Hiva Oa is the second largest island in the Marquesas Islands, in French
Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is the
largest island of the Southern Marquesas group. According to local religion,
the gods created the islands as their home. Therefore all islands have names
that are related with the building of a house. Hiva Oa means long ridgepole.
Administratively, Hiva Oa is part of the commune (municipality) of Hiva-Oa,
itself in the administrative subdivision of the Marquesas Islands. Atuona, on
the south side of Hiva Oa island, is the administrative centre of the commune
