Prostitution in Overseas France were female, 20% male and 50% transsexual (known as "raerae"). When Captain Samuel Wallis discovered Tahiti in 1767, he traded with the islanders for fresh provisions. The Polynesians had no source of iron, and the women sold sex for nails. Wallis had to ban shore leave for the crew for fear of the ship collapsing as so many nails had been removed from the structure. When Captain Cook arrived in 1769, the price had risen from one nail to three nails. By the time of Cook's 3rd visit in 1774, the currency had changed from nails to European clothes and
Tahiti Nui a completely different composition. Tahiti Nui Tahiti Nui is a Tahitian song that has been recorded by a multitude of artists. Possibly one of the most popular Pacific Island songs. The song can be heard on radio and in parties from Guam, to Port Moresby, to Rarotonga. Toti's Tahitians covered the song and it was released on the "Little Brown Gal" album which was released on Viking VP 24. It has been described by Bengt Danielsson, author of "From Raft to Raft: An Incredible Voyage from Tahiti to Chile and Back" as a melancholy Tahitian song in praise of the