With the fake thatched hut, tribal dancers in grass skirts and 20-foot outrigger canoe onstage, you might think you were in the middle of homecoming at Honolulu High.

FORBES: Tale of the South Pacific

Every October attention turns to the sea during the Hawaiki Nui Va'a, an outrigger canoe race that attracts more than 100 teams which navigate around the Society Islands between Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a and Bora Bora.

BBC: Getting in the Tahitian spirit