Nahuma has a big personality and an infectious laugh. He’s an expert in just about every traditional Polynesian activity imaginable— from playing the ukulele to hand lining tuna out of the sea using traditional wooden hooks he whittled down himself. Nahuma is a captain, fisherman, taro farmer, musician, father, husband and leader in the local church.

Gisèle is the matriarch of the family. She has a wise, calming, compassionate energy about her. She can teach you about mana— a spiritual energy and healing power which can exist in places, objects and persons. She was the island school’s teacher for 30 years, and she is now compiling a book of her own on the history and culture of Rurutu.