From a Land of Tattooed Warriors, A Voyage from the Marquesas Islands to the Hawaiian Islands is a story of a battle, exile, romance and discovery of a land where life could begin anew. It tells the story of the incredible voyage from the Marquesas Islands by the first settlers of the Hawaiian Islands. The Marquesas Islands are fantastically rugged lands of savage grandeur and beauty, the remnants of ancient volcanic calderas that rise abruptly out of the sea. Theirs was a nearly forgotten dualistic world of both love and beauty, violence and fear. Where tribal warriors lived in a continual state of war and wild, bold and powerful landscapes created inhabitants possessing the same qualities.


After a devastating military defeat, their Te'i'i tribe was exiled from its coastal valley into an inland area where survival by farming during a current drought would be uncertain. Their tribe had been able to move three double-hull voyaging canoes inland for protection allowing some to brave the dangers of the sea on a voyage of discovery in search of a new home. Among them were Takitoa, the leading warrior of the tribe, and Nanihi, the beautiful first-born daughter of their chief. While on Nuku Hiva Island their love was forbidden due to Nanihi's royal ancestry, but after leaving Taioha'e Bay and heading north to the Hawaiian Islands, they became free from taboo or tapu. During the month-long voyage, their romance grew and after settling into their new home in Waipi'o Valley on Hawai'i Island, they married. Nanihi gave birth to a son, Keali'i, and due to his mother's royal ancestry, he became high chief.