The Rapa Nui Heritage Foundation is a newly established organization dedicated to the preservation of the cultural heritage of Easter Island and to the involvement of the Rapa Nui people in this process.
The creation of the Foundation was the dream of Sergio Rapu, a Rapa Nui native who has devoted his life to the preservation of the culture and heritage of Easter Island. A former Governor of the Island, an archaeologist and a businessman, Sergio has been instrumental in promoting the preservation of the Moai (statues) and Ahu (altars) on Easter Island in a way that involves and benefits the Rapa Nui people.
In 2004, Sergio enlisted the aid of Sebastian Teunissen, of the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley to bring his vision into existence.
Three teams of MBA students from the International Business Development Program from the Haas School's Clausen Center for International Business and Policy have undertaken projects on Easter Island. They have evaluated the potential for ecotourism operations and undertaken a detailed analysis of the transportation challenges faced by the people of Easter Island. |
