Ua Pou has one of the earth's most dramatic skylines. a wilderness of fantastic peaks, thrusting 1,200 meters (4,000 ft.) into the ocean sky. Great cathedral spires, strange obelisk-shaped columns that give the island its name - the Pillars.
Located 35 km.(22 miles) south of Nuku Hiva and 85 km. (53 miles) west-northwest of Hiva Oa, Ua Pou is the third largest island in the Marquesas Archipelago.
Hakahau boasts the first Marquesan church, built in 1859, and Haakuti and Hakahetau villages there are small catholic churches built on top of paepae platforms. Hakahau has an hospital, gendarmerie, bank, post office, food stores, boutiques, Air Tahiti office, port facilities, schools, Catholic and Protestant churches, pensions, restaurants and bars.