Haapai Atoll

The Haʻapai group lies in central Tonga, with low coral islands, reefs and volcanic islands scattered between Tongatapu and Vavaʻu. Tongan canoes connected its communities and chiefly centres. James Cook visited Haʻapai in 1777, when he met the Tuʻi Tonga Paulaho and witnessed the ceremonies surrounding high chiefly rank.