Over the New Year, Hoeani, an eight-year-old boy from Fatu Hiva, was bitten by a shark while playing in the harbour near his village. He suffered severe injuries to his leg and is currently receiving hospital treatment in Tahiti.
We met Hoeani’s father, Poi, while sailing in the Marquesas. Poi and his wife go out of their way to welcome and help sailors visiting their village of Hanavave. We know we are not alone in saying that Poi and his family were a huge and memorable part of our time on this special island.
Fatu Hiva is one of the most remote islands in the South Pacific, the southernmost of the Marquesas. Daily life is closely tied to the ocean and the land, with fishing, hunting, and gathering shaping the rhythm of the community. Accessing medical care from here is extremely difficult, and the family has had to travel four hours by boat to Hiva Oa, then by helicopter to hospital in Nuku Hiva the next morning, followed by a three-hour flight to Tahiti for treatment. Poi is now staying in hospital with his son, far from home and their community.
As sailors who have been welcomed so generously into this community, we want to find a way to give something back when it matters most. We are organising this fundraiser on behalf of the Teikipupuni family to support them during this incredibly difficult time.
Since GoFundMe does not allow withdrawals in CFP francs (XPF), all funds raised will be directly transferred to Poi to help cover the family’s expenses. We want to be fully transparent about this process.
Beyond the initial emergency care, there will be a long road of rehabilitation. The funds raised will go directly to the family to help cover physiotherapy, travel and accommodation, and the costs of being away from home while they focus on their son’s recovery.
If you’re able to help in any way — whether by donating or sharing this page — it would mean the world to this family during an unimaginably difficult time.
Thank you for taking the time to read, and for holding Hoeani and his family in your thoughts.
UPDATE: 01/11/26
We are completely blown away by the kindness, generosity, and messages of support you have all shared. Thank you for showing up for Hoeani and his family in such a beautiful way.
Poi has been sending updates from the hospital and wanted to share a few words with you. Here is a translation of what he wrote:
“Bonjour les amis,
Yesterday the doctor came to see us for a check-up. The doctor says I must be strong, because there may be long-term effects. I want to thank you again for the GoFundMe, because we will really need it. We will have to travel many times after Hoeani’s full healing — these are medical follow-up visits, which may happen every two months. I send you all my love from the hospital with Hoeani.”
Hoeani is currently stable in hospital in Tahiti. While the road ahead may be long, your generosity is helping ease the financial burden on the family so they can focus fully on his recovery. More than that, I know that for Poi and his family, it is also deeply meaningful to know that people are thinking of them and holding them in their hearts.
Poi’s wife, Poi Reva, is with their two other sons back home in Hanavave, keeping the family connected while Poi stays by Hoeani’s side.
Thank you for being part of this journey with them.
________ FRENCH VERSION
Au cours du Nouvel An, Hoeani, un garçon de huit ans originaire de Fatu Hiva, a été mordu par un requin alors qu’il jouait près du port de son village. Il a subi de graves blessures à la jambe et reçoit actuellement des soins à l’hôpital à Tahiti.
Nous avons rencontré le père de Hoeani, Poi, en naviguant dans les Marquises. Poi et sa femme accueillent et aident toujours les marins de passage dans leur village de Hanavave. Nous savons que nous ne sommes pas les seuls à dire que Poi et sa famille ont marqué de façon très spéciale notre séjour sur cette île.
Fatu Hiva est l’une des îles les plus isolées du Pacifique Sud, la plus méridionale des Marquises. La vie quotidienne y est étroitement liée à l’océan et à la terre, avec la pêche, la chasse et la cueillette qui rythment la vie de la communauté. L’accès aux soins médicaux est très difficile depuis l’île, et la famille a dû voyager quatre heures en bateau jusqu’à Hiva Oa, puis être évacuée en hélicoptère vers l’hôpital de Nuku Hiva le lendemain matin, avant de prendre un vol de trois heures jusqu’à Tahiti pour les soins. Poi reste actuellement à l’hôpital aux côtés de son fils, loin de leur maison et de leur communauté.
En tant que marins accueillis avec tant de générosité par cette communauté, nous souhaitons trouver un moyen de rendre quelque chose en retour quand cela compte le plus. Nous organisons cette collecte de fonds au nom de la famille Teikipupuni afin de les soutenir pendant cette période extrêmement difficile.
GoFundMe ne permettant pas les retraits en francs CFP (XPF), tous les fonds récoltés seront directement transférés à Poi pour aider à couvrir les dépenses de la famille. Nous tenons à être totalement transparents à ce sujet.
Au-delà des soins d’urgence, un long chemin de rééducation attend Hoeni. Les fonds serviront à aider la famille à couvrir la kinésithérapie, les déplacements, l’hébergement, et les frais liés au fait d’être loin de chez eux pendant qu’ils se consacrent à la guérison de leur fils.
Si vous pouvez aider d’une quelconque manière — par un don ou en partageant cette page — cela représenterait énormément pour cette famille dans cette épreuve inimaginable.
Merci d’avoir pris le temps de lire et de penser à Hoeani et à sa famille.