Mauke

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Mauke

One of the 15 Islands that comprises the Cook Islands, belongs to the southern group.

Mauke (from ma uke, "Uke's Land"; also known as Akatokamanava) is one of the Cook Islands.

Mauke is half as big as Rarotonga in circumference. It is 18 kilometres (11¼ miles) around compared to Rarotonga's 32 kilometres (20 miles). The topography, however, is quite different. Mauke consists of a central volcanic plateau which climbs to a maximum height of about 30 metres. It is surrounded by a raised, fossilised coral reef 'makatea' which ranges from about 100 metres from the shoreline to about 1000 metres inland. There are no rivers so rainwater which falls inland drains into swamps on the inner rim of the 'makatea' and thence underground to the lagoon, similar to Mangaia. The lagoon is very short and you get a good close-up of spectacular waves smashing on the surrounding reef.

MAUKE - in the Southern group of the Cook Islands, is one of a group of three islands 135 miles east-northeast of Rarotonga known to the native Cook islanders as 'NGA-PU-TORU' (the three roots), the other 2 islands being Atiu and Mitiaro.

The island lies less than 50 miles to the east and is surrounded by a mile-wide formation of fossilized coral called MAKATEA. This inhospitable surface is razor-sharp preventing the contruction of local edifices and also exists on the other two neighboring islands. This formation was caused by the volcanic upraising of all three islands, thus killing the living coral reef, which was eventually fossilized by the salt air.

Legend has it that Chief UKE arrived from AVAIKI, the fatherland in the sky, and gave his beautiful daughter in marriage to Chief Atiu-Mua and their descendents peopled both islands for many generations. However, there was not always agreement: the stronger Atiuans would raid Mauke on occasions for food and women. Today, Mauke is a tranquil location where tourists can visit a number of interesting caves in the makatea, beautiful white sandy beaches with a shallow lagoon, historical sites and wonderful subjects for photographers. There are at least three accomodation sites available, which may be arranged by the airline from Rarotonga.

kiaorana.com/mauke.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Islands