Tahai is one of the most important ceremonial centers of the Island, located on the west coast, just one kilometer (3,300 feet) north of the village of Hanga Roa, covering an area of 20,000 square meters (4 acres). Along with Ahu Vinapu, it is one of the oldest centers, constructed in the main period of settlement around the years 700 and 800 A.D. According to local lore, it belonged to one or more lines of the ruling Miru clan. One of the reasons for selecting this spot was, without a doubt, the shallow boat landing which serves for fishing from shore and which was called Hanga Moana Verovero.
The archaeological complex, which was restored between 1968 and 1970 under the direction of the American archaeologist William Mulloy, consists of three platforms : Ahu Vai Uri with 5 Moai (statues), Ahu Tahai with one Moai and Ahu Ko Te Riku with a lone Moai with a Pukao (headdress)and with his eyes restored. The oldest of the three platforms is one which lies underneath the current restored Ahu Tahai.
The old stories tell that priests built their houses (Hare Paenga) close to the Ahu (ceremonial platform), while the rest of the people lived inland in caves or huts built with sticks and reeds. The Hare Paenga were residential constructions with a base of worked stones in the form of the hull of a canoe and with rounded ends. They could reach an average length of 15 meters covered with a frame of branches and plant fibers. Other living areas were the Hare Maea, or stone houses. In this ceremonial center, there are also stone chicken houses (Hare Moa), Polynesian ovens (Umu Pae), water receptacles (Taheta) and small caves in which people could spend the night admiring the starry skies. The Tahai overlook is the best place on the Island to enjoy the beautiful sunsets. A place to dream.
