104 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
could collect a congregation, and then returned to 
Eimeo with Tuahine, Oito, and their companions, 
—who accompanied them, in order to attend the 
school, and receive more ample instruction in those 
things, respecting which, though formerly so in¬ 
different, they were now most anxious to be in¬ 
formed. 
Tuahine was born in the island of Raiatea, but 
had been some time residing in the inland parts of 
the district of Pare. Oito was an inhabitant, if 
not a native, of Hautaua, and in this lovely, ver¬ 
dant, and sequestered valley, the first native meet¬ 
ing for prayer was held, and the first associated 
vows were paid to Heaven. 
I was personally acquainted with Oito while he 
resided in Eimeo, and have often passed along the 
mouth or opening of this valley, but regret that I 
never had an opportunity of traversing its interior, 
and visiting the abode of Oito, or the sites of the 
rural oratories of the first Christians in Tahiti. 
Hautaua valley is an interesting spot, not only on 
account of the events connected with the early 
history of Christianity, which transpired within 
its borders, but also from the peculiarity of its 
scenery. 
