Mapu a Vaea
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Mapu a Vaea | |
|---|---|
Blowholes | |
| Mapu'a Vaea | |
 The 'Mapu a Vaea', Blowholes | |
 Interactive map of Mapu a Vaea | |
| Location | Tongatapu, Tonga |
| Nickname | Whistle of the Noble |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 5km |
The Mapu a Vaea, also known as Mapu'a Vaea, are a chain of natural blowholes on the island of Tongatapu, located near the village of Houma in the Kingdom of Tonga.[1] It is one of the highlights of the tours around the island of Tongatapu.[2][3]
Mapu a Vaea translates to "Whistle of the Noble" or "Chief's Whistles".[1] "Vaea" is the name of the Vaea family of nearby Houma. They are the eponymous chiefs of the translated title; as such, Mapu a Vaea has also been called the "whistle of Vaea."[4] The name is also based on the sound of the blowholes, said to resemble the whistling of a high-ranking Tongan chief.[5] The etymology has also been claimed to be inspired by an ancient Tongan chief who mediated by the blowholes.[6]