Who is Tupuhoe from Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific by Raft and what is their importance?

Tupuhoe is the true chief of the Raroia village. He does all the social and spiritual rituals, changing his demeanor from friendly and jolly to very serious as the occasion requires. Tupuhoe initiates the festivities given in honor of the crewmembers and bestows upon them honorable Polynesian names, thereby adopting them into the village.