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The marae is an enclosure where social and religious gatherings were held by the ancient Tahitians. The Marae Arahurahu (PK 22.5,
Paea) was restored by Dr. Sinoto of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, and this site is used in July during the Heiva festival as a stage for re-enacting some of the ancient rituals of the Tahitians. The marae
was dedicated to the cult of the gods, the atua. The ancient Tahitians believed that there were certain gods who lived amongst them. Taahora, supported the foundations of the world and his daughter
Hina, created the skies, the earth and the sea. His sons, Oro and Tane, were also major gods and Hiro was known as the traveling god. The ti'i (known as Tiki) were fertility symbols used by sorcerers
for magic rites.
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