate and officially declare the establishment of the rahui, a wooden arrow was crafted. This arrow was carried by Callie, a fisherwoman from Bora Bora (who placed third in the most recent world spearfishing championship). Callie and five rowers took the arrow in a va’a (canoe) to the exposed reef located in the middle of the rahui. Callie then placed the arrow vertically in a hole, marking the beginning of the rahui, just as her ancestors did in the past in French Polynesia.”